Advance Action on Recruitment of Consultants

Country/Borrower: Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Title of Proposed Project: Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway TA Loan Project

Invitation for Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI)

General Information

1. The Government of Viet Nam has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) the proceeds of which will be applied to the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway (HLD Expressway) (the Project) TA Loan Project. Part of the proceeds from this loan will be applied to expenses for Consulting Services for which this Invitation for Expressions of Interest is issued. VEC is the project owner.

2. The proposed HLD Expressway with a 55 kilometer length connects Ho Chi Minh City to Dong Nai Province. The project will be implemented under the investment loans from the ADB and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) based on outputs of TA Loan Project mentioned in this invitation.

3. Scope of works for technical assistance consulting services includes:
  1. Detailed engineering designs;
  2. Updating resettlement plans and Project Environmental Impact Assessment taking into account of detailed engineering designs;
  3. Preparation of bidding documents and other documents related to procurement required to implement the project;
  4. Assisting Project Executing Agency and Implementing Agency in procurement;
  5. Preparation of documentation for a concession for Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of the completed Expressway;
  6. Implementation of training activities and strengthening VEC capacity to manage resettlement, social and environmental impacts of expressway project;
  7. Assisting implementation of the resettlement plan required to commence the construction.
  8. Studying and strengthening VEC to facilitate the change from a state-owned enterprise to independent infrastructure provider.
4. Implementation period of the technical assistance project: The consulting services are expected to be implemented over a period of 18 months, commencing in early 2008.

5. VEC now invites eligible international consulting firms to submit their expressions of interest and relevant documents, meeting the following criteria:
  1. Sufficient experiences, technical expertise, and finance qualification required to carry out the above consulting services;
  2. Familiarity with the policies and guidelines of ADB and JBIC, as well as those of Vietnam.
Interested consulting firms 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). The Consulting firms may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications.

Download the detailed Terms of Reference.

6. The Consulting firms will be selected in accordance with quality and cost-based selection procedures set out in ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2007). Short-listed firms will be required to submit full technical proposals.

7. The deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI): 3:00 pm on 17 October 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 and Tendering Bulletin of Ministry of Investment and Planning under Vietnamese Government.

9. Further information from background documents can be obtained from the VEC at the address below during working hours from 08:00 to 17:00 (from Monday to Friday).

10. Address for submitting EOI:
Vietnam Expressway Corporation,
Hamlet 2 - Linh Nam Ward,
Hoang Mai District,
Hanoi, Vietnam
Attn: Mr. Tran Xuan Sanh - General Director
Tel: (84-4) 6430 275;
Fax: (84-4) 6430 270
E-mail: duongcaotoc@vnn.vn
Website: www.expressway.com.vn