REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – FIRM BASED CONSULTANCY

• September 18, 2024 1:00 pm to October 11, 2024 12:30 pm
• MoHERST
• Bijilo, Banjul, Gambia
• 5406312

Language of Notice *

English

Deadline for submission of expressions of interest *

11-10-2024

Local Time *

12: 30

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – FIRM BASED CONSULTANCY

Assignment Title: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS OF TWO TVET CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE (CoEs)

Reference No. GM-PPPPE-447199-CS-QCBS

The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. In the realm of basic education, the focus is on improving learning outcomes, particularly in the early grades, to ensure every child acquires necessary foundational skills. Especially for the youth, technical and vocational education, and training (TVET) must be of higher quality and relevance to meet labor market demands, a challenge recognized and prioritized by the Government of The Gambia. For the large population living in poverty, the goal is to provide a second chance through access to social protection measures, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. These challenges, while significant, are being addressed with determination and a vision for a resilient, inclusive, skilled, and equitable Gambia.

To address these challenges, The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233) is a multi-sectoral, five-year initiative of The Government of The Gambia, funded by the World Bank. The project aims to increase the foundational skills of students in early grades (Component 1), provide job-relevant training to youth (Component 2), and boost income-generating opportunities, including for the poor and vulnerable (Component 3), in The Gambia. The planned activities are closely aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2030 and The Gambia National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) 2015-2025.  The project will be implemented by multiple Implementing Entities (IEs): the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), and the National Nutrition Agency/National Social Protection Secretariat (NaNA/NSPS). Each of these IEs will lead technical activities within their respective domains. The RISE Project is coordinated and managed by a Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

To address these challenges, the Government is implementing The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project) with funding from the World Bank. Among other things, the project aims to increase the foundational skills of children in early grades in The Gambia. The planned activities are closely aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2030.  The Gambia’s National Development Plan 2023-27 prioritizes Human Capital Development (Pillar IV) and Empowerment, Social Inclusion and Leaving No One Behind (Pillar VI).

As part of efforts to implement its Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025), MoHERST plans to develop up to eight CoEs in various locations across the country to decentralize access to TVET education. This includes the development of two CoEs funded under the Gambia RISE project and the refurbishment of existing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centres. The planned Centres are in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Banjul and Kanifing Region - Institute of Technical Training at USET (former GTTI); West Coast Region - Ndemban & Kanilai; Lower River Region – Mansakonko; Central River Region – Pacharr Area & Wassu (Agribusiness & Multipurpose Centres); Upper River Region – Julangel, and Fisheries in Kombo South, West Coast Region.

The Gambia RISE Subcomponent 2.2 is supporting the Establishment of two TVET Centers of Excellence focused on priority economic sectors/trades particularly the establishment, construction, and operationalization of two TVET CoEs in the inland regions of The Gambia, creating strong links with the local labor markets and addressing regional skill gaps through programs aligned with priority sectors. The RISE Project will fund these two planned centres of excellence. This assignment is specifically covering the center focused on Fisheries training in Kombo South, West Coast Region.

Specific Objectives of the Consultancy:

The main objective of the consultancy service is to develop comprehensive and environmentally friendly designs (Master plan) for the two TVET Centres of Excellence (CoEs). The consultant is strongly expected to reference the findings of the Ministry’s Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) with specific focus on demographic data and institutional requirements. These findings should be the basis and guide for the detail designs and related assignments.

The specific objectives of this consultancy to:

1. Develop detailed design for the two TVET Centres of Excellence (CoEs) that are climate-responsive, energy-efficient and sustainable. 
2. Develop the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for the procurement of materials and the construction of the respective departments and facilities;
3. Support the technical team in the review of the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for the procurement of materials and the construction of the respective departments and facilities;

SCOPE AND TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN

The assignment will cover two (2) new Centres of Excellence (CoEs). While one is expected to focus on fisheries/the blue economy, the focus and location of the other CoE will be confirm. The plan is to build mechanisms that will enhance the sustainability and viability of the Centres both as a Centre of learning and production.

Main outputs of the Consultancy

1. Prepare and submit inception report;
2. A detailed design of the two TVET Centres of Excellence including the draft technical specifications for civil works
3. Submit first draft design (pre-design) of the Master plan;
4. Submission of second draft design (schematic design) of the Master plan;
5. Facilitate the validation of the design by MoHERST, Technical Committee and relevant stakeholders;
6. Submission of final design to MoHERST;
7. Completion report submitted;
8. Submit a detail BOQ for the construction of the two CoEs;
1. Facilitate the development of ToR for the Construction Contractor of the CoEs;

The consultancy will span for a period of four (4) months from the date of the award of the contract in line with the World Bank Procurement Regulations. A detailed scope of work is available on the TOR, which will be made available upon request.

The selected Consultant/Firm should have the following qualifications:

• The consulting firm must be a registered company that has sufficient institutional and managerial capacities, as well as skilled and experienced human, and adequate resources needed to deliver the envisaged tasks. 
• At least 10 years of proven experience in sustainable, urban design; architecture and supervision of construction works;
• Provide evidence of successful implementation for at least 3 assignments/contracts in the last 5 years related to design and construction of Tertiary and Higher Education facilities or related public services; and,
• Experience in providing technical assistance to governmental entities or public administration as well as to different stakeholders.

The consulting firm is encouraged to form a multi-disciplinary team combining sustainable urban design, architecture and engineering expertise. The team must have a broad set of specializations in order to carry out the work effectively and efficiently. Key professionals identified for the scope of work will commence work immediately after signing the contract as per the key staff deployment plan agreed with the Project. The use of specialized experts will be according to the needs identified within the main scope of work. There should be table list of the core team members based on anticipated needs, recognizing that the consulting firm may propose additional supporting staffs, such as engineers and surveyors, during the implementation of the assignment. Qualification of key professionals will be evaluated and scored using points against a set of criteria.

Key required staff of the consulting firm includes:

• • • • 1 Lead consultant/senior expert of urban design/architecture with at least 20 years of work experience in the field of urban design and architecture and/or related experience.
      • 1 Senior architect with 15 or more years of experience in the field of urban design and architecture and/or related experience.
      • 1 architect with 10 or more years of experience in the field of urban design and architecture and/or related experience.
      • 1 Senior structural engineering expert with at least 15 years of relevant experience in structural engineering practice.
      • 1 expert on electrical and mechanical engineering with 10 or more years of experience around electro-mechanical works design, procurement and construction.
      • 1 expert on utilities, water and sanitation engineering with at least 10 years of experience related to utilities, water and sanitation works design, procurement and construction.
      • 1 short-term expert on social and environmental standards safeguards.

Submission of Expressions of Interest:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, now invites eligible individual consultants to express 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 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 September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

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A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection Method (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by electronic mail) on or before 11^th October 2024 at 12h30 GMT

Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills and Equity Project, RISE

Royal Insurance Building

2^nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia  

Email: nsosseh@cpcumof.gm, ygassama@cpcumof.gm and mktouray@cpcumof.gm