Integrated Capacity-Building Program on Climate-Smart Agriculture, Digital Extension, and Food Safety Services under GATE

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Lebanese Republic Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) GREEN, AGRI-FOOD TRANSFORMATION FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY (GATE)

Assignment Title: Integrated Capacity-Building Program on Climate-Smart Agriculture, Digital Extension, and Food Safety Services under GATE

The Republic of Lebanon (the “ Borrower ”) represented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) (the “ Client ”) as a representative to the Borrower will implement the Green, Agri-food Transformation for Economic Recovery (the “ GATE ” or “ Project ”) , funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “ IBRD ” or the “ World Bank ” or the “ Bank ” ) . The total Project cost is Two Hundred Million United States Dollars (US$ 200,000,000). The CDR intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this loan to eligible payments under a consulting services contract for the Preparation and Implementation of “ Integrated Capacity-Building Program on Climate-Smart Agriculture, Digital Extension, and Food Safety Services under GATE (GC3C1e) ”. The full Terms of References (TOR) version can be found on CDR website www.cdr.gov.lb, click on the Procurement tag for more info. The Main objective of this assignment is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture’s extension and rural development services, and strengthen market-oriented capacities of farmers and farmers’ groups, support farmers, farmers’ groups, and agricultural cooperatives, including beneficiaries of Climate-Smart Matching Grants under GATE Subcomponent 1.1, to adopt the technical, quality, and organizational practices needed to meet the specifications and standards of off-takers and target markets (target to be agreed). The Consultant shall provide the Employer the main services and tasks as detailed in the provided TOR: The time for completion of the Contract (GC3C1e) is: 18 months The 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 (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.), in a responsive way to the below noted requirements. In addition, interested consultants are requested to provide the following information, in a binder, and in the same order as listed below , and shall use and fill-in the attached Consultant Information Form , and submit it in one hard copy and one editable (Excel or Word format) soft copy in: A duly completed Cover Letter stating the interest of the applicant in providing the mentioned services. A concise presentation of the firm(s) (brochures, statements of type, property and key tasks etc.). List of ONLY relevant similar projects (maximum 10 projects) as defined in the Terms of References, ongoing and/or completed within the last 10 years, indicating the provided services, the percentage of participation in JV (if any), and the size/value of relevant contracts (in USD and in person-month). Detailed descriptions of two (2) handled completed projects within the last ten (10) years that demonstrate experience in providing services similar in nature, scope and complexity to the proposed assignment, as defined in the Terms of References. Only projects completed within the last ten (10) years shall be considered. Overall firm's employees list and personnel availability and structure (list, number, organization structure, etc… of the core, backstopping and supporting staff). Experience in Lebanon and/or the Middle East.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.13, 3.15 and 3.16 of the World Bank’s “ Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sixth Edition, February 2025 ”, which set forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with another firm in the form of a "Joint Venture" to enhance their qualifications, name and nationality of the partner in charge shall be specified. All members should have well defined inputs to the assignment, and shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire consultant's obligations under the contract. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Eligible firms, which have submitted the necessary statements in a satisfactory responsive way, might be short listed. The shortlisting criteria for firms interested in providing these services include: Core Business and Years of Experience: The firm should have at least 10 years of experience in preparing and delivering agricultural extension, food safety systems and capacity-building programs, including those funded by the World Bank or other development finance institutions (DFIs). Relevant Project Experience: The firm should demonstrate a successful track record in preparing and delivering climate-smart training, and participatory field-based learning, food safety systems and capacity-building programs. Technical and Managerial Capacity: The firm should have a proven capacity to manage complex, multidisciplinary teams and to deliver projects meeting international standards, especially regarding technical quality, cost control, scheduling, risk management including environmental and social risks.

Key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (from 09:00 to 14:00 Beirut local Time). Expressions of Interest must be delivered to the address below by hand or carrier including one original, one hard copy and one electronic CD ROM, not later than 12:00 noon, Beirut local time on Tuesday, October 6th, 2026 , mentioning as reference: " Integrated Capacity-Building Program on Climate-Smart Agriculture, Digital Exten