REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTANCY FIRM)
ALBANIA
Project: Clean and Resilient Environment for Blue Sea (Care4Blue)
Loan No.: IBRD 95070
Assignment Title: Technical Assistance for preparation of the Environmental and Social Framework for Gjirokaster, Permet, Tepelene and Memaliaj related to Sewers Wastewater/ WWTP/ on-site sanitation solution
Reference No.: AL-AKUK-213-CS-QCBS
The Government of Albania has identified the south of Albania as a priority for regional development. The priority status comes from its unique natural resources and cultural heritage assets and its potential to further develop tourism as a driver of local, regional, and national economic growth. The Ionian coastline and the southern hinterland offer an appealing tourism value proposition in terms of pristine coastlines, rivers, mountains, protected areas, and cultural heritage. However, for the tourism product to remain attractive in terms of offering ‘blue seas’ and ‘clean rivers’, there are challenges in maintaining the health of coastal and river ecosystems critical to sustaining the quality of the region’s assets. To maintain the quality of the Vjosa River and thus its value as tourist attraction, and status as a protected area, water pollution needs to be managed, particularly from wastewater and non-point sources.
The overall objective of this consultancy is to prepare detailed environmental and social (E&S) impact assessment documents in accordance with national requirements and applicable environmental and social standards (ESSs) of the World Bank’s ESF.
This Request for Expressions of Interest aims to hire a Consultant that will provide support to the preparation, implementation, and supervision of environmental and social instruments and to ensure that all project activities comply with:
- The World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including all relevant Environmental and Social Standards (ESS1–ESS10);
- Albanian environmental, health, and safety legislation; and
- Good International Industry Practice (GIIP).
Specific objectives include:
- Preparation and/or update of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and relevant safeguards documents;
- Development of an overarching Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) documentation for all subprojects;
- Environmental and social oversight, monitoring, and capacity building throughout project implementation;
- Coordination and information exchange with the Engineering Consultants to ensure integration of mitigation measures into technical designs and bidding documents.
The Consultant shall cooperate with the separate Technical Assistance team preparing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), and related instruments for Gjirokastra.
The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://akuk.gov.al/
The Consultancy Services outlined in Chapter 4 of the ToRs(”Scope of Services”) shall be scheduled tentatively in accordance with the schedule of the following Contracts:
- Feasibility study, Preliminary design, Detailed design, Assistance inTendering and Supervision of works for Gjirokastra;
- Feasibility study, Preliminary design, Detailed design, Assistance in Tendering and Supervision of works in Permet, Tepelene and Memaliaj
Which have the following schedule:
- Part I (Phase 1, 2 and 3):
- The Feasibility Reports (Draft) shall be submitted 4 months after commencement of the services.
- The Detailed Design and Tender Documents shall be submitted 10 months after commencement of the services.
- The tendering and the award of the contracts shall occur by 16 months after commencement of the services.
- Part II (Supervision and DNP – Phase 4):
- Completion of works 34 months after commencement of the consultancy services.
- The services during the DNP shall cover a period of 12 months for regular works and an extended period of 24 months for the WWTP(s). In addition, assistance during initial operation of the WWTP(s) shall cover a period of 12 months, concurrent with the first 12 months of the DNP.
- End of DNP for regular works/ operation assistance after 46 months.
- End of DNP for plants after up to 58 months.
The assignment requires a firm which meets the following minimum requirements:
- At least 10 years of experience in providing environmental and social consulting services for infrastructure projects, especially those related to water/wastewater/sanitation projects.
- Demonstrated familiarity with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) or equivalent standards of other International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the EBRD, EIB, or ADB.
- Experience in preparing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) documentation/instruments for wastewater and sanitation projects.
- Successful completion of at least two (2) similar assignments over the past seven (7) years.
- Proven experience in coordination with engineering design and supervision teams to integrate E&S requirements into technical designs, tender documents, and works implementation.
- Experience in the region, which includes Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, is an advantage
The tenderer shall submit CVs and statements of availability for the following key experts:
- Team Leader
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Specialist
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist
CVs of the staff will not be evaluated during the shortlisting phase, but only during RFP phase.
The evaluation criteria to be used for selecting the successful Consultant will be the following:
- General Qualifications, including core business and years in business, (30 points);
- Relevant experience, including previous experience in the field of assignment, (60 points);
- Availability of qualified staff within the consulting firm (10 points).
The service will be selected under the provisions of the “World Bank Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing” dated July 1, 2016, revised on November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and February 2025 in accordance with Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) Method, Lump-Sum Contract and Time-Based Contract. The Bank requires that firms or individuals involved in Bank IPF procurement shall not have any conflicts of interest.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 16:00, Mondays to Thursdays, and from 08:00 to 14:00 on Fridays.
Expressions of Interest (including CVs, Cover Letter, and documentary evidence demonstrating fulfilment of the required qualifications) must be submitted in written form to the address below, in person, by mail, fax, or e-mail, no later than March 31st , 2026.
Ms. Elidjana Celaj
Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage
Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy
“Sami Frashëri” Str., No. 4, Tirana, Albania
procurement_p4r@akuk.gov.al
