CONSULTANT (FIRM/CABINET) IN CHARGE OF VERIFYING SALES UNDER THE CLEAN COOKING FBR MECHANISM

Bid Reference: ZR-PIF-487835-CS-QCBS
Procurement method: Quality And Cost-Based Selection
World Bank project No.: P178642

GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR ENVIRONMENT

AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

                        Coordination Unit for the Forest Investment Program « UC-PIF »

PIFORES PROJECT

NOTICE OF EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS

(Consultant Services)

EOI No. ZR-PIF-487835-CS-QCBS

Recruitment of a Consultant (Firm/Cabinet) in charge of verifying sales under the Clean Cooking FBR mechanism

Project Identification No.: P178642

Publication Date             : May 15, 2025

Closing Date                        : June 4, 2025

Context and Justification

This solicitation for Expressions of Interest follows the general procurement notice for this project published in the Development Business on September 4, 2024.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has received a loan and a grant from the World Bank through the IDA and the ESMAP Funds, and intends to use part of the amount of this Grant to make payments under the following contract « Recruitment of a Consultant (Firm/Cabinet) in charge of verifying sales under the Clean Cooking FBR mechanism ».

The main objective of the mission is to independently verify and confirm the cooking stoves reported sold by private operators benefitting from the FBR mechanism. The verification process will allow assessing the accuracy and veracity of the data submitted by the operators, particularly for managing claims, preventing fraud related to subsidies, and contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and learning at the operator and fund manager levels.

Specifically, the Consultant (firm/cabinet), independently from the fund manager of the FBR mechanism and the private operators, must on a quarterly basis:

• Conduct documentary verification by ensuring the accuracy and reliability of reported results and data provided by the operators;


• Carry out telephone verification. This involves developing a questionnaire to be used during telephone exchanges with households to determine whether they have purchased and use a subsidized cooking stove from the selected operator in the FBR mechanism;


• Conduct field verification and document details of sales, warranty service provision, household feedback on sold products and after-sales services, etc.;


• Assess customer experience and satisfaction, and the impact on the quality of life of end-user households, including in terms of gender equality;


• Ensure proper functioning of sold products (including « PAYGO ») and the provision of appropriate after-sales service;


• Ensure compliance with consumer protection requirements by CSPs;


• Identify opportunities to improve private operators' performance and generate information for the companies themselves, investors, and to support the sector as a whole.

Interested Consultants may obtain the Terms of Reference and additional information at the address mentioned below, during the following office hours: from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (local time).

The Coordination Unit for the Forest Investment Program (UC-PIF) invites interested Consultants/Firms/Cabinets to submit their Expression of Interest to provide the services described above. Firms/Cabinets must provide information on their previous assignments demonstrating that they have the qualifications and experience for the above services. Consultants may form partnerships to strengthen their respective competencies in the form of a joint venture or subcontracting agreement.

The method is Quality and Cost-Based Selection « QCBS », in accordance with the procedures defined in the Regulations applicable to Borrowers-Procurement of Goods, Works, and Services under Investment Project Financing dated July 2016, revised in November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, and September 2023 by the World Bank.

Expressions of interest must be written in French and must be submitted by mail or email to the address mentioned below no later than June 4, 2025 and must clearly indicate EOI No. ZR-PIF-487835-CS-QCBS « Recruitment of a Consultant (Firm/Cabinet) in charge of verifying sales under the Clean Cooking FBR mechanism ».

To the attention of the Coordinator of the Coordination Unit for the Forest Investment Program (UC-PIF)

No. 76, Avenue de la Justice, SKY VIEW 2 Building, 6th Floor in Kinshasa/Gombe/RDC

Tel: (+243) 984323214

Email: ucpif.rdc.pm@gmail.com

                                                                                  Clément VANGU LUTETE