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Procurement Number

0002006672

Title

Utility of the Future Implementation, Mentoring and Capacity Building for Western Balkans Countries

Description

World Bank Group Water Global Practice

Utility of the Future Center of Excellence

Utility of the Future Implementation, Mentoring and Capacity Building for selected Water and Sanitation Utilities in the Western Balkans

Expression of Interest

Background

Utility of the Future Program

Since 2019, the World Bank and its partners have been working with utilities throughout the world via the Utility of the Future (UoF) Program, developed with support from the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP). UoF is a novel approach that integrates learnings from decades of analytical work and technical assistance to water utilities, including the Water Utility Turnaround Framework. Other studies, including a review of successful urban water utility reforms, support the robustness of this approach. The UoF Program is growing, and a total of 95 utilities in 35 countries have already received UoF support to date, with promising results around the world. The program also has an extended team of more than 20 UoF Advisors among consultants, specialists and/or institutions with different operating models in all regions to ensure program replicability and scalability. To know more about the UoF Program, to download the UoF resources including the conceptual and methodological UoF framework; and the UoF Toolkit for its application, visit the link www.worldbank.org/uof.

Utility of the Future Center of Excellence (UoF-CoE)

To further build on the Utility of the Future Program (UoF), the World Bank, in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has established the Utility of the Future Center of Excellence (UoF-CoE) in Tirana, Albania. The UoF-CoE expands upon the current UoF program and is intended to complement existing capacity development efforts in the region, such as the Regional Capacity Development Network (RCDN) and the Danube Learning Partnership (DLeaP). Visit Utility of the Future Center of Excellence

While the UoF-CoE’s role as an operations center and knowledge and innovation hub is meant to benefit utilities worldwide, funds will be available to support up to 50 water utilities from the Western Balkan region with implementation of the UoF approach – The Western Balkans Project (WBP). The WBP will provide support for the utility in-depth analysis and development of 100-day action plans and five-year strategic plans, using the UoF approach, including the promotion of best practices in terms of green management, energy efficiency, and gender balance and diversity as per the UoF “zoom-in lenses”. The program will then use a competitive mechanism to support to up to 10 utilities for the implementation of short-term projects/measures and/or preparation of a business and investment plan.

The main activities under the WBP are:

1. Agile Sector Analysis: - Agile analysis of the water and sanitation sector, policy, institutions and regulation (PIR) as a baseline for the development of the WBP.

2. Utility of the Future Program (UoF): Implementation of the UoF Program in up to 50 utilities in the region. A program designed to ignite, materialize and maintain transformation efforts in water and sanitation utilities (UoF).

3. Short-term Project: Based on the level of performance and commitment of the utilities during the implementation of the UoF Program, a short list of 10 utilities will be selected for further support with the development of an improvement project

4. Business Planning: Development of business and investment plans for the 10 selected utilities.

5. Feasibility Study: Development of feasibility studies for key infrastructure projects identified in the business and investment plan for the 10 selected utilities.

6. Mentoring and capacity building: As part of the WBP, utilities in the region will participate in training activities, cross-fertilization, networking, among other actions aimed at strengthening capacities and connecting utilities within the region.

Objective of the Assignment

The general objective of the consultancy service is to support the World Bank Task Team (UoF-CoE Team) in: A) the implementation of the Utility of the Future Program within a first group of up to 15 utilities to be part of the Western Balkans Project; B) the provision of technical advisory service to World Bank Task Team to support a first group of utilities during the 1-Year mentoring program; C) and the provision of assistance to the World Bank Task Team to provide in-depth support and capacity building to up to 5 selected utilities in the Western Balkans.

Specific Tasks

The main activities to be carried out by the consulting firm to support the World Bank Task entail:

A. Utility Analysis and 100-Day Action Plan (15 utilities, to be defined)

1. Planning: Develop the work plan for the consulting service, and the preparation for the implementation of the UoF Program for each of the 15 utilities (to be defined within the 6 Western Balkans countries).

2. Ignition Week: Support the World Bank to conduct an in-situ one-week workshop with the utility staff, to develop the assessment of utility key process based on the UoF methodology, and a detailed action plan to be implemented in 100 days.

3. 100-Day Action Plan: Support the World Bank with the implementation and follow-up of the short-term action plan for each of the 15 utilities.

4. Zoom-in Analysis: Support the World Bank with additional sessions with the utility staff to reinforce the analysis of 3 UoF elements and propose new improvement actions.

5. 5-Year Strategic Plan: Support the World Bank to review and update mission, vision, and strategic objectives of each utility, as well as identify key actions, milestones, and goals to define a 5-year strategic plan.

6. Process and costs optimization: Support the World Bank with the identification of main processes to be optimize in each utility, as well as identify major costs reduction opportunities.

