REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Republic of Maldives

Sustainable and Integrated Labor Services (SAILS) Project

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: E046-MV

Assignment Title: Design, Development, and Implementation of a National Labour Market Information System (LMIS)

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): MV-MOED-525705-CS-CQS

The Government of the Maldives has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Sustainable and Integrated Labor Services (SAILS) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include Design, Development, and Implementation of a National Labour Market Information System (LMIS). The LMIS will serve as the authoritative national source for labor market statistics and intelligence. It will feature a public-facing portal for dynamic data exploration and analysis, and a secure backend for data management and inter-agency exchange. It is expected to complete the assignment within 12 (twelve) months from the date of contract signing. Post-Implementation Support) shall be given for a period of 12 months.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development 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:

• Must be a reputable IT services or consulting firm with a minimum of 5 years of demonstrable experience in developing large-scale, data-intensive web applications for government or international organization clients.
• Must provide evidence of successfully completing at least 1 project of similar scale and complexity within the last 5 years. Client references and project descriptions must be provided.
• The bidding entity (which may be a single firm, a Joint Venture, or a lead firm with designated sub-consultants) must collectively demonstrate proven institutional experience and successful implementation of projects in two core areas

○      Statistical Data Systems: Verifiable, in-depth experience in the successful deployment and customization of statistical data platforms for national statistics or government context.

○      Data Visualization and User Experience: A portfolio of high-quality, large-scale web applications that demonstrate excellence in user-centric design, interactive data visualization, and the creation of intuitive analytical tools for non-technical users.

• Must have proven experience in developing and consuming secure APIs, engineering complex ETL pipelines, and implementing business intelligence and data visualization solutions.
• Experience with World Bank-funded projects and familiarity with World Bank procurement and reporting guidelines will be considered a significant advantage.

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” 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.

The selection of the Consultant will be conducted in accordance with the World Bank's “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (published in November 2020), using the Consultant's Qualification Selection (CQS) method.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 23^rd March 2026, 15:00hrs.

Sustainable and Integrated Labor Services (SAILS) Project

Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development

Attn: Mohamed Jailam Rafeeg, Procurement Manager

Umar Zahir Building, Orchidmaa Hingun,

Hulhumale’, Republic of the Maldives

Tel: +960 3026955

E-mail: [email protected]