Firm for the organization and delivery of training for staff of partner banks participating in the student loan program — Project Preparation Assistance: Enhancing Access to Tertiary Education through Student Loan Mechanis

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ASSIGNMENT PARTICULARS Country Republic of Uzbekistan Client / Borrower Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Implementing Agency Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) within MEF Program EduImkon: Redesigning Opportunity, Delivering Education Equity Program Grant Number Grant . TF0C8875 Assignment Title Organization and delivery of training for staff of partner banks participating in the student loan program Selection Method Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) — World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Assignment Duration 2-3 months from the date of contract signing REOI Reference UZ-MEF-14-CS-CQS EOI Submission Deadline September 15, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time BACKGROUND The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan continues to strengthen the implementation of the Student Loan Program to improve equitable access to higher education and ensure effective delivery of student financing services. Participating commercial banks play a key role in administering the programme through processing loan applications, providing financial services, advising applicants, and ensuring compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework. To ensure the consistent and effective implementation of the Student Loan Program across all participating commercial banks and their regional branches, it is necessary to strengthen the capacity of bank personnel responsible for loan administration. In particular, credit officers and other relevant staff require practical knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework, student loan administration procedures, preferential lending conditions, integrity and anti-corruption requirements, and gender equality and social inclusion principles applicable to the programme. The Ministry of Economy and Finance intends to organize a nationwide training programme for approximately 1,200 employees from 12 participating commercial banks and their regional branches. The programme will consist of a series of half-day training sessions delivered in regional locations in accordance with the training schedule agreed with the PIU and MEF. To facilitate efficient implementation of the training programme, the Ministry seeks to engage a qualified Consulting Firm to provide comprehensive event management, logistical support, and delivery of the training programme. The PIU and MEF will provide the training curriculum, agenda, presentations, and all technical training materials. The Consulting Firm will be responsible for organizing and delivering the training sessions, ensuring effective facilitation, participant engagement, and high-quality logistical support throughout the assignment. DISBURSEMENT-LINKED RESULTS IN SCOPE DLI DLR Description and Formula Disbursement Value DLI 1 Inception Report and Training Implementation Plan An inception report outlining the implementation approach, detailed work plan, training schedule, logistical arrangements, team deployment, budget of activities communication and coordination mechanisms, quality assurance procedures, and risk mitigation measures for review and approval by the PIU and MEF. 10% DLI 2 Operational Readiness Report Confirmation that all logistical, administrative, and operational arrangements have been completed prior to the commencement of the training programme, including the finalized training schedule, participant registration plan, venue arrangements, trainer orientation, and readiness for implementation. 15% DLI 3 Training Delivery Delivery of all scheduled half-day training sessions for staff of participating commercial banks in accordance with the approved programme, including participant registration, logistical support, facilitation, catering, administration of pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, and collection of participant evaluation forms. 50% DLI 4 Training Completion Report A report summarizing the implementation of the training programme, including the number of training sessions conducted, participant attendance, regional coverage, photographs, breakdown cost and key implementation observations. 10% DLI 5 Final Completion Report A consolidated report summarizing all activities completed under the assignment, lessons learned, implementation challenges, recommendations, analysis of participant feedback, learning effectiveness assessment based on pre- and post-training results, participant satisfaction analysis, and all supporting documentation, including attendance records, evaluation forms, assessment results, photographs, and other relevant annexes. 15% Total 100 % OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The objective is to engage a qualified consulting firm to serve as to provide comprehensive logistical, organizational, and training delivery services for the implementation of a nationwide capacity-building programme for staff of 12 commercial banks participating in the implementation of the Student Loan Program. The Consulting Firm shall be responsible for organizing and delivering a series of half-day training sessions for approximately 1,200 staff members from the participating commercial banks and their regional branches in accordance with the training schedule approved by the PIU and MEF. The PIU and MEF shall provide the training curriculum, agenda, presentations, practical exercises, and all technical training materials. The Consulting Firm shall be responsible for the organization, logistics, coordination, facilitation, and overall delivery of the training programme. SERVICES REQUIRED The selected firm will be required to perform the following main tasks, as detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) to be provided to the shortlisted firm: 1. Trainings’ organization and logistics with providing of comprehensive event management and logistical support to ensure the efficient organization and implementation of all training sessions. 