Advance Action on Recruitment of Consultants

Invitation for Submission of Expression for Institutional Development Consultants (IDC) in Shillong

Country/Borrower: India

Title of Proposed Project: North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Program

Project No: 35290-01

Package Number: E2

Name and Address of Executing Agency:

Mr. B. Dutta, Project Director
Office of Project Director
State Investment Program Management and Implementation Unit (SIPMIU)
Asian Development Bank Assisted NERCCDIP, Government of Meghalaya
Raitong Building, Secretariat Hill, Shillong 793001, India
Tel No.: +91 0364 2210037, 2225424, Fax No.: +91 0364 2210037
Email: duashillong@yahoo.co.in
Web site : http://www.meghalaya.nic.in

Brief Description of the Project:

The Government of India/Government of Meghalaya has applied for a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) towards the North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment Program (NERCCDIP). The proposed loan is being processed under ADB's Multi-tranche Financing Facility (MFF) towards financing of an investment program to improve urban conditions in North Eastern Region capital cities, namely, Agartala, Aizawl, Gangtok, Kohima and Shillong. The expected impact of the Investment Program is improved environment and well-being of urban residents in the five capital cities. The Program will (i) improve urban infrastructure and services, (ii) strengthen urban institutions for better service delivery build project management and implementation capacity. The Project will comprise two parts: Part A will cover urban infrastructure and services improvement including the rehabilitation, improvement and expansion of (i) water supply, (ii) sewerage and sanitation, and (iii) solid waste management. Part B will cover Investment Program management and implementation support and a comprehensive capacity building assistance to support the accomplishment of the urban institutional and financial reform agenda, and enhance planning, operation and maintenance (O&M), revenue mobilization, and financial management capabilities of service providers.

In Shillong in order to implement reform activities, institutional development and capacity development activities, a separate consulting firm will be recruited to undertake the following:

1. achieving agreed ULB reforms for furthering the decentralized urban governance,
2. implementing utility reforms for sustainable and accountable water supply and sanitation service delivery, including (a) reforms required to improve the performance of the utilities and (b) reforms required to introduce fair and accountable regulation;
3. implementing municipal finance reforms as agreed by the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and Government of Meghalaya;
4. evaluating the role and potential of PSP in urban infrastructure and service provision;
5. providing training to AMC on all aspects pertaining to e-governance.

Scope of Work for IDC:

The consultant in Shillong will be responsible for the following:

1. Assisting the Municipalization Process
   1. Assess feasibility of and prepare time-bound detailed action plans to complete devolution of functions to SMB and undertake capacity development, including organizational, managerial, and service delivery systems development within SMB;
   2. Preparing the necessary legislative and regulatory instruments;
   3. Assist the Government of Meghalaya (GoMe) in finalizing the transfer of associated assets;
   4. Establish managerial and operational systems to strengthen internal administrative management;
   5. Providing technical and commercial guidance during tendering process, bid evaluation and award of works;
   6. Assess the scope of in the application of information technology and e-governance in service delivery;
   7. Assist authorities in conducting a public debate, involving all stakeholders, on the need for an urban governance setup for the Greater Shillong area and prepare a specific report on options and path. Accordingly prepare urban governance arrangements for the Greater Shillong area and integrate the traditional governance structures into the urban governance framework and a time-bound action plan for its delivery.
   
   
2. Migration to a Double Entry Accrual Based Accounting System
   1. Support the ULB in the preparation and passing of relevant resolutions;
   2. Prepare registers for assets and liabilities and Accounting Manual for SMB;
   3. Compilation of all entries required for preparation of Opening Balance Sheet and support for adoption;
   4. Development of Municipal Financial Management Computer Software and Reengineering of Municipal Management processes to align with accrual based accounting system;
   5. GO/Legislation/Modification of Municipal Finance Rules for migrating to double entry accounting system;
   6. Training of accounting staff, etc.
   
   
3. Property Tax Reform
   1. Preparing and supervision property tax surveys;
   2. Preparation of digital property maps for municipality;
   3. Creation of GIS database of property;
   4. Assessment of guidance value (unit area value);
   5. GO/Legislation/Modification of Municipal Finance Rules for migrating to double entry accounting system;
   6. Development of software and training of personnel, etc.
   
   
4. Sustainable and Accountable Water and Sewerage Service Delivery
   1. Support for Establishing the Service Regulator;
   2. Water Utility Reforms for ring fencing and improved operational management;
   3. Rationalization of charges;
   4. Evaluation of private sector opportunities;

Refer to the Terms of Reference for detailed information regarding the nature of services to be provided.

Interested consulting firm(s) may obtain further information from the above.

Invitation for Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOI)

The Consulting Firm shall be selected and engaged in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by ADB and its Borrowers (2007, as updated from time to time). The Employer shall be using the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method with full technical proposal.

Interested Consulting firms will be required to provide the following information including their eligibility that they are qualified to perform the services (in not more than 20 A4 size papers):

1. Background of the firm(s);
2. General and overall experience of the firm(s), including experience in country and outside, staffing and key financial information (such as annual turnover);
3. Eligibility;
4. Management Competence;
5. Technical Qualifications;
6. Summary of similar projects undertaken in the country or region;
7. Project Sheets (including Experience in similar urban infrastructure projects).

Sample EOI forms can be obtained from the office of the Project Director. Anticipated Deadline for Submitting EOIs with supporting documents is 30 April 2009, in sealed envelopes, marked with "EOI for Consultancy Services for Institutional Development Consultant for Shillong (NERCCDIP)" and delivered to above address.