WIXLIB

Section 1. Letter of Invitation[if applicable, insert: For Loan-funded assignments: RFP No.; Loan No. For TC-FundedAssignments: TCS Number; Assignment Title][insert: Location and Date][insert: Name and Address of Consultant. In case of a Joint Venture (JV), the full name of theJV and the names of each member as in the submitted Expression of Interest shall be used]Dear Mr./Ms.:1. [For loan-funded assignments only:] The [insert: Name of Borrower or Client1](hereinafter called [select: “Borrower” or ”Client”]) has [received] [applied for]financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “Bank”) inthe form of a loantoward the cost of [insert: name of project]. The [Name ofImplementing/Executing Agency], an [implementing/executing] agency [if applicable,insert: of the Borrower/Client], intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this Loan toeligible payments under the contract for which this Request for Proposals is issued.2. [For grants/donor-funded assignments only: replace the text above with the following:]The [Name of Client/Recipient/Beneficiary] (the “Client”) has been allocated grant funds(the “Grant”) from the [name of donor fund] provided by the Government of [Donorcountry] which are administered by the Bank and executed by the[Client/Recipient/Beneficiary /or name of agency]. The [Name of Client/Recipient/Beneficiary] intends to apply the funds to eligible payments under the contractfor which this Request for Proposals is issued.Payments by the Bank will be made only at the request of the [Name of Borrower or Client orRecipient] and upon approval by the Bank, and will be subject, in all respects, to the termsand conditions of the [loan/ financing/grant] agreement. The [loan/ /financing/grant]agreement prohibits a withdrawal from the [loan/grant]account for the purpose of anypayment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to theknowledge of the Bank, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security counciltaken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than the[Borrower/Client/Recipient] shall derive any rights from the [loan /financing/grant] agreementor have any claims to the proceeds of the [loan /grant].3. The Client now invites proposals to provide the following consulting services (hereinaftercalled “Services”): [insert: name of consulting services assignment]. More details on theServices are provided in the Terms of Reference (Section 7).1[Where “the Borrower “and “the Client” are the same entity, the term ‘Client’ may be used throughoutfor consistency. Where they are different entities, the appropriate term should be used as the context requires.]1 Page

Section 1. Letter of Invitation4. This Request for Proposals (RFP) has been addressed to the following shortlistedConsultants:[Insert the list of shortlisted Consultants. If a Consultant is a Joint Venture (JV), thefull name of the JV, as in the Expression of Interest, shall be used. In addition, list allmembers, starting with the name of the lead member. Where sub-consultants havebeen proposed, they shall be named.]5. It is not permissible to transfer this invitation to any other firm.6. A firm will be selected under [insert: Selection Method: QBS/QCBS/FBS] procedures andin a [Full Technical Proposal (FTP) or Simplified Technical Proposal (STP)] format asdescribed in this RFP, in accordance with the policies of the European Bank forReconstruction and Development detailed in the EBRD Procurement Policies and Rules(“PP&R”) and [for TC funded assignments insert “Guidelines for Clients ManagingTechnical Cooperation Consultancy Assignments”; for loan financed assignments insert:“Guidelines for Clients Managing Loan Financed Consultancy Assignments”](“Guidelines”) which can be found at the following website: www.ebrd.com.7. The RFP includes the following documents:Section 1 - Letter of InvitationSection 2 - Instructions to Consultants and Data SheetSection 3 - Technical Proposal ([select: FTP or STP] )- Standard FormsSection 4 - Financial Proposal - Standard FormsSection 5 – Eligible CountriesSection 6 – Bank’s Policy – Corrupt and Fraudulent PracticesSection 7 - Terms of ReferenceSection 8 - Standard Forms of Contract ([select: Time-Based or Lump-Sum])8. Please inform us by [insert date], in writing at [insert address], by facsimile [insertfacsimile number], or by E-mail [insert e-mail address], [For TC-funded assignments,add: copying the Bank [insert CSU Advisor E-mail address]:(a)(b)that you have received the Letter of Invitation; andwhether you intend to submit a proposal alone or intend to enhance yourexperience by requesting permission to associate with other firm(s) (ifpermissible under Section 2, Instructions to Consultants (ITC), Data Sheet14.1.1).9. Details on the proposal’s submission date, time and address are provided in Clauses 17.7and 17.9 of the ITC.Yours sincerely,[Insert: Signature, name, and title of Client’s authorized representative or, for TC-fundedassignments: CSU authorized representative]

