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Introduction

Introduction

BACKGROUND

The Government of Sierra Leone, through its Ministry of Finance, has formally requested the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to provide preparation support through its Project Preparation Facility (PPF) for Enhancing Transport Efficiency and Fostering Sustainable, Inclusive Tourism in Sierra Leone project. The initiative seeks to transform Sierra Leone’s ferry transport system and tourism infrastructure, promoting sustainable and inclusive growth. UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism, has developed a concept note outlining interventions aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities and IsDB’s strategic focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, digital transformation, and inclusive economic empowerment. To ensure a robust, bankable, and implementation-ready investment project, UNDP with support from IsDB is seeking services of a firm to conduct feasibility study for the proposed project. The assignment will entail comprehensive preparatory studies including feasibility studies, assessments, and investment documentation for the project.  

SCOPE OF TENDER

The firm will undertake the following workstreams, ensuring integration of sustainability, resilience, and inclusion throughout: 

A. Technical and Engineering Feasibility 

  Site Assessments: Field assessments at Government Wharf, Tagrin Terminal, Aberdeen Helipad, Turtle Island, Bonthe Island, Banana Island including neighboring Guinea and Guinea Bissau which can be serviced during off peak periods. 

  Infrastructure Audits & Asset Mapping: Review existing assets, capacities, and deficits in ferry terminals, access roads, and logistics chains. 

  Design Development: Develop preliminary engineering designs for the ferry terminals, eco-tourism sites (e.g., canopy walkways, eco-lodges), ticketing kiosks, and craft markets. 

  Procurement Planning: Prepare detailed technical specifications and procurement plans for key assets: ferries, executive coaches, boats, digital ticketing systems, solar installations, and safety equipment.

  Climate Resilience Integration: Assess environmental vulnerabilities and design mitigation measures for climate adaptation and disaster resilience.

B. Institutional, Operational, and Governance Readiness

  Institutional Assessment: Evaluate capacities of transport and tourism ministries, ferry operators, and port authorities. 

  O&M Framework: Propose governance, ownership, and O&M models for ferry operations, eco-tourism assets, and digital systems (including PPP scenarios). 

  Organizational Structuring: Define staffing plans, job descriptions, and institutional workflows for new service delivery units, including a Fleet Management Delivery Unit. 

  Capacity Needs Assessment: Identify training needs and prepare a capacity development plan targeting public officials, operators, and community-based service providers.

C. Financial and Economic Feasibility

  Financial Model Development: Model life-cycle costs, revenue forecasts, operating margins, and return on investment. 

  Economic Appraisal: Conduct cost-benefit analysis, estimating Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR), Net Present Value (NPV), and other economic indicators. 

  Affordability and Pricing Strategy: Assess user affordability for ferry and tourism services and propose inclusive pricing models. 

  Scenario Analysis: Evaluate financial feasibility under low-, medium-, and high-growth demand scenarios. 

D. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) 

  Environmental Baseline Studies: Undertake field investigations to assess air, water, land, and biodiversity impacts. 

  Social Assessment: Analyze impacts on local communities, land use, livelihoods, and indigenous or vulnerable groups. Also, how Embedding gender-responsive design (e.g., secure terminals, inclusive ferry schedules) increases community trust, improves service uptake, and enhances project sustainability. 

  ESIA & EMP Preparation: Conduct full ESIA as per IsDB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including a detailed Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) with mitigation and monitoring measures.

  Gender and Inclusion Action Plan: Develop strategies to mainstream gender equality, support female employment, and engage youth and marginalized groups.

E. Legal and Regulatory Review

  Policy and Legal Diagnostics: Review existing legislation and policies affecting maritime transport, land rights, environmental protection, digital systems, and tourism. 

  Compliance Framework: Recommend regulatory changes or clarifications to support implementation and safeguard compliance with national and IsDB standards. 

F. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

  Stakeholder Mapping: Identify relevant national, sub-national, private, and community-level stakeholders. 

  Consultation Strategy: Conduct inclusive and participatory consultation processes, ensuring transparency and legitimacy of outcomes. 

  Public Communication Plan: Develop messaging and outreach tools to enhance community understanding and support.

 G. Project Structuring and Packaging 

  Integrated Project Document: Compile all studies, cost estimates, risk analysis, and justifications into a comprehensive and bankable project document.

  Results Framework & Logframe: Develop a Theory of Change, Results Matrix, and Monitoring & Evaluation Framework aligned with IsDB’s guidelines.  

  Implementation Plan: Include phasing, procurement strategy, governance structure, and risk mitigation measures.

  Knowledge Transfer: Facilitate workshops and training sessions for local partners to ensure sustainability and local ownership.

 

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UNDP SIERRA LEON

PROCUREMENT TEAM

Documents :

Negotiation Document(s) (Before Accessing other negotiations Document(s), please click on this link)