Elaboration of the National Development Plan for the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector in Moldova, the Long Term Investment Programme and the Financing Strategy

Project: P173076 - Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project Reference: MD-PIU-NORLD-424191-CS-QCBS Procurement method: Quality And Cost-Based Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION) Republic of Moldova Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project Project No.: P173076 Assignment Title: Elaboration of the National Development Plan for the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector in Moldova, the Long Term Investment Programme and the Financing Strategy Reference No .: MD-PIU-NORLD-424191-CS-QCBS Date: May 07, 2024 The Government of the Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project (MWSSP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include the development of the specialized section "Water and Sanitation" of the National Development Plan (WSS Specialized Section), as a strategic tool with the support of which the Government of the Republic of Moldova will improve the overall governance aspects of water and sanitation services, the efficiency of the planning and prioritisation process of sectoral investments, as well as the optimisation of the financing of the sector to achieve national objectives. The WSS Specialised Section will cover the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova, ensuring that rural areas where services remain underdeveloped are adequately addressed. The WSS Specialised Section will consist of two main parts: Part I. Water Supply and Part II. Sanitation. An expected outcome is that the Investment Plan presented under the WSS Specialised Section will become a reference document for planning and prioritising household and international funding in a coherent and harmonised way. The WSS Specialised Section is part of the Plan of National Territorial Development, initiated according to the provisions of the Law no. 835/1996 on the principles of urbanism and territorial development, taking also in consideration the newly approved provisions of the Urbanism and Construction Code No. 434/2023. The duration of the assignment is estimated to approximately 24 months from the contract signing. The estimated level of effort of professional staff is approximate 75 person/working months. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.ondrl.gov.md (link: https://ondrl.gov.md/categorie/proiectul-saasm/anunturi-saasm/) or can be obtained at the email address given below. The Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project 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 are: at least 10 years of experience in Territorial or Urban Planning and Engineering Network and Pipeline Design in Water and Sanitation Sector; holding a portfolio of at least 5 projects in development of the Master Plans, Territorial and Urban Planning and Engineering Network and Pipeline Design in Water and Sanitation Sector in last 10 years; International expertise brought into projects of similar nature executed on territory of the Republic of Moldova will be an advantage; proved knowledge of necessary European Union legislation and standards which will be taken into account in the development of the WSS Specialised Section; human and technical resources (availability of devices, including software) for the successful execution of the proposed activity. 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”, dated 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. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09.00 to 17.00 local time in the Republic of Moldova. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by May 31, 2024, 17:00 local time . Contract address: P.I. National Office for Regional and Local Development, Moldova Water Security and Sanitation Project (PIU) 51A, Alexandru cel Bun Street, 2nd floor mun. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-201