REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

I.1) Name and address Contracting Authority

Official name: Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission

Postal address: P O Box 179

Town: Castries

Postal Code: LC04 101

E-mail: procurementbids@oecs.int

Internet address: http://www.oecs.int

II.1.1) Title:

Consultancy to provide technical assistance, support, and capacity building to strengthen the risk management framework and systems in OECS Protocol Member States and to develop an implementation plan and resource mobilization strategy for an integrated regional risk management framework for the OECS Customs Union

II.1.3) Type of contract 

Services  

II.1.4) Short description of the contract

The assignment will be undertaken by a team with expertise in international trade, trade facilitation, border management for trade in goods, customs management and operation, integrated ICT systems, and legislative and statutory interpretation and drafting. The assignment will entail providing technical assistance and capacity building on improving national risk management legislation, practices, procedures and governance for the key border control and management agencies.  This will include the provision of tools, methodologies, procedures, structures and instruments for an integrated and effective risk management framework.  This will require conducting desk research including the review of the diagnostic report and the Final Report of Recommendations of the consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for a regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union; undertaking visits to each of the Protocol Member States to conduct further review and assessment of the national risk management framework and systems of all border agencies.  The team is expected to provide  technical assistance and capacity building advice to national border agencies on improving risk their management systems; conducting a regional training workshop on border and risk management procedures and systems; provide technical input to two meetings of the OECS Regional Working Group on the Customs Union; organise and facilitate a high level symposium on establishing an OECS integrated risk management framework (IRMF) taking into account the recommendations of the previous and above mentioned consultancy.  Technical papers, working documents and reports are to be prepared including an implementation plan and resource mobilization strategy establishment of the IRM.

The specific objective of the contract is:

1. Improved knowledge and understanding of the requirements for border management procedures including risk management procedures and systems for trade in goods for the operationalisation of an OECS Customs Union with Free Circulation of Goods.

2. Strengthened and integrated national risk management systems and frameworks.

3. Agreement among OECS Protocol Member States and specifically the border management agencies for trade in goods on the national and regional policy, legislative, regulatory and institutional framework for the establishment of a digital and centralised OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework.

The expected outputs of the contract are:

• A regional training workshop with report for OECS trade in goods border management/regulatory authorities and stakeholders (Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and private sector stakeholders) on the operationalization of the OECS Customs Union with Free Circulation of Goods, specifically the establishment of a harmonised border management structure with a regional risk management system for customs control.

• Report on the technical assistance and capacity building provided to  national border management agencies on the application of border management and risk management approaches, methodologies, processes, and tools for strengthened and improved integration of border and risk management at the national level.

• Draft organisation/unit structures, harmonised standard operating procedures, and Terms of References for the establishment of risk management committees, and risk management units/functions within national border management/regulatory agencies/authorities and to support the establishment of a regional risk management system.
• Draft MOUs and Information Sharing Agreements to facilitate national and cross border exchange of border management and risk related information;

• Draft model Bill(s) and implementing regulations; and draft amendments to, and draft harmonized implementing regulations, for the five Harmonized Bills/Legislation (Animal Health, Customs, Food Safety, Plant Protection and Standards) to support the establishment of a regional risk management system and facilitate regional border agency cooperation.

• Facilitation of a working session with the extended Regional Working Group on the Customs Union and Free Circulation of Goods on the establishment of an OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework based on the recommendations of a consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union Facilitation of an OECS high level symposium on the establishment of an OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework based on the recommendations of a consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union.

• A comprehensive report of the high-level symposium facilitated in output 1 to outcome 3 above.

• A detailed implementation plan and roadmap and resource mobilization strategy for the digital and centralised OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework.

The Contractor shall be responsible for performing all the services described below:

• Review relevant reports, studies and Bills and legislation related to the establishment and operationalisation of an OECS Customs Union with free circulation of goods and specifically the harmonisation of border management procedures and establishment of a regional risk management system.

• Design and implement a regional training activity for OECS border management stakeholders (Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and private sector stakeholders) on the operationalization of the OECS Customs Union with Free Circulation of Goods focused on the harmonisation of border management systems and the establishment of a regional risk management system for customs control.  This could be fully virtual, in person of hybrid depending on constraints of budget and travel logistics.

• Building on the findings of the diagnostic report of the consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for a regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union, undertake further assessments, review, and scoping of the national risk management systems in each Protocol Member State.

• Provide technical assistance and capacity building advise and recommendations to the border agencies on risk management improvements in each of the Protocol Member States.

• Prepare draft organisation/unit structures, harmonised standard operating procedures, and Terms of References for the establishment of risk management committees (joint agency initiatives as far as possible), and risk management units/functions within national border management/regulatory agencies/authorities and to support the establishment of a regional risk management system.

