Consultant for Feasibility Study and Advise on Financial and Operational Reform of VCOMS

Request for Express of Interest Consultant for Feasibility Study and Advise on Financial and Operational Reform of VCOMS (Consulting Service – Firm Selection for Component 2, Reference No. PWMP-FS-002)

The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic has received financing through a credit from the World Bank Loan and a grant from PROBLUE Trust Fund toward the cost of the "Lao PDR Pollution and Waste Management Project (PWMP)" and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services described below.

The consulting services (“the Services”) to support VCOMS in the development and implementation of operational, financial, contractual and institutional reforms to improve the performance, coverage, quality, efficiency and financial sustainability of municipal solid waste services in Vientiane Capital. The Services include: (i) assessment, reform options appraisal and planning, and (2) implementation advisory support and capacity building.

The assignment will be implemented over an estimated period of 48 months, under lump-sum contract basis. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below or from the following link:

https: //docs.google.com/document/d/1qsqnByPYnP0uIDTBOuGH7p5X5nv_FbMa/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107931960117694973815&rtpof=true&sd=true

The Department of Housing and Urban Planning (DHUP) under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) 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: 1. The consulting firm shall have at least 10 years of relevant international experience and shall demonstrate: International experience, including in a lead role, in transaction and contract advisory services for municipal solid waste collection, cleaning and transportation services and for landfill and waste-treatment facility services or PPPs in emerging markets, including experience in Southeast Asia. Demonstrated solid waste technical, financial and procurement expertise covering solid waste collection, transfer, treatment and disposal services and the contracting and management of such services. Municipal finance and urban infrastructure financial modelling expertise, including experience modelling solid waste collection costs, waste tariffs and municipal and government budgets. Familiarity with the legal and regulatory environment for solid waste management in Lao PDR and with the country’s solid waste service-delivery systems and governance arrangements.

2. The firm shall provide at least three references for comparable advisory assignments involving technical, operational, institutional, financial and/or contractual advisory support of the kind described in Section 7 of TOR. At least two of the assignments shall have been undertaken within the last seven years, and at least one shall have been undertaken in Southeast Asia or a comparable regional context.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The shortlist will contain 5 to 8 eligible and qualified firms.

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 February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment as per paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations. 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 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. A consulting firm will be selected in accordance with the method of Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) described in the Procurement Regulations and to be specifically set out in the Request for Proposals.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 8.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday. Expression of interest must be delivered to the address below by 17:00 (Local time of Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, GMT+7) of 21 October 2026 as the deadline for the submission (electronic submission is acceptable).

Department of Housing and Urban Planning, Ministry of Public Works and Transportation Phonxay Village, Saysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

Attention: [contact details removed]

Deputy Director General, DHUP, MPWT Head of PWMP Project Procurement Committee

Email: [contact details removed] with cc: [contact details removed]