Section 2. Instructions to Consultants and Data Sheet[“Notes to the Client”: this Section 2 - Instructions to Consultants shall not be modified. Any necessary changes,acceptable to the Bank, to address specific country and project issues, to supplement, but not over-write, theprovisions of the Instructions to Consultants (ITC), shall be introduced through the Data Sheet only. “Notes tothe Client” should be deleted from the final RFP issued to the shortlisted Consultants].A. General Provisions1. Definitions(a) “Affiliate(s)” means an individual or an entity thatdirectly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is undercommon control with the Consultant.(b) “Applicable Guidelines” means the policies of theEuropean Bank for Reconstruction and Developmentgoverning the selection and Contract award process as setforth in this RFP.(c) “Applicable Law” means the laws and any otherinstruments having the force of law in the Client’scountry, or in such other country as may be specified inthe Data Sheet, as they may be issued and in force fromtime to time.(d) “Bank” means the European Bank for Reconstruction andDevelopment,.(e) “Borrower” means the Government, Government ng/project]agreement with the Bank.(f) “Client” means the executing agency that signs theContract for the Services with the selected Consultant.(g) “Consultant” means a legally-established professionalconsulting firm or an entity that may provide or providesthe Services to the Client under the Contract.(h) “Contract” means a legally binding written agreementsigned between the Client and the Consultant and includesall the attached documents listed in its Clause 1 (theGeneral Conditions of Contract (GCC), the SpecialConditions of Contract (SCC), and the Appendices).(i) “Data Sheet” means an integral part of the Instructions toConsultants (ITC) Section 2 that is used to reflect specificcountry and assignment conditions to supplement, but notto over-write, the provisions of the ITC.3 Page

Section 2. Instructions to Consultants(j) “Day” means a calendar day.(k) “Experts” means, collectively, Key Experts, Non-KeyExperts, or any other personnel of the Consultant, Subconsultant or Joint Venture member(s).(l) “Government” means the government of the Client’scountry.(m) “Joint Venture (JV)” means an association with or withouta legal personality distinct from that of its members, ofmore than one Consultant where one member has theauthority to conduct all business for and on behalf of anyand all the members of the JV, and where the members ofthe JV are jointly and severally liable to the Client for theperformance of the Contract.(n) “Key Expert(s)” means an individual professional whoseskills, qualifications, knowledge and experience arecritical to the performance of the Services under theContract and whose CV is taken into account in thetechnical evaluation of the Consultant’s proposal.(o) “ITC” (this Section 2 of the RFP) means the Instructionsto Consultants that provides the shortlisted Consultantswith all information needed to prepare their Proposals.(p) “LOI” (this Section 1 of the RFP) means the Letter ofInvitation being sent by the Client to the shortlistedConsultants.(q) “Non-Key Expert(s)” means an individual professionalprovided by the Consultant or its Sub-consultant and whois assigned to perform the Services or any part thereofunder the Contract and whose CVs are not evaluatedindividually.(r) “Proposal” means the Technical Proposal and theFinancial Proposal of the Consultant.(s) “RFP” means the Request for Proposals to be prepared bythe Client for the selection of Consultants, based on theSRFP.(t) “SRFP” means the Standard Request for Proposals, whichmust be used by the Client as the basis for the preparationof the RFP.(u) “Services” means the work to be performed by the

Section 2. Instruction s to ConsultantsConsultant pursuant to the Contract.(v) “Sub-consultant” means an entity to whom the Consultantintends to subcontract any part of the Services whileremaining responsible to the Client during theperformance of the Contract.(w) “TORs” (this Section 7 of the RFP) means the Terms ofReference that explain the objectives, scope of work,activities, tasks to be performed, respectiveresponsibilities of the Client and the Consultant, andexpected results and deliverables of the assignment.[for TC funded assignments only:](x) (i) "Donor" means the provider of the Grant funds asspecified in the Letter of Invitation.(ii) "Grant" means the amount of funds to be madeavailable by the Donor to the Bank, as administrator, forthe purposes of financing the Contract.2. Introduction2.1The Client named in the Data Sheet intends to select aConsultant from those listed in the Letter of Invitation, inaccordance with the method of selection specified in the DataSheet.2.2The shortlisted Consultants are invited to submit aTechnical Proposal and a Financial Proposal, or a TechnicalProposal only, as specified in the Data Sheet, for consultingservices required for the assignment named in the Data Sheet.The Proposal will be the basis for negotiating and ultimatelysigning the Contract with the selected Consultant.2.3The Consultants should familiarize themselves with thelocal conditions and take them into account in preparing theirProposals, including attending a pre-proposal conference if one isspecified in the Data Sheet. Attending any such pre-proposalconference is optional and is at the Consultants’ expense.2.4The Client will timely provide, at no cost to theConsultants, the inputs, relevant project data, and reports requiredfor the preparation of the Consultant’s Proposal as specified in theData Sheet.3. Conflict ofInterest3.1The Consultant is required to provide professional,objective, and impartial advice, at all times holding the Client’sinterests paramount, strictly avoiding conflicts with otherassignments or its own corporate interests, and acting without any5 Page