2. Delivery and facilitation of the training programme programme using the curriculum and training materials provided by the PIU and MEF. The assignment shall be completed within 2 to 3 months from contract signing. Deliverables include: (i) Inception Report and Training Implementation Plan; (ii)Operational Readiness Report; (iii)Training Delivery; (iv)Training Completion Report; (v)Final Completion Report and (vi) Supporting Annexes. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Entity Type This assignment is open to legally registered consulting firms, research organizations, and audit firms. Individual consultants are not eligible to apply. Registration in Uzbekistan Firms duly registered in the Republic of Uzbekistan or with a registered local presence (branch, representative office, or subsidiary) are encouraged to confirm this in their EOI. Foreign firms without local registration may still apply but must demonstrate a credible plan for establishing local registration or a teaming arrangement with a locally registered entity prior to contract award, in accordance with the applicable legislation of Uzbekistan. MEF reserves the right to require evidence of local registration or a signed teaming agreement as a condition of contract award. World Bank Eligibility The firm must not appear on the World Bank's list of debarred firms and individuals. Firms from all countries, except those subject to restrictions under applicable World Bank policies, may apply. Conflict of Interest Firms that have been involved, directly or through affiliated entities, in the design, development, or implementation of any of the systems or programs whose results are to be verified under this assignment are not eligible to apply. Any actual or potential conflict of interest must be disclosed in the EOI. SHORTLISTING CRITERIA Given the nature of this assignment, both the firm's organizational experience and the qualifications of the proposed key personnel are material to the shortlisting decision. Verification assignments under PforR instruments are highly dependent on the specific knowledge and competence of individual experts, and a strong institutional profile does not compensate for insufficiently qualified key staff. For this reason, ELFFMD will assess team composition at the shortlisting stage on a pass/fail threshold basis, alongside the firm-level criteria. The full scored evaluation of key personnel will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the RFP evaluation criteria. The shortlisting criteria are structured in two parts: Part A covers firm-level qualifications assessed on a scored basis; Part B covers key personnel assessed on a pass/fail threshold basis. Only firms satisfying all Part B thresholds will be placed on the shortlist, regardless of their Part A score. Part A: Firm-Level Qualifications (Scored) # Criteria Max Points Evidence Required A.1 Demonstrated expertise in designing and delivering capacity-building programmes, professional training, workshops, and learning events, including application of adult learning and interactive methodologies. 15 Company profile and description of relevant assignments, including scope, target participants, methodology, and outcomes. A.2 Demonstrated capacity to plan and manage large-scale and multi-location training programmes, including participant management, venues, travel, logistics, and coordination of simultaneous sessions. 20 List and description of relevant assignments, including number of participants, locations, sessions, and logistical scope; supported by contracts/references. A.3 Successful completion of at least three (3) comparable assignments within the last five (5) years involving large-scale training or capacity-building programmes. 20 Assignment list with client, title, scope, country, dates, number of participants/locations, and contract value; supported by references, completion certificates, or contracts. A.4 Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, international financial institutions, development partners, or donor-funded projects. 15 List and description of relevant assignments, identifying the client/partner, scope, dates, and role; supported by contracts/references. A.5 Demonstrated capacity to provide qualified trainers and ensure consistent quality of training delivery, including quality assurance and coordination of training teams. 15 Proposed organizational structure, trainer pool/CVs, quality assurance approach, and relevant assignment references. A.6 Relevant sector and regional experience, including banking/financial services, higher education, public sector, and/or experience in Uzbekistan or comparable institutional environments. 