Request for Expression of Interest for Consultancy on Transaction Advisory Service for the Proposed Container Freight Station Project in Gombe State, Nigeria

As part of the Federal Government’s integrated transport policy initiative to promote multi-modal transport operations, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) approved the setting up of Inland Container Depots (ICD)/ Container Freight Stations (CFS) across the country to ease free flow of import and export cargoes to and from the hinterland.

The report of a feasibility study conducted by a reputable international consulting firm on behalf of the FGN found Gombe, along with seven other locations, economically viable and recommended the setting up of a Container Freight Station in Gombe. The Gombe CFS will have capacity of 10,000 TEUs.

In support of the project, the Gombe State Government allocated 128 hectares of land free from any encumbrances at Kwami District in Kwami Local Government Area which is flanked by the Bauchi-Maiduguri rail line to the east and the Gombe-Kano Trunk A road to the west.

In this connection, FGN is desirous to assess the strategic fit, Value for Money and affordability, in terms of user charges, for the concession of the proposed CFS in Gombe State and subsequently procure concessionaire(s) to finance, construct, maintain and operate the Container Freight Station in Gombe State.

The procurement of all concessions in Nigeria are required to adhere to the National Policy on Public Private Partnership Published by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). This policy requires, as part of the project preparation phase, that an Outline Business Case (OBC) be prepared to guide investment decisions.

NSC, through this advert, hereby invites qualified Consultants to express interest in providing the required consulting services to prepare the OBC that assesses the viability for the Container Freight Station project in Gombe State and to subsequently undertake the required transaction advisory services for the procurement of qualified concessionaires(s).

Terms of Reference
The first phase of the project to produce OBC will involve provision of the following services:

• Status quo assessment/Due diligence: commercial, technical, legal, evaluation of physical facilities, uses, and contractual arrangements with respect to Container Freight Station project in Gomber State;
• Needs analysis - high - level review of the project’s commercial rationale, analysis of the demand for proposed services and desirability of the project; Identification and evaluation of potential commercial activities/business options to be carried out at the proposed location. Consultations with relevant stakeholders should be part of this process;
• Definition of project concept — a clear description of the project concept, including description of policy context;
• Technical scope — description of the key technical parameters envisioned for the project;
• PPP Option/Risk Analysis — if the project is found to be suitable for PPP, presentation of the range of technical, legal and finance options for structuring PPP transaction(s), including key contract terms for the recommended option (such as proposed payment mechanism to reflect recommended risk allocation).
• Financial Analysis- provision of financial analysis and modeling of the selected PPP option.
• Environmental & Social Studies
• Preparation of OBC for approval by Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Following approval of the OBC by the FEC, the second phase of the assignment shall involve transaction advisory services to concession the Container Freight Station. The tasks involved shall include but not limited to the following:

• Preparation of Bid Document, Information Memorandum etc
• Conducting of market surveys, investor sensitization, bidders conference etc
• PPP procurement including prequalification of bidders, RFP, bid evaluation, selection of preferred bid, contract negotiation etc
• Preparation and revision of Full Business Case (FBC) including concession agreement as required
• Public consultation including planning and implementing environmental and social safeguard action plans
• Provision of other advisory services required for a successful PPP procurement

Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
Transaction advisory firms may associate as a group or consortium, with a lead firm, consisting of Technical, Legal, Financial and Environmental Advisers. Prospective TAs should submit an Expression of Interest detailing the following minimum requirements as a basis for pre-qualification:

• Profile of firm (including evidence of business registration, ownership structure, tax clearance, relevant professional registrations, satisfactory evidence of association, capability profile of the firm and contact detail.
• Details of experience providing full complement of advisory services to government in structuring and procuring PPP projects;
• Experience in structuring and procuring PPP transport projects, specifically in ports and allied sector.
• Copies of abridged audited financial reports for the last 3 years.
• Description of experience providing PPP advisory services in Nigeria and/or sub-saharan Africa.

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in six (6) copies in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Expressions of Interest for Selection of Consultants (Gombe Container Freight Station)” including a CD-ROM version.

Closing Date
The expressions of interest should be addressed and delivered not later than 5.00pm 21 January, 2012 at the address listed below:

The Executive Secretary/CEO
Nigerian Shippers’ Council
4, Otunba Ayodele Shoyode Lane [Formerly Park Lane], Apapa
PMB 50617 Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
Attention: Director Inland Transport Services

Interested applicants may obtain further information at the address above from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) or send E-mail to:
nsc@shipperscouncil.com,
info@shipperscouncil.com or
Rksanusi@shipperscouncil.com

Note:
Expressions of interest through e-mail or fax will not be entertained, and only short-listed consultants will be contacted.