Education Modernization Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

KAZAKHSTAN

EDUCATION MODERNIZATION PROJECT

Loan No. 8709-KZ

Assignment Title: Unified National Testing assessment system Improvement   

Contract Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): KZEMP/QCBS-11

The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has received financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereinafter – the World Bank) toward the cost of the Education Modernization Project (hereinafter – the Project).

Project’s objective is to improve quality and equity in primary and secondary education, particularly in rural schools. The executive agency is the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – MSHE).

MSHE intends to apply a part of the proceeds for consulting services for strengthening the Unified National Testing system.

The consulting services (“the Services”) are aimed at strengthening the assessment system in education through 1) training of UNT test items developers; 2) development of at least 5000 test items for the UNT and guidelines for development of test items and testing procedures; 3) capacity building of the NTC specialists in preparing and organization of test checks.

Expected duration of assignment: 9 months from the date of Contract signing.

Scope of services includes the following:

1. Training of at least 350 test item developers and experts on development of test items who will measure the knowledge and skills required for admission to universities and colleges in accordance with the new curriculum for secondary education.
2. Development and approbation (piloting) of at least 5,000 test items of various types in the Kazakh and Russian languages for all subjects (15 subjects) of the UNT, and development of guidelines based on international experience for assessment procedures and analyzing test results.
3. Capacity building of the NTC specialists in preparation and organization of testing including training of specialists on the content of test items of the UNT and managers for assessment procedures (at least 30 specialists with the travel abroad), training of at least 15 IT specialists of the NTC to ensure operational activity.

Deliverables:

The Consultant must provide the following documents:

• Agreed program of the training course for the UNT test items developers and for the NTC specialists;
• At least 350 developers and experts on testing trained. Certificates for test developers and experts;
• 5000 UNT items developed and passed the expertise;
• Approbation of 5000 UNT items;
• Agreed Guidelines for developing test items and conducting testing procedures;
• Trained specialists of the NTC. Certificates issued to the names of the specialists.

Thus, the MSHE (“the Client”) now invites the eligible consulting firms (“the Consultants”) to express their interest in provision of the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (but not biographical details of individual experts).

The shortlisting criteria for the Consultant are as follows:

1) At least 10 years of international experience in provision of the services on development of testing standards, testing formats and instruments on a national scale;

2) At least 10 years of international experience in conducting trainings for developers of test items including tests with the multimedia elements;

3) Availability of key personnel (international and local) with respective experience in the area of pedagogical measurements for provision of consulting services;

4) Available partnership network for logistical provision in Kazakhstan is the advantage.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by the WB Borrowers of January 2011 revised on July 2014 (hereinafter – Consultant Guidelines), setting forth the World Bank policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture (JV), consortium or a sub-consultancy. The type of association must be clearly stated in the expression of interest. In case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

Consultants will be selected through the Quality and Cost Based Selection method in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Consultant Guidelines.

Additional information can be obtained at the address below during business hours from 09:00 to 18:00 (Astana time).

Expressions of interest signed by an authorized person, in PDF format with relevant supporting documents, must be sent to the email address n.kaulanova@eduproject.kz or delivered to the address below no later than 18:00 (Astana time) on May 30, 2023.

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Education Modernization Project

Project Implementation Unit

Attn: Mrs. Nuriya Kaulanova, PIU Procurement Specialist

Address:

Office 1004, 10th floor, Kazyna Tower Business Center,

10 Mangilik El ave., Astana city

For additional information, please, do not hesitate to contact the Project Implementation Unit by e-mail: n.kaulanova@eduproject.kz  or tel: +7 7172 645 796

·         Consulting Firm Information

·         Associations (Joint Venture or Sub-consultancy)

Present, please, the rationale for and the benefits of working in association (JV or Sub-consultant) with the other consultants rather than undertaking the assignment independently (as appropriate). Describe the proposed approach of the association on management and coordination and the role of each firm.

·         Technical competence

Project References - highlight the technical qualifications of your entity/consortium while undertaking similar assignments. Provide details of past experiences working with similar project authorities.

·         Geographical experience

Project References, present experiences in similar geographic areas.

·         Management Competence

-      Describe standard policies, procedures, and practices that your entity has to assure quality interaction with clients and outputs. Please state if your company is ISO certified.

-      How your firm/consortium handles complaints concerning the performance by the experts or quality of the reports submitted for previous and future assignments? What internal controls are in place to address and resolve complaints?

-      How you ensure the quality of your firm’s/consortium’s performance over the life of assignments.

·         Projects references

Present relevant projects to demonstrate the firm’s technical qualifications and geographical experience (maximum 10 projects).

·         Summary for the Projects listed above

·         Eligibility

We, the undersigned, certify to the best of our knowledge and belief:

-      We have read the announced procurement notice, including the terms of reference (TOR), for this assignment (YES/NO)

-      Neither the consulting firm nor its JV member or sub-consultant or any of its experts prepared the TOR for this activity (YES/NO)

-      We confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm/consortium. (YES/NO)

-      In case the ensuing assignment is resulting from our work product under this assignment, our firm, JV member or sub-consultant, and the expert(s) will be disqualified from short-listing and participation in the assignment.

-      The lead entity and JV member or sub-consultant are NOT currently sanctioned by international banks for development or other IDBs. Neither the consulting firm nor the JV member or sub-consultant has ever been convicted of an professional ethics offense or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.