International Competitive Procurement · Request for Expression of Interest (Consulting Services)
Recruitment of a Consulting Firm to Carry Out Two Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the MV/LV Distribution Network and Public Lighting Works, Congo
Congo (Brazzaville)
Country
Two environmental and social impact assessments for the MV/LV distribution network works and the installation of 10,000 LED luminaires in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire
Scope of Services
Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics, PASEL Project Implementation Unit
Employer
2026-11-20 14:00 (local time)
Submission Deadline
01Project Overview
Project Name
Two Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for the rehabilitation, strengthening and extension of MV/LV distribution networks, the rehabilitation and construction of MV/LV transformer substations, and the installation of 10,000 LED luminaires in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire
Reference
Notice of Expression of Interest No. 009/MEH/PASEL/UGP-SC-2026; reference No. CG-083-PASEL-SC-26; World Bank procurement notice No. OP00474513
Country
Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville)
Employer
Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics (Ministère de l'Énergie et de l'Hydraulique), through the Project Implementation Unit of the Electricity Services Improvement Project (PASEL)
Parent Project
Electricity Services Improvement Project (Projet d'Amélioration des Services d'Électricité, PASEL), World Bank Project ID P501343
Financing
IBRD Loan No. 9686-CG
Procurement Method
International competitive procurement for consulting services through a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI), with selection by the Consultant's Qualification Selection (SQC) method under the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, as revised up to September 2025)
Assignment Duration
70 calendar days
Source
World Bank procurement notice (Avis à Manifestation d'Intérêt) No. OP00474513, reference No. CG-083-PASEL-SC-26, Employer the PASEL Project Implementation Unit, published 12 Oct 2026, verified 14 Oct 2026: https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/procurement-detail/OP00474513
Background Source
World Bank project page for the Electricity Services Improvement Project (PASEL, P501343), recording implementation by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics and Energie Electrique du Congo (E2C), approval in June 2024 and closing in June 2028, with the objectives of improving the quality of electricity supply, improving distribution and sales performance and increasing access to electricity: https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P501343
02Project Background
The Electricity Services Improvement Project (Projet d'Amélioration des Services d'Électricité, PASEL) is supported by an IBRD loan under World Bank Project ID P501343, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Hydraulics of the Republic of the Congo and Energie Electrique du Congo (E2C). Approved in June 2024 and scheduled to close in June 2028, it aims to improve the quality of electricity supply, improve distribution and sales performance and increase access to electricity, with investments covering the rehabilitation, strengthening and extension of distribution networks, the rehabilitation and construction of substations, and electricity facilities such as urban public lighting.
Within that project, the PASEL Project Implementation Unit has issued a request for expressions of interest for environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) services for the MV/LV distribution network and public lighting works, inviting eligible consulting firms to express their interest. The assignment covers the preparation of two environmental and social impact assessments, one for Brazzaville and one for Pointe-Noire, covering the rehabilitation, strengthening and extension of MV/LV distribution networks, the rehabilitation and construction of MV/LV transformer substations, and the installation of 10,000 LED luminaires in the two cities. The notice states a total assignment duration of 70 calendar days.
03Scope of Work & Technical Specifications
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Scope of Services | Preparation of two environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA), one for Brazzaville and one for Pointe-Noire |
| Works Covered | Rehabilitation, strengthening and extension of MV/LV distribution networks; rehabilitation and construction of MV/LV transformer substations; installation of 10,000 LED luminaires in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire |
| Description of Sub-projects | Detailed description of the sub-projects and of the activities envisaged |
| Areas of Influence | Delineation and characterisation of the direct and indirect areas of influence of the works |
| Analysis of Alternatives | Analysis of technical and environmental alternatives that avoid or reduce negative impacts |
| Baseline | Establishment of the environmental and social baseline situation of the intervention areas |
| Risks and Impacts | Identification and analysis of environmental, social, health and safety issues and of positive and negative, direct, indirect, cumulative and residual risks and impacts |
| Electricity-Specific Risks | Analysis of risks specific to electricity infrastructure, including electrocution, fire and accident risks, risks related to underground or exposed cables, and risks related to the occupation of electricity rights of way |
| Land and Economic Activities | Analysis of land issues related to substation sites and network rights of way, and identification of economic activities likely to be affected |
| Civil Works Risks | Analysis of risks related to civil works and excavation |
| Waste and Pollution | Analysis of risks related to the management of electrical and other hazardous waste, and assessment of soil and water pollution risks |
| Social Risks | Analysis of risks related to gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment; analysis of worker and community health and safety risks; analysis of biodiversity impacts where relevant; and analysis of risks related to cultural heritage |
| Public Consultation | Inclusive and participatory public consultations taking account of the specific concerns of women, youth and vulnerable persons |
| Environmental and Social Management Plan | Preparation of an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for each city, defining environmental and social monitoring arrangements, a detailed budget for implementing the environmental and social measures, and institutional responsibilities for implementing the ESMP |
| Grievance Mechanism | Design of a grievance mechanism suited to the activities and consistent with the PASEL project grievance mechanism |
| Approval Documentation | Preparation of all documents needed for national validation and the World Bank's no-objection |
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04Key Commercial Terms
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Selection Method | Consultant's Qualification Selection (SQC), in accordance with the World Bank's Procurement Regulations |
| Assignment Duration | Total assignment duration of 70 calendar days |
| Terms of Reference | The detailed Terms of Reference (TDR) are available at the address given in the notice |
| Number of Copies | A written expression of interest submitted in four copies, comprising one original and three copies, accompanied by an electronic version on a USB key |
| Submission | The expression of interest must be delivered in person to the address given in the notice, marked with the notice number and the title of the assignment |
| Association and Sub-contracting | Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but must clearly indicate whether the association takes the form of a joint venture and/or sub-contracting; if the association is a joint venture, all members are jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected |
| Conflict of Interest | The notice draws attention to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest; consultants may not be engaged for assignments incompatible with their present or past obligations to other clients, or which could prevent them from serving the Borrower's best interests |
| Further Information | Further information may be obtained at the address given in the notice during office hours from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00 local time |
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05Bidder Qualification Requirements
01
General Experience
At least ten years of experience in the field of environmental and social assessment
02
References
Verifiable references for similar assignments successfully completed, accompanied, where available, by certificates of satisfactory completion and contact details allowing verification
03
Specific Experience (Infrastructure)
Experience in carrying out environmental and social impact assessments of infrastructure projects
04
Specific Experience (Energy)
Experience in energy or electricity projects
05
Experience with Financiers
Experience in projects financed by the World Bank or other technical and financial partners
06
Regulatory Knowledge
Good command of the environmental regulations of the Republic of the Congo
07
World Bank Environmental and Social Framework
Good knowledge of the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework
08
Team Composition
A qualified multidisciplinary team of at least seven key experts whose qualifications, skills and minimum experience meet those defined in the Terms of Reference
09
Organisation and Management
An organisation and resources enabling the assignment to be executed properly within the planned timeframe
10
Associations
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications and must clearly indicate whether the association takes the form of a joint venture and/or sub-contracting
11
Eligibility
The assignment is open to consultants eligible as defined in the World Bank Procurement Regulations
06Key Milestones
12 Oct 2026
Notice Published
Available at the address given in the notice from the date of publication
Terms of Reference Available
During office hours from Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00 local time
Clarifications
20 Nov 2026, 14:00 local time
Submission Deadline
A shortlist is drawn up after evaluation of the expressions of interest and a request for proposals is issued separately to the shortlisted consultants
Shortlist and Request for Proposals
70 calendar days
Assignment Duration
