Request for Expression of Interest

Short-Term Consultant (Firm)

“SME Technology Gap Assessment”

Invitation Number: (IUL)13-PMU /13/2024/85

Project: Maldives Competitiveness and Growth Project (P179286)

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.:IDA-73050, IDA-E1690

Assignment Title:SME Technology Gap Assessment

Reference No:MV-MOF-MV-413434-CS-CQS

The Government of Maldives has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Maldives Competitiveness and Growth Project (P179286) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consulting services. 

The objective of this assignment is to conduct a SME Credit Gap Assessment.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to submit Expressions of Interest (EoI). Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services mentioned on the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment.

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’(Procurement in Investment Project Financing- Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fourth Edition, November 2020, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment:

3.17 Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Without limitation on the generality of the foregoing, Consultants shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:

d. Consultants (including their experts and other personnel, and sub-consultants), that have a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Borrower, or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Bank’s financing, or any other party representing or acting on behalf of the Borrower, that is directly or indirectly involved in any part of:

                             i.   the preparation of the TOR for the assignment.

                           ii.   the selection process for the contract; or

                         iii.   the supervision of the contract may not be awarded a contract unless the conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughout the selection process and the execution of the contract.

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 Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, 0800 to 1400 hours.

Deadline

The expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by regular mail, emails, no later than 1300 hrs Maldivian time on 20^th March 2024.

Note: The request for expressions of interest shall be read in conjunction with the TOR for the respective assignment.

Maldives Competitiveness & Growth Project

Ministry of Finance

Ameenee Magu, Male’, 20379

Republic of Maldives

Tel: (960) 334 9105

Email: [email protected]