Capacity Building Service Provider (CBSP) for Farmers under the Tashiskari, Narekvavi, Shavghele Masif and Zeda Arkhi Irrigation Schemes — Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) GEORGIA Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation and Land Project (GRAIL) – P175629 Loan No. 9504-GE Assignment Title: Capacity Building Service Provider (CBSP) to Deliver Training and Demonstration Activities on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Water-Efficient Irrigation, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Agricultural Technologies for Farmers under the Tashiskari, Narekvavi, Shavghele Masif and Zeda Arkhi Irrigation Schemes in Kareli, Khashuri, Borjomi, Dusheti, Khobi and Bolnisi Municipalities’ Villages Reference No: GR/CS/QCBS/05 Georgia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation and Land (GRAIL) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The project cost is 138.6 million EURO comprising of an equal share (50/50) by each co-financer. The project development objectives are to: (a) improve irrigation, and drainage services, and agricultural production in project areas; and (b) strengthen national irrigation and land management institutional capacity for climate resilient planning. The consulting services (“the Services”) include Capacity Building Service Provider (CBSP) to Deliver Training and Demonstration Activities on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Water-Efficient Irrigation, Climate Resilience, and Sustainable Agricultural Technologies for Farmers under the Tashiskari, Narekvavi, Shavghele Masif and Zeda Arkhi Irrigation Schemes in Kareli, Khashuri, Borjomi, Dusheti, Khobi and Bolnisi Municipalities’ Villages The main objective of this assignment is to: The consulting services ("the Services") include the engagement of a Capacity Building Service Provider (CBSP) to design and implement an integrated farmer capacity building and technical advisory program promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), water-efficient irrigation, climate resilience, and sustainable agricultural practices within the command areas of the Tashiskari, Narekvavi, Shavghele Masif, and Zeda Arkhi Irrigation Schemes villages . The assignment will cover 55 villages across six municipalities and support approximately 2,920 farmers through integrated capacity building, field demonstrations, technical advisory services, and dissemination of Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies and good agricultural practices. The Consultant will establish and manage approximately 55–65 demonstration plots serving as practical learning sites for technology demonstration and farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange. The overall objective of the assignment is to strengthen farmers' technical knowledge, practical skills, and investment readiness to improve agricultural productivity, enhance climate resilience, promote efficient water use, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in line with the objectives of the GRAIL Project. The selected Consultant shall develop and deliver comprehensive theoretical and practical training programs, establish and manage or select relevant demonstration plots, provide field-based technical advisory services throughout the production cycle, prepare practical extension and knowledge materials, facilitate farmer-to-farmer learning and technology dissemination, support monitoring and evaluation of capacity building activities, and document lessons learned and good practices in the command target areas. The assignment covers, among others, development of crop-specific training curricula, implementation of integrated theoretical and field-based training sessions, establishment and management of demonstration plots, farmer coaching and technical advisory services, grant application support, dissemination of knowledge products, monitoring and reporting of project activities, and strengthening the capacity of local extension services. The Consultant shall provide also targeted capacity building and hands-on support to eligible farmers in preparing and submitting applications under the GRAIL Matching Grant Program. The Consultant shall assist farmers in understanding eligibility requirements, preparing and collecting necessary documents for the grant application, filling application forms, and complying with the requirements established by the Rural Development Agency (RDA), thereby improving the quality of applications and increasing farmers' access to investment financing. The detailed scope of services, implementation requirements, deliverables, and reporting obligations are provided in the Terms of Reference (TOR) which can be found on the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ncNpf9z7gFT4c2ntNTtQfiHuUZufBenS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111094613369888933218&rtpof=true&sd=true The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) 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. Expression of interest should cover, but not limited to: corporate profile, years in business, experience relevant to the project activities, overall key staff resources, and core business. Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The shortlisting criteria are: At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience in designing and implementing agricultural development, climate-smart agriculture, irrigation, agricultural extension, farmer advisory, or rural development programs. During the last eight (8) years , the Consultant shall have successfully completed at least 2 assignments of similar scope, nature, and complexity involving the design and implementation of integrated agricultural capacity building programs, including practical field demonstrations, technical advisory services, and farmer training. Note: the MEPA reserves it’s right to verify submitted references and use obtained information for evaluation purposes. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, revised 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. The experience of sub-consultants will not be taken into account while evaluating the corporate experience of the consultant. To facilitate the development of EOI and further assessment, the interested consultants are provided with a Form for References for experience in the projects relevant to the assignment. The Form for References can be found on the link below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hDeNiygk0vcp3qx-8uwz05_ZYcmAsjPQ/view?usp=sharing A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection Method (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations: Approved Selection Methods: Consulting Services under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers - July 2016, revised September 2025. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 10:00 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. at MEPA, Mr. Ioseb Tchonkadze, Procurement Consultant. The hard copy of the Expression of Interest (accompanied by the electronic version of EOI) must be delivered in English in a written form to the address below (in person or by mail) by September 6, 2026, at 17:00 hrs. local time. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) Attn: Mr. Ioseb Tchonkadze, Procurement Consultant 32g, Marshal Gelovani Ave, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia E-mail To: iosebtchonkadze@gmail.com; Mariam.bakhtadze@mepa.gov.ge; Rusudan,manjgaladze@mepa.gov.ge.