The Government of Jamaica has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to assist in financing the Agricultural Support Services Project (ASSP). The Ministry of Agriculture is executing this project.

The activities of the ASSP are structured in three components:

$Strengthening the delivery of agricultural support services

$Strengthening and consolidating agricultural and food safety services

$Financing selected activities in high payoff productive projects

A portion of the funds will be used to engage consulting services for the strengthening of the delivery of agricultural support services and formulation of project proposals for possible funding.

Examples of disciplines in which consulting services may be required are:

$Pest and disease management

$Project formulation

$Extension services

$Product development

$HAACP audits and training

$Environment impact assessment

$Marketing

$Analytical services

$Business management

$Communications

The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible individual consultants or firms from the IDB=s member countries to submit prequalification information to the Project Director at the address below.

Individual consultants or firms seeking to prequalify must provide proof of their technical and educational capacities, and relevant experience for the provision of the services.

A shortlist of three to six individual consultants or firms will be selected in accordance with the following criteria:

$Background and qualifications

$Similar work done

$Prior experience in Jamaica or in similar country

$Availability

Submission must be delivered to the address below by 15 July 2002.

Ministry of Agriculture

Attn: Project Director

Agricultural Support Services Project

Hope Gardens

Kingston 6, Jamaica

Tel: (1-876) 927-1506. Fax: (1-876) 977-4348