RE- ADVERTISED REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION METHOD

Assignment Title: Request for Expression of Interest (REIO) Consultancy Services Manage and Implement SME Technical Assistance Program

Reference No.:  LR-MOCI-355173-CS-QCBS 

The Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has received Financing from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of implementing the Liberia Investment, Trade & Finance Project (LIFT-P) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of the Financing towards payments under the contract for Consultancy Services to Manage and Implement SME Technical Assistance Program of the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P).

The overall objective of the LIFT-P is to improve the investment climate, expand sustainable access to finance, and increase the efficiency of trade in Liberia and help formal MSMEs recover from the impact of the COVID-19. The LIFT-P is an explicit contributor to the FY19-FY24 Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 

The duration of the assignment is expected to last for three (3) years with annual renewal based on satisfactory performance.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached below.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry now invites eligible Consulting Firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria is listed as per the Terms of Reference provided below. 
 

The Consulting Firm should have a minimum qualifications and experience as follows:

• At least eight (8) years’ experience in delivering business development/advisory services to growth-oriented SMEs in similar context in the region; knowledge and experience of working in Liberia will be an added advantage.
• Experience in developing supply chain linkages and and/or managing incubation/acceleration programs for growth-oriented SMEs for at least three different clients in the past. 
• Proven ability to attract and build a very strong team of recognized experts covering different areas of expertise needed for SME development, supply chain linkages and supplier development programs.   
• Adequacy of the delivery approach and the proposed work plan in responding to these Terms of Reference.
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to establish, manage and operate a complex, and financially sustainable entrepreneurial business organization. Evidence of at least ten SMEs with 30% growth post support.
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to mobilize investment and funding for supported businesses. At least fifteen (15) SMEs accessing investment or funding of some sort as a direct result of your BDS received, and a minimum cumulative $1 Million investment mobilized by SMEs as a result of your BDS or incubation. 
• Experience and demonstrated capacity in supporting SMEs in making their operations environmentally sustainable and climate efficient and resilient. 
• Demonstrated linkages with leading local and international partners, including large buyers, certification bodies, investors, technical and business experts (BDS), or leading research and development organizations.
• Demonstration of management (especially financial management systems), staffing capacity and logistics to execute large service contracts including sub-contractors, including a track record of working effectively with the private sector at both working and senior level, and with government agencies in delivering supplier or other business development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in working in Liberia or the sub-region is an added advantage.\
• Demonstration of deeper understanding and experience in using market systems and supply chain development approach, as well as fostering ecosystem building. 

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 1, 2016, Revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s 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 and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016 as Revised in November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020). 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e., 0900 to 1600 hours GMT, Monday to Friday. 
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by
mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) on or before Monday May 22, 2023 with subject: 
“Re: Consultancy Services to Manage and Implement SME Technical Assistance Program for the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)”.

Liberia Investment, Finance and Trade Project (LIFT-P)
Attn: Mr. James Gayflor Quiqui 
Project Coordinator
IJS Ministerial Complex 
Congo Town
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: +231 777 240 201/775 654 713 
E-mail: jamesquiqui@gmail.com 
Cc: vanyanbah.julius@yahoo.com