Package No. CS-03: Capacity Development and Support for Agribusiness and Livelihoods (Barind & Drought prone areas)

Published by Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). Procuring Entity: Project Director, Climate and Disaster Resilient Small-Scale Water Resources Management Project. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, has been allocated public fund from the the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and has received financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), and the Government of The Netherlands (GoN) toward the cost of Climate and Disaster Resilient Small-Scale Water Resources Management Project (CDRSSWRMP). A portion of the GoB and GoN fund is intended to be used for payments under the contract for Capacity Development and Support for Agribusiness and Livelihoods (Barind & Drought-prone areas) for which this Request for Expression of interest (REOI) is being issued. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen flood and drought risk management, modernize irrigation, and enhance climate resilience across 42 districts covering over 220,000 hectares. It will establish 150 new water management cooperative associations, support 230 existing ones, and reconstruct the Bakkhali rubber dam, while improving agribusiness and livelihoods for 380,000 households, including women, vulnerable groups, and small ethnic communities. The initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity and inclusive participation in disaster-prone areas that house most of the country's rural poor. The Project adopts an integrated approach that combines infrastructure improvement with enhanced community participation, improved agricultural production systems, and market oriented livelihood development to maximize socio-economic benefits from improved water management. The main scope of the assignment for the Consultant (package no. CS-03) is to enhance Water Management Cooperative Association (WMCA) members' incomes through sustainable, market-oriented agribusiness development. The Consultant will guide WMCAs in identifying, planning, and implementing viable agribusiness ventures across 16 districts in the Barind & drought-prone areas (Northwest part of Bangladesh). The scope includes: (i) screening and preparing at least 45 business plans for agriculture fisheries and women's development; (ii) supporting and monitoring implementation of at least 35 business plans (including cost-share verification, procurement, and asset handover); (iii) carry out capacity development and training of WMCA sub-committee and members; (iv) providing post implementation mentoring and monitoring; and (v) forged linkage between WMCA and other engaged in food value chain. The team will be led by a Business Development Specialist, supported by key experts in agriculture, fisheries, and women's development. The consulting services will be for a duration of 30 calendar months Procurement Method: Quality and Cost Based Selection(QCBS). Budget and Source of Funds: Development Budget Grant/Credit. Experience and Resources Required: The consulting Firm/NGO(s) should be nationally reputed and may associate with other Firms/NGOs to enhance their qualifications. No Firm/NGO should form more than one association or joint venture (JV). If a Firm/NGO submits more than one EOI forming more than one JV/association, all EOIs submitted by forming JV/association with that Firm/NGO and also EOI submitted by that firm will be rejected. The Consultant will be selected under Quality and Cost Based selection (QCBS 80:20) method in accordance with the procedures set out in the ADB Procurement Policy 2017 ("Policy") and the Procurement Directive for ADB Borrowers 2026. : https://www.adb.org/documents/adb-procurement-policy https://www.adb.org/documents/procurement-directive-adb borrowers 'Short-listing' of the Consulting Firms/NGOs submitting Expression of Interest (EOI) will be done by Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) based on the complete information submitted in the Standard EOI form by the intending Consulting Firms/NGOs through the CMS system as mentioned in sl. 8. Intending Consulting Firms/NGOs shall have, but not limited to the following competences a) Management competence: Firm's/NGO's management and organizational strength, financial strength, number and capabilities of permanent employees and key staff, etc. b) Technical Competence of the Firm/NGO: i.Specialization in agribusiness development, value chain strengthening, and rural livelihood promotion; ii.Experience in developing business plans, facilitating market linkages, promoting agricultural mechanisation, and capacity building for WMCAs or similar community institutions; iii. Experience in projects funded by MDBs (ADB, IFAD, World Bank, etc.