Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

The Government of Fiji through the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics has received financing from the World Bank (“WB”) for the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu or ‘Na Vualiku’ and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will support the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (“MTCA”) as the lead Implementing Agency, and its counterparts in the conduct of Firm Mapping exercise to inform the development of a Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (“MSMEs”) and Community Based Tourism Development Pilot Program in the Northern Division, Fiji.

The objective of this consultancy is to conduct an intensive mapping and scoping of tourism MSMEs, community-based tourism businesses, and women-owned cultural enterprises to design a pilot MSME development program for the North. These analytics will help identify structural issues that need to be addressed in the market and identify interventions that will not distort the market.

The Services are expected to start in April 2024 and is expected to conclude by November 2024 resulting in the design of a pilot program design and MSME Development Pilot Program Manual.

The detailed Terms of Reference (“TOR”) for the assignment can be provided on request to the Director of Tourism noted below. The TOR is subject to further discussion and refinement in consultation with stakeholders to ensure comprehensive coverage and alignment with Project objectives.

The MTCA now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated November 2020 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The shortlisting criteria are:  

1. Technical Proposal (Weightage: 30%):

• Understanding of the TOR and proposed methodology.
• Approach and strategy for data collection, analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated expertise in addressing market failures and challenges in the tourism sector.

1. Firm Qualifications and Experience (Weightage: 40%):

• Relevant experience in similar mapping exercises and interventions.
• Technical capacity and track record of successful project deliveries and impact assessment.

1. Qualification of staff and consultants (Weightage: 30%):

• Technical capacity of the expertise of the proposed team and resources available.
• Experience of proposed team in conducting similar consultancies.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing (“IPF”) Borrowers dated November 2020 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualifications Based Selection (“CQS”) method set out in the Regulations and based on the criteria set out in the TOR. Further information can be obtained at the address below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by 5 April 2024.

The Expression of interest will now close on 19th April 2024.

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation

Attn:      Jacinta Lal (Ms)

Director of Tourism

Level 4, Civic Tower

Victoria Parade, Suva

Tel:        +679 3315577 or +679 9915971

E-mail:  jacinta.lal.fj@gmail.com