Consultancy Services for Diagnostic analysis on the sustainability of the Romanian agriculture

Project: P179786 - Romania Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project (RAPID) Reference: 04-QCBS-2025 Procurement method: Quality And Cost-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 Diagnostic Analysis on the Sustainability of Romanian Agriculture Reference No . (as per Procurement Plan): 04/QCBS/2025 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 consulting services (“the Services”) include the development of a comprehensive diagnostic analysis on the intricate relationship between environment and agriculture in Romania, in close collaboration with the Directorate of Land Improvements and Land Fund (DLILF) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania. The assignment involves legislative review, impact assessments, case studies, and development of methodologies and recommendations on environmental performance monitoring and climate adaptation in agriculture. The duration of the contract implementation is estimated around 16 months. The Consultant is expected to commence performance of the services starting with a contract kick-off meeting organized within two weeks after contract signing. The consulting services will result in three deliverables: (i) a synthesis report on environmental and institutional frameworks; (ii) a diagnostic analysis with field-based case studies; and (iii) a recommendations report, including best practices and system improvements. The detailed Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the assignment are published on the web site of the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests at the following link: https://mmediu.ro/informatii-de-interes-public/achizitii-publice/anunturi/ The Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests - Rural Pollution Prevention and Reduction Project, now invites eligible consulting entities (“Consultants”), which will be restricted at research institutes, universities and academies , 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 The Consultants shall provide information on: core business and years in relevant contracts or projects in sustainable agriculture, climate impact assessment, or environmental policy / legislation analysis. The Consultants should demonstrate, for the last 7 years, general experience at national and local level. References will be provided. II. Specific experience - 80 points The Consultants should have specific recent (within the last 5 years) experience in relevant fields: Agriculture practices impact assessment methodologies on the environment and climate change, as well on the climate change impact on farming, Best farming practices to be adopted by farmers for the reduction of environmental impact and GHG emissions, Agricultural adaptation strategies related to climate change, Agri-environmental indicators monitoring and reporting systems. Experience with World Bank, EU, or internationally funded projects in Eastern Europe or similar contexts is desirable. 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 others 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. 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 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 . The Consultant should provide: A description of their relevant general and specific experience; Details of the Consultant’s legal status; In case of a joint venture, a draft of a JV Agreement for the members of the “association” or a letter of intent to form a joint venture, signed by all members through their legal representatives. All the partners in the JV will be evaluated jointly. The JV Agreement should state that all its members shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if