Strategic Coastal Water Supply Framework and Feasibility Studies for Priority Water Supply Investments in the South Coast of Albania

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTANCY FIRM) ALBANIA

Project: National Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Modernization Program (P4R)

TF No.: B8448

Assignment Title: Strategic Coastal Water Supply Framework and Feasibility Studies for Priority Water Supply Investments in the South Coast of Albania

Reference No .: AL-AKUK -329330-CS-QCBS

Albania is implementing governance and service reforms in the WSS sector supported by the World Bank through P4R project financed by SECO (Swiss Government). In parallel, structural reform changes are being launched by the government, including the creation of the new Water Production Operator (OPU) while the details of its future role and structure are still evolving; therefore this assignment shall focus on AKUK’s current mandate and existing institutional set-up, and reflect OPU-related interfaces only where and when formally clarified or necessary as working assumptions.

This Request for Expressions of Interest aims to assist AKUK in hiring a Consultant to prepare a Feasibility Study for potable water supply within the defined Project Area with a planning horizon extending to 2050, building upon the analyses, methodologies and strategic planning principles developed under the DWD DSIP and subsequent sector planning initiatives. The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://akuk.gov.al/ The activities described in these TORs are expected to be completed within a period of 10 months, following the signing of the consultancy contract. The consulting firm shall demonstrate proven experience in assignments of similar nature, including: At least one (1) completed projects in strategic water supply planning, master planning, or system development studies; At least one (1) assignments involving water resources assessment and supply-demand balance analysis; At least one (1) projects including water demand forecasting based on demographic, tourism, and consumption scenarios; At least one (1) assignment involving strategic assessment of water supply infrastructure alternatives; At least one (1) project including economic and technical evaluation of alternatives; At least one (1) project carried out for a water utility, public water operator, or public authority responsible for water services; Experience in GIS-based infrastructure planning and spatial analysis. Experience in projects implemented in tourism-intensive areas or comparable environments will be considered an asset. Preference will be given to firms with experience in projects financed by International Financial Institutions (IFI) or European Union programmes.

The assignment shall be carried out by a multidisciplinary team. The indicative total input is of approximately sixty-five (65) person-months, reflecting the feasibility, environmental and social, and field investigation components. The core team shall include, at minimum: Team Leader / Senior Water Supply Engineer; Water Resources / Hydrogeologist; Hydraulic Modelling Engineer; Financial/Economic Analyst; Environmental Specialist (P-ESIA); Social Development Specialist (ESS5/ESS10); GIS and Data Management Specialist; Institutional/Utility Specialist; Climate Resilience Specialist,

The proposed experts may be national and/or international, as appropriate for the assignment, and supported by additional experts, survey teams and field investigation activities. The Consultant shall justify the proposed allocation of expert inputs in its Technical Proposal. Please see criteria for the experts within ToRs document. The evaluation criteria to be used for selecting the successful Consultant will be the following:

• General Qualifications, including core business and years in business, (30 points);
• Relevant experience, including previous experience in the field of assignment, (70 points);

The service will be selected under the provisions of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Procurement Regulations), in investment project financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services November 2020, in accordance with Quality and Cost Based Selecton (QCBS), Lump-Sum Contract . The Bank requires that firms or individuals involved in Bank IPF procurement shall not have conflict of interest. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Thursdays, and from 08:00 to 14:00 on Fridays. Expressions of interest (CV, Cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail within September 10th, 2026. Mrs. Elidjana Celaj Agency of Water Supply, Sewerage and Waste Infrastructure Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy "Sami Frashëri" Str., No. 4, Tirana, Albania [contact details removed]