REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOLL POLICY.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(REOI) FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOLL POLICY.

Date: January 14, 2025

RFP No.: NRF/PROJ/SBA/QCBS/001/2024

Assignment Title:  Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) for developing Toll Policy.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROCURING ENTITY:

The National Road Fund (NRF) of Liberia was established by an Act of the National Legislature in 2016, published on January 26, 2017. Its mandate is to finance road and bridge maintenance, as well as associated planning, programming, and management activities. The NRF also governs the approval of the Annual Road Maintenance Expenditure Program, in collaboration with agencies authorized to undertake road and bridge works in Liberia.

The primary source of revenue generation for the NRF is fuel levy collection on petroleum products imported. To enhance transparency, and accountability and to strengthen its control environment, the National Road Fund invites tenders from reputable consultants/Firms for the development of Toll Policy Consultancy Service.

The Road Network in Liberia is greatly underdeveloped therefore, a high-standard national road network remains our priority to help promote economic development regional integration, and social cohesion.

The NRF operates an administrative structure that manages the disbursement of funds for these purposes.:

  • To ensure that road assets are sustained and sufficient funds for periodic and routine maintenance are allocated for this purpose.
  • To ensure that each of the categories of national, sub-national, and feeder roads have a sufficient share of the total budget so that these roads can operate as an integrated network.
  • To defray the costs of loans approved by the Government to extend the length of maintainable roads.
  • To ensure that the needs of the road users and those impacted by roads are considered in terms of safety, security, and environment.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this assignment is to develop a toll policy for the Republic of Liberia. To achieve this objective, the NRF is therefore seeking the Services of a qualified Consultant or a team of Individual consultants to provide Consultancy services for the Development of a Toll Policy to support the Transportation sector of Liberia.

SCOPE OF SERVICES       

The Government of Liberia (GOL) acknowledges the findings of the Road User Charge Study (RUCS) of 2020 and has prioritized the implementation of toll roads as a practical and viable alternative for addressing the infrastructure financing gap. By leveraging the recommendations of the RUCS and insights from stakeholder consultations, Liberia is advancing its commitment to sustainable road maintenance and development.

The GOL recognizes the standard stages of policy formulation, which include:

  1. Identification of the Issue: The growing fiscal gap between available funding for infrastructure and the escalating demand for road maintenance has been identified.
  2. Placement on the Agenda: Through high-level consultations and RUCS findings, the need for innovative road user charges has been effectively placed on Liberia’s policy agenda.
  3. Policy Formulation: Liberia is currently at this stage, focusing on the development of a comprehensive toll policy.
  4. Policy Implementation: Establishing frameworks and processes to operationalize the toll policy.
  5. Policy Evaluation: Monitoring and assessing the policy’s impact to ensure alignment with its objectives.

To facilitate this process, the GOL, through the National Road Fund Office (NRFO), seeks the services of a consultant firm or team of individual consultants. The consultants will:

  1. Utilize existing data, studies, and stakeholder inputs to inform the toll policy.
  2. Examine legal frameworks and regional insights on toll operations, policies, and governance structures.
  3. Develop a robust National Toll Policy (NTP) aligned with Liberia’s infrastructure goals.

The consultants will follow established best practices for policy formulation, including:

  • Information gathering.
  • Drafting of the policy.
  • Stakeholder consultations.
  • Finalization of the policy.
  • Securing policy approval.

Objective and Activities

Objective

The overarching objective of the National Toll Policy Development Project is to research, develop, promote, validate, and facilitate the adoption of a comprehensive National Toll Policy (NTP) for Liberia. This policy will provide a sustainable framework for financing road infrastructure maintenance and expansion while fostering transparency, efficiency, and public trust.

This policy will also contribute to Liberia’s broader development goals, including fostering economic growth, improving connectivity, and strengthening regional integration.

Activity 1: Research and Literature Review

  • Conduct a detailed review of existing literature, legal frameworks, studies, and regional toll policies.
  • Analyze toll governance systems, financial models, reporting mechanisms, and evaluation processes in similar contexts.
  • Undertake national stakeholder consultations and key informant interviews.
  • Validate Willingness to Pay (WTP) data and evaluate governance and technological options for tolling.
  • Perform a cost-benefit analysis of proposed tolling options.

Activity 2: Drafting the National Toll Policy

  • Develop the draft National Toll Policy based on findings from the research and consultations.
  • Ensure that the draft policy adheres to public policy development standards, including legal compliance, financial viability, and social equity.

Activity 3: Stakeholder Validation Workshops

  • Organize at least three (3) multi-tiered validation workshops for stakeholders to provide feedback:
  • Road User Groups: Gather perspectives from direct beneficiaries and affected parties.
  • Policy Makers and Steering Committees: Engage senior executives, the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC), and other key decision-makers.
  • Legislature: Involve representatives and senators to ensure legislative buy-in.
  • Incorporate stakeholder feedback into the draft policy to the extent possible.

Activity 4: Public Awareness Campaign

  • Launch a nationwide awareness campaign through various media channels (radio, newspapers, interviews, and social media) to promote the toll policy.
  • Highlight the benefits of tolling, including improved road quality, safety, and economic connectivity.
  • Provide technical support to the NRFO and the IMSC in advocating for cabinet-level adoption of the policy.

