INVITATION FOR ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS FIRMS

REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

1. Background: Cooperazione Internazionale- COOPI is implementing the project "Axum: Conservation, Accessibility and Sustainable Development" in Axum town, Tigray Region. The project aims to the conservation and sustainable valorization of the archaeological site of Axum and to the improvement of services connected with the site, while strengthening accessibility, institutional coordination and sustainable tourism development. Technical and regulatory coordination will be maintained with the Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA), the competent Tigray regional culture and tourism authority, Axum municipal and site-management structures, AICS and other institutions formally involved in the project. COOPI remains the Contracting Authority and retains responsibility for procurement, contractual decisions, budget management and overall project management. To support the technical preparation and implementation of the works, COOPI intends to hire a consultancy firm of architects and engineers.
2. Project Title: "Axum: Conservation, Accessibility and Sustainable Development" in Axum town of Tigray Region.
3. Tender Publication Reference
   • Publication Reference: PTN - 042/2026
   • Specific Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
4. Contracting Authority

   Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI) is an international NGO based in Milan, Italy. COOPI Ethiopia Mission has been officially registered in Ethiopia since 1965 under Certificate Number 0981. It has also completed triennial registration under the "Authority for Civil Society Organization" (ACSO) Proclamation No. 1113/2019. COOPI Ethiopia Mission has been actively engaged in various regions of the country, primarily in the sectors of Water , Sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Livelihood, and rural resource development, implementing donor-funded projects in Somali, Afar, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, Amhara, and Tigray Regional States.

5. Eligibility Criteria:
   • Commercial Registration: Must hold a valid Commercial Registration Certificate issued by the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration.
   • Sector Business License: A renewed business license for Consultancy Services in Architecture and Engineering for the year 2026.
   • Consultancy Competency Certificate: Must hold a Category I / General Architectural & Engineering Consultancy Certificate of Competence issued by the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure (MUI) or the Ethiopian Construction Authority.
   • Valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Value Added Tax (VAT) Registration Certificate.
   • Up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate from the Ministry of Revenues.
   • Joint Venture (JV) Rules : If participating as a joint venture (local or international), a legally binding, notarized JV agreement specifying the lead firm, task breakdown, and joint liability is required.
   • General Firm Experience: A minimum of 15 years of active practice in architectural, conservation, and engineering consultancy.
   • Heritage Conservation Experience: A minimum of 10 years of demonstrable track record of successfully completing conservation, structural stabilization, or architectural restoration projects on historic masonry or heritage structures.
   • Universal Accessibility & Infrastructure: Experience in designing inclusive spatial plans, barrier-free access (ramps, pathways, signages), and site access systems in sensitive natural or historic settings.
   • Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Planning: Capacity to perform heritage site landscape planning, sustainable infrastructure design, and environmental management.
   • Verification: Proof of completed projects through client-signed completion certificates or reference letters.
   • The consultancy firm must mobilize a specialized, multidisciplinary team certified by recognized national bodies (Ethiopian Construction Authority or Ethiopian Institute of Architects) as specified in the ToR.
6. How to collect the Tender Document
   • The tender document is available from the Contracting Authority by ONLY contacting the following Email addresses: log.ethiopia@coopi.org and logistic.eth@coopi.org
   • Tender proposals can be submitted from 25 October 2026 to 13 November 2026 from Monday to Friday 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM via the above mentioned email address.
7. Deadline for Submission of the Technical and Financial Proposals.
   • The deadline for the submission of the proposals is on 13 November 2026 at 12:00 PM (Noon).
   • Pproposals opening date is on 13 November 2026 at 2:00 PM (Afternoon).
   • Any tender proposals received after this deadline will not be considered and will be rejected.
8. Bid document submission procedure
   • Technical and financial proposals must be submitted in separate envelopes.
   • Bid Security /Bid Bond must be submitted in a separate envelope
9. Location for bid document submission and opening.
   • The bid submission and opening place is at COOPI's Coordination Office located at Addis Ababa, Bole Sub city, Woreda 06, House No-088 around Megenagna behind Mama's Kitchen Restaurant.
   • Interested Bidders are invited for the Technical Proposals Opening Session.
10. COOPI reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to modify, suspend, or cancel this tender process, or to reject any or all submissions, in whole or in part, at any time prior to contract award without incurring any liability or obligation to any bidder.