Section 2. Instructions to Consultantsconsideration for future work.3.2The Consultant has an obligation to disclose to the Clientany situation of actual or potential conflict that impacts itscapacity to serve the best interest of its Client. Failure to disclosesuch situations may lead to the disqualification of the Consultantor the termination of its Contract and/or sanctions by the Bank.3.2.1Without limitation on the generality of theforegoing, and unless stated otherwise in the Data Sheet, theConsultant shall not be hired under the circumstances set forthbelow:a. Conflictingactivities(i)Conflict between consulting activities and procurementof goods, works or non-consulting services: a firm thathas been engaged by the Client to provide goods, works,or non-consulting services for a project, or any of itsAffiliates, shall be disqualified from providingconsulting services resulting from or directly related tothose goods, works, or non-consulting services.Conversely, a firm hired to provide consulting servicesfor the preparation or implementation of a project, orany of its Affiliates, shall be disqualified fromsubsequently providing goods or works or nonconsulting services resulting from or directly related tothe consulting services for such preparation orimplementation.b. Conflictingassignments(ii)Conflict among consulting assignments: a Consultant(including its Experts and Sub-consultants) or any of itsAffiliates shall not be hired for any assignment that, byits nature, may be in conflict with another assignment ofthe Consultant for the same or for another Client.c. Conflictingrelationships(iii) Relationship with the Client’s staff: a Consultant(including its Experts and Sub-consultants) that has aclose business or family relationship with a professionalstaff of the Borrower, or the Client or of a recipient of apart of the [loan /grant] who are directly or indirectlyinvolved in any part of (i) the preparation of the Termsof Reference for the assignment, (ii) the selectionprocess for the Contract, or (iii) the supervision of theContract, may not be awarded a Contract, unless theconflict stemming from this relationship has beenresolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank throughoutthe selection process and the execution of the Contract.(iv) Any other types of conflicting relationships as indicated

Section 2. Instruction s to Consultantsin the Data Sheet.7 Page

Section 2. Instructions to Consultants4. UnfairCompetitiveAdvantage4.1Fairness and transparency in the selection process requirethat the Consultants or their Affiliates competing for a specificassignment do not derive a competitive advantage from havingprovided consulting services related to the assignment in question.To that end, the Client shall indicate in the Data Sheet and makeavailable to all shortlisted Consultants together with this RFP allinformation that would in that respect give such Consultant anyunfair competitive advantage over competing Consultants.5. Corrupt andFraudulentPractices5.1 The Bank requires compliance with its policy in regard toprohibited practices as set forth in Section 6.6. Eligibility6.1The Bank permits consultants (individuals and firms,including Joint Ventures and their individual members) from allcountries to offer consulting services for Bank-financed projects, ,unless otherwise provided in Section 5.5.2 In further pursuance of this policy, the Consultant shall permitand shall cause its sub-consultants and sub-contractors to permitthe Bank or its representatives to inspect the accounts, records andother documents relating to the submission of the Proposal andexecution of the contract, in case of award, and to have theaccounts and records audited by auditors appointed by the theBank.6.2Furthermore, it is the Consultant’s responsibility to ensurethat its Experts, joint venture members, Sub-consultants, agents(declared or not), sub-contractors, service providers, suppliersand/or their employees meet the eligibility requirements asestablished by the Bank in Section 5 (if any).6.3As an exception to the foregoing Clauses 6.1 and 6.2above:a. Sanctions6.3.1A firm or an individual sanctioned by the Bank inaccordance with the above Clause 5.1 or in accordance withthe EBRD’s Enforcement Policies and Procedures ("EPP")shall be ineligible to be awarded a Bank-financed contract,or to benefit from a Bank-financed contract, financially orotherwise, during such period of time as the Bank shalldetermine. The list of debarred firms and individuals isavailable at the electronic address specified in the DataSheet.b. Prohibitions6.3.2Firms and individuals of a country or goodsmanufactured in a country may be ineligible if so indicatedin Section 5 (Eligible Countries) and:(a) as a matter of law or official regulations, the

