MINISTRY OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: UGANDA
Name of the Project: INVESTING IN FORESTS AND PROTECTED AREAS FOR CLIMATE-SMART DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Project ID No.: P170466
Assignment Title: CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF WOOD PROCESSING SUBSIDY SCHEME UNDER IFPA-CD PROJECT
Reference No.: MWE/CONS/2024-2025/00020/IFPA-CD PROJECT

1. The Government of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Investing In Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE, Lead Agency), the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the National Forestry Authority with the involvement of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities in tourism-related activities and the Office of the Prime Minister in activities in the refugee-affected areas.
2. The IFPA-CD Project Development Objective is to improve sustainable management of forests and protected areas and increase benefits to communities from forests in target landscapes. Part of this project’s budget (specifically under sub-component 2.2) is earmarked for support for the private sector to enhance their capacity in wood processing.
3. The consulting services (“the Services”) include to design and manage a subsidy scheme for wood processing and engaging contractors, based on the criteria and key principles described in the Terms of Reference, and in consultation with the MWE and approval of the Project Steering Committee.
4. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.mwe.go.ug/library/tendersprocurement. Eligible Consultancy firms are also advised to visit the Procurement and Disposal Unit, Ground Floor, Ministry of Water and Environment Main Office (Headquarters) at Plot 3-7 Kabalega Crescent, Luzira to physically pick the detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) or send a request for the TORs to the following email addresses: pd@mwe.go.ug and copy to: mwegalwacatherine62@yahoo.com.
5. The MWE 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 as set out in the TOR. The shortlisting criteria are:
   a. At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience, knowledge and practice in the processing of the forest products and associated technologies and related technical assistance and extension.
   b. Extensive experience and having among staff in the areas of wood products development, wood processing technologies and forest products marketing, and in training in these areas.
   c. Submission of firm’s organogram to demonstrate firm’s organizational, managerial and staffing capacity
   d. Demonstrated experience of at least three (3) assignments in extensive developing and supporting the wood processing industries and in managing industry support schemes in Uganda or other Africa countries (Evidence of experience should include contracts with previous clients of comparable value not less than Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars, Two Hundred Thousand for each assignment).
6. The Qualifications and Experience of Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
7. 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 November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
8. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a subconsultancy. 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.
9. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
10. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (09:00 to 16:00 hours) Monday to Friday.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in person (one original plus three copies) or by e-mail to the addresses below by 13th December 2024 at 10:00 hours.

The Address(es) Are:
The Assistant Commissioner, Procurement and Disposal Unit
Ministry of Water and Environment Headquarters Plot 3-7, Kabalega Crescent, Luzira Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 0417 889341
Email: pd@mwe.go.ug and copy to: mwegalwacatherine62@yahoo.com

NOTE: This Request for Expression of Interest refers to Section 7.16 of the Procurement Regulations; non-profit and governmental organizations may be invited to participate if they can be included as sub-consultants only. NGOs may only apply singly or as JVs if they operate as commercial entities and meet the conditions in Section 3.23b of the Procurement Regulations.