Government of Lesotho
ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION SUPPORT PROJECT
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EOI)
(CONSULTING FIRM)
BUSINESS INCUBATION AND ACCELERATION SERVICES
Financing Agreement Reference : 2100150036596
Sector : Enterprise Development
Project ID No.: P-LS-KF0-002
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho has received financing from the African Development Fund towards implementation of the Economic Diversification Support Project and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for Business Incubation and Acceleration Services for the government of Lesotho.
The aim of the project is to improve BEDCO’s operational efficiencies and its effectiveness in delivering services to MSMEs through the improvement of its business processes and the use of technology. The objectives of the project are 1) Provide Incubation services to 50 identified MSMEs, 2) To assist BEDCO to develop a business acceleration programme and provide acceleration services to 50 identified MSMEs and, 3) To assist BEDCO in the establishment of a textile and technology incubation facility.
The overall objective of the assignment is to engage the consultancy firm to assist BEDCO to enhance its Business Incubation and Acceleration Services to 50 identified MSMEs. The scope of the consultancy services include: a) Develop an inception report detailing how the scope of work is going to be carried out; b)Provide incubation services to the 50 identified MSMEs; c) Develop and implement a business acceleration program for 50 identified MSMEs; d) Establish and provide requisite equipment for a textile incubation facility; e) Carry out a diagnosis of the type of technology incubation facilities required in Lesotho in line with the NSDP II priority sectors; f) Establish and provide requisite equipment for the technology incubation facility in line with identified requirements; g)Transfer skills to BEDCO staff.
The estimated duration of this assignment is nine (9) months from the date of signing the contract.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry now invites eligible consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing these services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc …). Interested consultancy firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.
Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the Procurement Policy and Methodology for Bank Group Funded Operations, dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org using the Selection Based on the Consultants’ Qualifications procurement method.
Interested consultancy firms may obtain further information and the Terms of Reference for the assignment at the address provided below during the office hours of 08.00 hours to 16.30 hours.
Expressions of Interests must be delivered to the address below by 27th April 2021 at 16:30, and electronic submissions should mention as the subject message “Business Incubation and Acceleration Services” and should be sent to the address below.
The Project Manager
Economic Diversification Support Project
1st Floor, Matanki House
Corner Kingsway and Balfour Road
P.O. Box 747, Maseru 100, Lesotho
Email : mpotsane@psc.org.ls with a copy to mnketsi@psc.org.ls
Tel.: (+266) 22 315 100