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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD or the Bank) has launched an Inclusion Technical Assistance Framework (the Framework) to strengthen its on-going and expanding efforts to achieve an inclusive transition process in the EBRD regions. The Framework provides targeted technical assistance for investment projects (Projects) that seek to achieve systemic inclusion impact and policy reform in relation to improving the economic opportunities of young labour market entrants and populations in economically less developed regions. The Framework is structured into three lots:
In this context, EBRD is now seeking to contract up to five consultancy firms (the Consultants or Framework Consultants) for lot B: Finance and entrepreneurship. Background Since 2013, EBRD has integrated economic inclusion considerations into the assessment of transition impact at the Project level as well as EBRD’s country and sectoral strategies. The EBRD believes that economic inclusion – the opening up of economic opportunities to previously under-served social groups – is integral to transition. If people are given a chance to succeed, they are more likely to participate in the workforce, pursue higher skills and education, or engage in activities that lead to economic growth. This helps address unintended consequences of market reforms that leave certain groups behind and, in turn, strengthens wider public support for economic reforms and the transition process. On financial inclusion, the EBRD supports its partner financial institutions (PFIs) to develop new products and services to target underserved markets - such as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) , young entrepreneurs and populations in rural settings - by (i) increasing the availability of finance that is accessible for these client groups; (ii) providing entrepreneurs with business support to increase their competitiveness in accessing finance; and (iii) building the capacity of PFIs to develop new products and services targeted at these market segments and improving their internal systems and processes accordingly. EBRD is already active in increasing the access to finance for women entrepreneurs through the Women in Business (WiB) Programmes (http://www.ebrd.com/women-in-business/finance-and-advice-for-women-in-business.html) that are operational across a range of countries of operation, including Turkey, Egypt and across the Western Balkans. Building on the lessons learned from WiB, this Framework will support the development of new programmes to extend access to finance to young entrepreneurs, underserved regions and particularly vulnerable groups. Framework Implementation Arrangements The Bank intends to enter into Framework Agreements with up to five consultants to enable the Bank to call upon a shortlist of pre-qualified firms from which it can quickly and efficiently obtain reliable services. The Framework Agreement will establish, in advance, fee rates for experts, contract terms and agreements, and procedures that will govern individual assignments (Assignments or Call-offs) to be required to implement the Framework. The Bank is not under any obligation to issue any Call-Off Notice(s) for Assignment(s) under this Framework Agreement and may at its sole discretion select another consultant for parts of services described in this notice or related activities in line with its Procurement Policies and Rules. It is envisaged that for each individual Assignment the Framework Consultant(s) will be selected in accordance with EBRD Procurement Policies and Rules, i.e. EBRD may directly award Assignments estimated to be below EUR 75,000, whilst for Assignments above EUR 75,000 request for mini-proposals would be launched between Framework Consultants. EBRD will then evaluate the proposals, select the Consultant for each Assignment and agree on the Specific Terms of Reference, budget and experts for the assignment(s). The Framework Consultant(s) would be expected to begin working within 10 working days from EBRD’s acceptance of its proposal for individual Call-offs. Description of individual assignments (Call-offs) under the Framework Under lot B: Finance and entrepreneurship, the Framework Consultants will support EBRD and its clients in the EBRD countries of operation to develop tailored inclusion models across the financial sectors and, where required, to engage effectively with relevant public sector authorities in order to provide improved economic opportunities for youth (including young women) and local population in disadvantaged regions through finance and entrepreneurship (individually Assignments or Call-offs). Assignments are expected to include, but not be limited to: Baselines Assessment · Assessing the lending patterns of the EBRD’s partner bank (or potential partner bank) by gender, age, sector, size and region; · Profiling the demand and supply factors relevant to the inclusion target groups seeking finance; · Documenting and assessing specific financial and non-financial challenges that new entrants and established youth//local entrepreneurs encounter in accessing finance; · Assessing regional access to finance in the country of operation and analysing relevant finance gaps where needed; · Conducting baseline assessments for financial access of youth/local entrepreneurs to establish realistic targets and monitor progress; assessing project impact against the baseline; · Identifying international best practiced in lending products and processes aimed at young entrepreneurs or SMEs in less developed regions. Developing tailored financial inclusion model for EBRD clients · Providing practical and realistic recommendations to increase access to financial products for inclusion target groups based on international best practice examples (which are adapted to the specific requirements of the client, country and sector); · Providing recommendations on the development of better deal tracking tools; · Conducting an analysis of rejected applications and how these rejected clients can become more bankable; · Identifying specific product lines and supporting EBRD with the assessment of the viability or introduction of such specific product lines, along with related marketing approach and resource implications; Capacity building and business skills training · Building the capacity of client banks, such as by providing training to client bank’s selected staff on inclusion awareness and adopting business plan / collateral assessment processes, marketing and communication techniques targeted at inclusion groups; · Providing business or financial training to youth/local entrepreneurs on project development, financial management skills, and legal capacity; and · Developing appropriate monitoring and evaluation tools and indicators; · Supporting/conducting policy engagement to support EBRD countries of operation develop policies and regulations that enhances financial access for youth and vulnerable groups Policy engagement · Identify policy areas for reform/improvement and recommending concrete measures for enhancing financial inclusion of youth and vulnerable groups of society within the national policy framework; · Establishing national policy platforms that engage the private sector/banks in a dialogue with the financial authorities to improve inclusive finance through