Section 2. Instruction s to Consultants[Borrower’s/Client’s/Beneficiary's] country prohibitscommercial relations with that country, provided thatthe Bank is satisfied that such exclusion does notpreclude effective competition for the provision ofServices required; or(b) by an act of compliance with a decision of the UnitedNations Security Council taken under Chapter VII ofthe Charter of the United Nations, the[Borrower’s/Client’s/Beneficiary's] Country prohibitsany import of goods from that country or any paymentsto any country, person, or entity in that country.B. Preparation of Proposals7. GeneralConsiderations7.1In preparing the Proposal, the Consultant is expected toexamine the RFP in detail. Material deficiencies in providing theinformation requested in the RFP may result in rejection of theProposal.8. Cost ofPreparation ofProposal8.1The Consultant shall bear all costs associated with thepreparation and submission of its Proposal, and the Client shallnot be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of theconduct or outcome of the selection process. The Client is notbound to accept any proposal, and reserves the right to annul theselection process at any time prior to Contract award, withoutthereby incurring any liability to the Consultant.9. Language9.1The Proposal, as well as all correspondence and documentsrelating to the Proposal exchanged between the Consultant and theClient, shall be written in the language(s) specified in the DataSheet.10. DocumentsComprising theProposal10.1 The Proposal shall comprise the documents and formslisted in the Data Sheet.10.2 If specified in the Data Sheet, the Consultant shall includea statement of an undertaking of the Consultant to observe, incompeting for and executing a contract, the Client country’s lawsagainst fraud and corruption (including bribery).10.3 The Consultant shall furnish information on commissions,gratuities, and fees, if any, paid or to be paid to agents or any otherparty relating to this Proposal and, if awarded, Contract execution,as requested in the Financial Proposal submission form (Section4).11. Only One11.1The Consultant (including the individual members of any9 Page

Section 2. Instructions to ConsultantsProposal12. Proposal ValidityJoint Venture) shall submit only one Proposal, either in its ownname or as part of a Joint Venture in another Proposal. If aConsultant, including any Joint Venture member, submits orparticipates in more than one proposal, all such proposals shall bedisqualified and rejected. This does not, however, preclude a Subconsultant, or the Consultant’s staff from participating as KeyExperts and Non-Key Experts in more than one Proposal whencircumstances justify and if stated in the Data Sheet.12.1The Data Sheet indicates the period during which theConsultant’s Proposal must remain valid after the Proposalsubmission deadline.12.2During this period, the Consultant shall maintain itsoriginal Proposal without any change, including the availability ofthe Key Experts, the proposed rates and the total price.12.3 If it is established that any Key Expert nominated in theConsultant’s Proposal was not available at the time of Proposalsubmission or was included in the Proposal without his/herconfirmation, such Proposal shall be disqualified and rejected forfurther evaluation, and may be subject to sanctions in accordancewith Clause 5 of this ITC.a. Extension ofValidity Period12.4 The Client will make its best effort to complete thenegotiations within the proposal’s validity period. However,should the need arise, the Client may request, in writing, allConsultants who submitted Proposals prior to the submissiondeadline to extend the Proposals’ validity.12.5 If the Consultant agrees to extend the validity of itsProposal, it shall be done without any change in the originalProposal and with the confirmation of the availability of the KeyExperts.12.6 The Consultant has the right to refuse to extend the validityof its Proposal in which case such Proposal will not be furtherevaluated.b. Substitution ofKey Experts atValidityExtension12.7 If any of the Key Experts become unavailable for theextended validity period, the Consultant shall provide a writtenadequate justification and evidence satisfactory to the Clienttogether with the substitution request. In such case, a replacementKey Expert shall have equal or better qualifications andexperience than those of the originally proposed Key Expert. Thetechnical evaluation score, however, will remain to be based onthe evaluation of the CV of the

8. Cost of Preparation of Proposal 9. Language 10. Documents Comprising Proposal 11. Only One Proposal 12. Proposal Validity 13. Clarification and Amendment of RFP Documents 14. Preparation of Proposals - Specific Considerations 15. Technical Proposal Format and Content 16. Financial Proposal C. Submission, Opening and Evaluation 17.