PROCUREMENT PLAN (Textual Part) Project information: Maldives Competitiveness and Growth Project (MCGP) Project Number: P179286 Project Implementation agency: Ministry of Finance, Maldives Date of the Procurement Plan: 14th March 2023 Period covered by this Procurement Plan: 18 months Preamble In accordance with paragraph 5.9 of the “World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 2016, Revised November 2017, July 2018 and November 2020) (“Procurement Regulations”) the Bank’s Systematic Tracking and Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) system will be used to prepare, clear and update Procurement Plans and conduct all procurement transactions for the Project. This textual part along with the Procurement Plan tables in STEP constitute the Procurement Plan for the Project. The following conditions apply to all procurement activities in the Procurement Plan. The other elements of the Procurement Plan as required under paragraph 4.4 of the Procurement Regulations are set forth in STEP. The Bank’s Standard Procurement Documents: shall be used for all contracts subject to international competitive procurement and those contracts as specified in the Procurement Plan tables in STEP. Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD): PPSD is under review Procurement methods. 1. Procurement methods, Threshold and Prior Review Thresholds. Table 01 below describes various procurement methods, threshold and prior review threshold applicable for activities financed by the loan. These, along with agreed thresholds, will be reproduced in the Procurement Plan. The thresholds indicated in apply to the initial 18-months of implementation period and are based on the procurement performance of the project; these thresholds may be subsequently modified. Table-1: Project Procurement Methods - Thresholds Contract Contracts/Proc Expenditur Value Procurement Method esses Subject e Category (Threshold) to Prior Review Works > Open- Competitive-International All contracts over US$1,000,00 US$1,000,000 0 equivalent < Open-Competitive- National US$1,000,00 0 < US$50,000 Request for Quotations ------------------- Direct Selection -- Goods and > Open- Competitive-International All contracts over non- US$100,000 US$500,000 consulting < Open-Competitive- National equivalent services US$100,000 < US$25,000 Request for Quotations ------------------- Direct Selection -- Consultant > All competitive methods; All contracts over services US$200,000 advertise internationally US$250,000 (firms) < All competitive methods; equivalent US$200,000 advertise locally ------------------- Selection of Types of -- Consultants - UN Agencies Individual ------------------- Approved Selection Methods All contracts over consultants -- and Arrangements of Individual US$50,000 Consultant per the applicable equivalent ‘Borrower Regulations’ a. In addition to above, and irrespective of the contract value, the following procurement activities are subject to the Bank’s procurement prior review: • procurement processes involving contract negotiations, as described in Section VI, paragraphs 6.34-36, of the Procurement Regulation; • competitive dialogue; • sustainable procurement; • selection of probity assurance providers, as described in Section III, paragraph 3.3 of the Procurement Regulations; and • best and final offer. 2. The above thresholds are for the initial 18-month implementation period; based on the procurement performance of the project, these thresholds may be subsequently modified. Even for large-value post review cases, the inputs of the World Bank on technical specifications/ToR will be obtained by the project. The prior review thresholds will also be indicated in the Procurement Plan. The Procurement Plan will be subsequently updated annually (or at any other time if required) and will reflect any change in the prior review thresholds. National procurement procedure conditions (NPP conditions). 1. In accordance with paragraph 5.3 of the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (November 2020) (“Procurement Regulations”), when approaching the national market, as agreed in the PP tables in STEP, the country’s own procurement procedures may be used. When the Borrower, for the procurement of goods, works and non-consulting services, uses its own national open competitive procurement arrangements as set forth in Maldives’ Public Finance Regulations 2017, Chapter 10 – State Procurement System, such arrangements shall be subject to paragraph 5.4 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations and the following conditions: a) Only bidding documents acceptable to the World Bank shall be used for all national open competitive procurement. b) The request for bids/request for proposals document shall require that bidders/proposers submitting bids/proposals present a