Request for Proposal (RFP) -Dedicated Policy Framework for Investment and Development of Sustainable Energy Infrastructure in Vietnam

New amendment added #1: This amendment to upload the minutes of Pre-Bid meeting.

New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Please see our reply below.6. The submission deadline for this proposal is noted as July 9, 2024, with the deadline for clarifications on July 2, 2024. To incorporate UNOPS' comments and responses adequately, we would like to request a submission extension of at least two weeks from the date of UNOPS' clarifications. - Unfortunately, this is an urgent project that needs to be implemented soon.7. Page 9: “Workshop requirements:The workshop will be in hybrid mode and located in HanoiDuration: Half dayThe minimum number of participants: 75 (at a minimum of 40 in person)Invitees: Relevant stakeholders including governmental entities, industry stakeholders, businesses, development partners, provincial leaders, etc.)Gender consideration needs to be taken into consideration in the workshop. Minimum % of women participants is 40%”Page 9: “Inception workshop: The consultant shall handle all tasks related to the workshop including organizing the logistics, inviting participants and speakers, booking the venue, and executing the actual workshop. Bidders shall provide a breakdown of all non-personnel cost per workshop in the financial proposal. The payment for logistical arrangements for the workshop will be released as a lump-sum together with corresponding deliverable. A prorated payment will be made if the actual number of participants or the days do not fulfill the minimum requirements stipulated in the TOR.”-> Please confirm whether UNOPS will assist the consultant in developing the list of invitees for the inception and final workshops, introducing the consultant to relevant stakeholders, and finalizing the invitee list.- The consultant needs to have the capacity to engage with suitable stakeholders and develop list of invitees. UNOPS will supplement.-> Please consider revising the target of minimum women participation to a recommended or encouraged goal rather than a mandatory one. The consultant will make every effort to encourage and promote women's participation in both workshops, such as noting in the invitation letter that women are encouraged to attend but it is suggested it to be not a guaranteed parameter. - The % of women is the standard across TORs in Vietnam.8. Page 17: All deliverables are subject to review by ETP, and beneficiary entity(ies) where applicable, before approval. If there are comments and suggestions, the deliverables need to be revised accordingly before payment is released. -> It is suggested to please incorporate a 2-week timeframe for receiving the comments/feedback from UNOPS on the deliverable submitted by the consultant.- The deliverable should be submitted by the agreed deadline. UNOPS will provide comments/ feedback suitably.9. On UNOPS portal, there are: General Conditions of Contract for the provision of Services and GCC of Contract for the Provision of Professional Services (GCC of Contracts signed before July 2017) -> Please clarify which GCC the consultant should refer to. - Please refer to UNOPS General Conditions of Contract for the provision of Services ".Best regards,

New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Please see our reply below.  1. Page 11: “Assessment of the Existing Energy Infrastructure Investment Landscape: The consultant conducts a comprehensive assessment of Vietnam's current renewable energy investment landscape (e.g., available financial resources, investment sources in major renewable energy infrastructure, list of national power-related projects for investment). This should include an exhaustive examination of factors influencing investments, challenges, and opportunities within the sector and highlights risks associated with financial resources and investments in sustainable energy infrastructure projects. The assessment should provide a holistic understanding of the conditions governing energy infrastructure projects.-> To thoroughly assess the renewable energy investment landscape in Vietnam as outlined in the TOR, comprehensive data on RE investment projects in Vietnam over the past 5-7 years is required. These data may not be readily accessible in the public domain. Please clarify if any government agencies or authorities in particular the MPI have confirmed their willingness to share the past investment data on RE projects, and will be further willing to liaise or support introduction to connect with stakeholders like MOIT, SOEs and MOF on behalf of UNOPS for engagement with key stakeholders and data collection.- The bidder must have the ability to engage with various stakeholders relevant to the Project. Additionally, the bidder will receive suitable support from MPI.2. Page 11: “Regulatory Landscape Analysis: This section provides an in-depth analysis of the regulatory framework governing renewable energy investments in Vietnam and identifies challenges and constraints related to investment policies and mechanisms.”Page 3: “In this project, sustainable energy infrastructure refers to coal-fired power plants, renewable energy, storage infrastructure, and distribution and transmission system.”-> Please clarify whether the regulatory landscape analysis is limited to renewable energy, or if it will also include coal-fired power plants, storage infrastructures, and the distribution and transmission system.- For regulatory landscape analysis, please focus on legal documents relevant to the project and can inform investment in energy infrastructure.-> To adequately assess the regulatory landscape in Vietnam, a review of upcoming regulations and policies is necessary to evaluate the implications and direction of future policies in this sector. Please confirm if there are relevant entities who the consultant can liaise with on behalf of UNOPS such as the MOF, MOIT, MONRE, etc. to access drafts of upcoming policies and regulations in Vietnam, such as the draft Renewable Energy Law, draft Electricity Law, the framework for offshore wind projects, etc.- The consultant is expected to have the capacity to liaise with suitable stakeholders. For upcoming policies and regulations, it is up to the ministries' discretion.3. Page 17: “All project deliverables and presentations must be submitted in English and the local language.” Please confirm whether only the final versions of reports and presentations need to be translated into Vietnamese.- All reports and associated deliverables (PPTs, ES) need to be in both English and Vietnamese.-> While it is understood that presentations and handouts will be provided in both English and Vietnamese at the workshops, please confirm whether the workshops will be able to accommodate external interpreters for simultaneous interpretation. - The consultant should factor in interpreters.4. Page 17: “All deliverables are subject to review by ETP, and beneficiary entity(ies) where applicable, before approval.”-> In Table 4. List of beneficiaries of this project, the key beneficiaries include MPI, Investors and private sector, and Government of Vietnam. We understand that the Industrial Economy and Service Department, MPI would be the main beneficiary of this policy advocacy engagement and thus would take part in the review of deliverables besides UNOPS and ETP.-> Please confirm that Investors and private sector, and ministries outside of direct beneficiary within Government of Vietnam would not directly participate in the review of the deliverables as this would have other contractual implications and limitation of liability that would need to be factored.-> Please also specify any other beneficiary ministries, entities who would be expected to review the deliverables.- Investors, private sector, and ministries outside of the direct beneficiary will not participate in the review of the deliverables.5. Page 17: “The consultant must be available to attend 1 in-person workshop with the ETP secretariat in the region.”-> Please clarify the purpose and the role of consultant in this workshop with the ETP secretariat as well as the expected time of this workshop.-> Please also clarify whether UNOPS shall handle the organization and logistics of this workshop.- This is a tentative request - the role of the consultant would be to present findings. The expected time is to be confirmed. We will handle all the organisation and logistics.​Best regards,

New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Please see our reply below.1. To submit a competative proposal, It is requested to please extend the submission date for a week.- Unfortunately, this is an urgent project that needs to be implemented soon.2. The man months and budget are not mentioned in RFP so it can be understood that it is the responsibility of the consultant to define the suitable man months for the project, please guide. - Yes3. The experience of a consultant for policy framework in transmission and distribution sectors shall be considered, please clarify.- The question is not clear. However, please refer to the Project Deliverables from page 6 of TOR.Best regards,

New clarification added: Dear Bidder,Please see our reply below.Can we partner with a government-linked entity, e.g. Insitute of Energy of Vietnam, to support the delivery of this assignment?- The bidder can partner with a government-linked entity. However, since the direct beneficiary of this project is the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the bidder cannot partner with entities directly linked to MPI.Best regards,