• Prepare draft MOUs and Information Exchange Agreements to facilitate national and cross border exchange of border management and risk related information;

• Prepare draft model Bill(s) and implementing regulations; and draft amendments to, and draft harmonized implementing regulations, for the five Harmonized Bills/Legislation (Animal Health, Customs, Food Safety, Plant Protection and Standards) to support the establishment of a regional risk management system and facilitate regional border agency cooperation.

• Design, prepare working documents for, make presentations to and facilitate an OECS high level symposium on the establishment of an OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework based on the recommendations of a consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union.  This will be a hybrid activity with in person and remote participation.

• Prepare working documents and make presentations to two working sessions with the extended Regional Working Group on the Customs Union and Free Circulation of Goods on the establishment of an OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework based on the recommendations of a consultancy for building the institutional and regulatory capacity for regional risk management system for the OECS Economic Union.  One before the symposium and one after the symposium.  This can be virtual.

• Prepare reports of the national and regional training activities.

• Prepare a comprehensive report of the high-level symposium.

• Prepare a detailed plan, roadmap and resource mobilization strategy for the implementation of a digital and centralised OECS Integrated Risk Management Framework based on the conclusions and recommendations of the high-level symposium.

II.1.5) Estimated total value

EUR 167,572.00 / XCD486,816.77

II.2.1) Place performance

Main site or place of performance: OECS Protocol Member States: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

II.2.2)  Evaluation/Selection Criteria

Key Expert 1: Team Leader–Expert on trade in goods, border and customs management; customs union with free circulation of goods; trade facilitation

• At minimum a Master’s Degree in International Trade Policy, Trade Law, Economics, International Business, Customs Administration or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the implementation and functioning of a customs union with free circulation of goods.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the scope and objectives of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) regional integration arrangements. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Articles, V, VIII and X as well as the WTO’s Agreements on Trade Facilitation (TFA), SPS and TBT. 
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills.
• Ability to write clear analytical and technical reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and team-work skills. 
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing complex multi-country projects.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in the application of trade facilitation reforms in developing countries. 
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ extensive experience in developing and executing training tools and programmes for public and private sector stakeholders.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing technical support and/or advisory/consultancy services to public sector agencies on the application of trade facilitation reforms to enhance the operations of Ministries with responsibility for Customs, Trade and Commerce. 
• A minimum of five (5) years of senior level experience working on the application of trade-related risk analysis and risk management procedures and protocols.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the operations of trade facilitation applications associated with the release and clearance of goods, such as the ASYCUDA World platform, the Advanced Cargo Information System (ACIS) and the Electronic Single Window (ESW) system.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working within or across CARICOM/OECS countries.

Key Expert 2: Risk Management for Border Customs Control Expert 

• At minimum a Master’s Degree in International Trade; development economics, computer sciences.
• Demonstrated Good knowledge of international and regional trade agreements for trade facilitation and secured trade.
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Good interpersonal and team-work skills.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience working on border control and management issues related to the movement of goods at the national and regional level.
• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience working on the management of risk in a border control and management setting including the application of Information and Communication Technology to the management of risks of noncompliance and the application of risk management for transactions within a National Single Window. 
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the design and application of technical tools for risk management by border control agencies.
• At least (5) years’ experience working on similar assignments in the Caribbean region.
• At least 5 years’ experience in designing or preparing or managing the structures, standard operating procedures, and Terms of References for the organisational and institutional framework for risk management.

Key Expert 3: Legal Expert, Legislative Drafter 

• At minimum a Master’s Degree in law.
• Professional Qualification in Legislative drafting.
• Good oral and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the implementation and functioning of a customs union with free circulation of goods.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the scope and objectives of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) regional integration arrangements. 
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills.
• Ability to write clear analytical and technical reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and team-work skills. 
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience practicing Law in the jurisdiction of an OECS Member State or a CARICOM Member State.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in legislative drafting.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in drafting legal documents for business/institutional collaboration including memorandum of understanding and information exchange agreements.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in providing technical support and/or advisory/consultancy services to public sector agencies on the application of trade facilitation reforms to enhance the operations of Ministries with responsibility for Customs, Trade and Commerce. 
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working within or across CARICOM/OECS countries.

II.4) Additional Information:

Potential legal (firms) and natural persons (individuals), who may be interested in, and capable of undertaking this assignment are required to submit a ‘Statement of Capability or company profile” (Qualification and relevant experience pertinent to the assignment) to the Project Manager, RIGHT Programme via email lisa.james@oecs.int and copied to, ricardo.james@oecs.int and tadia.xantoine@oecs.int no later than 13^th January 2025. The selected firms/individuals will receive an invitation to tender which includes the following:

A.          Instructions to tenderers and contract notice

B.          Draft contract agreement and special conditions with annexes:

1. General conditions for service contracts 
2. Terms of reference
3. Organisation and methodology (to be submitted by the tenderer using the template provided)
4. Key experts (including templates for the summary list of key experts and their CVs) 
5. Budget (to be submitted by the tenderer as the financial offer using the template provided)
6. Forms and other supporting documents

C. Other information:

1. Administrative compliance grid
2. Evaluation grid