7. Information System Mapping: Support the World Bank in developing a basic map of the current information technology architecture of the utility, current hardware and software, active licenses, information systems, obsolescence levels, usage levels, connectivity, interaction between systems, risks, security levels, among others.

8. 1-Year Mentoring Plan: Based on the strategic objectives, utility assessment, priorities and available resources, support the World Bank drafting a 1-year Mentoring Program indicating main activities, goals, resources, and key milestones.

9. Closing Session for 100-day plan and launch 1-year mentoring program: Support the World to conduct a closing session with the utility staff and key stakeholders to review the utility assessment, analyze main achievements, lessons learned, performance improvement, new strategic plan, final 1-year mentoring plan, utility evaluation, and overall results of the 100-day plan and next steps.

B. 1-Year Mentoring Program (15 utilities, TBD)

10. Mentoring and guidance in planning process: Support the World Bank structuring and set-up the planning team/department in each utility (if not already in place), definition of key planning processes and policies, and guide in developing the business and investment plan. This activity will be implemented in the 10 utilities that are not part of the short list of 5 utilities.

11. Mentoring and guidance in specialized areas: Provide specialized advice to the World Bank to address the priorities of the first group of 15 utilities, based on the needs identified during the previous phases. The consulting firm should have the ability to advise the World Bank, to support the selected utilities, on key utility processes such as: commercial management, asset management, digital transformation, NRW, project management, human resources, environmental management, energy efficiency, customer service, commercial management, financial management, etc.

C. In-depth capacity building and implementation of improvement actions (5 utilities, TBD)

Based on the level of commitment, results of the 100-day plan, and performance improvement, up to 5 utilities will be selected for in-depth support. Main supporting activities to be carried out by the consulting firm for the short-listed group of utilities of the WBP are as follows:

12. Inputs to develop terms of Reference for a selected Improvement Project– development of ToRs/ technical specifications for a set of prioritized actions derived from the UoF Implementation

13. Business and Investment Plan – together with the utility staff prepare a business and investment 5-year plan, which structure and content should be aligned with the UoF framework, concept and methodology.

14. Technical inputs to develop prefeasibility studies – development of technical and economical assessment of potential solutions for an infrastructure project identified in the business and investment plan.

Requirements

Consultant Qualification and Requirements

The assignment requires a firm, utility, or water operator (The Firm), which can demonstrate a minimum of 10 years of, utility advisory, management and/or utility operation. The specific experience should include the following:

§ Direct experience in the water utilities sector (operation of water supply and sanitation systems and commercial management of water utilities) or under contracts in the role of operator, or management contractor (subcontractor) for at least the last five (5) years prior to the applications submission deadline, and with activity in at least nine (9) months in each year.

§ Minimum five (5) years’ experience in the following key activities:

o Operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation utilities

o Commercial management of water utilities, including billing and collection systems

§ Experience in institutional strengthening support and improvement plans to water supply and sanitation utilities, including development of long-term and business plans.

§ Specific experience in the region will be considered an advantage.

Staff Qualification

The consulting team should consist of qualified experts with international and local knowledge and experience. For the EOI stage the firm should propose the key staff of team to carry out the assignment, which should include at least the following mandatory local and international professionals: Team Leader, Regional Utility Expert, Thematic (international) Experts, Local Utility Expert/Advisors (to support the initiative on each country). It will be a competitive advantage to additionally include young professionals (no experience required) as part of the support team in the countries where the project is implemented.

Language

The ruling language of the project is English. All the team members, assigned by the Consultant, must possess sufficient proficiency in the English language. However, interactions with utilities will need to be conducted in local language and the firm should have that into account as selecting the team for each supported country (Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro).

Expression of Interest Requirements

Interested applicants are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest, which should be strictly limited to 30 pages.

All submissions must include the following:

1. Experience of the Consultant Firm, specifically related to the assignment:

§ Direct experience operating water and sanitation utilities.

§ Experience leading institutional capacity building, process improvement and optimization projects across the water and wastewater utility value chain.

§ Experience and regional presence

§ Experience in the development of business and investment plans for water utilities.

§ Responsiveness to advise the World Bank Task Teams in all processes of the utility’s operation.

2. Methodology and Workplan:

§ Clarity, comprehensiveness, and level of detail of the work plan, the soundness of the proposed methodology and approach, and the extent to which the work plan demonstrates and understanding of the local conditions and water regional sector.

§ Extent to which the work plan addresses all the services which are to be provided in accordance with the ToR

§ Extent to which the work plan demonstrates how the Consulting Firm intends to meet the objectives of the consulting service.

§ Efficiency and optimal use of human resources as well as logistical and administrative resources

§ Methodological alignment with UoF Program

§ Quality assurance and quality control

§ Knowledge management and learning process.

