Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Technical Assistance Facility (TAF)

INVITATION The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) is seeking to retain the services of a Consultant to provide the professional and consulting services related to the implementation of the Asia Pacific Trade and Investment Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) project. The project goal and objectives are to support priority trade and investment related capacity building and policy reforms that have a high potential to reduce poverty in developing countries in the Asia Pacific. The TAF is a demand-driven mechanism that will respond to local partners’ needs. Regional institutions and government and non-government actors, will be able to request TAF assistance through Canadian Embassy / High Commission staff in Asia Pacific who will be responsible for coordinating and transmitting mandate proposals to DFATD Headquarters for review and approval. Technical assistance will be delivered in several ways including through the deployment of experts, study tours, joint research, exchanges and conferences. The purpose of this notice is to invite formal costed proposals from eligible Consultants. On the basis of the formal proposals, one Consultant will be invited to negotiate a contract for the provision of services. DFATD reserves the right to refuse any or all proposals received. The amount allocated to this contract will not exceed eleven million six hundred twenty-seven thousand Canadian dollars (CAN$11,627,000) excluding applicable taxes. The anticipated contract duration is seven (7) years. WORKING LANGUAGE OF THE PROJECT Since the recipient countries request communications with DFATD in English, the working language for this project is English. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES The Consultant will be responsible for the identification and deployment of technical assistance to respond to requests from partner developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. This technical assistance will contribute to reducing poverty in Asia Pacific developing countries through support to the enabling environment for pro-poor trade and investment-related economic activities. During the period of the Contract, the Consultant will promote a participatory and proactive approach through consultation and coordination activities to ensure that all stakeholders actively participate in achieving the TAF’s expected results. As necessary or upon the DFATD’s request, the Consultant will provide information sessions on project-related themes open to all direct beneficiaries, with a view to facilitate reflection and preparation towards the development of mandate proposals for the TAF. The Consultant will also be responsible for broader analytical work in recipient countries, providing insights to DFATD on the country’s trade and investment environment, and identifying specific areas for attention from a poverty reduction and cross-cutting theme standpoint. In addition, the Consultant will be responsible for creating information and communication tools for the TAF along with templates and guidelines for mandate proposals and assessments. The Consultant and affiliated organizations will not be permitted to deliver mandates. BIDDERS CONFERENCE A bidders conference will be held on June 20, 2016. CONSULTANT PROFILE To meet the requirement of the assignment, DFATD is seeking to retain the services of a Consultant with a set of demonstrated and verifiable capabilities. DFATD is seeking a Consultant with experience in i) managing and implementing international development projects focusing on responsive programming; using results-based management tools and techniques risks, and taking corrective measures in implementing and managing projects; and integrating cross-cutting themes of gender equality, environment and governance and human rights. INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS Proposals should be presented following the instructions provided in the Request for Proposal document to be obtained through the GETS on the Internet (https://buyandsell.gc.ca/). Please note, DFATD does not send out RFPs directly to interested Consultants. In order to be considered, proposals must be completed and received no later than 14:00 hrs, Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDT), on closing date, at the following address: Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Distribution and Mail Services – AAG Lester B. Pearson Building 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0G2 Attention: Bid Receiving Unit - SGD PROPOSALS SUBMITTED VIA FACSIMILE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. INQUIRIES Questions relating to this notice must be directed IN WRITING to: Linda Ouellet Team Leader, Contracting Services Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Distribution and Mail Services – AAG Lester B. Pearson Building 125 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0G2 Fax: 819-953-6212 E-mail: Linda.Ouellet@international.gc.ca