15 Relevant assignment list and client references. Total — Part A 100 Part B: Key Personnel Threshold Assessment (Pass / Fail) Firms must submit brief CVs (maximum two pages each) for the proposed Team Leader and Field and Logistics Coordinator. These two positions are assessed on a pass/fail basis against the minimum thresholds below. A firm that does not meet all thresholds for both positions will not be shortlisted, regardless of its Part A score. CVs for the Qualified Trainers and Administrative and Logistics Support Staff are not required at the EOI stage but will be required in full at the proposal stage. Position Minimum Threshold Pass / Fail Evidence B.1 — Team Leader / Project Manager & Training Coordinator Qualifications Master’s degree or higher in Business/Public Administration, Management, Education, Economics, Social Sciences, or related field. Pass / Fail Signed CV + degree certificate General experience Minimum 7 years of professional experience managing training programmes, conferences, workshops, or capacity-building projects. Pass / Fail Signed CV Coordination experience Demonstrated experience coordinating multi-location assignments involving multiple stakeholders , including scheduling, logistics, quality assurance, and delivery oversight. Pass / Fail CV + contract / reference B.2 — Field and Logistics Coordinator Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher in Management, Business/Public Administration, Logistics, Event Management, or related field. Pass / Fail Signed CV + degree certificate General experience Minimum 5 years of professional experience coordinating conferences, workshops, training programmes, or similar events. Pass / Fail Signed CV Logistics experience Demonstrated experience managing multi-location event logistics , including venues, participant registration, travel, accommodation, equipment, and on-site coordination. Pass / Fail CV + contract / reference Note: The pass/fail thresholds above are minimum eligibility requirements for shortlisting purposes only. Firms that pass all thresholds will proceed to Part A scoring. The full scored evaluation of all four key personnel positions will be conducted at the proposal stage in accordance with the detailed criteria set out in the RFP. CONTENT OF THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Interested firms must submit their Expression of Interest in English. The EOI shall not exceed 30 pages, excluding CVs and supporting annexes, and must include the following: Cover letter on firm letterhead, signed by an authorized representative, confirming the firm's interest and eligibility. Firm profile: legal name, country of incorporation, registration number, year of establishment, and description of core business activities. Evidence of legal registration in Uzbekistan or a registered local presence, if applicable; or a statement of intent to establish registration or a teaming arrangement with a locally registered entity prior to contract award. Summary of relevant experience: a table listing at least two completed contracts of similar nature within the last seven years, with client name, assignment title, contract value, dates, and description of scope including DLR or RBF elements where applicable. Supporting documentation (completion certificates, client reference letters, or contract excerpts) is encouraged. CVs of the proposed Team Leader and Field and Logistics Coordinator, each not exceeding two pages, demonstrating compliance with the Part B thresholds in Section 7. CVs must be signed by the proposed expert. Declaration signed by an authorized representative confirming: (a) no conflict of interest as defined in Section 6.4; (b) the firm is not listed on the World Bank debarment list; and (c) the firm is not registered in any jurisdiction on the list of offshore zones under Uzbek law. CVs for the Qualified Trainers and Administrative and Logistics Support Staff are not required at the EOI stage. All four key personnel CVs will be required in full at the proposal stage. SELECTION PROCESS AND BANK REVIEW ARRANGEMENTS This assignment is procured using the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method under the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. The estimated contract value of US$170,000 falls below the applicable prior review threshold; accordingly, this assignment is subject to World Bank post review only. MEF is responsible for conducting the selection process in accordance with the Procurement Regulations, and the World Bank may review procurement records at any time during post review supervision. The selection process will proceed as follows. ELFFMD will evaluate all EOIs received against the shortlisting criteria in Section 7. Firms that do not meet all Part B pass/fail thresholds will be excluded from further consideration. Among the remaining firms, ELFFMD will rank them against the Part A scored criteria and identify the firm with the best overall qualifications. The highest-ranked qualified firm will be invited to submit a combined technical and financial proposal and, if found satisfactory, to enter into contract negotiations. MEF reserves the right to approach the next-ranked firm if the first-ranked firm's proposal is found unsatisfactory or if negotiations are unsuccessful. MEF reserves the right to annul this selection process at any stage without incurring any obligation to applicants. SUBMISSION DETAILS Attention PCO Coordinator, Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) Organization Ministry of Economy and Finance, Republic of Uzbekistan Physical Address 1, Niyozbek yo'li Street, Yunusabad District, Tashkent 100017, Republic of Uzbekistan Telephone +998 97 447-86-11 Email gfppp181956@gmail.com Submission Deadline September 15, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time Submission Format Electronic submission by email (PDF, with signed cover letter scanned) or hand delivery in a sealed envelope marked with reference UZ-MEF-14-CS-CQS Language English EOIs received after the specified deadline will not be considered. MEF shall not be responsible for any costs incurred by firms in the preparation and submission of an Expression of Interest. This notice does not constitute a commitment by MEF to proceed with procurement or to contract any firm. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS This selection is governed by the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Seventh Edition, September 2023). The World Bank Anti-Corruption Guidelines applicable to Program-for-Results Financing (dated February 1, 2012, revised July 10, 2015) apply to all aspects of this process. Interested firms and their personnel are expected to observe the highest standards of ethics throughout.