Framework Agreements for the Preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and Environmental and Social Audits (ESA).

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES )

Lebanese Republic Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP)

Loan No: __ IBRD-98410

Procurement Reference: FA-CS-ESIA-ESMP

Assignment Title: Framework Agreements for the Preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and Environmental and Social Audits (ESA).

The Lebanese Republic (hereinafter called the “Borrower”) has received financing in the amount of US$250 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (the “Bank”) toward the cost of the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP). The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), acting as the executing agency on behalf of the Government of Lebanon, intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under contracts for consulting services under Framework Agreements. The consulting services (“the Services”) involve engaging qualified Environmental and Social consulting firms under Framework Agreements to provide environmental and social assessment services, including the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and Environmental and Social Audits (ESAs), for infrastructure and public service projects financed under the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Project (LEAP). The Framework Agreements will be concluded through a Two-Stage Selection Process and the consulting services shall include the preparation of:

Module 1: Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Checklist (Low-Risk Subprojects);

Module 2: Site-Specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs);

Module 3: Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), including Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs);

Module 4: Environmental and Social Audits (ESAs), including Environmental and Social Action Plans (ESAPs) for Existing Facilities.

Specific Call-Off Contracts will be issued, on an as-needed basis, depending on the environmental and social risk classification of each activity in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). The Framework Agreement(s) shall be signed for a duration of Thirty-Six (36) months with one or more qualified consulting firms. Individual assignments shall subsequently be awarded through Call-Off competitions among Framework Agreement holders. The full version of the Terms of Reference (TOR) can be found on the CDR website at: https://www.cdr.gov.lb/Procurement. The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) 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. Consultant Brochures may also be included in the submission. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Firm Legal Standing & Core Buisness and Years of Experience

Legal registration and authorization to operate in its country of incorporation, demonstrating financial soundness. Legally established consulting firm (or lead member of a Joint Venture of maximum two (2) members) with a minimum of eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in environmental and social assessment services for infrastructure and public service projects.

2. Specific Technical Experience

The Consultant shall demonstrate the following with submission of list of activities that best demonstrate the following experiences: Experience in the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and, where applicable, Environmental and Social Audits (ESAs) for infrastructure and public service projects. Experience in the application of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including the preparation of environmental and social instruments in accordance with the applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), and the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines, preferably under projects financed by International Financial Institutions is considered as an advantage. Familiarity with the Lebanese environmental regulatory framework, including Environmental Impact Assessment Decree No. 8633/2012 and other applicable environmental legislation and regulations is considered as an advantage. The introduced list of experiences could include: Experience in identifying, assessing and developing mitigation measures for environmental and social risks and impacts associated with infrastructure and public service projects, including, as applicable: Labor and Working Conditions; Occupational Health and Safety (OHS); Community Health and Safety; Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement; Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources; Cultural Heritage; Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and Sexual Harassment (SH).

Experience in environmental and social assessment of reconstruction, rehabilitation and/or post-conflict infrastructure projects will be considered an asset.

3. Technical and Managerial Capacity and a general Quality Management Submission of a Quality Management Approach (maximum ten (10) pages) describing the firm's standard procedures, methodologies and quality assurance mechanisms for the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and Environmental and Social Audits (ESAs). No project-specific methodology or pricing is required at this stage. Submission of a list of professional staff available to the consultant firm.

The EOI submission shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-five (25) pages maximum. Please note that at this shortlisting stage: Technical and financial proposals a