United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP)

2merkato.com
(Jan 24, 2025)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) Ref: EOI-ETCO-LOG-2025-02

Provision Of Cargo Handling Services in Ethiopia except for the Somali region

Closing Date: 05 February 2025 at 12:00 hrs 

A. Background

The United Nations World Food Programme in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia invites interested and qualified companies to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for the provision of Cargo Handling Services at WFP warehouses in Ethiopia.

B. Objective

This invitation for expression of interest aims to identify qualified local companies for the provision of cargo handling and associated services at WFP warehouses in Ethiopia. The shortlisted companies will be invited to participate in a bidding process to provide the above-mentioned services. Based on the results of the competitive bidding process, WFP may conclude a contract with one or more companies for the provision of cargo handling services. 

C. Service Requirement 

I. The provision of cargo handling services consists of loading and unloading, and handling of various humanitarian food and non-food items in WFP warehouses. This includes handling of bagged and carbonized commodities, re-stacking, reconstitution of damaged packaging, segregation of damaged cargo, re-bagging/re-packaging of food and non-food items, assisting in fumigation and spraying exercises under strict supervision and technical guidance of WFP, and performing any other warehouse activities as necessary.

II. The company shall employ manpower as required and manage all its personnel/administrative matters independently. The company shall assign a dedicated staff (focal point) to coordinate and communicate with WFP on daily operations.
III. This request for EoI is the initial step for the first stage of shortlisting.

IV. Upon receipt of submission of responses to the request for Expression of Interest Ref: EOI-ETCO-LOG-2025-02, WFP will evaluate the responses received and will notify eligible participants of the outcome of the evaluation.

D. Eligibility Criteria

This Invitation for Expression of Interest is announced for locally qualified companies. The companies must have their representative or offices in the respective location of the warehouse (or be willing to open an office upon award of the contract) and be able to render the services in the areas/location they are interested.

The main evaluation criteria for shortlisting are as follows:

I. Legal status to conduct the needful services (Valid business license etc.)

II. Relevant experience (Minimum 3 years of experience in the provision of cargo handling services)

III. Financial status 

IV. Office presence in Ethiopia

E. EOI process

To participate in the pre-qualification exercise, companies are required to provide the following:

•    Letter of Expression of Interest with official letterhead
•    Supporting documents

o Brief company profile (max. of 5 pages), including organization structure and contact details (e-mail address is mandatory, website, address/physical location, telephone, fax numbers). 
o Certificate of Incorporation for PLC or Share Company
o Renewed Business License and Trade registration License
o Renewed License from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs or from Local Social & Labour Affairs Office
o Taxpayer and VAT registration certificates 
o Independently Audited Financial Statements for the last two years. 
o Letter of Reference from major clients (minimum three clients in the last three years) (Letters should be written in English/translated into English).

All documents should be presented in English.

Non-provision of the required information may result in the exclusion of the company from further consideration. 

F.    Submission of EOI

The Expression of Interest (EOI) along with any additional documents must be enclosed in a sealed envelope and delivered to the WFP Country Office in Addis Ababa at the address provided below, not later than 12:00 hours on 05 February 2025.  

WFP Address:

Attention: Logistics Unit – Contracting Section

World Food Programme – P.O. Box 25584 – Bole Sub City, Woreda 02 Ring Road, Opposite cargo terminal, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The cover of the envelope should contain the following information – 

EOI Reference Number, Date of Submission, and the Name of the company. 

All EOIs should be duly signed and stamped. 

Any request for clarifications should be sent to the following email address: addis.logisticscontracting@wfp.org   

WFP will not consider incomplete or unsigned submissions as well as submissions after the stipulated deadline. 

This request for EoI is not an invitation to tender nor does it imply automatic selection to WFP’s shortlist. No rates/prices are required at this stage, and this invitation does not bind WFP to issue any tenders or contracts to the companies expressing their interest. Furthermore, WFP reserves the right to change or cancel this process or any of its requirements at any time during the process.

WFP does not charge any fee for companies to participate in the entire process.

The United Nations World Food Programme

Ethiopia Country Office