NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – SURVEY FIRM)

PROCUREMENT REF. No. MW-NLGFC-358356-CS-QCBS

COUNTRY: Malawi

NAME OF PROJECT: Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP)

GRANT NO: IDA 5300

Assignment Title: Conducting baseline household surveys for an Impact Evaluation (IE) study on the SSRLP’s livelihood support subcomponent

The Malawi Government has received grant financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the SSRLP and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the implementation of 6,700 in-person household surveys in the districts of Nkhatabay, Dedza, Lilongwe, Rumphi and Nkhotakota for an impact evaluation study related to economic inclusion interventions executed by the Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) Cooperative Union Limited, under the Government of Malawi and World Bank’s SSRLP. The main task of the consulting firm or survey firm hired under these services will be to collect high-quality data and to deliver datasets and related documentation for the research team at the World Bank leading the study.

The consulting/survey firm will mobilize a team consisting of 1 Survey Manager to be based in Malawi, 1 or 2 Survey Coordinators to be based in the impact evaluation districts, 1 IT specialist to support the electronic data collection, at least 2 field quality controllers and a reasonable number of enumerators and supervisors required to complete the specified data collection activities. The first phase of the baseline data collection activities is expected to begin in August 2023 and end in October 2023 for 3,300 interviews, and the second phase will take place in December 2023 for 700 interviews, in line with accompanying Terms of Reference (ToRs).

The detailed ToRs for the assignment can be downloaded from https://www.nlgfc.gov.mw/  or upon request from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or can be obtained at the Physical address below during business days from 0900 to 1600 hours.

The National Local Government Finance Committee now invites eligible consulting/survey firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consulting firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are qualifications and experience of the firm and team members as detailed below:

1. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting big data collections in Malawi or similar context, including:
   1. Strong capacity and experience in implementing research oriented large survey data collections preferably in Malawi, or similar contexts and related to social protection interventions.
   2. Strong capacity and experience in using the SurveyCTO application for electronic template development, data collection and management.

• Strong protocol for data management.

1. Strong data quality control checks.
2. Strong background in microeconomics, statistics and econometrics and previous experience in social protection-related impact evaluation.

1. Infrastructural capacity, including:
   1. Capacity to provide tablets with all the required accessories and effective plan for replacement in the event of loss or damage of equipment.
   2. Strong strategy for completing the work on time.

• Protocols for reducing COVID-19 and cholera transmission risk.

1. Expertise and qualifications of staff, including:
   1. Curriculum vitae and references with particular emphasis on strength of experience in microeconomics, statistics and econometrics and previous experience in impact evaluation or survey for research projects.
   2. Record of satisfactory and timely delivery of similar assignments.
2. Demonstrate excellent references, including:
   1. Strong references and feedback from three recently completed surveys in Southern Africa.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, Revised November 2017, August 2018 and July 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.   Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) procurement method. The method is based on two-step combined technical and financial evaluation, which means that a contract is granted to that firm whose Bid has received the highest combined score in the result of evaluation of its technical and financial proposals.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, 0900 to 1600 hours.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 19^th May 2023 at 16:30 hours.

Chairperson,

IPDC, NLGFC,

Red Cross Building, Area 14,

P.O. Box 31162, LILONGWE 3

Attention: Procurement Specialist

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel:      +265 (0) 995 9525 38