signed acceptance at the time of bidding, to be incorporated in any resulting contracts, confirming application of, and compliance with, the World Bank’s Anti-Corruption Guidelines, including without limitation the World Bank’s right to sanction and the World Bank’s inspection and audit rights. c) The eligibility of bidders shall be as defined under Section III of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (Procurement Regulations): accordingly, no bidder or potential bidder shall be declared ineligible for contracts financed by the World Bank for reasons other than those provided in Section III of the Procurement Regulations. d) In case of Open Tendering, the receipt of less than three bids shall not be considered grounds for cancellation and re-invitation of bids e) Bid shall not be rejected merely on the basis of a comparison with an official estimate. In case of any inconsistency between the procurement arrangements based on Maldives’ Public Finance Regulations 2017 and the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations, the latter shall prevail. Leased Assets as specified under paragraph 5.10 of the Procurement Regulations: Not Applicable Procurement of Second Hand Goods as specified under paragraph 5.11 of the Procurement Regulations: Not Applicable Domestic Preference as specified under paragraph 5.51 of the Procurement Regulations: Goods: is not applicable Works: is not applicable Prior review by World Bank. In the case of contracts subject to prior review, the Implementing Agencies will seek the World Bank’s no objection before granting/agreeing to: (a) an extension of the stipulated time for performance of a contract that either increases the contract price or has an impact on the planned completion of the project; (b) any substantial modification of the scope of works, goods, non-consulting services, or consulting services and other significant changes to the terms and conditions of the contract; (c) any variation order or amendment (except in cases of extreme urgency) that, singly or combined with all variation orders or amendments previously issued, increases the original contract amount by more than 15 percent; and (d) the proposed termination of the contract. Complaints received in all prior review cases shall be sent to Bank for review and the response to the complaint in such cases, shall be cleared with the Bank. Complaints with allegations of fraud and corruption, shall be shared with Bank, irrespective of the thresholds. All contracts not covered under prior review by the Bank will be subject to post review during implementation support missions and/or special post review missions, including missions by consultants hired by the Bank. The Bank may conduct, at any time, Independent Procurement Reviews of all the contracts financed under the loan. Even for Post Review cases, the inputs of Bank on Technical Specifications/TORs will be obtained by project. Disclosure of procurement information. The following documents shall be disclosed on the project/state websites: (i) a Procurement Plan and updates; (ii) an invitation for bids for goods and works for all contracts; (iii) request for expression of interest for selection/hiring of consulting services; (iv) contract awards of goods and works procured under international and national procedures; (v) a list of contracts/purchase orders placed under shopping procedures on a quarterly basis; (vi) a list of contracts under direct contracting (DC) on a quarterly basis; (vii) a monthly financial and physical progress report of all contracts; and (viii) an action taken report on the complaints received on a quarterly basis. The following details shall be sent to the World Bank for publishing on the United Nations Development Business and the World Bank external website: (a) an invitation for bids for procurement of goods and works using open international procedures, (b) contract award details of all procurement of goods and works using open international procedure, and (c) a list of contracts/purchase orders placed following DC procedures on a quarterly basis. Further, IAs will also publish on their websites any information required under the provisions of ‘suo moto’ disclosure as specified by the Right to Information Act. Procurement Packages for key procurements – for 18 months Request for Bids Bid Evaluatio Estimate Specific n Report Revie Market Procurem d Procurem and Signed Activity Reference Categ ent Recomm Contract w Approa ent Amount No. / Description: ory Notice endation Type ch Process (US$ million) for Award Planed Planned Planned Hardware Open Open Procurement for Good – 1 Prior Internatio 0.50 Digital Infrastructure s Intern nal (RFB) ational Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), Fixed Budget Based Selection (FBBS), Least Cost Based Selection (LCBS) Signed