Expression of Interest are invited for E&S Consultant - PPP School Infrastructure Project #5 - Mindanao, Philippines PSIP V and Project Overview The Philippines Department of Education (DepEd or Client) currently has a classroom backlog of close to 165,000 classrooms. The shortfall is significant and growing due to constrained government funding, lengthy procurement processes and an increasing student population. DepEd is working towards leveraging PPPs under a scalable model to introduce private sector efficiency and expertise in classroom construction, while improving fiscal sustainability. Previously DepEd undertook PPP -based classroom construction initiatives by way of the PPP for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) phases I and II, awarded in 2012 and 2013 respectively). Implementation of PSIP III and IV is currently underway. PSIP III aims to construct 15,000 classrooms in regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, CAR, and NCR. For PSIP IV, the DedEd targets 40,000 classroom constructions in regions VI, VII, NIR, VIII, and selected areas in Luzon. DepEd is now planning to launch PSIP V, which aims to construct approximately 50,000 classrooms across multiple locations in Mindanao (regions IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, BARMM). DepEd is seeking to implement the first tranche of approximately 5,000 classrooms in PSIP V under a PPP model (the Project). The Project will include the construction of new mostly low-rise buildings to accommodate varying ranges of classrooms and may require some demolitions. E&S Consultant Scope of Work IFC seeks an international E&S consultant to support environmental and social aspects of a transaction and ensure project development aligns with IFC Performance Standards and competitive bidding requirements. The consultant, contracted by and reporting to IFC, should have expertise assessing E&S aspects in building designs and engineering, ideally with experience in school projects in both city and rural settings. Firms with demonstrated experience relevant to this assignment, especially in the Philippines, are preferred. The Consultant will prepare an E&S Scoping Study with the objective of de-risking the project through the early application of the mitigation-hierarchy, following a high-level assessment of the projects E&S risks and impacts based on quantitative data and estimates. The depth of this assessment shall be sufficient to inform IFC, the client, and potential PPP bidders, about the projects critical E&S risks and impacts, including those that may affect the success of the PPP tender process. It will also pinpoint suitable mitigation strategies, detailing them sufficiently to provide a first estimate of mitigation costs and refine the project timeline. The results of the E&S Scoping Study will also be used to formulate project specific E&S obligations to be recommended for inclusion in the PPP contract. The E&S Consultant is expected to undertake the following for each selected site: · Preliminarily characterize the Area of Influence of the project, including ancillary facilities (e.g. temporary construction sites, quarries, landfills, where known) and Associated Facilities; · identify and preliminarily assess potential key E&S risks and impacts of the Project as well as gaps in the current E&S performance against IFC PSs for each site; · Propose project-specific mitigation measures and/or strategies to address key E&S risks and impacts, with an implementation roadmap, in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy and in line with the requirements of the IFC PSs and the WBG EHS Guidelines (General and Sector specific); · Develop detailed scope of activities (TORs), to be undertaken by the public/private party during subsequent phases of development of the project, including for field data collection and stakeholder engagement, and any specialized studies (including if relevant an ESIA); and · Define the legal requirements that are applicable to the project from an E&S perspective, identify any gaps vis-à-vis the IFC PSs, and develop a set of recommendations to achieve alignment with the PSs. Throughout the process, the E&S Consultant shall work in coordination with IFC and its Technical and Legal consultants, dedicating sufficient qualified resources to meet the deliverables and the timetable. Where relevant, the E&S Consultant will be able to draw on the due diligence completed for PSIP IV. Qualification Criteria The E&S Consultant should demonstrate substantial experience in conducting scoping and other E&S due diligence studies for projects involving building construction and have experience implementing projects in the Philippines. Prior experience with classroom or school building projects in both city and rural settings will be considered advantageous. The E&S Consultant team is expected to have the range of qualifications, skills and experience necessary to effectively complete the required scope of work. The team should provide evidence of previous assignments in: (i) E&S due diligence, ESIAs, and E&S scoping studies in accordance with IFC Performance Standards and World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines; (ii) E&S assessments within the education and infrastructure sectors; (iii) socio-economic research and stakeholder engagement; (iv) land acquisition and resettlement matters; and (v) proficiency in delivering presentations in both the local language and English. Interested firms are encouraged to submit the Express of Interests (EOI) through the WBG procurement portal. Detailed Terms of Reference will separately be provided when the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be launched. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6363/view.html
