1. The Government of Nepal ("Government" or "GoN") has applied for grant funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation ("MCC"), called a Compact, and intends to apply parts of the proceeds of the funds to payments for contracts for goods, works and services. MCC is a U.S. government agency focused on assisting countries dedicated to good governance, economic freedom, and investments in people. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Compact, related agreements, and the availability of funds, the Government intends to use a portion of the funds to finance professional consulting services to assist the GoN with the implementation of the Compact program in a transparent and sound manner. The Compact includes investment from MCC of approximately US$500 million and an additional US$130 million from the Government, for a total of approximately US$630 million. It includes two projects: (i) construction of about 300 kilometers of 400kV electricity transmission lines, three substations, and technical assistance for the power sector; and (ii) technical assistance to improve the road maintenance regime and road maintenance works on about 300 kilometers of the strategic road network. The program would include the procurement of contractors and consultants for design, construction and supervision of electricity lines and substations, road maintenance works, including a variety of technical services, equipment and construction works in different geographic locations within Nepal. These contracts will be competed through open international procurement procedures. 2. In issuing this Request for Qualification (RCQ), the GoN is represented by the Office of the Millennium Challenge Nepal ("OMCN"). Prior to the establishment of MCA-Nepal, any references to actions taken or rights received by MCA-Nepal in this RCQ shall be taken or received by OMCN on behalf of the Government, and any references herein to MCA-Nepal shall be deemed to mean OMCN during this period. 3. OMCN now invites qualified and experienced legally constituted Communication & Public Relations firms to submit Qualifications Documents for the Consultant Services: OMCN Communications & Public Relations Consultant. More details on these consultant services are provided in Annex 1 (Terms of Reference) of RCQ documents. This RCQ is open to all eligible firms who wish to respond. Firms may associate with other firms to enhance their capacity to successfully carry out the assignment. 4. A Communications & Public Relations Consultant ("Communications Firm") will be selected under the Consultant's Qualification Selection (CQS) method in accordance with the procedures set out in the MCC Program Procurement Guidelines which are provided on the MCC website (https://www.mcc.gov/resources/doc/program-procurement-guidelines). The selection process, as described, will include a review and verification of qualifications and past performance, including a reference check, prior to the contract award. 5. The selection comprises two stages; first, OMCN will select the firm with the most appropriate qualifications, reference and experience using the criteria provided in the TOR. At the second stage, the selected top ranked firm will be required to submit a combined technical and financial proposal. Said firm shall then be invited to negotiate the contract. The contract award is subject to successful contract negotiations. 6. Consultants interested in receiving the full RCQ and submitting Qualifications should register their interest by sending an e-mail (with subject: Request for Communications & Public Relations Consultant RCQ) to the Procurement Agent on
[email protected], giving full contact details of the Consultant. This will also ensure that the Consultants receive updates regarding this RCQ. 7. Any clarification on this RCQ including the TOR should be sent via e-mail to
[email protected], no later than 5.00pm Nepal Time (GMT+5.45) of May 10, 2018. OMCN will provide responses to all clarification requests by 5.00pm Nepal Time (GMT+5.45) of May 14, 2018. 8. OMCN reserves the right to reject any or all applications or offers, waive any defect or informality therein, and accept the offer which it deems most advantageous to the institution. 9. Qualifications shall be submitted to the address below no later than 4:00 pm Nepal Time (GMT+5.45) of May 18, 2018. Qualifications submitted by email are acceptable, and should be submitted to: Office of the Millennium Challenge Nepal (OMCN) ICC Complex, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal. Attention: Procurement Agent Email:
[email protected] Subject: OMCN Communications & Public Relations Consultant Yours sincerely, Tulasi Sitaula OMCN National Coordinator For Specific Procurement Notice, please visit: https://mcc.dgmarket.com/tender/21333510 DISCLAIMER: THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. FOR UPDATES ON THIS SOLICITATION, PLEASE FOLLOW THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE LINK PROVIDED. THIS PROCUREMENT IS NOT CONDUCTED UNDER THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS, IS NOT ADMINISTERED BY THE US GOVERNMENT, AND THE RESULTING AWARD WILL BE MADE BY THE COUNTRY INDICATED IN THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROCUREMENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE PERSON NAMED IN THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT.