Review and Updating of Feasibility Studies, Technical Assessments and Detailed Engineering Design for Irrigation Schemes

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) The Republic of Azerbaijan

Project Preparation in relation to: Competitive and Resilient Agriculture and Irrigation Services (CRAIS) Project

Loan/Grant No.: TF0D1739

Assignment Title: Review and Updating of Feasibility Studies, Technical Assessments and Detailed Engineering Design for Irrigation Schemes

Reference No.: CRAIS-P515925-CS-CQS/1

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan has received grant financing from the World Bank for the preparation of the proposed Competitive and Resilient Agriculture and Irrigation Services (CRAIS) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), as the Grant Recipient, is the Contracting Authority for this assignment. The Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency (ASWRA) is the direct beneficiary and recipient of the assistance and will provide technical coordination for the assignment. The consulting services (“the Services”) include: Phase 1: Comprehensive assessment and prioritization of 4 irrigation schemes under Component 1 of the CRAIS Project, to identify the viable schemes amongst these 4 schemes which can be supported and financed by the World Bank, and to recommend the most suitable / readiest (priority) sub-project. Phase 2: Updating of the necessary technical and economic assessments and feasibility studies for all viable schemes to inform CRAIS project appraisal (April 2027), starting with the priority sub-project. This includes independent dam safety assessment (including dam dependency review under ESF ESS4 Annex 1), conceptual designs for rehabilitation/modernization of hydraulic structures, canal lining, automation, telemetry and SCADA systems, and economic/financial analyses. Phase 3: Finalize the engineering design for the most ready (priority) sub-project only, including the preparation or updating of detailed engineering designs, construction drawings, Bills of Quantities, Technical Specifications and draft Technical parts of the works/equipment bidding documents (Section VII – Works’ Requirements under FIDIC Red Book). The Consultant shall, upon the ASWRA’s request, provide technical clarifications and supporting information concerning design changes made under this assignment required for obtaining the necessary approvals from relevant government bodies.

The expected implementation period is 12 months, with an anticipated commencement date of January 2027. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan 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. Participation is open to eligible consulting firms from Azerbaijan and other countries, either individually or in association. Shortlisting Criteria Interested consulting firms shall provide information demonstrating that they have the qualifications and relevant experience required to perform the Services. The assessment will focus on the firm’s relevant corporate experience and organizational capacity. Key Experts will not be evaluated at this stage.

The criteria are:

(i) Corporate experience in irrigation and water resources infrastructure: Relevant experience in the assessment, rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation systems, canals, hydraulic structures and associated water resources infrastructure. (ii) Feasibility studies and technical-economic assessments: Relevant experience in reviewing, preparing or updating feasibility studies, technical assessments, investment options, cost estimates and economic or financial analyses for irrigation or related infrastructure projects. (iii) Engineering design and procurement readiness: Relevant experience in detailed engineering design, construction drawings, Bills of Quantities, technical specifications, cost estimates and preparation of technical requirements for works and/or equipment procurement. (iv) Dam safety assessment: Relevant experience in dam safety assessments and the evaluation of dams, hydraulic structures and associated risks, including recommendations for safety-related measures where applicable. (v) Irrigation modernization and multidisciplinary project delivery: Relevant experience in irrigation automation, telemetry, SCADA or digital water management systems, and delivery of multidisciplinary assignments involving relevant engineering, environmental, social, economic or stakeholder engagement aspects.

The assessment will also consider the firm’s core business, organizational and project management capacity, and experience working with government agencies, public sector entities or water and irrigation institutions. Firms may demonstrate their qualifications through relevant assignments undertaken individually or as part of an association, with their respective roles and contributions clearly identified. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), 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 is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification-Based Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations and to be specifically set out in the Request for Proposals. Further information can be obtained at the addres