Request for Expressions of Interest

Request for Expressions of Interest Cooperative Agreement: Sustainable Water Sector Capacity Development in Albania Award ID No.: AID-182-A-14-00001 Services: Consultancy Services to conduct a Feasibility Study Eligible Company: Information Technology (IT) Companies Type of Assignment: Short-term assignment (August 1 – September 30, 2016) Location: Albania The US Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded to “Shoqata Ujesjelles Kanalizime e Shqiperise” a fund to provide support for the “Sustainable Water Sector Capacity Development in Albania” during the period October 2014-September 2017. The overall Project Objective is to build a platform for training in Albania and the Western Balkans that will be an example for sustainable workforce development, and which will contribute to increased professionalism in the delivery of the essential public services of water supply and wastewater management. One of the specific objectives of the Project is to develop a Pilot Program for Distance Learning in Albania that can be used as an innovative training delivery method in the future. The Project aims to accomplish this objective through three phases:  Phase I: Situation Analysis, Feasibility Study and Terms of Reference for the next phase.  Phase II: Implementation of the Pilot Distance Learning Program based on the recommendations of the Feasibility Study, and as selected by SHUKALB.  Phase III: Assessment of the effectiveness of the Pilot Program with possible recommendations for final modifications before scaling-up of the Program. Description of the Assignment More specifically, the assignment would undertake the following: 1. Undertake a rapid survey and prepare a summary assessment of existing distance learning methodologies/programs actually in use in Albania. This assignment will consider the nature and content of the material; the degree of interaction between the learner with the distance learning knowledge source; the technology needed (hardware and software) to deliver the distance learning; and an assessment of the effectiveness/efficiency of each program identified. 2. Based on the above summary assessments, and based on the stated learning objective of the courses that SHUKALB would want the Pilot Distance Learning Program to achieve, develop feasible options for distance hardware and software structures and the cost of these options to implement, for SHUKALB’s review and final acceptance for implementation. 3. Draft the Terms of Reference for the implementation of the Pilot Distance Learning Program. Formal Expressions of Interest SHUKALB invites all qualified Albanian or USA firms to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they have the relevant experience, qualifications and capacity to perform the services, by submitting the below list of documents: SHUKALB shall draw up a short list of no more than three (3) firms from those who have submitted eligibility documents. The selection for the award will be in compliance with the procurement procedures of SHUKALB and the donor. The final award will be based on a mutually acceptable negotiation of scope of work and cost. The firm that will be awarded the contract cannot be considered as eligible to compete in the provision of hardware and software as will be requested, under a separate procurement, in Phase II – Implementation of the Pilot Distance Learning. The duration of this assignment shall not exceed two (2) months from the date of the award. The expressions of interest must be delivered electronically to the address below by 21 July 2016. Water Supply and Sewerage Association of Albania Attn: Pamela Lica, Project Coordinator Rruga “Pjeter Bogdani”, Nd. 39/1 Ap. 3/1 Njësia Bashkiake Nr. 5, Kodi Postar 1019 Tirane, Tel/Fax: (+355/4) 2249 631 E-mail: project@shukalb.al NO. CRITERIA DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED 1 Qualification  Copies of registration certificates and business licenses  Detailed Company profile 2 Experience References to other similar work completed in the past Key Expert CVs to be engaged in the assignment 3 Proposed Approach Half a page word document to describe the approach that the firm will take for the development of the Feasibility Study