Request for Expressions of Interest

Management support project supervision and quality assurance of the National Single Window (NSW) implementation in Montenegro (PMSQA Contract).

Consulting Services: QCBS

Loan No. 94710-0 ME

Reference No. MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-QCBS-25-1.2

April 2, 2025

The Government of Montenegro has received financing in the total amount of USD 15,000,000.00 (equivalent) from the World Bank, toward the costs of the “Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Phase 2” (TTFP).  Ministry of Transport (MoT) is the umbrella ministry under which the transport sector falls and will serve as the lead implementing body for the project project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan towards payment for Consulting services under the Contract Ref. No: MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-QCBS-25-1.2 

The Project consists of the 4 components. In addition to MoT, there are several other beneficiaries of the Project:

a.     Ministry of Maritime Affairs

b.    the Customs Administration (CA);

c.     the border police under the Ministry of Interior;

d.    the Railway Infrastructure of Montenegro;

e.     the Port Authority of Bar, along with the Port of Bar.

The purpose and role of the the consulting firm, herein referred to as "the Consultant,” is to oversee the introduction of a National Single Window (NSW), including Technical Assistance and Supervision for the development and implementation of its NSW. In performing tasks, the selected Consulting firm will be supported and will closely collaborate with the PIU's in-house experts, legal expert, as well as with the NSW Steering Committee, and the above-mentioned working group to ensure the project aligns with national, EU and international standards.

The MoT through the Technical Service Unit (TSU) now invites eligible Consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consult-firm (Legal entity) should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The Consultant will work closely with relevant stakeholders ensuring compliance with Montenegro’s policies, EU regulations, and international best practices. Given the nature of this assignment, the MoT - PIU/ is looking for a Consulting firm to provide an ‘as and when required’ basis, and to assist in the full NSW project life-cycle such that issues are addressed in a timely manner, risks are overcome effectively and uncertainties are reduced as much as possible, resulting in successful and timely completion of all NSW project activities.

The shortlisting criteria are:

1. General Qualification and Competences of the consultant (firm)

• Capacity, competences and organizational structure, of the Consultant firm (Company): -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(Max 20 points on this criteria).

Qualification of the consultant (firm) relevant to the assignment:

The selected Consulting company/Legal entity to execute this assignment should have:

• At least 10 years’ experience in ICT Project management;
• Quality Assurance (QA) advisory experience of at least one successfully completed complex nation-wide Information System and ICT infrastructure implementation in the past 5 years (from January 2020 up to the deadline for the receipt of applications indicated below);
• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of Information System Strategic and Change Management Plans in a complex country environment and proven track record in the transfer of know-how to similar government organizations;
• Experience in projects/assignments requiring familiarity with MNE trade and border legislation, procedures and institutional set up, especially for trade sector would be desirable;
• Experience in the design, development or implementation of at least one Customs automated systems or National Single Window systems is required.
• Extensive experience in developing governance frameworks, operational models and organizational structures for the implementation and/or operation of a National Single Window for Trade would be highly desirable;
• Experience in projects/assignments requiring familiarity with market conditions and capabilities for communications technology and IT infrastructure in the ICT sector would be desirable.

Reference list should consist the following information: name of the relevant project assignment, name of a client for which services was realized, (description of services), year of contract implementation (project realization dates), country/region and contract value, contact details (name, title, e-mail, and phone number). (Preferably with statement from the client about successfully conducted project/assignment)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Max 80 points on this criteria).

Key Expert’s- CVs or biodata are not required and will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications. The associations should clearly indicate the form of the association (Joint-venture, Consortium, sub-consultancy; member in charge; other member/s and or sub- consultants). Joint ventures should submit letter/confirmation, indicating their intent to form a joint venture if awarded the contract and shall provide the above-mentioned information for each member of the joint venture. *Consultant may only submit one expression of interest. If a consultant submits or participates in more than one expression of interest, such expression will be disqualified. However, sub-consultants, including individual experts, may participate in more than one expression of interest only in the capacity of sub-consultants. Consultant firm may submit also other documents considered important, and which are not mentioned above to present, e.g. JV/Consortium arrangements or to justify general qualifications and qualifications relevant to the assignment.

The duration of the assignment is estimated to be 32 months for development and phase wise implementation of NSW, with possible gap between phases.

A Consultant firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Issued in July 2016, Revised November 2017, July 2018, November 2020 and September 2023.  The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 11.1; 3.21 - 3.24; 3.13; 3.14; 3.16; 3.17 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained upon request at the e-mail address given below.

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below, from 08:00 to 15:00 hour’s local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form, only by e-mail to the address below and in subject must clearly indicate project name, subject number: (Management support project supervision and quality assurance of the National Single Window (NSW) implementation in Montenegro (PMSQA Contract). / MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-QCBS-25-1.2

 The deadline for submission is April 24, 2025. 10: 00h

Ministry of Finance /Technical Service Unit

Attention: Mr. Zoran Mijović,

Senior Procurement officer

Address: Studentska 2 A Floor I

City:81000Podgorica

Country: Montenegro

Telephone: + 382 20 201 695

E-mail: zoran.mijovic@mif.gov.me