SHFP Resources Assessment and Sustainable Forest Management Plan

SELECTION FOR CONSULTANTS BY THE WORLD BANK
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Electronic Submissions through World Bank Group eConsultant2
https://wbgeconsult2.worldbank.org/wbgec/index.html 

ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
Assignment Title: 1084407 - SHFP Resources Assessment and Sustainable Forest Management Plan

Assignment Countries: Tanzania

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) intends to finance an assignment for a regional forest resource assessment in the Sao Hill Region, and to develop a Forest Resource Management Plan for the Sao Hill Forest Plantation (SHFP) in Tanzania.

The assignment will build on earlier assessments carried out by request of both governmental and private sector representatives in the region in 2011. 

The IFC, together with its partners in government and the private sector, is looking for a firm to:

1. Produce a detailed forest resources inventory for the Sao Hill Region. 
The area covers approximately 150.000ha, of which almost 50.000ha is planted and an additional ±50.000ha appears plantable (the remainder are wetlands and natural forest). As previous inventories were based on maps of 10-15 years ago, a comprehensive plantation enumeration is needed. This should build on available information and combine remote sensing information and techniques with field measurements in multiple sites within the region (sampling intensity to be confirmed in the full ToR). The inventory should include details on projected growth and yield under various scenarios of AACs and (re)planting, related to estimated demand (though focusing on supply).

2. Assess current Management and Operational Capacity of both government and private sector partners, both in terms of staff and procedures. Benchmark current practices against Tanzanian Forest Code and internationally recognized certification Principles and Criteria. Identify key constraints for sustainable wood supply in the region and probable social and environmental consequences if a supply-demand imbalance is confirmed.

3. Prepare a detailed Management Plan for the Sao Hill Forest Plantation. 
This should include a concrete Implementation Plan with tangible activities, a realistic schedule and clear milestones for a 25-year management period. The plan should include recommendations for (areas for / timing of) new plantations, for silvicultural practices, for an appropriate Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), for valuation and pricing, and for financing required. The plan should clarify clear roles for all relevant stakeholders.
The Plan should allow SHFP and other plantation owners in the region to ensure a sustainable flow of wood through internationally accepted management practices, ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability of the plantations. 
The Plan should include a clear framework for (internal and third party) Monitoring and Auditing.

The work is expected to be carried out between January and December 2013.

IFC hereby invites eligible Consulting Firms to indicate their interest in providing their services by submitting a response to this Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI). Firms that are determined to be qualified through the evaluated results of this first stage may be invited to submit proposals for the more detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be issued at a later date (likely in November 2012 short-listed firms will be asked to respond to a more detailed Terms of Reference). 

Interested firms must show that they are qualified to perform the required services by:
- Providing appropriate information on demonstrating expertise and experience with any prior similar assignments; experience in similar conditions; availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc (see below criteria for short listing). 
- Demonstrating a capability to meet the World Bank Groups Vendor Eligibility Criteria as found on www.worldbank.org/corporateprocurement 

The responses will be short-listed according to the following criteria:
Information showing the firm is qualified and experienced in the field of the assignment, specifically forest plantations (inventories, valuations, management plans). 
Demonstrated experience in the sector in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Information on the qualifications (expertise and years of experience in technical field and geographical region) of the individual staff that would be assigned to the assignment. The IFC team emphasizes the importance of clarity provided by the firm of which staff will be involved in what phase of the project, to ensure the necessary seniority.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The World Bank now invites eligible consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

Marketing Brochures should only be provided as attachments and will not be considered as a substitute for written responses. Elaborate artwork is not required or encouraged. Responses shall not exceed ten (10) pages in length. If the submitted response exceeds ten pages, IFC reserves the right to read only the first ten pages. By responding to this REOI, you are confirming your compliance with the World Bank Group Procurement Policy.

Expressions of Interest and all correspondences should be submitted, in English, electronically through World Bank Group eConsultant2 (https://wbgeconsult2.worldbank.org/wbgec/index.html)

NOTES
Following this invitation for Expression of Interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

IFC reserves the right to limit the number of qualified firms shortlisted for efficiency. 
IFC reserves the right to verify any information provided, or to request additional information after REOI packages are received. 
IFC reserves the right to proceed, or to not proceed, with issuing an RFP. 
IFC reserves the right to modify the scope of work for the RFP as necessary to meet Project requirements.

All data and information received from IFC for the purpose of this assignment shall be treated confidentially and shall only be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the express written consent of IFC.

Qualification Criteria

• 1. Information showing the firm is qualified in the field of the assignment, specifically forest plantations (inventories, valuations, management plans). *
• 2. Demonstrated experience in the sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. *
• 3. Information on the qualifications (expertise and years of experience in technical field and geographical region) of the individual staff that would be assigned to the assignment. The IFC team emphasizes the importance of clarity provided by the firm of which staff will be involved in what phase of the project, to ensure the necessary seniority. *
• 4. undefined

* - Mandatory