The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) invites expressions of interest from consulting firms, or consortia, who wish to be considered for the provision of services to the IDB for the development of the strategic environmental evaluation of the Santa Cruz--Puerto Suárez Corridor. The study will focus on conceiving and detailing a strategy for governmental and bank actions aimed at developing an adequate environmental management approach to address the indirect, long-term and cumulative potential social/environmental impacts due to the implementation of the corridor (taking into consideration the synergy of the project with other major existing or planned infrastructure projects in the region). It will conceive a framework of public consultation to ensure the informed participation of civil society in all stages of project preparation and execution. Finally, the development of the study itself must begin the process

of institutional strengthening and actions necessary to address the environmental and social issues.

Consulting firms domiciled in IDB member countries that are interested in being considered for the study are invited to submit information on the general background of the firm, prior experience in undertaking similar studies, specific experience in the area of the study, competent knowledge of the local language and the utilization of integrated-teams drawing from local and foreign expertise.

Interested firms must include in their expressions of interest a description of their recent and relevant experience in the following areas:

• Development of regional social/environmental impact studies;
• Development of land management projects, including areas with indigenous populations;
• Development of pertinent projects specifically in the region of the study;
• Development of regional transportation studies;
• Utilization of geomatics technology (GIS/RS/GPS etc.) to support social/environmental studies and the implementation of environmental planning and management systems;
• Development and implementation of strategies aimed at strengthening public participation; and
• Development of environmental policy studies and evaluation of existing institutional and legal frameworks.

The IDB procurement procedures limit a firm to participate in only one consortium. However, a given firm may be included in proposals from various firms as a subcontractor. The expressions of interest must present letters of agreement from all firms and individual consultants to be included on the team, stating clearly if they are participating as part of a consortium or as a subcontractor.

The expressions of interest from the consulting firms shall be received not later than 1600 hours (Washington DC time) on Friday, July 16, 1999 at the following address:

Inter-American Development Bank

Bolivia---Strategic Environmental Evaluation of the Santa Cruz--Puerto Suarez Corridor

Finance and Basic Infrastructure Division 1, Stop E-1011

1300 New York Avenue, NW

Washington DC 20577, USA

Contact Persons: Mr. Henry Green and Mr. Luis Miglino

Tel: (202) 623-1966; Fax: (202) 623-1428

E-mail: RE1/FI1@iadb.org with copies to henryg@iadb.org or luismi@iadb.org