Expression of Interest for Simplification and Modernization of World Bank Standard Procurement Documents. Publication Date: 01/26/2026 12:00 AM EST EOI Deadline: 03/09/2026 11:59 PM EDT Review and update of the World Banks Standard Procurement Documents to ensure they remain relevant and appropriately structured for digitization. 2. Statement of Need The Banks SPDs have for many years reflected best in class documents which have informed the SPDs developed by governments and institutions around the world. However, there is now a need for a fulsome review and revision in the Banks approach to SPDs. The existing SPDs increasingly impose significant operational and compliance challenges for both Borrowers and the Bank. The volume and complexity of these documents render them difficult to navigate, particularly for Borrowers with limited procurement capacity and/or commercial experience and/or when SPDs are not in their native language. Further, the current SPD framework is characterized by: Technical Instability: Legacy formatting originating from outdated word processing platforms has resulted in file corruption and persistent system/formatting errors that impedes the efficient drafting of documents by Borrowers. Complex and length: As the SPDs have evolved over a forty (40) year period, they have been added to on an iterative basis as the World Banks policies have changed, resulting in increasingly lengthy documents that are complex to apply. Maintenance burden: Even minor policy updates can necessitate extensive revisions across one hundred and forty-two (142) documents in multiple languages, consuming substantial resources. Quality control risks: The proliferation of documents and translation requirements heightens the risk of inconsistencies and misalignment with evolving industry standards. Age: Some SPDs are over forty (40) years old and were written at a time when procurement, business and government practices and commercial language were very different and therefore need to be modernized to remain fit for purpose. Unattractive: Many organizations advise that the Banks SPDs do not encourage them to participate and bid for international procurements (similar to reasons above). Circa fifty seven percent (57%) of international procurements over ten million United States Dollars ($10,000,000) only receive one (1) bid, and many bidders cite high cost of bidding as a barrier, therefore opportunities to present the SPDs in a style and manner that attracts quality bidders is increasingly important. Collectively, these challenges impede the Banks ability to maintain documents that are contemporary, user-friendly, IT system-stable, and reflective of international best practices. A comprehensive simplification, plain-language and modernization initiative is therefore imperative. The aforementioned drivers for updating the SPDs, are supplemented with the opportunity to digitize the drafting of documents by Borrowers and their review by the Bank (with potential Artificial Intelligence support). At present Borrowers download SPD templates from the Bank website in MSWord and prepare them offline, before uploading them to the Banks Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) IT system for manual prior or post review by Bank staff, as appropriate, and tracking purposes. The existing STEP system is expected to be replaced by a new system in 2026 which will integrate a document builder system that aims to facilitate the efficient production of documents on the system with the addition of artificial intelligence tools to support the Borrower. Therefore, SPDs will need to be prepared to accommodate the creation of documents by the Borrower on a Trunk and Branch basis through the document builder i.e. some components will be common to all procurements (the Trunk), and other sub-components will vary based on the specifics of a project and contract (the Branches), such as the procurement type, i.e. Goods, Works, Non-consulting Services or Consulting Services, the procurement approach, e.g. 1 or 2 envelopes and 1 or 2 stage processes, sector/sub-sector specifics and the level of deemed Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEASH) risk etc. The specific structure/content of an SPD will be informed by the options selected by the Borrower on the document builder system, which will then produce a tailored SPD template based on the specific inputs given. 3. Project Objectives The Bank seeks to engage qualified firms possessing demonstrable expertise and capacity to design, develop, and deliver a revised suite of SPDs in a format to suit the aforementioned document builder system. These documents shall be aligned with internationally recognized best practices in both content, style and format, ensuring they are effective, fit for purpose, and readily usable by Bank Borrowers implementing projects financed under IPF. The intention is to simplify and expedite the drafting of SPDs, as far as possible, and use plainer language. The revised SPDs shall, at a minimum, meet the following requirements: Clarity and accessibility: Drafted initially in plain United States English, concise, and easy to navigate. Ideally SPDs will meet recognized international standards for clear English such as the Crystal Mark[3] or equivalent. Once the English versions are finalized French and Spanish translations, that are consistent with the content and clarity of the English versions, will be required. Policy alignment: Conform to the Banks Procurement Framework[4], Integrity Compliance Framework[5], Environmental and Social Framework[6], Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment guidance[7] and other related guidance, avoiding conflicts and ensuring consistency with the Banks operating model. International best practice: Incorporate globally accepted standards for procurement of complex transactions, and an approach that encourages the private sector to participate and innovate. Legal integrity: Retain suitable legal robustness, safeguards, and controls, and able to withstand extensive legal, audit and specialist scrutiny, notwithstanding the above-mentioned requirements for clarity. User-centric design (largely government procurers in developing World countries): Enhance usability and reduce complexity for Borrowers with low to varying procurement capacities and capability (noting they may be operating outside their native or official working language). Attractive to bidders: SPDs that encourage bidders to participate, innovate and submit an effective bid, and are easy to use and navigate from a bidders perspective. The approach to bid evaluation and use of quality/non-price weightings must also be clear so that potential bidders see how they can differentiate their offer. Applicability across categories/for use with Document Builder: Suitable for works, goods, consulting services, and non-consulting services etc. The SPDs shall be drafted so they will be suitable for use with the above-mentioned functionality of a document builder which is being procured separately as part of the process to replace and enhance the capabilities of the Banks existing STEP system. Technical accuracy and maintainability: Ensure documents are fit for purpose, technically sound, and can be easily updated without creating formatting issues/cross referencing problems. Market fairness: Promote equitable competition by bidders who respond to them, be perceived as risk-balanced and transparent, and avoid creating barriers to entry for new bidders. Enhanced data visibility: Facilitate monitoring of SPD usage, including any Borrower modifications and application of rated criteria (non-price, technical/quality criteria). 4. Scope of Work It is envisaged that the selected firm shall perform the following tasks and activities in accordance with the Banks requirements and applicable procurement standards: Comprehensive Review: Conduct meetings with relevant Bank stakeholders and conduct a detailed examination of the existing fifty (50) English-language SPDs to identify common provisions, redundancies, concerns (e.g. areas where the Bank may be unreasonable from a fair allocation of risk perspective, areas of vagueness, over complex language etc.), modernization potential, and opportunities for consolidation in a way that enables a clause library digitalization approach in support of a document builder (Trunk and Branch approach), such as: Common provisions in every SPD regardless of category, activity, size or risk; Procurement type specific provisions, e.g. works, goods etc. Sector/Activity specific provisions e.g. roads, vaccines etc. Risk specific provisions e.g. procurements in war situations (such as Ukraine), procurements in areas with high gender-based violence risk etc., such as procurements with high risk of sexual abuse e.g. health and education services etc. Best Practice Assessment: Analyze prevailing international standards and methodologies for procurement documentation, with particular emphasis on clarity, plain language, efficiency, and legal robustness, as well as an overall approach that encourages bidder participation. Benchmarking: Undertake comparative analysis against procurement documentation utilized by relevant international organizations, including those using a document builder approach and AI, to ensure alignment with global best practices. SPD Framework Definition: Develop a structured SPD framework delineating mandatory components, category-specific provisions, and optional elements for inclusion in the revised SPD suite that are consistent with adoption of a document builder (as outlined above). Modernization Strategy: Formulate and recommend a comprehensive strategy for simplification and modernization, to attract bidders to participate, with fair and appropriate allocation of risks, ensuring consistency w Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/6506/view.html
