Building Institutions And Systems to Harness And Realize Agenda 2063 Project ( - Тендер #54700754)

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

• Project ID

P180117

• Project Title

Building Institutions And Systems to Harness And Realize Agenda 2063 Project

• Country

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Notice No

OP00295216

• Notice Type

Request for Expression of Interest

• Notice Status

Published

• Borrower Bid Reference

ET-AUC-424508-CS-QCBS

• Procurement Method

Quality And Cost-Based Selection

• Language of Notice

English

• Submission Deadline Date/Time

Jun 28, 2024 17:00

• Published Date

Jun 12, 2024

• CONTACT INFORMATION
• Organization/Department

Africa Union Commission

• Name

Fungisayi Patricia Mwanyisa

• Address

Africa Union HeadquartersP.O.BOX 3243Tel: 251-11-5-517700webmaster: webmaster@africa-union.orgAddis

• City

• Province/State

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Postal Code

• Country

Eastern and Southern Africa

• Phone

+251 90 308 6604

• Email

MwanyisaP@africa-union.org

• Website

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Ethiopia

Name of Project: The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda (BIASHARA) 2063 Project

Grant No: P180117

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for the Development of Air Cargo Services and Trade Routes to Support the Operationalization of the SAATM

Reference No. ET-AUC-424508-CS-QCBS

The African Union Commission has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of The Building Institutions and Systems to Harness and Realize Agenda (BIASHARA) 2063 Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include a feasibility study on the Promotion of Air Cargo and Trade Routes in Africa in order to support private sector namely; producers, exporters, shippers, freight forwarders, consignor and airlines especially in the framework of the implementation of Single African Air transport market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this Request for Expressions of Interest.

The African Union Commission now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

The Consulting Firm shall be composed of multidisciplinary team of globally recognized industry subject experts, with experience of at least 20 years in Air Transport and Trade industry and at least 10 years’ experience in working in the air transport as well as Trade facilitation projects and programmes in Africa. The Consultant Firm should demonstrate adequate capacity to undertake this project, including demonstrated knowledge of data requirement, access to unbiased and reliable data sources and high quality related aviation information and outreach to Member States of the African Union. Preference will be given to groups incorporating both international and regional (Africa) expertise to encourage diverse perspectives, integrated and innovative thinking.

The Consultant firm will make a final determination on the selection, mix and size of the project team, given the complexity of the project, availability and circumstances that prevail at the time, including the use of support staff. The Consultant team should have a demonstrated extensive experience in air transport regulation, economic, logistics and social impact studies for Governments, airlines, airports and other aviation stakeholders.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Quality and Cost-based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1700 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 28 June 2024.

African Union Commission,

Attn: Head of Supply Chain Management Division

Building C, 3rd Floor,

P.O Box 3243, Roosevelt Street

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 (0) 11 551 7700 – Ext 4305

Fax: +251 (0) 11 551 0442; +251 11-551-0430

E-mail: tender@africa-union.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AIR CARGO SERVICES AND TRADE ROUTES TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONALIZATION OF THE SAATM

ET-AUC-424508-CS-QCBS

I - INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

Air transport has a very important role to play in the economic and physical integration of the African continent. It is one of the driving forces behind the social and economic development of the 55 member States of the African Union, which is looking for an efficient, reliable, affordable, environment-friendly and safe air transport system.

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), launched in January 2018 as the first flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063, aims to fastrack and enhance the competitiveness of the African aviation industry, improve air connectivity between African countries, promote economic growth and development. By fostering a more integrated and efficient air transport network, the SAATM seeks to facilitate intra-African travel, tourism and trade. To date, thirty-seven (37) Africa Union member States have signed the Solemn Commitment to fully implement SAATM. They are: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d"Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tomé e Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Eswatini, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Twenty-six (26) of these 37 SAATM States, have signed the Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) to unconditionally open up their air transport market amongst themselves.

In line with aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063, the SAATM creates a common air transport market that is critical for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and also, vital for the achievement of the long-term vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

In order to address these issues of air cargo services in Africa repeatedly cited as a major handicap, the African Union Commission (AUC) would like to engage a feasibility study on the Promotion of Air Cargo and Trade Routes in Africa in order to support private sector namely producers, exporters, shippers, freight forwarders, consignor and airlines especially in the framework of the implementation of Single African Air transport market (SAATM) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective is to promote the benefits of full liberalized air cargo services and trade routes for the African States through new business models and liberalized/integrated supply chain under the SAATM and the AfCFTA.

