Advance Action on Recruitment of Consultants

Country/Borrower: Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Title of Proposed Project: Song Bung 4 Hydropower Project

Invitation for Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Implementation Supervision Consultants

1. This "Invitation for Expression of Interest" follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared in the "ADB Business Opportunities" on 18 January 2007.

2. The Government of Viet Nam has applied for a loan from the Asian Development (ADB), for the construction of the Song Bung 4 Hydropower Project (the Project). The Government of Viet Nam has requested advance action for recruitment of consultants through the Executing Agency (EA), Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) and its Implementing Agency, the Hydropower Project Management Board Number 3 (HPPMB 3).

3. The Project will include the construction of a 156MW hydropower plant in the Vu Gia-Thu Bon River Basin in Quang Nam province, central Viet Nam. A dam, 110m high with a crest length of 367m will be built across Song Bong River. The dam will form a reservoir with a surface area of 15.8sq.km. Water from the reservoir will be conveyed through a 3.1km tunnel to the power station, and released along a short tailrace canal to Song Bung river about 5km downstream of the dam.

4. The objective of the Implementation Supervision Consultant is to administer and supervise the procurement and implementation of construction and equipment supply contracts, to ensure completion of the Project in accordance with the contract provisions and the approved design. An international consulting firm will be recruited by HPPMB3 in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by Asian Development Bank and its Borrowers.

5. The consulting firm(s) should have demonstrated experience in the related engineering design and works, preparation of tender documents, bid evaluation; supervision of construction, installation, testing and commissioning of 200 MW or above capacity hydropower plants including ensuring compliance with ADB or World Bank safeguard policies related to environment and involuntary resettlement.

6. The Consulting firm is expected to provide approximately 120 person-months (p-m)of international consultancy input consisting of nine international experts: Resident Engineer full time, Project Engineer/Deputy Resident Engineer, Contract Specialist, RCC Dam Specialist, Engineering Geologist, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, resettlement/rural infrastructure specialist and Environmental Expert. These international experts will be supported by a team of national experts and support staff consisting of Civil, Electrical Engineer and Mechanical Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Geologists, Environmental Experts, Inspectors for surface works, underground Works, Electrical Works and Mechanical Works.

7. The brief scope of work will include the following:
  1. Assist HPPMB3 in the technical and commercial evaluations of the construction and supply contracts,
  2. Supervision of the civil works of the Project to ensure that the works are carried out in accordance with the design and specifications, and that the quality meets the required standards and specifications,
  3. Monitoring of quality control,
  4. Certify volume of works,
  5. Monitor compliance with relevant environmental mitigation and management plans, and the contractor's health and safety programs,
  6. Preparation of certificates,
  7. Review of supplier's equipment design and perform shop inspections,
  8. Review and approve erection drawings to ensure compatibility with civil works, and
  9. Supervision of the installation and erection of the equipment at site, and the testing and commissioning programs,
  10. Updating REMDP ( Resettlement & Ethnic Minority Development Plan) to reflect the final technical design in accordance with relevant ADB policies and the objectives of REMDP of improved and sustained livelihoods for affected people; and
  11. Monitor the implementation of REMDP to ensure compliance with ADB policies.
The detailed terms of reference will be provided to short-listed firms as part of the Request for Proposals.

8. Interested and eligible consulting firms or consortiums consisting of several eligible firms are invited to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) containing information which will demonstrate their capability and experience to perform the required services including
  1. experience in similar projects as construction supervision consultants,
  2. experience in Vietnam and South East Asia,
  3. experience inprojects funded by multilateral development banks
  4. Resume of proposed Team Leader and
  5. Audited financial statements of lead firm of the consortium

not later than 31 October 2007 to the following address:
Mr. Tran Van Hai
Project Manager
Hydropower Project Management Board No. 3
Westside Tuyen Son Bridge
Hai Chau District
Da Nang City
Vietnam
Fax: 84 0511 642266
Email: atd3@dng.vnn.vn

With copy to Mr. Edvard Baardsen
ADB Resident Mission
Units 701 - 706
Sun Red River Building
23 Pham Chu Trinh Street
Hanoi, Vietnam

9. EVN reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the EOI at any stage without assigning any reason whatsoever and without incurring any liability to the affected applicant(s). The employer or ADB will not be responsible for any cost of expenses incurred by the firms in connection with the preparation or delivery of the EOI.

10. The Consultant shall be selected and engaged in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by Asian Development Bank and its Borrowers, using Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method.