Projects
Request for Expression of Interest
(Company Selection) Consulting Services for:
Fixed Consultancy ESIA Service for OSHC Barqi Tojik
Republic of Tajikistan
Open Stock Holding Company "Barqi Tojik"
CONSULTING SERVICES
OSHC "Barqi Tojik" has received grant from the International Development for the Association for the preparation grant for Advisory support for the regional trade initiative project (TF 016252), and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to the providing ESIA and EMP for the project CASA-1000 with a Consulting firm, which shall provide the consulting services for: Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan.
The original CASA-1000 project-wide Environmental and Social Assessment (ESIA) based on the prefeasibility study, summarizing potential impacts from construction of transmission lines (TL) within a 2 kilometer wide corridor has been prepared, disclosed and consulted in all participating countries. The detailed design, including final routing/alignment of TL within this corridor, the exact location of DC-AC converter stations and tower footings, etc. will be defined later by the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, following detailed route surveys and considering the site-specific environmental and social aspects. The environment and social assessment work conducted during the Feasibility Study screened and selected a corridor within which the TL will be constructed. The subsequent ESIA supplemented this work by the inclusion of country-specific assessment work that sought to identify if there were any site-specific ‘show stoppers’ due to sensitivities. This subsequent work also developed a range of measures to mitigate potentially adverse effects and manage project implementation, as part of an ESMP that was developed. A special (independent) Avian Risk Assessment and Management study focusing on avifauna revealed that there were some inherent risks to birds, generally considered to be at a local level, but which required further evaluation through field study. This work also discovered that there were several sites in proximity to the TL routing that were of strategic importance to seasonal migration of birds due to the habitat type. Consequently, further detailed field work needs to be undertaken as part of the individual, country-specific ESIAs that are scheduled to be undertaken by the national ESIA Consultants. These activities will be based on the results of the project Regional Environmental Assessment (REA) which summarizes potential primary impacts from construction of transmission lines within a broader corridor of two km width, and follows a framework approach with detailed guidance for preparing country specific ESIAs and several specific Management Plans (MPs) by independent EA consultants that would meet the requirements of respective national laws and applicable Safeguards Policies of the World Bank. Thus the main objective of the assignment is to conduct an ESIA, obtain approval from the State Committee for Environmental Protection and prepare an EMP for the proposed activities within the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The member countries, including the Republic of Tajikistan have their own approach to EMP/ESIA improved and enhanced over the years, and national legislations regarding EIA/ESIA; normally, they have standards and guidelines that contemplate the EIA process as well as the legally established evaluation process and documents prepared by the Government or the Agency’s authorities. However, since these standards and possibly, which is more important, the EIA practice continue to develop in the region, it is critical that the EIA work meets highest relevant standard and be responsive to the World Bank’s and other participating International Financial Institutions’ Safeguard Policy.
OSHC “Barqi Tojik” now invites eligible consulting companies (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the above mentioned services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the mentioned services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).
Qualifications Requirements for ESIA Consultant
The ESIA Consultant should meet the following qualifications and requirements:
• Activities required by the present REOI are listed in the charter or the statutes of the applicant organization / institution;
• The applicant organization / institution - has required licenses, certificates, certificates of admission to types of work;
• The applicant organization / institution - and its potential subcontractors have qualified professionals able to perform the assignment;
• Experience in developing the ESIA for projects in the energy sector;
• Experience in cooperation with public authorities, scientific organizations, experts and practitioners at all levels (national, regional, etc.) on matters related to the present assignment;
• Experience in engineering and environmental studies for the construction and other economic activity in order to prevent, reduce or eliminate adverse effects and related social, economic and other consequences and maintain optimal conditions of living for population, including:
• Experience in carrying out studies to determine the migration routes of birds, and their nesting;
• Experience in the review and analysis of environmental and social aspects of the project alternative TL routes.
Overall the consultant should have the necessary skills to prepare a description of the existing environment conditions, environmental impact assessment of the project during the construction and operations, to provide recommendations on management, mitigation and monitoring of the selected parameters. Furthermore, the consultant and its potential subcontractors should have material-technical base, which allows to perform the assignment, as well as adequate training and resources for sampling, analysis and monitoring of air quality standards, noise, soil and water, noise, vibration to meet state standards, construction norms and regulations, sanitary regulations and norms. Also the consultant should have sufficient expertise to ensure quality control of field data and coordination with agencies, as well as an overview of the legal framework of the project to analyze the administrative and legal framework for environmental protection in the Republic of Tajikistan, including international treaties and conventions ratified by the Republic of Tajikistan.
Experience in ESIA studies for international projects in the power sector/electricity transmission lines and in particular in Central Asia would be an asset during the tendering process. At least 10 years’ experience in conducting ESIA studies and preparing EMPs. General experience and qualification of the company personnel in the domain. At least two assignments of a similar nature during the last 5 years, preferably with the International Financial Institutions. Consulting company must submit a brief technical approach and work plan for the assignment. The company should include following key personnel with referenced qualification:
· Team Leader: social and environmental expert with a minimum 8 years of experience
· Environmental expert with a minimum 5 years of experience
· Socio-economic expert with demonstrated facilitation skills and a minimum 5 years of experience, and
· Any other experts as needed by the consultant.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank's "Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers" dated January 2011 (Consultant Guidelines), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Further information can be obtained via e-mail or fax given below. Expressions of interest must be delivered electronically to the email below by 12:00 noon on Monday, April 11th, 2016.
Mr. Habibov Ubaidullo,
Head of PRG Energy Loss Reduction, OSHC Barqi Tojik
64, Somoni Street, Room 302, Dushanbe 734026, Republic of Tajikistan
Fax: (+992-37) 235-87-64 E-mail: elrpbt@gmail.com
(with a copy to: atoevsparviz@gmail.com, manusafarzoda@gmail.com)