policy framework as well as lending practices; · Depending on the specific policy agenda and each country’s inclusion challenges, policy engagement may range from policy advice, reform advocacy, or technical assistance to support implementation of reforms. The Consultant(s) will liaise closely with the EBRD project team in London and EBRD clients for each Assignment. To this end the Consultant(s) will appoint a Project Manager/Team Leader to be the main contact with EBRD. Status of Selection Process: Interested firms or groups of firms are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest. Programme Start Date and Duration: The Framework is expected to commence in March 2016. The selected Framework Consultants will be engaged via Framework Agreements with a validity period of up to 36 months. Cost Estimate for the full Framework of Assignments: EUR 740,000 for up to five Framework Agreements (exclusive of VAT). Subject to availability of funding, the performance of the selected Framework Consultant(s) and the specific needs of the Bank, the Framework Agreements may be extended beyond the current scope. The cost estimate for individual assignments will vary depending on their specific scope, but typically individual budgets are expected to be in the range of EUR 30,000 – EUR 100,000. The Consultant must determine whether any VAT would be chargeable on the services and the basis for that determination, without taking into consideration the special status of the Bank as an IFI and state this to the Bank in their response to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest. To the extent that a Consultant incurs input VAT on goods and services purchased in connection with the provision of services (e.g. VAT on airline ticket) which is not otherwise recoverable by the consultant from the local tax authority, the gross cost to the consultant of such expenses shall be treated as a reimbursable expense. Funding Source: This Framework is expected to be funded by the EBRD’s donor funded Technical Cooperation Funds Programme. Please note that selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding. Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions. Framework Consultant Profile: Corporate services are required. A Framework Consultant will be a firm, or a group of firms with previous project experience in at least one or more of the Bank’s countries of operation related to: 1) the promotion of access to finance and entrepreneurship targeted at youth and populations in disadvantaged regions by (i) increasing the availability of finance that is accessible for these client groups through effective measures; (ii) providing entrepreneurs with business support to increase their competitiveness in accessing finance; (iii) building the capacity of PFIs to develop new products and services targeted at these market segments and improving their internal systems and processes accordingly; 2) policy-dialogue, provision of technical advice to public authorities, and facilitation of public-private engagement on the improvement of national policies in relation to financial access and entrepreneurship; 3) experience in working on similar assignments in EBRD countries of operation; 4) relevant previous experience in working with International Financial Institutions, such as EBRD, World Bank or ADB or equivalent. The Consultant’s expert team is expected to include Key experts as follows: - Team Leader with preferably 15 years or more of previous professional experience in financial inclusion of youth and populations in disadvantaged regions with comprehensive experience of similar assignments in EBRD regions. The expert should demonstrate management and administration experience, including experience with procedures of international financial agencies. - Lead experts for economic analysis/baseline assessment, financial product development, capacity building of financial institutions, and policy engagement for inclusive finance/ entrepreneurship. Each lead expert should preferably have 10 years or more of international experience working on the financial inclusion of young people and population in under-developed regions. Submission Requirements: In order to determine the capability and experience of Consultants seeking to be shortlisted for the Programme, the information submitted should include the following: 1. Company/group of firms’ profile, organisation and staffing (max. 2-4 pages). 2. Details of previous project experience or similar assignments particularly undertaken in the previous ten years, including information on contract value, contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided (if different from duration) , main activities, objectives. 3. CVs of key experts who could carry out the Assignments detailing qualifications, experience in similar assignments, particularly assignments undertaken in the previous ten years, including information on contracting entity/client, project location/country, duration (mm/yy to mm/yy), expert months provided, assignment budget, main activities, objectives. 4. Completed Consultant Declaration Form and Contact Sheet, the template for which is available from the following web-link: http://www.ebrd.com/pages/workingwithus/procurement/notices/csu/contact_sheet.doc. The above information should not exceed 20 pages excluding CVs and contact sheet. Expressions of Interest should be submitted in English electronically through e-Selection, to reach the Bank not later than the closing date. The complete expression of interest (including cover letter, CV, declaration and contact sheet etc.) shall be one file (pdf) to be uploaded to eSelection. The EBRD reserves the right to reject applications of experts submitting more than one file. Only if the permissible file size (4 MB) is exceeded, the Consultant may split the expression of interest into further files. Bank Contact Person: Maria Haugh Technical Co-operation European Bank for Reconstruction and Development One Exchange Square London EC2A 2JN Tel: + 44 20 7338 7185 e-mail: haughm@ebrd.com (submissions should be sent through eSelection and NOT to this email address) Notes: 1. Following this invitation for expressions of interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Consultant selection and contracting will be subject to availability of funding. 2. The shortlist criteria are: 1. Firm’s experience in the promotion of access to finance and entrepreneurship targeted at youth and populations in disadvantaged regions by (i) increasing the availability of finance that is accessible for these client groups through effective measures; (ii) providing entrepreneurs with business support to increase their competitiveness in accessing finance; (iii) building the capacity of PFIs to develop new products and services targeted at these market segments and improving their internal systems and processes accordingly (30%). 2. Firm’s experience in policy-dialogue, provision of technical advice to public authorities, and facilitation of public-private engagement on the improvement of national policies in relation to finance and entrepreneurship (20%) 3. Firm’s experience in working on similar assignments in EBRD countries of operation (10%) 4. Firm’s relevant previous experience in working with International Financial Institutions, such as EBRD, World Bank or ADB or equivalent (10%) 5. CVs of Key experts (30%) |
