Development of a Passenger Services Development Model, combining market structuring, analytical tools, and implementation-oriented outputs. — Connectivity and Transport Sector Improvement Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN CONNECTIVITY AND TRANSPORT SECTOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Project ID: P509487 Assignment Title: Passenger Services Development Model for Uzbekistan Railways Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): UZ-CTSIP-1004-CS-QCBS-UTY-PM-01 The Republic of Uzbekistan has applied for financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) of the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Connectivity and Transport Sector Improvement Project (CTSIP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services ("the Services") include the development of a comprehensive Passenger Services Development Model for "O'zbekiston temir yo'llari" JSC, comprising inventory and structuring of the passenger services market; passenger demand research and demand modeling with scenario analysis; financial and economic assessment of passenger services and service chains; development of the passenger service model and institutional arrangements for "O'zbekiston temir yo'llari" JSC; analytical support for Public Service Obligations (PSOs); assessment of socio-economic impacts and opportunities for private sector participation; preparation of a revenue management and ticketing solution; and development of a user communication and institutional implementation program. The expected duration of the assignment is 9 (nine) months from contract signature. The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. JSC “O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari” (the “Client”) 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: Experience in Transport Demand Modeling: The Consultant shall have completed at least one (1) assignment in passenger railway and/or multimodal transport modeling financed by an International Financial Institution, and at least one (1) assignment in a Central Asian country. Client references and completion certificates are required. Transport Sector Reform and Regulatory Analysis: The Consultant shall have completed a minimum of two (2) assignments in transport sector reform and/or regulatory reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Central Asia, with at least one (1) such assignment in Uzbekistan. Client references are required. Financial and Economic Analysis of Railway Services: The Consultant shall demonstrate experience in financial and economic analysis of public services, including operational efficiency assessment. Experience in socioeconomic impact assessment in the transport sector will be considered an advantage. Local Knowledge and In-Country Capacity: The Consultant shall demonstrate prior work experience in Central Asia's transport sector (with preference for experience in Uzbekistan) and maintain a minimum of one (1) professional staff physically based in Uzbekistan for the duration of the Assignment. Working materials shall be in Russian and/or Uzbek, final deliverables in English and Russian, with executive summaries also in Uzbek. The Consultant is responsible for any translation costs. (Note: Consultants shall clearly describe relevant assignments, indicating the client, country, duration, scope of services, financing source, and role of the firm, supported by verifiable client references.) Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The shortlist will contain 5 to 8 firms. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.13, 3.15, and 3.16 of the World Bank's “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest. Consultants 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. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method, as set out in the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and as further detailed in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by November 2, 2026, 8 p.m. (Tashkent time). Late expressions of interest will be rejected. Interested firms may obtain the Terms of Reference upon written request submitted to the Project Implementation Unit at the following address: u.dosmetov@uzrailway.uz JSC “O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari” Attn: Dosmetov Ulugbek Sultanbay ugli, Head of the Transformation Office 7, Taras Shevchenko Street, Mirabad district 100060, Tashkent city, Republic of Uzbekistan Tel: +998 90 318 36 66 E-mail: u.dosmetov@uzrailway.uz