3. Qualifications and Competence of the Staff:

§ General qualifications

§ Adequacy for the project

§ International Experience

§ Experience in region and language

Category

· 90 - CONTRACT CONSULTANTS

Project Country

· AL - Albania

· BA - Bosnia & Herzegowina

· ME - Montenegro

· MK - Macedonia

· XK - Kosovo

· RS - Serbia

Capabilities

· Water, Sanitation and Waste Management: Other Water Supply, Sanitation and Waste Management

Material Group

· 90.40 - FIRMS FOR OPERATIONAL PROJECTS

This procurement is for legal services (Please upload the clearance from your Legal representative before proceeding with the engagement of Legal Services.)

Yes

Search Tags

Publication Date

04/17/2024 12:00 AM EDT

EOI Deadline

05/06/2024 11:59 PM EDT

Advertisement Text

World Bank Group Water Global Practice

Utility of the Future Center of Excellence

Utility of the Future Implementation, Mentoring and Capacity Building for Water and Sanitation Utilities in the Western Balkans

Expression of Interest

Background

Utility of the Future Program

Since 2019, the World Bank and its partners have been working with utilities throughout the world via the Utility of the Future (UoF) Program, developed with support from the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP). UoF is a novel approach that integrates learnings from decades of analytical work and technical assistance to water utilities, including the Water Utility Turnaround Framework. Other studies, including a review of successful urban water utility reforms, support the robustness of this approach. The UoF Program is growing, and a total of 95 utilities in 35 countries have already received UoF support to date under different schemes adapted to each utility, context and priorities, with promising results around the world. The program also has an extended team of more than 20 UoF Advisors among consultants, specialists and/or institutions with different operating models in all regions to ensure program replicability and scalability. To know more about the UoF Program, to download the UoF resources including the conceptual and methodological UoF framework; and the UoF Toolkit for its application, visit the link www.worldbank.org/uof.

Utility of the Future Center of Excellence (UoF-CoE)

To further build on the Utility of the Future Program (UoF), the World Bank, in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has established the Utility of the Future Center of Excellence (UoF-CoE) in Tirana, Albania. The UoF-CoE expands upon the current UoF program and is intended to complement existing capacity development efforts in the Western Balkans region, such as the Regional Capacity Development Network (RCDN) and the Danube Learning Partnership (DLeaP). Visit Utility of the Future Center of Excellence

While the UoF-CoE’s role as an operations center and knowledge and innovation hub is meant to benefit utilities worldwide, funds will be available to support up to 50 water utilities from the Western Balkan region in the next five years with implementation of the UoF approach – The Western Balkans Project (WBP). The WBP will provide technical support for the utility in-depth analysis and development of 100-day action plans and five-year strategic plans, using the UoF approach, including the access to best practices in terms of green management, energy efficiency, and gender balance and diversity as per the UoF “zoom-in lenses”. The WBP will then use a competitive mechanism to support to up to 10 utilities for the implementation of short-term projects/measures and/or preparation of a business and investment plan.

The main activities under the WBP are:

1. Agile Sector Analysis: - Agile analysis of the water and sanitation sector, policy, institutions and regulation (PIR) as a baseline for the development of the WBP, and promote sector dialogue.

4. Business Planning: Guidance for the development of business and investment plans for the 10 selected utilities.

5. Feasibility Study: Guidance for the development of feasibility studies for key infrastructure projects identified in the business and investment plan for the 10 selected utilities.

6. Mentoring and capacity building: As part of the WBP, utilities in the region will participate in webinars, training activities, cross-fertilization, networking, among other actions aimed at strengthening capacities and connecting utilities within the region.

Objective of the Assignment

The general objective of the consultancy service is to support the World Bank in: A) the implementation of the Utility of the Future Program within a first group of up to 15 utilities to be part of the Western Balkans Project; B) the provision of technical advisory service to World Bank to support a first group of utilities during the 1-Year mentoring program; C) and the provision of assistance to the World Bank to provide in-depth support and capacity building to up to 5 selected utilities in the Western Balkans.

Description: https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/2924/view.html

Specific Tasks

The main activities to be carried out by the consulting firm to support the World Bank entail:

A. Utility Analysis and 100-Day Action Plan (15 utilities, to be defined)

1. Planning UoF Implementation: Develop with the World Bank the work plan for the implementation of the UoF Program for each of the 15 utilities (to be defined within the 6 Western Balkans countries).

2. Ignition Week: Support the World Bank to conduct an in-situ one-week workshop with the utility staff, to develop the assessment of utility key process based on the UoF methodology, and provide recommendations to formulate a detailed action plan to be implemented by the utility in 100 days.

3. 100-Day Action Plan: Support the World Bank to advice and guide each utility during the implementation and follow-up of the short-term action plan.

