Advance Action on Recruitment of Consultants

Invitation for Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) for

Consulting Services for Detailed Design and Construction Supervision

Country/Borrower: Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Project: ADB Loan 2302-VIE and AFD Loan CVN 6006 01 : GMS Kunming - Haiphong Transport Corridor: Yen Vien-Lao Cai Railway Upgrading Project

1. This "Invitation for Expression of Interest" follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in the "ADB Business Opportunities" on 5 December 2006.

2. The Government of Viet Nam has received loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the French Development Agency (AFD) towards the cost of the GMS Kunming - Haiphong Transport Corridor: Yen Vien-Lao Cai Railway Upgrading Project (the Project). Part of the proceeds from these loans will be applied to payments for Consulting Services for which this Invitation for Expressions of Interest is issued.

3. The Executing Agency, Vietnam Railways (VNR) intends to rehabilitate about 285 km of railway line from Yen Vien station in the northern suburbs of Hanoi to Lao Cai on the border with the People's Republic of China (PRC). The rehabilitation works will include rehabilitation of the existing railway line including construction of new bridges, intermediate stations, and passing loops, and upgrading of stations, track works, bridges, culverts, and associated structure works.

4. In order to implement the project, VNR will engage a qualified international consulting firm supported by national consultants to carry out the services that will include detailed project design, preparation of technical specifications and bid documents, construction supervision, construction quality control, environmental documentation (detailed environmental monitoring plan) and supervision, procurement, and monitoring and evaluation of safeguard aspects of the Project. The consulting services contract is expected to commence in January 2008 and will continue for approximately 54 months. Estimated cost of consulting services is US$8 million.

5. The Railway Projects Management Unit (RPMU) of VNR now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc). Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications.

6. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with quality- and cost-based selection procedures set out in the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by Asian Development Bank and Its Borrowers (2007). Full technical proposals will be required.

Download the detailed Terms of Reference.

7. The deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI) is at 16h30 (Hanoi time) on 12 September 2007 to the address below. Late submissions will not be accepted. All firms will be advised of the result of their expression of interest. Only consulting firms that have been shortlisted will be invited to submit a proposal for the Project's consulting services.

8. The names and addresses of short-listed firms will be published in ADB's website. Further information from background documents can be obtained from the RPMU at the address below.

Railway Projects Management Unit
Vietnam Railways
95-97 Le Duan Street
Hoan Kiem District
Hanoi, Viet Nam Attn: Mr. Tran Van Tuy
Deputy Director, RPMU
Telephone: +844 942 0145
Facsimile: +844 942 0144
E-mail: rpmu@hn.vnn.vn

Date of Advance Action Approval: 10 August 2006