TERMS OF REFERENCE

FOR INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT

POST TITLE: International Consultant for recommending business operations

of charging infrastructure
AGENCY/PROJECT NAME: UNDP/ Bhutan Sustainable Low-emission Urban Transport
Systems
COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT: Thimphu, Bhutan

1) GENERAL BACKGROUND
Bhutan has been witnessing increasing levels of air pollution which can primarily be attributed to
emissions from increased transportation activity. With the objective of mitigating the increasing
emissions from the transport sector, the adoption of more sustainable transport system through the
introduction of EV (Electric Vehicle) as an alternative to ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles
were identified. Several policy initiatives ranging from fiscal incentives to launching of electric and
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle models and measures towards creating an enabling environment,
have been undertaken.

In creating an enabling environment to encourage adoption and uptake of EV in the country, the
installation of reliable and extensive network of Quick Charging Infrastructure is considered a crucial
requirement. Towards this end, the RGoB, through the Gross National Happiness Commission
Secretariat installed five QCS with support from JICA as a pilot project. This project has been into
operation since 1 st January 2016 prior to handing over to the Ministry of Information and
Communications on 22nd June 2017.

The effective and efficient operation and maintenance of the Quick Charging infrastructure in five
different locations have instilled confidence on EV users and will further encourage adoption of EVs
as a reliable alternative to vehicles using imported fuel. The operation and maintenance of QCS is
currently being outsourced to a private company.

With the approval of GEF project titled “Bhutan Sustainable Low-emission Urban Transport
Systems”, the MoIC intends to expand its QCS infrastructure in Thimphu and its nearby Districts to
improve the services and to overcome the range anxiety, which is one of the barriers for adopting EV
technologies.

The operation and maintenance of QCS is currently being outsourced to a private company, who is
responsible to ensure that the QCS are operational at all times.

2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of this study is to come up with a viable model for successfully managing the
QCS infrastructure for “Bhutan Sustainable Low-emission Urban Transport Systems” project.

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3) SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY TASKS

Under the supervision of the PMU (MoIC) and UNDP, and in close consultation with the Technical
Working Committee established under the PMU, Regional Technical Advisor and key stakeholders,
the consultant will carry out the following tasks.

Inception Note
● Develop and present a detailed methodology and work plan for the assignment through desk
review of documents such as existing operational model, regional and global best practices;

Liaise with the Government counterparts, UNDP (CO and BRH) and relevant stakeholders
● Coordinate consultations with all relevant stakeholders including UNDP, PMU in MoIC and
GNHC for inputs;
● Review the Prodoc;
● Collect all the required data and information from relevant agencies.

Business Operations Models

● Review the existing business models;

● Review the global and regional best practices;
● Prepare cost-benefit analysis and develop business model for network operations;
● Design contractual and financial agreement mechanism for dedicated operators in place to ensure
sustainability;
● Submit a final report by working closely with the UNDP CO, PMU in MoIC and GNHC.

4) DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL

The consultant will be recruited for 20 working days spread over the period from the week of 1st
August 2019 to 30th December 2019. The work will be home based with two missions to conduct
stakeholder consultation and finalization of report. The consultants shall closely liase with the PMU
for the arrangement of missions, any stakeholder consultation meetings and logistic arrangements.

5) FINAL PRODUCTS
The key deliverable of the consultant will be a contractual and financial agreement technically cleared
by the Technical Working Committee and endorsed by the Government and UNDP.

Following are the key deliverables of the assignment:

i) Submission of the inception report;
ii) Final report with viable business models.

6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS

The consultant will receive technical guidance and support from the UNDP Regional Technical
Advisor, Bangkok Regional Hub, UNDP Country Office, Project Management Unit under MoIC and
Gross National Happiness Commission. The progress of the consultant will be monitored based on
the timelines and milestones indicated in the inception note.

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7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS
● Postgraduate degree and knowledge in Management of Business Administration, Management
Studies or any relevant field of study;
● At least 7 years of experience is developing business strategies, conducting financial analysis and
PPP or any other viable models;
● Sound knowledge of technology applications and experience in regional and global EV market;
● Good knowledge and understanding of key stakeholders involved in the sustainable transport
landscape is preferred;
● Excellent interpersonal skills to work in a team;
● Demonstrated command over writing professional reports/project documents in English in a
timely manner with evidence by submission of sample reports.

8) CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

The criteria which shall serve as basis for evaluating offers will be:
● Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and relevant work experience of
individual consultant/organization will be weighted a maximum of 70% and combined with
the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.
● Please note that the details of past works on similar assignment needs to be submitted with
the proposal.
Criteria Weight Max. Point
Technical 70
● Academic background of consultant 10
● Relevant work experience and knowledge in Global EV 20
markets with focus on operation of quick charging stations
● Prior experience of working in Bhutan or similar countries or
10
region
30
● Quality of technical proposal
Sub-total A. (Technical) 70
Financial 30 30
Sub-Total B.(Financial) 30
Total (A+B) 100
9) PAYMENT TERMS
Indicative timeline together with payment terms are reflected below:

Deliverables/ Outputs Target Due Dates Payment Schedule

Signing of contract 1st August 2019
Submission of Inception Report 11th August 2019 10%
First Mission: 20th August 2019 (4 days)
stakeholder consultation meetings
1st Draft of report 1st September 2019 40%
Second Mission: 15th September 2019 (2 days)
Validation meetings

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 Submission of final report 31st October 2019 50%

10) AWARD OF CONTRACT

The consultancy firm/team who fulfill the requirements will be assessed based on a combined scoring
of:
● Technical evaluation comprising of 70%, and
● Financial evaluation of 30%.
11) FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Please indicate fee structure: All-inclusive lump-sum fee in the financial proposal.

Note: Payments will be made upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of
acceptance by the UNDP. The consultant/organization must factor in all possible costs in the “All
Inclusive Lump Sum Fee/Daily fee” financial proposal including consultancy and professional fee,
DSA for field visits, honorarium, communication cost such as telephone/internet usage, printing cost,
transportation, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs
other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the
consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on
actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials.
12) RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER
Please submit the below preferred documents with the presentation of offer:
a) Cover letter with expression of interest;
b) Personal CV indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details
(email and telephone number) of the consultancy firm/team and at least three (3) professional
references;
c) Technical proposal with clear methodology;
d) Financial proposal with breakdown of the cost items.
The proposal should be submitted in electronic format by Sunday 7th July 2019 to
procurement.bt@undp.org.

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