LIVELIHOOD OPPOTRUNITIES AND NUTRITIONAL GAINS (LONG) PROJECT
a pilot project implemented by POVERTY REDUCTION FUND II
Funded by World Bank, Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF)
JSDF Grant # TF097786
Request for Expression of Interest (EOI)
Consultant for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) Value Chain/Market Study
The Government of Lao PDR has received grant from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) toward implementation of the Livelihood Opportunities and Nutritional Gains (LONG) Project through Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) Program, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultancy firm service for a NTFP Value Chain/Market Study.
The objectives of the Market Study are as followed:
- Describe the existing situation related to Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), agriculture products and non-Agriculture products of selected villages and districts including market linkages and value-chain;
- Provide insights and analyses of strengths, opportunities, limitations and risks;
- Provide prioritised products list and recommendations for commercial and implementable products;
- Provide recommendations on sustainable market and market linkage of the prioritized products.
The scopes of work which required the consultant to carry out are as below:
- Describe the existing situation related to NTFPs, agriculture products and non-Agricultural products of selected villages and districts including market linkages and value-chain. The desk review on government policies in relation to NTFP, Agro-business, and SME promotion at national, provincial and district levels needed to be studied in order to provide a summary of the government direction, framework and promotion;
- Prepare the work plan and survey methodology including sampling, criteria, and questionnaires;
- Data collection will be in five target districts. Huaphanh (Viengthong, Xiengkhor, and Xamtay districts), Savannakhet (Sepon and Nong districts);
- Provide list of current and potential buyers, traders, price per unit of the current commercial products;
- Market Linkage and value-chain analysis for the key products identified during the study;
- Data analysis on the collected data includes SWOT;
- Prepare draft and final reports of the key findings;
- Provide recommendations on prioritized products which are realistic to the villagers to implement sustainably.
The consultancy service period is 8 weeks starting from 4 March 2013.
The PRF would like to invites eligible consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultancy firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services, including:
- company background including relevant experience of the firm related to the assignment e.g. work of a similar nature;
- Statement of the Consulting Firm’s ability to fulfill all necessary technical, legal, financial and administrative aspects applicable to the contract, including statement of whether the contract will be undertaken: a) solely by the Consulting Firm, b) as a Joint Venture or c) as a Sub-Consultancy Agreement;
- Statement of the Consulting Firms commercial and financial capability to perform the contract including number and qualify of facilities, office equipment etc… and present financial health of the firm;
A consultancy firm will be selected under Consultants Qualifications Selection (CQS) method in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines “Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 which can be found at the website: www.worldbank.org/procure.
The consulting team will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Interested consultancy firm may obtain further information at the address below during office hours from 8:30 to 16:00 or visit http://prflaos.org/vacancy & biddingOnly selected consultancy firm will be contracted and requested to submit a combined technical-financial proposal.
Expressions of interest must be delivered by hand, postal mail, fax or email to the address below by 16:00 hour no later than 15 March 2013.
Attention to: Procurement Team
Administration and Finance Unit
Poverty Reduction Fund Office
C/O Prime Minister’s Office
Nahaidiew Road, Building 501, 1st Floor
Vientiane, LAO PDR.
Phone: 856-21-261479-80 (ext. 105)
Fax: 856-21-261481
Email: pmt@prflaos.org (cc: youthavinh@prflaos.org)