Consultancy services for setting-up and running Knowledge Transfer Networks to promote good agricultural practices for the prevention and reduction of pollution in rural areas

Project: P179786 - Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) Reference: 01-QBS-2024 Procurement method: Quality Based Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES) ROMANIA Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project Loan No.: 9505-RO Assignment Title: Consultancy services for setting-up and running Knowledge Transfer Networks to promote good agricultural practices for the prevention and reduction of pollution in rural areas Reference No . (as per Procurement Plan): 01/QBS/2024 The Government of Romania has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID Project), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The assignment includes specialized consultancy services (“the Services”) for setting-up and running Knowledge Transfer Networks to promote good agricultural practices for the prevention and reduction of pollution in rural areas. The duration of the contract will be until 29th of February, 2028, or any subsequent date, as agreed in writing by the Parties through a contract amendment. The Consultant is expected to commence performance of the services starting with a contract kick-off meeting. The duration of Phase 1 will be three (3) months from the kick-off meeting. The commencement of Phase 2 is contingent upon the successful completion of Phase 1. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. The Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests - Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project, now invites eligible consulting firms or joint ventures (“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 are: I. General qualifications - 20 points Consultants shall provide information on: core business and years in business, presentation of relevant projects on working with farmers on agriculture or environment issues implemented which are relevant for this assignment. References will be provided. II. Specific experience - 80 points The Consultants should demonstrate, for the last 5 years, general experience in working with farmers on agriculture and environment issues. Preferably, the Consultants should have specific recent (within the last 5 years) experience in similar projects related to information dissemination and/or training activities related to environmentally friendly farming practices (preferably 3 projects). The Consultants should also demonstrate previous experience in information dissemination and/or training activities, preferably in half of the targeted counties. The Consultants should demonstrate they have access to relevant facilities considered necessary for execution of the assignment. The 5 years specific experience will be proven through recommendation letters from the Contracting Authorities. Furthermore, the Consultants must demonstrate to have access to potential host farmers at national level (for at least half of the counties). This might include existing farmers‘ organizations. No CVs should be provided at this stage of the selection procedure as the Key Experts requested in the Terms of Reference will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, 3.17 and 3.21 to 3.24 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers”November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and Eligibility. Consultants may associate with other eligible entities (NGOs, research institutes, etc) 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 case of a Joint-Venture (JV), all the partners in the JV will be evaluated jointly and they shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. Interested Consultants should clearly indicate in their Expression of interest the structure of their “association” and the duties and responsibilities of each of the partners and sub-consultants. Please note that any entity (Consultant, NGO, research institute, etc.) shall submit only one Expression of Interest in the same selection process, either individually as a single consultant or as a partner in a joint venture . A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Quality-based Selection (QBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from Monday to Thursday 8:30 to 17:00 hours and Friday 08:30 to 14:30 hours. Expressions of interest and supporting documents, must be submitted in a written form, in English language, (by e-mail, i