Develop and Implement (as a pilot) Digital Market linkage Platform (DMLP)

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Rural Connectivity to Support Food Security Program

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

COUNTRY: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

NAME OF PROJECT: Ethiopia Rural Connectivity to Support Food Security Program (P176303)

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: IDA-E3080

Assignment Title: to hire IT consulting firm to Develop and Implement (as a pilot) Digital Market linkage Platform (DMLP).

Reference No.: ET-ATI-487869-CS-QCBS

1. The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Rural Connectivity to Support Food Security Program, and the project implementer intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services to hire IT consulting firm to Develop and Implement (as a pilot) Digital Market linkage Platform (DMLP).

2. Objective of the Consultancy Service

The consulting services (“the Services”) include designing, developing, testing, and deploying a comprehensive digital platform that connects seller with buyers to transact agricultural commodities in bulk through web and mobile application.

The assignment has the following specific objectives:

• Develop a software requirement specification document to be used as a blueprint for the software to be developed.
• Design and Develop a user-friendly digital platform that connects producers with potential buyers.
• Ensure seamless integration of the platform with existing digital and financial systems, such as the NMIS and payment systems.
• Provide easy to use user interfaces for users and stakeholders from diverse educational background, including employees of Producers Cooperatives/Unions, Consumer Cooperatives/Unions, Agro-processors, institutional buyers and traders, public service providers like ECC, MoTRI, MOA …etc.
• Ensure successful project implementation through post-development support.

3. Scope of the Service

The development of a digital market linkage platform aims to improve market access challenges of producers including smallholder farmers by connecting them directly with potential buyers through the online platform. The platform will enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in agricultural trade. Key features of the platform include user registration, online transaction, product listings, real-time price updates, order management, secure payments, and logistics (e.g., transport, warehouse, etc.) integration. The platform will be built using modern web and mobile technologies, ensuring scalability and security.

The platform will digitally facilitate end-to-end transaction of selected agricultural commodities, connecting farmers with large-scale buyers. It will support product listings, item selection, and payment processing through various providers. The system will enable three transaction types: direct marketplace sales, auction and bidding, and contract-based transactions, offering a complete digital market experience.

4. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the address given below.

5. The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) 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.

6. The shortlisting criteria are:

• Core business and years in business
  • Type of business
  • Years in business
• Qualifications in the field of the assignment
  • General Experience
  • Experience in project of similar nature and complexity
• Technical and managerial organization of the firm
  • Managerial and Technical Organization Setup of the firm
• General qualifications and number of key Staff.
  • Number of key experts of the firm (not proposed key staffs for the project)
  • Staff composition and qualification

7. 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 2017, July 2018, November 2020 and September 2023) (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

8. 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.

9. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS)  method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

10. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM hours in the morning and 1:30 to 05:30 PM hours in the afternoon.

11. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or by e-mail not later than June 30, 2025, at 11:30 AM.

Address: Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), Procurement Team

Bole, Off Meskel flower road, adjacent to school of commerce students’ association

P.O.Box 708, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 115 570 678 or +251 948061803

E-mail: desalegn.geremew@ati.gov.et or gezahegn.atnafu@ati.gov.et   negash.bonke@ati.gov.et

Website: https://ati.gov.et/