INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF ZIMBABWE

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR PROVISION OF CONSULTING SERVICES
(Firms Selection)

Subject	Expression of Interest for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Proposed Lupane Students Accommodation Project, Matebeleland North Province
Brief Description	Engagement of a Consulting Firm to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Proposed Lupane Students Accommodation Project, Matebeleland North Province
Proposal Reference Number	IDBZ 4(c) of 2021
Date of Issue	4 February 2022

Section I
1.	Background and Rationale 
Since independence in 1980, the Government of Zimbabwe has prioritized education for all as a policy stance. Significant milestones were achieved under this initiative with the country’s literacy rate peaking at 97.6% in 2014 (ZimStats, 2016). Between 1997 and 2012, the number of universities increased from 8 to 16 through the establishment of several state-owned and private universities across the country. During the same period, the national student enrolment more than trebled from 19,285 to 60,155. This growth was however not accompanied by a corresponding growth in the necessary infrastructure such as learning facilities and student hostels. The 2017 figures show that universities had 107,000 students of which 80,250 required affordable university accommodation. 
One of the Universities established in the post-independence period is the Lupane State University (LSU). LSU is a relatively young University whose growth cycle is still incomplete implying that the enrolment figures are likely to increase as the University matures. The current student enrolment is 3,164. Out of this only 676 (64.7% females: 35.3% males) are accommodated in on-campus accommodation facilities at the Lupane Campus. There is therefore an excess demand of 2,493 beds. This number is set to increase as the University continues to grow. The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) seeks to address this student accommodation shortage through construction of affordable off-site students’ hostels through a Special Purpose Vehicle, Campus Oasis (Pvt) Limited (‘Campus Oasis’). Campus Oasis shall ensure the efficient and effective implementation and operation of the accommodation facilities. The proposed project is in line with the IDBZ’s Housing sector policy which focuses on infrastructure development, financing, and project management.
The proposed Students Accommodation Complex involves the construction of a student hostel block inclusive of extension of existing services (water, roads & electricity) to service the new facilities, adequate to accommodate a minimum of one thousand (1,000).  The individual rooms have the capacity to house two (2) occupants at base capacity. Three warden houses will also be constructed.
The proposed project is a prescribed activity in terms of the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27]. It should thus be preceded by the preparation of a prospectus report and a detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study. This requirement is also in line with IDBZ’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Management System (ESSMS) and is meant to enhance project sustainability during both the construction and operation phases. The prospectus report was prepared and submitted to EMA on 2 June 2021. The Agency subsequently responded to the prospectus submission and confirmed that an ESIA study is indeed required for the project.
The project’s outcomes include increased access to affordable accommodation, clean water, sanitation services, electricity, and communication infrastructure for at least one thousand (1,000) students. The impacts of the project include:  
•	Improvement in the standard of living – Students’ accommodation brings in convenience, security and influences students’ growth and positive behaviours. 
•	Creation of employment - In an environment with low levels of formal employment, the project comes as great relief to many unemployed and marginalised groups such as youths, women and people living with disabilities etc. The project will create several temporary and permanent jobs in the community during the construction and operation phases. 
•	Gender and Empowerment - Students in residence are surrounded by people with similar goals of succeeding in life. This atmosphere has a positive effect on students. Distractions are less especially for girls, also commutation times and expenses are reduced. 
•	Enhanced national economic performance from payment of levies and taxes to the local authority and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

2.	Geographic Location of the Project
The proposed project is in Lupane, Matebeleland North Province, Zimbabwe. 

3.	Objectives of the Detailed ESIA Study
The main objective of the Consulting Services is to conduct an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study for the proposed off campus students accommodation. The ESIA study also includes a gender impact assessment study meant to ensure that the project is implemented in a gender-sensitive manner. The study must ensure that the project is implemented in full compliance with the country’s environmental legislation, the Bank’s ESSMS, the Gender policy, as well as international best practice. The specific objectives of the study are:
i.	To establish the physical, biological, socioeconomic, and cultural baseline conditions of the project site and its immediate environs.
ii.	To identify and document both the positive and adverse environmental, socio-economic, and gendered impacts of the Project during project planning, construction and operation phases.
iii.	To analyse the potential impacts in terms of their magnitude, extent, duration and significance;
iv.	To suggest appropriate and implementable cost-effective mitigation measures for the adverse impacts and enhancement measures for the positive impacts. 
v.	To undertake a comprehensive gender inclusive stakeholder consultation exercise that involves project interested & affected persons as well as communities.
vi.	To document all the concerns which stakeholders may have regarding the project and ensure that these concerns are addressed.

The Consultant is required to ensure that appropriate study methods are employed to enable the study to address each of these objectives.
4.	Scope of Assignment
The ESIA study process should be guided by IDBZ’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Management System (ESSMS). It should also comply with national ESIA requirements while at the same time complying with international best practice standards such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards. The consulting services should cover the following.
i.	Preparation of a detailed ESIA report inclusive of a detailed Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for submission to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for certification purposes. 
ii.	The ESMP should also include the identified Gender Actions Plan. 
iii.	The ESMP should clearly show the estimated costs associated with monitoring and management of each identified impact.


Section II
The IDBZ now invites eligible Zimbabwe Consulting Firms to indicate their interest by way of an Expression of Interest (EOI) in accordance with requirements stated herein in providing the services as specified in this document. Interested Consultants Firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required experience, competences, skills, and qualifications relevant for performance of the services whether as individual firms, joint ventures or as consortia. The Consultant shall submit Company profiles, Company registration documents, Curriculum Vitae of key personnel and professional staff, brochures, description of similar assignments previously undertaken, experience under similar environment or conditions. The Consulting Firm must demonstrate that they have fully established business offices. Prospective Consulting Firms may constitute joint ventures where necessary to enhance their capacity to undertake the assignment.
A.	Eligibility Criteria
i.	The Consulting firms must be registered with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ). 
ii.	The Consulting firms must be registered with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). 
iii.	Consulting Firms must be duly registered Zimbabwean Firms. 

B.	Evaluation/Qualification Criteria
•	The Consulting firm shall have at least five (5) years’ experience in environmental and social impact assessment assignments. 
•	Shall demonstrate experience in similar assignments implemented fully and successfully i.e., proven track record of consultancy for at least three (3) projects of a similar nature. 
•	The consulting firm should be registered with the Environmental Management Agency. 
•	The Consultant will require strong leadership in two main areas: a) Environmental analysis; and b) socio-economic analysis.

The evaluation of Expressions of Interest documents shall be ascertained on compliance-based method.

Minimum Qualifying Criteria	Means of verification	Reference in Documents (Put page numbers from the proposal document)
The Consulting firms must be registered with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ). 	Copy of excerpt for Government Gazette for 2021/Proof of Payment of Annual Registration/Certificate from PRAZ	
The Consulting firms must be registered with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).	Copy of proof of registration with EMA	
Zimbabwe consulting firms must have valid tax clearance certificates 	Copies of valid tax clearance certificates 	
The consulting firm shall have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in ESIA studies and preparation of ESMPs.	Copies of contracts / project sign off / completion certificates / relevant documentary proof	
The consulting firm shall demonstrate experience in similar assignments implemented fully and successfully i.e. proven track record of consultancy for at least three (3) similar assignments in the past five (5) years.	Copies of contracts / project sign off / completion certificates / relevant documentary proof	
The Consulting firms should have qualified personnel with expertise in undertaking an ESMP. The list of key personnel should include:
i)	Project Team Leader
ii)	Social Scientist/Gender Expert
iii)	Ecologist
iv)	Archaeologist 	CVs with copies of educational documents and certifications	


A.	Document Submission
The following documents should be submitted: 
i.	Duly signed letter of Expression of Interest, which must be in the format of the template in Appendix A of Section III below.
ii.	Detailed company profile or brochures containing:
•	Legal status i.e., sole proprietorship / partnership /public or private limited company / consortium with name and addresses of proprietor / partner(s)/director(s).
•	Experience of the company together with verifiable details of previous / current corporate clientele.
•	Summary of curriculum vitaes of key personnel and professional staff for assessment of capacities related to the assignment.
•	Tax Clearance Certificates.
•	Affidavit to the effect that the government / quasi-government or any autonomous body has never blacklisted the consulting firm.
•	Contact person for all matters related to this EOI including the designation of such person in the firm.
•	Affidavit on history of litigation if any.
•	All other documents which are considered relevant to assess the capability of the consulting firm.

