The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT), through the Ministry of Education, has received a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for a Secondary Education Modernization Program (SEMP); the goal of which is the modernization of the education sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

One component of the SEMP operation is the technical upgrade of the existing 100 secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago. This technical upgrade consists of improvement works to the science laboratories, computer laboratories and libraries. This work is expected to be conducted in five phases of 20 secondary schools. In order to fulfil its responsibility under this loan, the GORTT is inviting expressions of interest from consultants from the IDB=s member countries to provide design and construction supervision consulting services for the second phase of 20 secondary schools.

Interested firms, whether acting singly or in joint venture, are required to submit documentation and a completed questionnaire, which can be obtained from the Program Coordinator at the second address below.

All prequalification information should be submitted in English. After evaluation of the information submitted a shortlist of consultants and/or joint ventures of consultants will be selected and requested to submit proposals for the provision of the services. The terms of reference for the works will be made available to the shortlisted consultants.

The original and two copies of the prequalification documents, in envelopes clearly marked APrequalification of Consulting Firm to provide Design and Construction Supervision Consulting Services Phase II - IDB Loan 1180/OC-TT for the SEMP, Ministry of Education@, must be submitted to the first address below by 1300 hours on Thursday, 16 May 2002. The documents will be opened shortly after the closing at the Board=s Office in the presence of the firm=s representatives who chooses to attend. Late submissions will not be accepted.

The GORTT reserves the right to cancel the present bidding process in its entirety or even partially without defraying any cost incurred by any firm submitting documents.

Any call or queries regarding this invitation for prequalification should be directed to the second address below.

1. Central Tenders Board. Attn: Director of Contracts. 116, Frederick St.. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: (1-868) 625-3565. Fax: (1-868) 625-1809.
2. Ministry of Education. Secondary Education Modernization Program. Attn: Program Coordinator. MTS Plaza. Aranguez, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: (1-868) 675-9739. Fax: (1-868) 675-9746