Update of the (i) technical studies and bidding documents for irrigation and hydropower; (ii) economic and financial project assessment (Phases II and III); and (iii) transboundary water analysis

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)

Republic of North Macedonia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy ZLETOVICA PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH IRRIGATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT (PIREP)

Grant No.: TF-D2152

Assignment Title: Update of the (i) technical studies and bidding documents for irrigation and hydropower; (ii) economic and financial project assessment (Phases II and III); and (iii) transboundary water analysis

Reference No.: PIREP-CS-QCBS-01

The Republic of North Macedonia has received World Bank financing through the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) to prepare the Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP), and intends to apply part of the grant proceeds to these consulting services. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE), through its Project Implementation Unit (PIU), implements the preparation grant in partnership with PE HS Zletovica. The main objective of the consulting services (the “Services”) is to validate and update the available feasibility studies and prepare construction-ready final detailed designs, statutory and permit documentation, and technical components of bidding packages for Phase 2 Irrigation and Phase 3 Hydropower of the Zletovica Hydro-System. Both components shall be prepared concurrently, with equal priority, as an integrated Project. The Services include review and gap analysis; supplementary surveys and investigations; updated hydrology, water balance, reservoir-operation and climate-resilience analyses; verification of existing Phase 1 assets and HPP B; irrigation and hydropower feasibility assessments; component-level and integrated economic and financial analysis; the OP 7.50 transboundary-waterways technical assessment; jobs and financing-readiness assessments; dam-safety review, remedial measures and instruments; final detailed designs and technical bidding packages; and preparation and submission of applications and follow-up through issuance of the construction permits and prerequisite approvals for both phases. The Consultant shall coordinate with the separately engaged environmental and social consultant and incorporate accepted requirements into its outputs. The PIU’s independent procurement expert is responsible for the procurement strategy and non-technical procurement documentation. Formal riparian communications and notifications remain the responsibility of the Client, Government and/or the World Bank, as applicable. The assignment shall be completed within a period of ten (10) months from the Commencement Date, and no later than December 20, 2027, whichever occurs earlier, unless amended in accordance with the Contract. If commencement occurs after 20 February 2027, the Consultant shall submit a compressed, resource-loaded program for the Client’s written approval at inception, in accordance with Section 9 of the Terms of Reference. The program shall preserve preparation of both phases, the full scope and acceptance requirements, and adequate time for technical, statutory and World Bank reviews; neither the scope nor the final completion date shall change automatically. The indicative staffing inputs are 76 Key Expert person-months and approximately 39 Non-Key Expert person-months, excluding translation, language support, administrative support and additional specialist inputs. The staffing requirements and provisions for a justified alternative staffing approach are set out in Section 7.4 of the TOR. More details about the assignment are provided in the Terms of Reference, which are issued together with this REoI and form an integral part of it. The complete Terms of Reference may also be obtained from the contact address below. Note: If approval of the Infrastructure Project remains outstanding when the Request for Proposals (RFP) is prepared, the TOR may be revised following shortlisting to include additional services required to complete or update the urban-planning documentation and obtain such approval. The scope and requirements of these additional services will be specified in the RFP, allowing shortlisted Consultants to address them in their technical proposals and include the corresponding costs in their financial proposals. MAFWE now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to express their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants are required to submit information demonstrating that they meet the necessary qualifications and possess the relevant experience to carry out the Services. The shortlisting criteria and the information required to assess the capability and experience of the Consultants are set out below.

General Qualifications:

At least ten (10) years of relevant technical, operational, and managerial experience in the planning and design of complex hydropower and irrigation infrastructure. The Consultant shall have an average annual turnover of at least USD 1,000,000, or its equivalent, over the last three (3) completed financial years preceding the deadline for submission of expressions of interest. As proof of compliance, the Consultant shall provide audited financial statements or verified financial statements showing its annual turnover for each of those years. For a joint venture, this requirement shall be met by the members collectively, by adding their average annual turnovers for the relevant three-year period; each member shall provide its corresponding financial statements. Demonstrated capacity to address North Macedonian design, licensing, permitting, and regulatory requirements, through appropriately qualified personnel, association with firms with suitable national experience, or other clearly defined arrangements. A valid license for preparing design documentation for Category I structures (License A), or the relevant recognition of foreign qualifications and licenses, as required under the applicable legislation of North Macedonia. The Consultant sh