Hire a third-partyinstitution to conduct research on thequality and safety of cowpeas.

REOI

Country: The People's Republic of China

Project Name: IBRD Guangdong Agricultural Product Quality Safety Improvement (Demonstration) Project

Loan No.: 9213-CN

Assignment Name: Research on AI-Empowered Green Pest Control Technology for Cowpea

Contract No.: GDCS-019

Bidding No. 0733-26083763 The Government of the People's Republic of China has received a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to improve food safety management at the national and sub-national levels and to reduce food safety risks in selected value chains. The project is being implemented by the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Province, and Shandong Province (Yantai City). As part of this project, this study utilizes integrated space-air-ground intelligent technology, combined with remote sensing meteorological inversion, to accurately forecast key meteorological factors for the next 7 to 15 days, providing data support for large-scale cowpea planting management. By leveraging deep visual technology and crop growth prediction models, the study forecasts cowpea growth trends and establishes a pest and disease risk early-warning system. This enables precise fertilizer and pesticide application, promoting green and precision pest control. Furthermore, demonstration sites will be set up to host technical observation and training sessions, ultimately driving the safe, green, and sustainable development of cowpea production. Under this Contract, World Bank loan funds shall be utilized to procure the services of a consulting advisor (hereinafter referred to as the "Consultant") for the sub-project on Research on AI-Empowered Green Pest Control Technology for Cowpea. The Consultant shall research and develop an integrated agricultural cultivation and management service model for cowpea production, covering pre-risk early warning, in-process risk control, and post-risk resolution, thereby standardizing the full-chain safe production management process "from farm to table." Based on the actual requirements for the sustainable development of cowpea production, cultivation management processes, and product standards, the Consultant shall establish a green pest control technology model that is adaptable to practical production and suitable for widespread promotion. The implementation period of this Contract is 12 months, with an estimated total input of 36 person-months. The anticipated start date for the assignment is September 2026. Please refer to the Attachment for the detailed Terms of Reference. Guangdong Provincial Center of Agro-product Safety and Quality (Guangdong Green Food Development Center) hereby invites qualified and interested Consultants to submit proposals for consulting services. Please refer to the Terms of Reference for the main scope of work.

Selection Criteria for the Consultants' Shortlist: 1.Capability to independently bear civil liability (Must provide a copy of the Business License or the Certificate of Legal Person for Public Institutions); 2.Sound financial accounting system (Must provide audited financial reports for the past 3 years); 3.Possess the equipment and professional technical capabilities necessary for the performance of the contract (A commitment letter providing the supporting inspection drones and essential testing equipment [as specified in ] must be submitted); 4.Good record of tax and social security payment in accordance with the law (Must provide proof of tax payment and social security contribution for the past 3 months); 5.Good business credit and sound business performance (Must provide a statement certifying no major illegal or irregular business activities in the past 3 years, and that the applicant is not listed on the "Credit China" website as a "person subject to enforcement for dishonesty," "major tax violation entity," or "entity with serious illegal acts in government procurement"). 6.Track Record: Within the past five years (from January 1, 2021, up to the deadline for submitting the Letter of Intent for this project, subject to the contract signing date), the Consultant shall have signed no less than one similar performance contract. A similar performance contract refers to a technical consulting service contract involving the application of drones, remote sensing imagery, or AI intelligent recognition in agricultural research, or a service contract for research on intelligent and standardized cowpea production technology. (Applicants must submit copies of the corresponding supporting documents [as specified in ], including key pages of the contract that clearly indicate the contract title, service content, signing date, and the signatures and seals of both contracting parties). Please note that the Consultant must provide all the supporting materials stipulated in the above "Selection Criteria for the Consultants' Shortlist," along with detailed contact information (including contact person, address, telephone number, email address, etc.). The Consultant shall solely bear the relevant responsibilities and consequences for any issues arising from incomplete submission or failure to meet the requirements.

Interested Consultants are advised to refer to the provisions regarding Conflict of Interest policy in Sections 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17, and the provisions regarding Eligibility in Sections 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, and 3.24 of the "World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" (November 2020). Consulting firms may form an association with other firms, but it must be clearly indicated whether the arrangement is in the form of a Joint Venture or Subcontracting. If the Joint Venture form is chosen, each member of the Joint Venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire Contract. Please note that every member of the Joint Venture must meet the requirements of the above "Selection Criteria for the Consultants' Shortlist". The Consultant will be selected through th