The specific objectives are the following:

• Removal of regulation barriers by liberalization of air cargo services (increase city pairs from 14% to 30% by 2025) and market access up to 7th Air Traffic Freedom Right as recommended by the 6th ICAO worldwide Air transport Conference (ATConf/6) as well as to encourage wider market access through a competitive market environment.

• Ensure continuous carriage of air freight products (ban of any restriction), food supplies, including livestock, medical equipment, and medical supplies, gets quickly to their destination without any delays and substances of human origin must be guaranteed, because continued and uninterrupted air cargo services are of essential strategic importance for African States.

• Member States to develop adequate infrastructure for the processing, storage, and movement of cargo especially at small airports to facilitate the development of airfreight business in Africa as well connection of air cargo services with other modes of transport (intermodal transport).

• Member States to accede to the Cape Town Convention and Protocol on Moveable Assets of 2001 to reduce the cost of financing new cargo aircraft as well as ratification of MC99.
• Member States and cargo operators/integrators to facilitate the implementation of E-freight to reduce costs by introducing international paperless airfreight.
• Member States to ease cumbersome customs clearance and administrative processes and procedures,
• African cargo carriers to cooperate to develop cargo hubs in Africa and human resources for cargo-related operations.
• African cargo carriers to cooperate to meet the regulatory requirements to operate in destination States.
• Review of the Windhoek Aviation security Targets in order to propose a Regulation to remove practical difficulties in operating into certain airports due to indiscriminate restrictions on flights or personnel. These issues are threatening the functioning of critical supply chains.

• Elaborate of aviation security measures to allow ramp personnel to do their work both safely as well as efficiently, by providing staff with guidance on health precautions in an air cargo environment and support them with appropriate supplies of hygiene products as well as during lockdown or curfew.

• Member States to put in place the necessary operational and organizational measures to operate at all times.

• Encourage cargo and express airlines exceptionally reserve capacity for the supply of essential goods, in particular medical and emergency supplies, and apply reasonable shipping rates for such supplies.

• Incentivization of investment in the cargo air transportation.

• Level playing field for all operators.

III – SCOPE OF WORK AND RESULTS EXPECTED FROM THE CONSULTANT

The “Tasks” stated in these ToRs shall include the following:-

Task 1: Detail Work Plan: The Consultant will integrate in its methodology a preliminary schedule of its activities and a matrix indicating the level of participation of each expert in each phase and each task of the study. This Detail Work Plan could be developed under an Inception Report following quick-off meeting, indicating its methodology for the achievement of the ToRs.

Task 2: Data collection on Demand/Supply of Air Cargo services and Trade routes for specific commodities (high-technology sectors like mobiles telephones, solar panels and health care), in Africa. At this end the Consultant Firm will collect and analyse sectoral data and organise interviews with stakeholders, notably:

• Conduct a country by country assessment of the liberalization of air cargo services and Trade Routes;
• Identify the objective or subjective obstacles and constraints that impede the effective liberalization of air cargo services and trade routes;
• Asses the status of airlines operating air cargo services, the types of rights they enjoy and operate on 4th, 5th as well as 6th Freedom Rights /7th Freedom Rights operators and to document the city pairs that are serviced including the fares charged thereof for both African registered Airlines and non-African Airlines for the intra-African airport network only;
• Map out intra-African traffic city-pairs and document the city pairs that have multiple airline designations, the cargo air services frequencies, and the airfares that are charged thereof; and also map out the degree of connectivity of the existing intra-African air services;
• Submit to the African Union Commission a dashboard, mapping countries operating air cargo services and trade routes, with case-specific approaches and make recommendation on how to assist States to develop air cargo services; SWOT analysis report including all possible options.

Task 3: Recommendation for the development of air cargo services and trade routes in Africa

This component therefore addresses the question of what would be the benefits of air cargo services and trade routes which in turn stimulates additional traffic volumes, facilitates tourism, trade, investment and other sectors of the economy and brings about enhanced productivity, economic growth and increased employment. The study will assess the costs and benefits of the air cargo services in Africa, disaggregated by country, indicating how each country stands to win or lose as a result. The assessment of the costs, benefits and impacts will:

• Develop scenarios to forecast the air cargo market potential for the fifty-five African States.
• Assess the quantitative direct impacts (using economic modelling) of full air cargo services disaggregated by country, indicating how each country stands to win or lose as a result with respect to the following parameters:
• Overall economic growth benefits to passengers (time, convenience and fare savings)
• Job creation, impact on gender and youth, trade expansion, tourism, inward investment, associated productivity benefits, as well as developmental considerations.