Activi Revie Market Estimated Contra Activity Reference No. / Categor ty w Approac Amount ct Description: y Statu Type h (US$) Planne s d Consulta Open 1 Program Management Firm Prior nt Internatio 2,500,000 Services nal Software Development for Consulta Open National / 2 Digital Infrastructure – multiple Prior nt 2,250,000 Firms Internatio Services nal Specialists for Implementing Consulta Open National / 3 digital infrastructure – multiple Prior nt 750,000 individual consultants Internatio Services nal Consulta Open SOE Expert Consultants – 4 multiple individuals Prior nt Internatio 2,500,000 Services nal Individu Subsidy Reform Consultants – al Internatio 5 multiple individuals Prior 300,000 Consulta nal nt Individu al Internatio 6 SOE Reform Expert – Individual Prior 700,000 Consulta nal nt Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), Fixed Budget Based Selection (FBBS), Least Cost Based Selection (LCBS) Signed Activi Revie Market Estimated Contra Activity Reference No. / Categor ty w Approac Amount ct Description: y Statu Type h (US$) Planne s d Consulta Open 7 Public Relations Firm Prior nt Internatio 500,000 Services nal PROCUREMENT Maldives : Maldives Competitiveness and Growth Project PLAN General Information Country: Maldives 2023-04-24 Bank’s Approval Date of the Original Procurement Plan: 2024-02-27 Revised Plan Date(s): (comma delineated, leave blank if none) Project ID: P179286 GPN Date: 2023-03-12 Project Name: Maldives Competitiveness and Growth Project Loan / Credit No: / , IDA / 73050 Ministry of Finance, Maldives Executing Agency(ies): WORKS Activity Reference No. / Estimated Actual Am Bid Evaluation Report Loan / Credit N Market Approac Procurement Pro Prequalification High SEA/SH R Procurement D Process St Draft Pre-qualification Prequalification Evalu Draft Bidding Docum Specific Procurement Bidding Documents a Proposal Submission / Contract Complet Description Component Review Type Method Amount (U ount (US$ and Recommendation Signed Contract o. h cess (Y/N) isk ocument Type atus Documents ation Report ent / Justification Notice / Invitation s Issued Opening / Minutes ion S$) ) for Award Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned GOODS Activity Reference No. / Bid Evaluation Report Loan / Credit N Market Approac Procurement Pro Prequalification Estimated Am Actual Amount Process St Draft Pre-qualification Prequalification Evalu Draft Bidding Docum Specific Procurement Bidding Documents a Proposal Submission / Description Component Review Type Method and Recommendation Signed Contract Contract Completion o. h cess (Y/N) ount (US$) (US$) atus Documents ation Report ent / Justification Notice / Invitation s Issued Opening / Minutes for Award Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual NON CONSULTING SERVICES Activity Reference No. / Bid Evaluation Report Loan / Credit N Market Approac Procurement Pro Prequalification Estimated Am Actual Amount Process St Draft Pre-qualification Prequalification Evalu Draft Bidding Docum Specific Procurement Bidding Documents a Proposal Submission / Description Component Review Type Method and Recommendation Signed Contract Contract Completion o. h cess (Y/N) ount (US$) (US$) atus Documents ation Report ent / Justification Notice / Invitation s Issued Opening / Minutes for Award Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual CONSULTING FIRMS Activity Reference No. / Combined Evaluation Loan / Credit N Market Approac Contract Type Estimated Amo Actual Amount Expression of Interest Short List and Draft R Request for Proposals Opening of Technical Evaluation of Technic Description Component Review Type Method Process Status Terms of Reference Report and Draft Neg Signed Contract Contract Completion o. h unt (US$) (US$) Notice equest for Proposals as Issued Proposals / Minutes al Proposal otiated Contract Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual MV-MOF-MV-407598-CS-IND Component 2: Fostering SME Quality And Cost- Open - Internationa Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior 150,000.00 0.00 2024-02-25 2024-02-20 2024-03-17 2024-04-30 2024-05-28 2024-06-27 2024-08-01 2024-09-05 2025-09-05 V / SME Technology Gap Asse Competitiveness Based Selection l ation ssment INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS Activity Reference No. / Loan / Credit N Market Approac Contract Type Estimated Amo Actual Amount Invitation to Identifie Draft Negotiated Cont Description Component Review Type Method Process Status Terms of Reference Signed Contract Contract Completion o. h unt (US$) (US$) d/Selected Consultant ract Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual Planned Actual MV-MOF-MV-357238-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement / Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2023-04-23 2023-04-25 2023-05-18 2023-09-05 