REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

 

Republic of Moldova

Moldova Higher Education Project

Credit No. 6542-MD

Reference No.: MD-MOED-510127-CS-CQS

Assignment Title: Feasibility, Technical Design & Procurement Readiness for the Agricultural Innovation Center of the Technical University of Moldova (TUM).

 

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Moldova Higher Education Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds to contract a consulting company to to prepare the Technical Feasibility Study and the Business Plan for the establishment and operationalization of the Agrotek Innovation Center at TUM. The assignment covers a pre-market study, feasibility validation, concept development, detailed technical design (including building and space planning), and business/financial modelling, all in line with World Bank standards and acceptable to other IFIs. This consultancy is expected to last 8 months starting in March 2026.

 

For more information, please see the Terms of References.

 

The MoER now invites eligible Consulting Company (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

 

The shortlisting criteria are:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in providing consultancy services related to feasibility studies, technical design, business planning, or strategic development of large-scale innovation-oriented infrastructure projects.
• The firm shall demonstrate practical experience in EU Member States, preferably through assignments involving fully operational science, technology, or innovation parks.
• Demonstrated experience working under World Bank Procurement Regulations, Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), or equivalent IFI standards will be considered a advantage.
• Proven experience in at least three (3) completed assignments during the last 7 years involving the preparation of feasibility studies and/or business plans for Science & Technology Parks, Innovation Parks, Industrial Parks, Large-scale innovation or research infrastructure projects. Experience. Assignments in AgriTech / AgTech will be an advantage.
• Experience applying the Triple Helix model (Academia–Industry–Government) in project design, governance, or operational frameworks Experience in projects developed in partnership with universities or higher education institutions will be an advantage.
• The firm must demonstrate the organizational and technical capacity to mobilize multidisciplinary teams, combining international and local expertise.

 

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

 

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and eligibility.

 

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

 

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09 00 to 17 00 hours.

 

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by January 30, 2026, 16:00 o’clock, Moldova local time.

 

Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, MHEP

Attn: Sergiu Harea, project coordinator

Stefan cel Mare 180, 13th floor, room no. 1307,

mun. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-2004

Tel/fax: 022 23-25-02

E-mail: mhep@mec.gov.md copy to cezar.captaciuc@gmail.com