Implementation Support and Works Supervision (ISWS) for NR2 Section 4 and Local Road in Phongsaly Province

Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project – Additional Financing (SEARECC - AF) Consulting Services for Implementation Support and Works Supervision (ISWS) for OPBR Contract (OPBRC) for Rehabilitation of National Road No.2 West, Section 4 (Pak Beng to Muang Ngeun, Thai Border) and Local Road in Samphanh District, Phongsaly Province (Consulting Service - Firms Selection, Reference No. SEARECC-QCBS-001- FS001-AF) The Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (GoL) has applied financing support from the International Development Association (IDA) to implement the Lao PDR Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project – Additional Financing (SEARECC-AF) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services are required to support the Employer in the detailed design review, implementation and supervision of the rehabilitation and improvement works to be financed under the SEARECC Additional Financing (AF), including NR2W Section 4 under the Output- and Performance-Based Road Contract (OPBRC) and the Khua–Samphan Local Road in Phongsaly Province under the Hybrid Performance-Based Contract (HPBC). The services include but are not limited to: (i) reviewing the detailed designs prepared by the Contractors for NR2W Section 4 under the OPBRC and the Khua–Samphan Local Road under the HPBC, and providing recommendations to the Employer; (ii) supervising the rehabilitation and improvement works and monitoring compliance with the applicable technical specifications, performance requirements and contractual obligations; (iii) reviewing the Contractors’ site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans and associated plans, including the Traffic Management Plan, Community Health and Safety Plan, Labor Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Plan; (iv) supporting the Employer in monitoring compliance with the Project’s environmental and social requirements and approved instruments; (v) advising and supporting the Employer on relevant aspects of Project implementation; and (vi) engaging a certified laboratory, where required, to undertake environmental monitoring, including air-quality, noise and water-quality monitoring. All environmental and social activities shall be consistent with the applicable Site-Specific Environmental and Social Management Plans, ARAP/RAP, EGEP, SEP and other approved Project environmental and social instruments, and shall comply with the applicable Environmental and Social Standards and Government of Lao PDR requirements. The Services shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Project requirements and Good International Industry Practice. The ISWS Consultant is expected to commence the assignment in parallel with the OPBRC and HPBC Contractors, whose contracts are expected to be awarded by May 2027. The assignment comprises two parts: (i) supervision of the rehabilitation of NR2W Section 4 under the OPBRC; and (ii) supervision of the improvement of the Khua–Samphan Local Road under the HPBC. The services are expected to cover the 36-month rehabilitation and improvement works period, commencing in the second quarter of 2027. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be request from the address given below or download from link: https://1drv.ms/w/c/4b4fca78445f7e3e/IQD6xUUXRNy0T5JCNSzoBGezASfwFa3cY6MZitkSEtlBW1E?e=ztqWJd. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, through the Department of Roads 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: Criterion 1 - Supervision of road works: At least ten (10) years of experience in Works Supervision of national road improvement or rehabilitation contracts of equivalent or comparable value, scope of nature in the capacity of prime contractor (i.e. individually or as lead member of JV); such experience in South/ Southeast Asia is a strong asset; Criterion 2 - Type of road works and services: At least 3 supervision contracts or equivalent or comparable value, scope and nature under OPBRC, OPRC, DBMOT or similar arrangement, successfully completed in the capacity of prime contractor (i.e. individually or as lead member of JV) within the past 10 years; such experience under WB or other multilateral development banks is an asset; Criterion 3 - Monitoring of ESF in road works and services: Minimum 3 contracts of similar scope and nature performed in the past 10 years in the capacity of prime contractor (i.e. individually or as lead member of JV), including implementation and/or monitoring of RAP, ESIA, ESMP for road construction, improvement or rehabilitation. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) shall be submitted in English. Consultants shall include maximum 15 contracts per criterion listed above and will arrange the “past contract information forms” separately for each criterion. Failure to provide the required detail in the past contract information forms shall be under full Consultant’s responsibility – there will be no clarifications carried out during evaluation. In case the Consultant shall provide more than 15 contracts for each criterion, only the first 15 references shall be considered for evaluation. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Regulations - Procurement in Investment Project Financing - Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services (September 2025 edition), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association