EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: PROVISION OF CONSULTING SERVICES AS THE TRUST AGENT

1. This invitation for Expression of Interest follows the Revised General Procurement Notice (GPN) as which appeared in the REA website (www.rea.go.tz) and PPRA Tender Port on 15th September, 2017.

2. The Rural Energy Act, 2005 under Section 17 established the Rural Energy Fund (REF) for the purpose of providing grants to qualified developer of projects to facilitate modern energy services in the rural areas in Tanzania Mainland. The fund provides resources for; (i) grants towards capital costs of project implemented by the private and public entities, cooperatives and local community organizations; (ii) technical assistance, training and other forms of capacity building to qualified developers; and (iii) the provision of financial assistance.

3. The Fund is governed by the Rural Energy Board (REB) which also governs the Rural Energy Agency (REA). REA acts as the executive body and secretariat of the Board. The Board has set aside funds for the Financial Year 2017/18 and is intended that part of the fund will be used to cover eligible payment under the contract for the Trust Agent who shall be responsible for the administration of grant payments, including financial disbursement, verification and monitoring activities.


4. The Rural Energy Agency now invites eligible Consulting Firms (Trust Agents) to express their interests in providing the services which include administration of grants payment to the qualified developers; financial disbursement; verification of projects developed by the private and public entities, cooperatives and local community organizations and monitoring activities of the projects. The scope of assignment of the Trust Agent includes but not limited to:

i) Collect baseline data/information for all newly funded projects as aligned to the Key Performance Indicators stipulated in the REA Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and the Projects Appraisal Guideline;

ii) Verification of progress of projects against milestones established in the grant contract for disbursement of funds to the developers;

iii) Provide information that will allow REA to determine energy access to enable a comprehensive assessment on socio-economic impact of interventions made;

iv) Carry out specific evaluation of individual projects and/ or portfolio of projects;
v) Administer grant payments in accordance with the schedules established in the Subsidy/Grant Contracts;

v) Verification of equipment, materials, installations and other activities set out in the grant contract to ensure that they have been installed and are in accordance with agreed terms, conditions and standards;

vi) Maintaining and updating the Funds Management Information System for funded projects to ensure that it provides accurate and timely information regarding funds disbursement to projects and expenditure;

vii) Maintaining up-to-date all financial transactions for activities relating to fund disbursements;

viii) Ensure that a proper control system is in place to achieve accountability at all levels and assurance that the funds are used for intended purposes with due consideration for economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

ix) Provision of bank statements, monthly bank reconciliation statements and swift reply in every transaction.

x) Monitoring and reporting all environmental issues and compliance.

xi) Reporting gender issues in rural energy projects

xii) Quarterly Submission of project Completion certificates with its updated list


5. Interested eligible firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services by submitting consultant’s profile, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. Firms are encouraged to associate or to form a joint venture with any other firms to enhance their qualifications as the assignment requires multidisciplinary experts in financial; electrical engineering; renewable energy; information system; economists preferably in energy sector and social and gender.

6. 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 – Government Notice No. 446 (hereinafter called Procurement Regulations) and Public Procurement (Amendment) Act, 2016. Selection will be conducted through the Quality and Cost Based Selection procedures specified in the Public Procurement Regulations.

7. Interested eligible consulting firms may obtain further information from the office of 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.

8. All Expressions of Interest (EoI) must be delivered to the address to the Secretary, Rural Energy Agency, Mawasiliano Towers, 2nd Floor, Procurement Management Unit Office, Room No. 214, 20 Sam Nujoma Road, and 14414 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania at or before Wednesday, 25th April, 2018 at 12:00 hrs. The envelope shall be clearly marked “TENDER NO. AE/008/2017-18/HQ/C/43 PROVISION OF CONSULTING SERVICES AS THE TRUST AGENT”.

9. The Expressions of Interest will be opened in public and in the presence of consulting firms’ representatives who choose to attend at Mawasiliano Towers, 12th Floor in the REA conference Room No. 1201 immediately thereafter and the submission deadline.

10. Late Expressions of Interest shall not be accepted for evaluation irrespective of the circumstances.

Director General
Rural Energy Agency (REA)
Mawasiliano Towers, 2nd Floor
Sam Nujoma Road
P. O. Box 7990
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

E-Mail: info@rea.go.tz
Tel: +255 22 2412001, +255 22 2412002, +255 22 2412003
Fax: +255 22 2412007