The study will also:

• Make recommendations for specific city pairs, supporting air cargo routes for commodities under AfCFTA and supporting SAATM-PIP cluster of States.
• Carry out a diagnostic of the existing cargo infrastructure (warehouse, storage, Screening room in each airport), fleet requirements and airline requirement
• Propose a financing plan and/or Financing options based on findings;
• Develop performance indicators for monitoring the performance of the market.

Task 4: Develop a draft common regulations on aviation security and associated guidance materials to be submitted to AUC for approval.

Elaborate a draft Regulation on Common Rules and procedures for aviation security in the areas of air cargo services

Task 5: Draft a Final Presentation of findings of study at a regional workshop

Participate in the validation workshop

• Draft Final Report including draft Regulation on Aviation Security and Financing options

• Task 4: Presentation and reporting at a Continental Workshop jointly organized by the AUC and the AfCFTA

• Task 4: Final Report

IV – EXPECTED RESULTS

The expected results are the following:

• A comprehensive study on air cargo services and trade routes among African countries.

• A strategy for the development of air cargo services and trade routes in Africa

• Recommendations for specific city pairs, supporting air cargo routes for commodities under AfCFTA and supporting SAATM-PIP cluster of States.

• A reduction of the customs duties on tax imposed on import/export goods, and, exemption of custom taxes on Fuel, lubricating oils, spare parts, regular equipment and aircraft stores on board of an aircraft as well as Fuel, lubricating oils, spare parts, regular equipment and aircraft stores on board an aircraft in accordance with the Article 24 of the Chicago Convention.

• A draft Regulation on Aviation Security to facilitate the physical screening measures of cargo products and guarantee a secure supply chain.

• A financing plan for development of infrastructure for establishment of the city pairs routes in collaboration with the airlines.

V – DURATION AND CONDUCT OF THE STUDY

The total duration of the consultation is 20 weeks (5 months). . The start and end dates of the consultation will be specified in the contract on the basis of this duration.

VI. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Firm Qualification

The assignment will be carried out by a Consultant Firm composed of multidisciplinary team of globally recognised industry subject experts, with experience of at least 20 years in Air Transport and Trade industry and at least 10 years’ experience in working in the air transport as well as Trade facilitation projects and programmes in Africa. The Consultant Firm should demonstrate adequate capacity to undertake this project, including demonstrated knowledge of data requirement, access to unbiased and reliable data sources and high quality related aviation information and outreach to Member States of the African Union. Preference will be given to groups incorporating both international and regional (Africa) expertise to encourage diverse perspectives, integrated and innovative thinking.

The Consultant firm will make a final determination on the selection, mix and size of the project team, given the complexity of the project, availability and circumstances that prevail at the time, including the use of support staff. The Consultant team should have a demonstrated extensive experience in air transport regulation, economic, logistics and social impact studies for Governments, airlines, airports and other aviation stakeholders. The Consultant Firm shall propose a highly qualified Transport Economist/Logistics Expert as Team Leader. Specifically the Consultancy team shall include an Aviation Security Expert conversant with security related regulations, cargo facilitation - e-freight, custom procedures, intermodal cargo transportation etc. and a Trade Expert conversant with the trade facilitation sector and intra Africa trade in line with African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Qualification of Key Experts

Two (2) Individual key Consultants, One (1) Senior Air Transport Economist/Logistics Team Leader, and, One (1) Senior Aviation Security Expert.

VI.1 Air Transport Economist/Logistics Expert - Team Leader

• Qualification

• The candidate must have at least a Master’s degree in Transport Economics/Analyst/Logistics from a reputable University or equivalent.

• General Professional Experience

• 15 years of experience and about 5 years on air transport projects, Logistics, Analyst and on Trade sector for customs regulations.
• Knowledge in use of computerized evaluation models is essential.
• Experience on project benefits evaluation and monitoring is also crucial.

• Specific Professional Experience

• The consultant must have sound knowledge of the field of project economic analysis and Logistics, risk allocation, and financial tools of air transport Assessment.
• Familiarity with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for aviation safety and security.
• Formulation of policies and strategies in the field of air transport would be advantageous.

• Language Skills
• Good command of oral and written English and French is essential.

VI.2 Senior Aviation Security (AVSEC) Expert

• Qualification

• The Aviation Security Expert shall have Post graduate (qualification) in an aviation discipline, or equivalent academic qualifications in civil aviation with specialization in aviation security management.