Expected Outcomes

The activities outlined above are designed to achieve the following outcomes:

  1. A well-researched, socially accepted, and economically viable National Toll Policy (NTP).
  2. Enhanced stakeholder engagement and buy-in at all levels.
  3. Increased public awareness and trust in tolling as a sustainable financing mechanism.
  4. A clear roadmap for policy implementation and ongoing evaluation.

Key Personnel, Expertise, Responsibilities, and Level of Efforts

To ensure the successful development of the National Toll Policy (NTP), the consultant is required to assemble a multidisciplinary team with the following key personnel:

Team Leader/Transport Engineer/Transport Economist

Expertise/Experience:

  • Minimum MSc in Transport Engineering, Transport Economics, Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Financing, or related disciplines.
  • At least 10 years of experience in infrastructure development, project financing, project management, and policy formulation.
  • Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams in similar projects.

Responsibilities:

  • Conducting comprehensive research on best practices and relevant
    case studies.
  • Engaging with key stakeholders (NRFO, MPW, MoT, MoJ, MoC, and
    IMSC) to gather input and ensure alignment.
  • Developing a comprehensive National Toll Policy document for the
    Republic of Liberia.

Public Policy Specialist

Expertise/Experience:

  • Minimum MSc in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, or related studies.
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in public policy formulation and analysis, with demonstrated expertise in infrastructure policy.
  • Strong analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct a detailed analysis of policy options based on data collection and stakeholder feedback.
  • Lead the drafting of the toll policy in full collaboration with the project team.
  • Evaluate and recommend governance frameworks in consultation with the Team Leader and Legal Expert.
  • Serve as the lead advisor on public policy matters for the project.

Legal Expert

Expertise/Experience:

  • Minimum LLB in Law, with admission to the Liberian Bar Association.
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience in legal practice, legal research, and knowledge of local jurisprudence related to infrastructure and public policy.
  • Familiarity with regional and international legal frameworks for toll operations.

Responsibilities:

  • Conduct comprehensive legal research on toll operations and relevant regional policies in West Africa and beyond.
  • Analyze the current legal framework to identify implications and recommend necessary amendments to accommodate the toll policy.
  • Ensure the draft policy is legally sound and does not conflict with pre-existing legal instruments.
  • Provide legal advice and guidance on all project-related matters.

Public Relations Officer

Expertise/Experience:

  • Minimum BA in Mass Communication, Sociology, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of experience in public relations, communications, media campaigns, or community engagement.
  • Proven ability to design and execute public awareness campaigns.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and implement a communication strategy to disseminate information and key messaging about the National Toll Policy.
  • Organize and facilitate stakeholder and validation workshops.
  • Serve as rapporteur for engagement forums, documenting inputs from stakeholders, policymakers, and legislators.
  • Coordinate all project logistics, including meetings, public engagements, and workshop materials.
  1. Key Personnel:
    1. Evidence of qualified personnel (Key Personnel, Expertise, Responsibilities, and Level of Efforts).
    2. Detailed resumes of personnel, demonstrating their qualifications and experience.
    3. Signed statements of availability.
    4. Relevant academic credentials and professional certifications must be attached.

Selection Criteria

The consultant will be selected under the Quality Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method specified in Liberia’s Procurement Regulations. The process involves the following steps:

  1. Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI):
    1. Firms must submit the EOI in the standard form along with supporting documents as outlined in the table
  1. Evaluation of Submissions:
    1. The firm achieving the highest score during the evaluation will be issued the Request for Proposal bidding document.
    2. EOIs will be evaluated based on the criteria outlined

Evaluation Criteria and Scores

Evaluation CriteriaCompositionScore
Qualification Requirements
Past projectsAt least 3 projects of similar scope completed within the last 5 years.20 pts
Qualification documentsValid business registration, tax clearance, Power of Attorney, PPCC Vendor Certificate and Article of Incorporation15 pts
Technical Requirements
Mobilization planDemonstrates ability to mobilize resources effectively.10 pts
Implementation and management strategyComprehensive strategy and project management approach.20 pts
Works scheduleCritical Path Method with clear timelines and activity interrelations.15 pts
Key personnelQualifications and experience of personnel aligned with TOR.20 pts
Total Points100 pts

Duty Station:

  • The consultant/firm shall be stationed within Montserrado County, Liberia

Reporting and Time Schedules

Prepare and present regular progress reports to the Chief Program Officer through the Senior Resource Mobilization Director.

Submit a comprehensive final report detailing findings, recommendations, and the Toll Policy Report. Work must be completed within four (4) months in the following order:

  • Month 1: Desk Review, Stakeholder Consultations, and Inception Report
  • Month 2: Draft Policy Development and Progress Report
  • Month 3: Validation Workshops and Stakeholder Review
  • Month 4: Final Policy Submission and Approval

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Interested firms must submit the following;

  •  Letter of Expression of Interest signed and stamped by authorized        personnel
  • A brief Company Profile Signed & Stamped

All eligible bidders may obtain further information from the Procurement Unit Monday to Friday during office hours from Thursday, January 14, 2025, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm business days.

All interested Consultants/Firms must submit their Expression of Interest no later than Friday, January 31, 2025, at 10:00 am.All Expression of Interest comprising 1 original and 2 photocopies, each must be sealed and delivered to the Procurement Unit.

No electronic copy will be accepted and all late submissions for Expression of Interest will be rejected and returned unopened.

Approved

Emmett P. Coker

Director

Media Relations

Procurement Unit

National Road Fund of Liberia

Between 9th & 10th Streets, Payne Avenue, Building #134

Email address: vjohnson@nrf.gov.lr

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