Procurement notice

Assignment Description: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the "EBRD" or the "Bank") intends to engage a consultant to undertake a Glass Recycling Study in Russia.

Background: While the production and consumption of glass bottles has grown in Russia, there has been no organised effort to establish a glass collection and recycling programme in the country. Thus, a study that would aid in the creation of a glass recycling system in Russia would have significant benefits for the country's transition. Glass recycling is beneficial as it results in greater energy efficiency by reducing the amount of electricity and fuel consumed in the production process, as well as reducing the amount of raw materials required for production.

Objective: The overall aim is to assist industry in developing and implementing a glass recycling scheme in Russia. The main objective of this assignment is to develop a road map for the establishment of a glass collection and recycling system in the Russian Federation to reduce waste and increase the energy efficiency of glass packaging production; as well as to outline the steps required to establish such a system. This will include an assessment of the existing institutional capacity and the need for the establishment of an adequate infrastructure. The selected consultant will work with industry representatives and ultimately relevant government agencies with the capability to implement such a system.

It is anticipated that the assignment will consist of three phases:

Phase 1: Market and Policy Review

The selected consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
- Identify main producers of container glass in Russia;
- Establish contact with relevant industry federations/associations and government agencies relevant to environmental issues;
- Gather quantitative/qualitative glass industry data to establish demand for establishing glass recycling programme, amount of glass available for recycling as well as economic viability for establishing such a programme;
- Explore logistical and commercial issues involved in creating glass collection network, inc. initiation of glass collection centres in major cities;
- Analyse if there is a specific impact on the environment from the collection of the glass itself. The consultant shall analyse the best practices to minimize energy consumption (and costs) and potential impacts of the recycling system itself;
- Identify national, regional and local policies, laws, regulations and other issues that could have an impact on creating recycling programme, as well as means of addressing such issues.

The Bank reserves the right to terminate the assignment after Phase 1; the Consultant will proceed with Phases 2 and 3 will only upon receipt of specific instruction from EBRD.

Phase 2: Development of Recommendations for Implementing Glass Collection and Recycling Programme

The consultant shall undertake the following tasks:
- Provide suggestions on best way of implementing programme, i.e. at federal/local (oblast) level;
- Provide summary of how such glass recycling programmes function in other countries that are similar in size and population density;
- Provide recommendations for any legal and commercial steps needed to initiate and sustain a glass recycling programme;
- Set reasonable targets for the % of recycled glass that can be used by the industry for production.

Phase 3: Stakeholder Engagement and Workshops

The consultant shall develop a report to be issued to the Bank and stakeholders as well as arrange and carry out workshop with representatives of the industry.

Assignment Duration: It is anticipated that the assignment will start in October 2008 with a duration of approximately 12 weeks (Phase 1 only). It is expected that Phases 2 and 3 will require additional 4-5 weeks to complete.

Maximum Budget Available for the Assignment: EUR 190,000; exclusive of VAT, for all three Phases. The maximum budget for Phase 1 should not exceed EUR 120,000.
The consultant must determine whether any VAT would be chargeable on the services and the basis for that determination, without taking into consideration the Bank's special status as an IFI and state this to the Bank in their response to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest. To the extent that a consultant incurs input VAT on goods and services purchased in connection with the provision of services (e.g. VAT on airline ticket) which is not otherwise recoverable by the consultant from the local tax authority, the gross cost to the consultant of such expenses shall be treated as a reimbursable expense.


Funding Source: It is anticipated that the contract will be financed by the EBRD - Canada Technical Cooperation Fund 2006-2009.

Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions.

Consultant Profile: The consultant will be a firm or consortium of firms that can demonstrate relevant experience in the following areas:

(i) institutional capacity building in the environmental sector;
(ii) glass recycling and understanding of EU waste regulations;
(iii) Eastern Europe Experience of waste recycling, container glass sector is desirable; and
(iv) ability to work in Russian and understanding of Russian regulatory regime.

Submission Requirements: Interested consultants are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.
In order to determine the qualifications and competence of consulting firms seeking to be shortlisted, the information submitted should include the following:
- company profile, organisation and staffing;
- details of experience or similar assignments undertaken in the previous five years, including their locations;
- CVs of staff who could be available to work on the assignment.

The above information should not exceed 25 to 50 pages excluding CVs.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through eSelection to reach the Bank not later than the closing date.

EBRD Contact Person:
Larissa Gosling
Tel: +44 207 338 6338
Email: goslingl@ebrd.com

Note: Following this invitation for Expression of Interest, a shortlist of qualified consultants will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to confirmation of funding from the Donor.