4. Zoom-in Analysis: Support the World Bank to develop additional sessions with the utility staff to reinforce the analysis of up to 3 UoF elements, and recommend potential new short and long-term improvement actions.

5. 5-Year Strategic Plan: Support the World Bank to provide recommendations to update the mission, vision, and strategic objectives of each utility, as well as identify and recommend key actions, milestones, and goals for the utility to define a 5-year strategic plan.

6. Process and costs optimization: Support the World Bank with the identification of main processes to be optimize in each utility, as well as identify major costs reduction opportunities.

8. 1-Year Mentoring Plan: Based on the strategic objectives, utility assessment, priorities, and available resources, support the World Bank drafting a 1-year Mentoring Program indicating main activities, goals, resources, and key milestones.

9. Closing Session for 100-day plan and launch 1-year mentoring program: Support the World Bank to conduct a closing session with the utility staff and key stakeholders to review the utility assessment, analyze main achievements, lessons learned, performance improvement, new strategic plan, final 1-year mentoring plan, utility evaluation, and overall results of the 100-day plan and next steps.

B. 1-Year Mentoring Program (15 utilities, TBD)

10. Mentoring and guidance in planning process: Support the World Bank to provide recommendations on structuring and set-up the planning team/department in each utility (if not already in place), definition of key planning processes and policies, and guide each utility in developing the business and investment plan. Provide recommendations on potential support activities that could be implemented in more than one utility to pursue economies of scale. This activity will be implemented in the 10 utilities that are not part of the short list of 5 utilities.

11. Mentoring and guidance in specialized areas: Provide specialized support to the World Bank to advice the first group of 15 utilities in key strengthening areas based on the needs identified during the previous phases. The consulting firm should have the ability and specialized team to support the World Bank to provide recommendations and guidance to utilities, on key processes such as: commercial management, asset management, digital transformation, NRW, project management, human resources, environmental management, energy efficiency, customer service, commercial management, financial management, among others. Provide recommendations on potential support activities that could be implemented in more than one utility to pursue economies of scale.

C. In-depth capacity building and planning the implementation of improvement actions (5 utilities, TBD)

Based on the level of commitment, results of the 100-day plan, and performance improvement, up to 5 utilities will be selected for in-depth support. Main supporting activities for the World Bank Team to be carried out by the consulting firm for the short-listed group of 5 utilities of the WBP are as follows:

12. Inputs to develop terms of reference for a selected improvement actions – propose a draft of terms of reference / technical specifications to the World Bank for one prioritized action derived from the UoF Implementation for each of the 5 selected utilities. Provide recommendations on potential actions that could apply in more than one utility to pursue economies of scale.

13. Business and Investment Plan – propose to the World Bank a business and investment 5-year plan to recommend to the 5 selected utilities. The structure and content should be aligned with the UoF framework, concept and methodology.

14. Technical inputs to develop prefeasibility studies – propose to the World Bank technical and economical assessment inputs to develop two prefeasibility studies for key infrastructure project identified in the business and investment plan, as an input for the World Bank to advice the selected 5 utilities.

Requirements

Consultant Qualification and Requirements

§ Minimum five (5) years’ experience in the following key activities:

o Operation and maintenance of water supply and sanitation utilities

o Commercial management of water utilities, including billing and collection systems

§ Experience in institutional strengthening support and improvement plans to water supply and sanitation utilities, including development of long-term business and investment plans.

§ Specific experience in the region will be considered an advantage.

Staff Qualification

Language

Expression of Interest Requirements

Interested applicants are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest, which should be strictly limited to 30 pages.

All submissions must include the following:

1. Experience of the Consultant Firm, specifically related to the assignment:

§ Direct experience operating water and sanitation utilities.

§ Experience leading institutional capacity building, process improvement and optimization projects across the water and wastewater utility value chain.

§ Experience and regional presence

§ Experience in the development of business and investment plans for water utilities.

2. 2. Qualifications and Competence of proposed Staff:

§ General qualifications

§ Adequacy for the project

§ International Experience

§ Experience in region and language

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested 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. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now

NOTES

Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.

If you encounter technical difficulties while uploading documents, please send an e-mail to the Help Desk at corporateprocurement@worldbank.org prior to the submission deadline.

Advertisement Attachments

Attachment Name	Description	Download
Draft ToRs - UoF Western Balkans Project	Peliminary ToRs for the REOI stage	00 - ToR - UoF Implementation - Western Balkans Project - Consulting Firm - Feb - Clean

Qualification Criteria

Criteria Text	Mandatory
Provide information showing that they are qualified in the field of the assignment
Provide information on the technical and managerial capabilities of the firm
Provide information on their core business and years in business
Qualifications and Competence of proposed Staff: