REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) For Provision of Milling Services

A. Background

1.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s leading humanitarian organization, saving lives and changing lives by delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

2.

Since 1963, WFP has been operating in Afghanistan. In 2026/27, WFP plans to mill approximately 100,000 metric tons of wheat grain across Afghanistan

B. Objective

1.

WFP Afghanistan seeks reputable and legally registered service providers for the provision milling services (Milling wheat grain into fortified wheat flour).

2.

This Request for Expression of Interest (EOI) aims to identify qualified service providers capable of providing milling services in Afghanistan. Eligible companies are invited to express their interest in participating in this pre-qualification exercise.

C. Service Requirement

3.

Milling of wheat into fortified wheat flour, including bagging and packaging in accordance with WFP specifications (e.g., 25kg or 50kg fortified flour bags).

4.

Provision of handling services, including unloading of wheat and loading of fortified wheat flour onto WFP-provided trucks within Afghanistan.

5.

Supply of empty bags in accordance with WFP specifications.

6.

Provision of both Manual and Automatic Sieving for fortified wheat flour.

7.

This EOI represents the initial stage of the shortlisting process.

8.

Following the submission deadline, WFP will evaluate all responses and notify eligible participants of the outcome.

D. Eligibility Criteria

9.

The main evaluation criteria for shortlisting are as follows:

a)

Relevant experience: Minimum of 3 years in milling services with demonstrated experience producing fortified wheat flour.

b)

Operational capacity: Adequate daily production capacity within minimum daily wheat flour production capacity of 60 metric tonnes, ensuring consistent production of fortified wheat flour in line with WFP specifications.

c)

Availability of backup generators to ensure uninterrupted production.

d)

Minimum storage capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes for both wheat grain and fortified flour, with facilities that guarantee secure, hygienic, and food-safe conditions.

e)

Quality assurance: Compliance with food safety standards (HACCP, ISO, or equivalent), including traceability systems to track batches from wheat input to fortified flour output.

f)

Legal status: Valid business license and registration.

g)

Financial standing: Minimum annual turnover of AFN:65 million.

h)

Local presence: Established office in Afghanistan.

i)

Availability of QC/QA personnel to manage the facility and production quality.

j)

Traceability: Systems to ensure batch-level tracking.

k)

Client references: Minimum three references from major clients in the past three years, preferably humanitarian agencies or government contracts.

l)

Integrated pest management is in place

m)

Fortification: Premix feeder is installed and operational

n)

Critical Equipment: Adequate cleaning line to remove all foreign matters, Entoleter or egg crusher, control sifter and inkjet printer.

o)

Internal QC Lab: Capacity to conduct basic tests such as moisture, gluten, particle size, impurities, iron spot check etc.

E. How to prepare and submit your Expression of Interest

10.

In order to participate in the pre-qualification exercise, companies are required to provide the following:

•

Letter of Expression of Interest with official letterhead

•

WFP Logistics Services Questionnaire (Annex-1)

•

Supporting documents

o

Certificate of Incorporation

o

Business License

o

Organisation Structure

o

Financial statements and audited book of accounts for the year 2024 and 2025

o

Reference from at least three major clients within the last three years

o

Evidence of HACCP/ISO certification and food safety compliance

o

CoA for fortified wheat flour produced by the milling facility

o

Process flow diagram highlighting the key process of the cleaning, milling, packing and storage

o

Tests conducted at internal QC lab

o

Fortified wheat flour production records

•

All submissions must be signed and stamped by an authorized company representative

•

All documents should be presented in English

11.

All supporting documentation listed above shall be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided and sent by email to [contact details removed].

12.

All documents will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be made available to the public.

13.

WFP will not consider incomplete or unsigned submissions as well as submissions after the stipulated deadline.

14.

Companies must confirm adherence to WFP’s anti-fraud and anti-corruption policies and declare that they have no outstanding disputes with UN agencies.

15.

This request for EoI is not an invitation to tender nor does it imply automatic selection to WFP’s shortlist. No rates/prices are required at this stage, and this invitation does not bind WFP to issue any tenders or contracts to the companies expressing their interest. Furthermore, WFP reserves the right to change or cancel this process or any of its requirements at any time during the process.

16.

Any queries regarding this EOI should be directed to: [contact details removed]

17.

WFP does not charge any fee for companies to participate in the entire process.

Yours sincerely,

The United Nations World Food Programme

Afghanistan Country Office