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ADVANCE PROCUREMENT ACTION

Invitation for Expression of Interest for Consultant Services

Country/Borrower: Lao PDR

Title of Proposed Project: Basic Education Sector Development Project

Brief Description of the Project:

The Project will supplement the policy initiatives being supported under the Program to enhance equitable access to, and quality of, lower secondary education through:
  1. expansion of lower secondary education opportunities in 20 districts in 6 provinces (Attapeu, Bokeo, Champasack, Khammuane, Luang Namtha, and Savannakhet) to improve access and equity;
  2. the integration of basic education curriculum to account for Lower Secondary expansion from 3 to 4 grades improved quality and relevance of Lower Secondary Education; and
  3. capacity building at central, provincial and district level in critical areas (Education Management Information System, budgeting and financial management, and planning).
Interventions aimed at expanding access and improving equity will be targeted at sites within the project districts. Measures to support quality will have larger sub sectoral impact. The education sector as a whole will benefit from some of the key capacity building inputs.

Brief Description of Goods and Related Services, Works or Consulting Services to be Procured and related justification for advance action:

Procurement
All ADB-financed goods and services procured for the Project will be in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (April 2006).

Supply contracts for goods such as vehicles and computers of less than $0.5 million but more than $100,000 will follow national competitive bidding procedures. Minor items costing less than $100,000 equivalent may be procured by shopping. Details of procurement packages and technical specifications will be submitted for ADB approval before procurement. Procurement of vehicles will be undertaken by the Interagency Procurement Service Office. Advance procurement action has been approved to expedite project implementation. Project civil works will comprise construction of
  1. 28 new school buildings and
  2. 144 additional classrooms.
All civil works will be carried out using national competitive bidding procedures acceptable to ADB.

Before the commencement of any procurement activity under national competitive bidding, ADB and the Government will review the Government's public procurement law to ensure consistency with ADB's Procurement Guidelines. Any necessary modifications or clarifications will be reflected in the procurement plan.

Consultant Selection
The Project will be supported by 187.5 person-months of consulting services (83.5 person-months international and 104 person-months national). The selection and engagement of consulting services for 184.5 person-months (80.5 person-months of international and all national consultants) will be done in a single package, using the simplified technical proposal and quality- and cost-based selection method, in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (April 2006). An international expert for examination reform (3 person-months) will be recruited on an individual basis in accordance with ADB's guidelines for recruitment of individual consultants. The consulting services are designed to provide technical support to the Project as well as build longer term capacity for planning, management, and delivery of basic education. The consulting services cover broad areas of expertise that include
  1. policy reform,
  2. social and community development,
  3. curriculum and materials development,
  4. data collection and analysis,
  5. EMIS development, and
  6. facilities and equipment improvement.

Interested consultants may obtain further information on a working day during normal office hours (0900Hrs to 1600Hrs) from the office of the Project Director General.

Name and Address of Executing Agency

Mr. Khamhoung Sacklokham
Director General
Department of Planning and International Cooperation
Ministry of Education
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Fax No. (856 21) 216006

Date of advanced action procurement approval: 19 July 2006