Project name: Arges County - TA for PPP Contracts - Consultancy Services

Country: Romania

Business sector: Regional and Environmental Infrastructure

Project ID: 36477

Funding source: EBRD

Type of contract: Consultancy Services

Type of notice: Request for Expressions of interest

Issue date: 13.11.2008

Closing date: 19.12.2008 (12:00), Romanian time

This Invitation for Expression of Interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project which was first published in Procurement Opportunities on 17.8.2006, under project ID 36477 and republished on 13.11.2008.

1. Introduction

Arges County (Arges County Council). ("Arges County" or the "Contracting Authority"), has signed a loan agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the "Bank") for a loan of EUR 6 125 000 and intends using the proceeds for a project for the support of the development of solid waste management infrastructure in Arges. The investment programme is part of the ISPA co-financed Measure that has a total estimated cost of EUR 24 500 000 equivalent for goods, works and consultancy services, proposed to be financed by the Bank, the City, Romanian Government and ISPA. Arges County will be the implementing agency.

Expressions of Interest are now requested for the provision of Technical Assistance For The Preparation Of Concessions And Regulatory Support.

2. Objectives of the assignment

The overall objective of the Technical Assistance will be to:

1) review, revise and update an appropriate rate and system of tariff and tariff collection. The tariff policy will respect the so-called "polluter pays principle" and assure tariff affordability.

2) prepare the tender documentation and assist the Arges County to conduct procurement for the Concession Contracts for waste collection and landfill operation, which shall be in accordance with Romanian Law,

3) support Arges County in setting the solid waste management targets and rules and establishing monitoring and regulatory arrangements to ensure service quality goals are met. The TA in collaboration with the stakeholders will address the issues of obligations and mutual responsibilities.

4) train the Arges County staff and the partners from Association Concession Contracts Implementation and Management.

The required services will include the following

- To ensure a high visibility of the ISPA Measure among the county's inhabitants by providing TA for Tariff Setting and Collection;

- To secure a sound procurement of the Technical Assistance for Concession contracts, including the preparation of Tender Documents for 2 types of Concession contracts: Concession Contracts for collection and transport and Concession Contract for landfill operation;

- To support the Contracting Authority to achieve a sound procurement of the 2 contracts;

- To strengthen the management capability of the PIU team;

- To secure an efficient and transparent selection of Concession Contractors (Concessionaires) for waste collection and transportation and Concession Contractor for operation of regional landfill. It is expected to commence the assignment in first quarter 2009 and the duration is approximately 12 months.

The approximate budget for the assignment is EUR 700 000.

3. Invitation to submit expressions of interest

Interested firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.

The Consultancy contract will be financed with the proceeds of a loan from the Bank and will be open to firms from any country. The proceeds of the Bank's loan will not be used for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations or under a law of official regulation of the Purchaser's country.

The Consulting Firm should:

Have staff comprising highly qualified specialists having substantial experience performing services of similar nature and complexity.

In order to determine the capability and experience of consulting firms seeking to be short listed, the information submitted should include the following:

- Company Profile

The determination of the brief description of past history and current organization and management will provide an assessment whether the consultant will be able to cover the needs of the project and would the ownership structure – preferably completely independent with clear communication lines – give any potential conflicts of interest that could influence the project.

- Experience in Similar Projects

Recent experience – last 5 years – from similar projects will be determined to assess the qualification of the consultant in the field of the assignment. The consultant must show experience in handling similar projects and that the knowledge in all fields required is available inside his organization. In assessing the technical competence of consultants the number of projects on which the consultants have been engaged is important, as well as the level of responsibility commensurate with the requirements of the assignment.

- Local Experience

The extent of local and regional experience on similar projects is a measure of how closely the consultants' experience matches the proposed consultancy services. A good match of local experience enables the consultant to confidently execute the services with dispatch, since the initial familiarisation period can be reduced. Therefore cooperation with local consultants is encouraged. Past experience in co-operation with local consultants or implementing tasks similar to the assignment in the Country is an asset.

- Relevant Staff CVs. The personnel proposed at the professional level will illustrate the key staff capability of the consultant for handling the Project. The consultant should propose a mix of experienced staff including:

- A Team Leader with not less than participation in at least 5 similar projects, outside his country of origin (similar means contracts using concessions to operate waste collection and disposal);

- A Concession contracting expert with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience (relevant experience means working on procurement of concession type procurement under international or Romanian legislation and participation in at least 3 similar projects (TA and/or Concession),

- An Economist/Tariff pricing expert with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in budgeting and cost control and in tariff structure within the municipal or operating company environment and participation in at least 5 similar projects (similar means contracts using Concession to operate waste collection and disposal)

- A Waste Management expert with at least 5 years of professional experience in the field of waste management and participation in at least 3 similar projects (similar means contracts using Concession to operate waste collection and disposal).

- A Legal Expert with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience (relevant experience means working on contract legal issues, contract arbitration and concession)

- Finances and Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII).

The determination of the financial capability will disclosure of whether or not the consultant is bankrupt, or is engaged in bankruptcy proceedings and has a sound economy and a reasonable solidity. In the preselection process only those consultants will be considered whose financial resources are judged to be appropriate for the amount of the work to be performed. Information of (PII) will be analyzed to ensure that the consultant has adequate insurance policy, given the magnitude of the Project and scope of the assignment.

- Quality Assurance.

To demonstrate the consultant's capability to fulfil his obligations on the highest level of standard, he should give a short approach for his quality assurance measures for this project, which adequacy will be assessed.

The above information should not exceed 30 pages including CVs of key personnel.

2 copies of the above information, in English, preferably with Romanian translations, should be submitted to Arges County in an envelope marked Expression of Interest for the Project of "Technical Assistance For The Preparation Of Concessions And Regulatory Support".

Expressions of Interest must be submitted no later than the date stated above.

Aurelian Gheorghe, Head of the PIU, Arges County Council, Vasile Milea Square, no.1, 110053 Pitesti, Romania. Tel/Fax:  0040 248 223 193. Email: gheorghe.aurelian@apa-canal2000.ro