Procurement for the Development of a Marketing Strategy and Publicity of Procurement information System (PROMIS)

COMMON MARKET FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EoI)

(SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY SERVICES)

Procurement for the Development of a Marketing Strategy and Publicity of Procurement information System (PROMIS)

Background: COMESA region has become greatly integrated and the economies and trade among the member States is increasingly liberalized. Accordingly, the need to ensure open and fair trade practices among the member States have also becomes greater. In order to enhance economic growth and trade integration among its member States, one of COMESA’s key strategy is to modernize and harmonize public procurement systems. Accordingly, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) is implementing a Public Procurement Reform Project among all its member States. The EPRCP project seeks to create and strengthen institutional and human capacities and skills to manage the modernized, harmonized procurement laws, rules and regulations across the COMESA region.

The specific objective of the EPRCP is to enhance the public procurement systems of COMESA member States by modernizing and harmonizing their laws, practices, procedures, regulations and also strengthen the countries’ capacities to manage modern public procurement systems. It is expected that the reformed and harmonised laws will contribute to fostering good governance in public expenditure systems, promote competition, transparency and ensure economic prices for goods, works of construction and services. Further the increased use of the Procurement Information System (PROMIS) for the publication of public markets will enhance market accessibility for business in the region, increase revenue growth and significantly contribute to economic growth.

Scope of consultancy services: The PROMIS is a web based portal which provides affordable public forum for the publication of tenders meant for the interest of regional and international competitors. The use of PROMIS by various entities among the member States will further extend transparency in public markets, increase markets access for the private sector and greatly contribute to the integration and intra-regional trade. Publicity is expected to be conducted in a minimum of 15 member States.

Required Competence: COMESA is seeking to recruit a firm specialised in marketing and publicity to assist in the dissemination of PROMIS in the region. The appropriate firm is expected to develop an appropriate marketing strategy for the dissemination of

information about PROMIS in order to enhance its utilisation by regional stakeholders as well as the cooperating partners.
COMESA now invites eligible firms to express their interest in providing the above mentioned services. Interested firms must provide their detailed particulars including country of origin and all the necessary information prove expertise and experience in undertaking similar work and professional capability to provide the services. Expressions of Interest (EoI) must be submitted in writing to the address below, on or before 20th July 2011 at 1730hrs (CAT). Electronic submission of EoI is acceptable but receipt acknowledged by return mail.

The selection of the firms will be conducted in accordance with AfDB’s Rules of Procedure for the Use of Consultants. The detailed terms of reference (ToRs) will be issued to the successful candidate.

Further inquiries and contact can be directed to the following address;

The Manager

Enhancing Procurement Reforms and Capacity Project (EPRCP)
COMESA Secretariat
COMESA Centre, Ben Bella Road
P O Box 30051, Lusaka, ZAMBIA
Telephone (+260) 211 22 9726/30;
Fax (260) 0211 225 107 e- mail: eprcp@comesa.int