Independent Procurement Review

Source: World Bank — ET: Agricultural Growth Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONSOF INTEREST

                           (Firm Selection)

Country: Federal DemocraticRepublic of Ethiopia

Name of project: AgriculturalGrowth Program (AGP)

Loan No.: IDA 47830 ET

Assignment Title: Independent Procurement Review

Reference No. : AGP/CU/Cons-004/2014

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has received financing from IDA toward the cost ofthe Agricultural Growth Program (AGP), and intends to apply part of theproceeds for independentprocurement review.

The objectives of thisindependent procurement review are as follows:

• To review the procurement, contracting, and implementation processes for a sample of contracts under the AGP, to confirm their consistency with the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Procurement Plan approved at the region and woreda level, procurement manual and the FA;

• To seek a professional opinion on compliance by the procurement processes with the general principle of economy and efficiency, equal opportunities, transparency and verify technical compliance, physical completion and price competitiveness of each contract in the selected representative sample of contracts;

• To review the capacity of implementing agencies ( federal, regional, and woreda level IAs) in handlingprocurement efficiently, comment on the quality of procurement and contracting, and identify reasons for delays, if any and overall, how procurement management facilitates project implementation; 

• To identify any indicators of questionable standards of ethics in the procurement management and oversight environment that make the processes vulnerable to fraud and corruption or collusive and obstructive practices, and report any suspicious cases; and
• To recommend actions needed to improve project procurement performance in light of deficiencies.

The consulting services ("the Services") include:

• Developing the methodology and datacollection instruments

• Lead the data collection, organizationand analysis task, and

• Prepare and submit comprehensive programimplementation review report as per agreed standard and schedule.

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligibleconsulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing theServices. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating thatthey have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform theServices. The short listing criteria are: experiencesin the field of assignment, technical and managerial capabilities of the firm,their core business and years in business and qualifications of key staffs.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn toparagraph 1.9 of the World Bank's Guidelines:Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits &Grants] by World Bank Borrowers , January, 2011 ("ConsultantGuidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in CQS Consultant selection method set outin the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during officehours: 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to theaddress below (in person, or by e-mail) by February 27, 2014 at 10:00AM.

Attn: Mr. Degayehu Desso/ Woldamlak Bitew

Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Agricultural GrowthPrograme(AGP)

Procurement, Finance and Property Administration Directorate.

CMC Road, behind Ministry of Mines.

Block B, Room number B-1-2

City: Addis Ababa, Bole Sub City

Telephone: 0116462285/460743

Facsimile number: 011-6460743