2023-05-23 2024-01-02 2023-06-09 2028-06-08 V / Procurement Specialist (N ement ant Selection ation ational) MV-MOF-MV-357241-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement / Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2023-04-23 2023-04-25 2023-05-18 2023-09-05 2023-05-23 2024-01-13 2023-06-09 2028-06-08 V / Project Coordinator (Natio ement ant Selection ation nal) MV-MOF-MV-396233-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2023-12-24 2023-12-14 2024-01-18 2024-02-22 2024-01-23 2024-02-09 2029-02-08 V / Project Director ement ant Selection ation MV-MOF-MV-396234-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2023-12-24 2023-12-14 2024-01-18 2024-01-31 2024-01-23 2024-02-09 2029-02-08 V / Financial Management Sp ement ant Selection ation ecialist MV-MOF-MV-396236-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement V / Environmental & Social S IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2024-01-02 2023-12-13 2024-01-27 2024-01-31 2024-02-01 2024-02-21 2024-02-18 2029-02-17 ement ant Selection ation afeguards Specialist MV-MOF-MV-396237-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2023-12-24 2023-12-14 2024-01-18 2024-01-31 2024-01-23 2024-02-22 2024-02-09 2029-02-08 V / Communications Specialis ement ant Selection ation t MV-MOF-MV-396365-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Under Implement V / SOE Accounting & Financ IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 60,000.00 0.00 2023-12-24 2023-12-18 2024-02-11 2024-03-03 2024-04-07 2024-10-04 SOE Reforms ant Selection ation e Specialist - SOE Expert Co nsultants MV-MOF-MV-396367-CS-IND Component 2: Fostering SME Individual Consult Open - Internationa V / Senior Financial Consume IDA / 73050 Prior 125,000.00 0.00 Signed 2023-12-14 2023-12-12 2024-02-01 2024-01-21 2024-02-22 2024-02-20 2024-03-28 2024-09-24 Competitiveness ant Selection l r Protection Expert MV-MOF-MV-397412-CS-IND V / Systems Analyst “Assessment of Information S Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult IDA / 73050 Post Open - National 4,000.00 0.00 Signed 2023-12-19 2023-12-18 2024-02-06 2024-01-15 2024-02-27 2024-02-08 2024-04-02 2024-09-29 ystems and Capacity to Impl SOE Reforms ant Selection ement Targeting and Direct T ransfer Mechanisms for Subsi dy Reform Program” MV-MOF-MV-407593-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Open - Internationa V / Economic Reform Commu IDA / 73050 Prior 360,000.00 0.00 Canceled 2024-02-11 2024-02-20 2024-03-31 2024-04-21 2024-05-26 2024-11-22 SOE Reforms ant Selection l nications Specialist (Internati onal) MV-MOF-MV-407600-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Open - Internationa IDA / 73050 Prior 700,000.00 0.00 Canceled 2024-02-11 2024-03-31 2024-04-21 2024-05-26 2024-11-22 V / SOE Reform Expert (Inter SOE Reforms ant Selection l national) MV-MOF-MV-407602-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult V / Junior Social Protection Ec IDA / 73050 Post Open - National 7,000.00 0.00 Canceled 2024-02-15 2024-02-26 2024-04-04 2024-04-25 2024-05-30 2024-11-26 SOE Reforms ant Selection onomist (National) MV-MOF-MV-407594-CS-IND Component 2: Fostering SME Individual Consult Open - Internationa V / Consultant to Conduct SM IDA / 73050 Post 12,000.00 0.00 Under Review 2024-02-25 2024-02-20 2024-04-14 2024-05-05 2024-06-09 2024-12-06 Competitiveness ant Selection l E Credit Gap Assessment MV-MOF-MV-407601-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Open - Internationa Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior 60,000.00 0.00 2024-02-25 2024-02-20 2024-04-14 2024-05-05 2024-06-09 2024-12-06 V / Social Protection Economi SOE Reforms ant Selection l ation st MV-MOF-MV-410978-CS-IND Component 3: Project Manag Individual Consult Pending Impleme IDA / 73050 Prior Open - National 162,000.00 0.00 2024-02-29 2024-04-18 2024-05-09 2024-06-13 2028-06-30 V / Financial Management Sp ement ant Selection ntation ecialist Page 1 MV-MOF-MV-411144-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Open - Internationa Under Implement V / Economic Reform Commu IDA / 73050 Prior 160,000.00 0.00 2024-02-29 2024-02-26 2024-04-18 2024-05-09 2024-06-13 2025-03-10 SOE Reforms ant Selection l ation nications Specialist (Internati onal) MV-MOF-MV-411145-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Open - Internationa Under Implement IDA / 73050 Prior 220,000.00 0.00 2024-02-29 2024-02-26 2024-04-18 2024-05-09 2024-06-13 2025-06-13 V / SOE Reform Expert (Inter SOE Reforms ant Selection l ation national) MV-MOF-MV-412118-CS-IND Component 1: Accelerating Individual Consult Pending Impleme V / Associate Social Protectio IDA / 73050 Post Open - National 7,000.00 0.00 2024-02-29 2024-04-15 2024-05-04 2024-06-08 2024-09-06 SOE Reforms ant Selection ntation n Economist (National) Page 2