• Excellent computer skills (MS Office: Word, Excel, Power Point) will be an added advantage.

• General professional experience

• He/She must be conversant with the provisions of the Chicago Convention (1944) and Annexes in particular Annex 17, Annex 9 and relevant Manuals/Guidance materials and the provisions of the Yamoussoukro Decision, Annexes and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) as well as Abuja Safety Targets and Windhoek Security Targets. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the regional and continental regional integration programmes, the air transport liberalization programme and experience with the workings of regional and continental organisations (i.e. AUC, AfCFTA, AFCAC, RECs, IATA, AFRAA, UNECA, RECs) and governments (especially in Africa).
• Minimum of 10 years of extensive experience and managerial skills in the aviation security area of in Civil Aviation Administration (CAA), Airports, ANSP, Airlines, Aviation Consultancy firms, Regional and International organizations.
• Must have similar relevant work experience in Aviation Law analysis and formulation of Air Transport Policy and Regulation, air transport project execution at the regional or international level
• Experience in the development and implementation of projects particularly in aviation security and facilitation.
• Experience in the management and development of aviation security projects/programs at national, regional or international levels.
• Essential to have aviation cargo security skills and experience.
• Sufficient knowledge of the International and National legislations of the Aviation Security and mainly Cargo Security.

• Specific Professional experience
• Capacity to assess the existing regulations (Windhoek Targets, Chicago Convention Annex 17, Annex 18 and Annex 19) and identified gaps that need to be addressed and to develop strategies for addressing the identified gaps as well as to develop a draft common Regulation including associated guidance materials to be submitted to the AUC..
• Successful experience in the field of project development and implementation in the Aviation Law and Air Transport Policy & Regulation relating to the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
• Familiarity with the formulation of policies and strategies in the field of air transport would be advantageous.

• Language Skills
• English or French, knowledge of both language is an added advantage

VI.3 Trade Expert

• Qualification
• University degree from a reputable University: A Master’s degree or higher in international trade, business, economics, or any closely related field is required
• A certification or license from a recognized trade association or organization, such as the International Trade Specialist (ITS) or the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) will be an added advantage
• Excellent computer skills (MS Office: Word, Excel, Power Point) will be an added advantage.
• General professional experience
• Minimum of 10 years of extensive experience and managerial skills in trade, business, or a closely related field is necessary.

• Specific Professional experience
• At least 5 years cognate experience working in/with a regional or international organization.
• Proven professional experience in Trade Sector and trade Facilitation related projects and programmes in Africa
• The knowledge and relevant experience related to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will be an added advantage

• Language Skills
• English or French, knowledge of both language is an added advantage

• LOCATION, COMMENCEMENT AND REPORTING

Location of the assignment

The work is primarily desk-based research and analysis and can be conducted at any suitable location. Consultation meeting with the Client, AUC, and Stakeholders shall be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Commencement date and period of implementation of the assignment:

The indicative starting of the services is envisaged for the 1st August, 2024 (kick-off meeting in Addis Ababa with the Team Leader with the participation of AUC, AfCFTA, AFCAC, UNECA, and World Bank). The total duration of the contract is five calendar months.

Reporting

All reports will be submitted in one electronic version and two originals in hard copy to the Director of Infrastructure and Energy, designated as the project coordinator and will be responsible for approving the reports.

• MONITORING, EVALUATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROTERTY

Monitoring and Evaluation:

The management of the study will be carried out by the Department of Infrastructure & Energy of the African Union Commission. The Consultancy firm will be hired under AUC terms of contract and supervised by the AUC Infrastructure and Energy Department solely for the purpose of delivering the above outputs, within the agreed time frame.

The African Union Commission as the Client shall provide necessary support to the Consultancy firm in order to execute the assignment during the duration of the consultancy

Commission Support

African Union Commission will endeavor to provide necessary existing study reports, data and information relevant to the assignment to ensure that the mission is successful; supervise, monitor and approve the processes adopted by the consultant firm and provide timely financial support for the smooth running of the project. However the Consultant is required to ensure that all data essential for the completion of the project is accessed. The literature reviewed should be reflected in the inception report.

Intellectual Property

All information pertaining to this project (documentary, audio, theme song, digital, cyber, project documents, etc) belonging to the client, which the Consultancy firm may come into contact with in the performance of his/her, duties under this consultancy shall remain the property of the Client who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever without written permission of the Client in line with the national and International Copyright Laws applicable.

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