TENDER NOTICE

1. This Invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in dgMarket, Ref no. 1405785 of 6 August, 2006.
2. The Kingdom of Lesotho has received a Grant from the Fast Track Initiative (FTI) Catalytic Trust Fund toward the cost of Achieving Education for All (EFA) – Universal Primary Completion (UPC), and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to payments under the Contract for Infrastructure Improvement to Primary schools in Lesotho. Bidding will be governed by the World Bank’s eligibility rules and procedures.
3. The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education and Training now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Renovation and Rehabilitation of Teacher Trainee Facilities for Lesotho College of Education At Thaba-Tseka Campus.
    
4.  Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits, May 2004 and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Bidding Documents.
5. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from The Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education and Training, authorized representative; The Contracts Manager, Education Facilities Unit, e-mail: efu@education.gov.ls and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below;
6. Qualifications requirements include:
   1. Licensed building contractor with a minimum experience of three years as a contractor, supported with copies of documents defining, legal status, place of registration, place of business etc; and Written power of attorney to commit the Bidder;
   2. Experience in works of similar nature and size for each of the last three years;
   3. Major items of construction equipment required to carry out the contract;
   4. Qualification and experience of key Technical personnel (Contracts Manager -5years experience and Foreman – 5 years experience) proposed for the contract supported with CV’s and certificates;
   5. Audited Financial Statements by a Chartered Accountant for the last three years;
   6. Evidence of availability of working capital for this contract (availability of liquid assets, access to credit line from a registered financial institution);

   Evaluation criteria; minimum requirement to qualify for award.

   Minimum average annual volume of construction net of current commitments in US$. ITB 5.5 (a)	Minimum experience on similar works as prime contractor. ITB 5.5 (b)	Proposal for acquiring the required plant and equipment for this contract; ITB 5..5 ©	Contracts Manager with 5 years experience, with minimum of 3 years experience as manager; ITB 5.5 (d)	Liquid assets / credit line net of other contract commitments in US$. ITB 5.5 (e)	Audited accounts/ Financial statements for 3 years. To ascertain the annual volume of construction achieved ITB 5.5 (a)
   US$150,000.00	2 (two)	as listed in Bidding Data 5.5 ©	One	US$50,000.00	2005- 2007

   In evaluating the Bids, the current workload of the prospective contractor and the expected workload from the proposed contract will be taken into account.

   A margin of preference for eligible national contractors/joint ventures shall not be applied.

7. A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written Application to the address below and upon payment of a non refundable fee of M 500.00 (Five Hundred Maloti) or its equivalent in any convertible currency, net of all bank charges. The method of payment will be Cash, certified cheques or wire transfers payable at: Nedbank Lesotho; Maseru Branch; Account #:021900003371; Account Name: Education Sector Development Project II; Bidders must quote the “Invitation for Bids” Number when filling the deposit slips.
   
   The Bidding Documents will be sent by post, courier or electronically.
   
8. Bids shall be valid for a period of ninety (90) days after Bid opening. Bids shall be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Renovation and Rehabilitation of Teacher Trainee Facilities for Lesotho College of Education Thaba-Tseka Campus” and delivered to the address (2) below at or before 12.00hrs on Tuesday 29th April, 2008. Electronic bidding shall not be permitted.
   Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the address below at 14.30hrs. Tuesday 29th April, 2008.
9. All bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security valid for one hundred and eighteen (118) days after Bid opening, in the form of a bank cheque or bank guarantee of M10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Maloti)
10. It is mandatory for bidders to submit their Tax clearance certificates and Trader License with their bids. These documents shall be either original or certified copies by the Revenue Authority and Department of Trade. Non-compliance to this requirement will invalidate the bid.
11. Bids must be clearly marked “Bid for Renovation and Rehabilitation of Teacher Trainee Facilities for Lesotho College of Education at Thaba-Tseka Campus”.
     
12. A pre-bid meeting will be held at 10:00hrs on Wednesday 09th April 2008 at Education Facilities Unit, situated on site 130, Fokothi, Off Moshoeshoe Road, Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho.
     
13. The addresses referred to above are:
    1. Purchase of bidding documents;
       Education Facilities Unit, Contracts Section,
       Ministry of Education and Training,
       PO box 1279, Maseru 100,
       Kingdom of Lesotho
       Situated on site 130, Fokothi off Moshoeshoe Road, Maseru, Lesotho
       Tel: ++ 266-22317130; Fax: ++266-22324968 /22310307
       from 8.00to 16.00hrs Monday to Friday, excluding Public holidays
        
    2. Bid submission and Opening ;
       The Secretary,
       MOET Tender Panel,
       Ministry of Education and Training
       Room No. 404 Inspectorate Building
       Constitution Road,
       Maseru,
       Kingdom of Lesotho.