EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - CONSULTING SERVICES FOR REA’S “OFF-GRID” RENEWABLE ENERGY RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAMS
1. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania through the Rural Energy Agency (REA) has received funding from the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), British Government through Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank for the operation of the Off-Grid Renewable Energy Project. It is intended that part of the fund will be used to cover eligible payment under the contract for Provision of Consultancy Services for Technical Assistance (TA) to implement “off-grid” renewable energy (RE) rural electrification programs.
2. The Rural Energy Agency now invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing the aforementioned consultancy services. The objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to implement REA’s off-grid renewable energy rural electrification programs for a two year term with an option to renew for another two years. The Consulting firm is required to have diverse skills in the renewable energy project development and finance. It is also required to have capacity to manage a team to achieve program objectives and support timely commercial development of projects. The firm will further provide for and expects flexibility to add task-specific skills and sub-consultants during the course of the consultancy to augment the firm core team. This consultancy will largely be engaged on a task-order basis, with task orders initiated by REA in consultation with the firm.
2.1. The overall objective of the off-grid TA program is to support fulfillment of REA’s mission to deliver modern energy services to rural Mainland Tanzania. The specific objectives of the off-grid TA program are in fourfold:
a. Prepare RE projects ready for investment to deliver modern energy services and increase the number of household connections;
b. Build capacities of REA staff to support RE project developers to prepare projects and arrange financing of targeted projects;
c. Build capacities of project developers and related market actors, including project lenders, to develop, implement and finance projects; and
d. Promote productive use of electricity in rural areas to improve financial viability of rural energy projects and achieve economic development goals.
2.2. The off-grid TA program builds on prior REA initiatives. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the off-grid TA program has the following components, of which require assistance from the consulting firm:
a. Renewable Energy Project Development Facility (REPDF) to provide funding to project developers to prepare RE SPP and mini-grid projects for investment;
b. Strategic Developer Program linking and facilitating partnerships between capable and well-capitalized project developers with local developers who require skills and capital to complete development of their projects;
c. Targeted Communities Program, which gives REA support and consultancy to proactively work with targeted communities which will not receive electricity from the grid in the near future to (i) assess their local RE resources, (ii) develop renewable electrification supply and distribution plans and (iii) conduct procurements to engage private sector firms to deliver chosen RE projects; and
d. Support to REA and Capacity Building to deliver project development services to project developers, assist in managing off-grid TA and Results-Based Financing programs and continue to upgrade REA’s capacities to perform these functions.
2.3. REA will also implement two Results-Based Financing (RBF) programs with Sida/DFID funding, one supporting construction of community mini-grids and another supporting solar PV companies. REA has issued the first Call for Proposals for Mini-Grid RBF September 2016. The Program Consulting firm will assist REA with the implementation of the Mini-Grid RBF Program. Use of the Mini-Grid RBF will be integrated with the Targeted Communities Program.
2.4. A more detailed description of the REA Off-Grid TA Program and each of these components is provided in the Operating Guidelines for the REA Off-Grid Renewable Energy Project Technical Assistance Program and Results Based Financing Program which are available on the REA website (www.rea.go.tz) . It is expected that the Program Consultant firm will support REA in all levels in order to have successfully develop RE investment projects.
3. Interested consulting firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the above services by submitting updated consultant’s profile, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, and availability of appropriate skills among staff. Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.
4. Consulting firms will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Public Procurement Act No. 7 of 2011 and the Public Procurement Regulations, 2013 as amended in 2016 – Government Notice No. 446 (hereinafter called Procurement Regulations) and the Public Procurement (amendment) Act of 2016.
5. Selection will be conducted through the “Quality and Cost based” selection procedures specified in the Public Procurement Regulations.
6. Interested eligible consulting firms may obtain further information from the office of the Secretary, REA Tender Board, Mawasiliano Towers, Sam Nujoma Road, P. O. Box 7990 Dar Es Salaam, Telephone: +255 22 2412001-3/ Fax: +255 22 2412007, Email: info@rea.go.tz from 09.00 to 15.00 hrs on Monday to Friday inclusive except on public holidays.
7. One original and three copies of written Expression of Interests (EoI) must be delivered in a sealed plain envelope, addressed to the Secretary, REA Tender Board, Mawasiliano Towers, Sam Nujoma Road, P. O. Box 7990 Dar es Salaam and must be delivered by hand or registered post on or before 1200 hours local time on 30th November, 2016.
8. Late Expressions of Interest and electronic submissions shall not be accepted for evaluation irrespective of the circumstances.