Section III:	Instructions to Consultants
A Consulting Firm will be selected in accordance with the procedures specified in Part VIII of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter22:23] (“the Act”) and Part VI of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (General) Regulations, 2018 (Statutory Instrument 5 of 2018) (“the Regulations”). This opportunity is open to all Consultants who meet the criteria for eligibility as stated in Section 28 of the Act and who have the nationality of an eligible country as defined in Clause 1.10 of the General Conditions of Contract for Consultancy Services. Short-listed Consultants will be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals, as described in Part 1 of the Request for Proposals Procedures in the Standard Request for Proposals for the Selection of Consultancy Services. The Consultant submitting the successful proposal will be engaged on the contractual terms set out in that document and in the General Conditions of Contract for Consultancy Services. Copies of the Act and Regulations and the standard documentation are available on the website of the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe; URL http://www.praz.gov.zw/index.php?lang=en. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

Prospective Consultants are not required to pay an administration fee to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe for this tender outlined in Section 54 of the Act as set out in Part IV of the Fifth Schedule to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Regulations (SI 5 of 2018) as amended by Statutory Instrument 219 of 2020. 

The method of selection will be the Least Cost Selection Method in line with section 62 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter22:23].

The IDBZ will reject an Expression of Interest if it establishes that the Consultant has, directly or through an agent, engaged in corrupt, fraudulent, collusive, coercive or obstructive practices in competing for the Contract or been declared ineligible to be awarded a procurement contract under section 99 of the Act. An expression of interest shall be rejected in this procurement process if a Consultant Firm engages in anti-competitive practices.

Interested Consulting Firms shall submit only one Expression of Interest document, either individually or as a partner in a joint venture / consortium. In case of joint venture / consortium, total similar projects will be counted as sum of Lead firm and partners / associates.

The Expression of Interest must be submitted electronically to procurement@idbz.co.zw by 25 February 2022 by 10:00hrs local time and clearly captioned “Expression of Interest for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Proposed Lupane Students Accommodation Project.”  Late expressions of interest will be rejected in line with the PPDPA Act. 

Procurement Management Unit
Attn: Fredy Masuka, Head (A) – Procurement Management Unit
IDBZ House
99 Gamal Abdel Nasser Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
PO Box 1720
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-24-2750171/8
Email: procurement@idbz.co.zw
Website: www.idbz.co.zw 


 
Appendix A

Letter for submission of expression of interest (To be submitted with the application, signed and unaltered)

To: {Insert name of Procuring Entity}

With reference to your invitation for expressions of interest for {insert subject and proposal reference number}, we express our interest in bidding for a contract to provide these services.

We provide the following information in relation to the short-listing criteria:
1.	Qualifications and experience of the firm: {Insert relevant information}.
2.	Availability of appropriate skills among staff: {Insert relevant information}.
3.	Other short-listing criteria: {Insert relevant information}.

We submit the following documents in support of this information {list any documents that were requested in the invitation for expressions of interest;  if no documents were requested, delete this paragraph }.

{Delete whichever of the following statements do not apply:}
1.	This firm will be the sole provider of the requested consultancy services. or 
2.	We propose to provide the requested consultancy services as part of a joint venture with {provide the name of the joint venture partner and details of the contribution the partner would make to the required consultancy services}. Or
3.	We propose to engage as sub-contractors {provide the name of the sub-contractor and details of the contribution the sub-contractor would make to the required consultancy services}.
{In the case of 2 or 3 above} We confirm that the firm mentioned above has agreed to be associated with this expression of interest.

{Name and postal and physical address of firm submitting the expression of interest, together with name of contact person and contact details, including telephone number and e-mail address. The firm’s website address should be provided, if available.}

Expression of Interest Letter Authorised By:
Signed	……………………………..	Name:	………………………………
In capacity of:	……………………………..	Date:	…………………(DD/MM/YY)
Duly authorised for and on behalf of:		
Firm	…………………………………………………………………………………
Address:	……………………………………………………………………………………
	…………………………………………………………………………………….
Corporate Seal (where appropriate)