Consulting Opportunities: Critical Information
Competing for consulting contracts at the Asian Development Bank can be challenging for firms unfamiliar with multilateral development bank procedures. However, with some preparation the efforts can be rewarding. The following information will help guide you through the process of applying for and winning consulting opportunities with the ADB.
Types of Consulting Opportunities
Consultants recruited by the Asian Development Bank and its borrowing member countries can be classified as:
Firms: Selection is based on qualifications, experience, competence, and support facilities.
Individual Consultants: Selection is based on qualifications and experience of the individual, without consideration of the capability of the organization with which they are associated. Staff
Consultants: Selection is similar to the selection of individual consultants. Generally, the Bank officer who will use the consultant's services makes the selection.
Registration
The ADB consultants registration system has been revised into a new and integrated system called Consultant Management System (CMS) for both consulting firms and individuals.
The system is the repository of consultants’ records. Firms and individuals registered in the old DACON and DICON systems need not re-register, as existing profiles have been transferred to the new CMS. However, firms and individuals should review their records to ensure completeness and accuracy. Files should also be updated at least once a year, or as necessary. Inactive profiles for more than one calendar year will be de-activated.
The new CMS system is easier to use, provides options for simplified or full registration, and allows updates in real time.
Click here for more information.
Good Project Information
ADB consulting opportunities flow from ADB's new, as well as on-going technical assistance and loan projects. To identify these opportunities, interested firms can review the Bank's official publication entitled "ADB Business Opportunities (ADBBO)" which is posted online at http://www.adb.org/Business/Opportunities/new.asp and which is also available in hard copy. The ADBBO online version is updated at the beginning of every week, or more frequently. ADBBO contains proposed projects, list of shortlisted firms, and contract awards.
Another good source of business opportunities is the CS ADB's monthly reports entitled "CS ADB International Market Insights" and "CS ADB Foreign Government Tender" (see CS ADB International Market Insights and Foreign Government Tender). These reports are based on the ADBBO website, and are reformatted to give U.S. clients a short summary of the new projects and procurement notices from the ADB.
CS ADB's regular reports entitled CS ADB Market Briefs provide a three-year projection of planned projects, beginning with the current year, as well as active on-going projects in various stages of maturity. Market Briefs are organized by Country and, separately, by Industry Sectors. These two sets of reports help consultants and firms identify projects and consulting opportunities very early in the project cycle, and place them within the context of approved, on-going ADB-funded activity.
Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
To be considered for a technical assistance grant contract, interested firms (or individual consultants) should submit a persuasive Expression of Interest (EOI) and meet with relevant bank staff to market their expertise well before the "long list" is compiled. An EOI provides an opportunity for firms/organizations to communicate their interest in a project and to be included in the long list of consultants eligible for the selection process. The long list of eligible firms is used to prepare the final shortlist of firms that will be invited to submit a proposal for consulting services in a particular ADB-funded project (Loan or Technical Assistance project).
For Technical Assistance (TA) projects, submit the EOI electronically on the ADB website, with a copy to*:
The Director, Central Operations Services Office
Asian Development Bank
P.O. Box 789
0980 Manila, Philippines
*The firm/organization must be registered in the ADB-DACON when submitting EOI's for TA projects, otherwise, the EOI will not be accepted.
For Loan Projects, submit the EOI exclusively to**:
The Executing Agency of the borrowing country
Address: As shown in the ADB Business Opportunities publication
**ADB-DACON registration is not necessary for EOI's for Loan projects, since the Executing Agnecy of the borrowing country will receive the EOIs directly, shorlist and select the consulting firm.
Preparing Winning Proposals
Attention to detail is essential in preparing a winning proposal. All resumes and cooperative agreements between firms must be signed, all pages should be numbered and the proposal must be received on time. Conditional proposals are not accepted.
For full and detailed guidance to consultants, see ADB's publication "Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by the ADB and its Borrowers" at http://www.adb.org/Documents/Guidelines/Consulting/default.asp
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