The Government of Jamaica has secured a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to finance the Primary Education Support Project (PESP). The project will support the development and implementation of activities aimed at improving the delivery of primary level education in Jamaica. Part of the loan proceeds is intended to fund payments for the procurement of the services for a team of international consultants to review the design, plans and implementation of the school district pilots with particular attention to financial management, educational services, organizational structure and operating procedures to ensure a smooth transition from the current school management structure to the school district model.

Interested eligible bidders from the IDB=s member countries may obtain further information from and inspect the bidding documents at the office of the Project Manager, PESP (address below).

A complete set of bidding documents, in English, may be purchased by interested bidders, from 30 November 2001 to 14 January 2002, on the submission of a written application to the Project Manager, PESP (same address), and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of US$ 100 or J$ 4,500 per package, Monday through Friday, from 0900 to 1600 hours. The payment toward the cost of the bidding documents may be made by a banker=s check or demand draft in favor of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. Payments in any other form will not be accepted. The bidding documents will be sent by DHL or electronic mail to bidders outside Jamaica, but the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture will not be responsible for any delays in delivery.

All bids must be accompanied by a security of US$ 1,000, or its equivalent in Jamaican dollars on the date of payment, and be delivered to the address below by 1200 hours on 15 January 2002. They will be opened at 1205 hours, on the same day, in the presence of the bidders= representatives who choose to attend, at the same address.