REQUEST OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION
ANGOLA

TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT (TEST)
Loan No.: BIRD 9617-AO
Project ID N.º P179154

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: EXTERNAL AUDIT 2024-2026
REF: 19/CS/C3000.A19.1/24

The Government of the Republic of Angola received a loan of US$150 million from the World Bank (WB) and a donation of US$50 million from the Global Partnership for Education for the implementation of the Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology Project (TEST) and intends to apply part of this financing to hire a firm to provide External Audit services (2024-2026).

The Government of Angola (GoA) is implementing its National Development Plan (NDP) for the five-year period 2023-2027 focused on three pillars, namely: human capital, infrastructure and economic diversification. To this end, the strengthening of critical skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM), in order to support the growth and sustainability of the country, is vital.

The TEST Project aims to: (i) improve the quality of student preparation to increase total enrolment and expand opportunities for more equitable access; (ii) improve the quality and alignment of curricula with the labour market and instruction in priority training areas; and (iii) improve the governance and management of the education sector.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include to allow the auditor to express a professional opinion on the financial positions of the Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Project (TEST) at the end of each fiscal year, and on the funds received and the expenses incurred for by project for each accounting period.

The project books of accounts provide the basis for the preparation of the PFSs by the project team and are established to reflect the financial transactions in respect of the project. The implementing agency maintains adequate internal controls and supporting documentation for transactions.

The consulting service will have a maximum duration of three (3) years.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained at the email address given below.

The Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Project (TEST) of the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Technology and Innovation now invites eligible consulting Firms (“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:

• Must belong to a Professional Accountancy Organization that is already a member or associate member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
• Must have more than 10 years of experience in Audit and Assurance services.
• Must have performed successfully for, at least eight (8) years in similar assignments for institutions with funding/financing of USD 50 million or above.
• No conflict of interest (no other service has provided to the project).
• Audit firms that have audited the Project financial statements for three consecutive years will not be considered.
• The audit firm must demonstrate that it has internal quality control reviews.
• It has been in the market for at least ten years.
• The audit team must be made up of certified auditors and auditors with relevant experience in Financial Audits.

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” published in 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest: The aforementioned document can be consulted at the following link: http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/813421487104372186/Procurement-Regulations-for-IPF-Borrowers-portuguese.pdf

Firms 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.

As per the Financing Agreement between the Government of Angola and the World Bank, the Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Least-Cost Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 8H00 – 15H30.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by e-mail on September 13th, 2024 at 15:30 (Angola local time).

 

Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, Technology and Innovation

Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Project (TEST)

Att.: Ndilu Mankenda Nkula
Project Manager

Rua do MAT, Complexo Administrativo Clássicos do Talatona, Edifício n.º 2, 5º Andar

Telefone: 225 425 302 | Email: procurement.test@mescti.gov.ao