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Open call for consulting services

Reference Number 026-018

TERMS OF REFERENCE: Support to the implementation of the digital integration measures

within the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic

Area in the Western Balkans

Title: Market analysis of domestic and roaming prices of telecom

operators in Western Balkans

RCC Department: Programme Department

Reporting to: RCC Secretariat

Duration: 10th

April 2018 – 15th

May 2018 (up to 50 working days)

Eligible: Respective legal entities/ or individual consultants within bidding

consortia

Deadline for applications: 5 April 2018

I BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to perform an analysis of telecom markets in Western Balkans

(Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*,1Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia) by identifying all mobile operators active in the region, their market

shares in each WB economy, and other important parameters, and by examining actual domestic

and retail roaming prices for services they offer to their customers.

The analysis should be performed with the aim to identify all operators of mobile services (calls,

SMS, and data traffic) active in the region (in each economy) as well as the market structure,

ownership and market share, including analysis of at least three largest2 mobile network operators

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the

Kosovo declaration of independence. 2 Based on the total number of mobile subscriptions. If the combined market share of the three largest operators is less than 70%,

the fourth largest operator should also be included. If there are less than 3 operators active in the economy, two operators are

sufficient.

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(MNOs) for each economy and number of their customers who are using roaming services,

including Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MNVOs), if any.

Further, the research should provide information on the existing prices for domestic mobile

services (calls, SMS and data) as well as retail roaming prices, including prices of MTR (mobile

termination rate) wherever possible, for each economy (wholesale roaming) and provide

comparative analysis between Western Balkan (WB) economies. This research should provide a

clear overview of prices (while applying the simplified OECD methodology) and differences

between WB economies, and make possible identification of future steps and measures necessary

for decreasing roaming prices and harmonisation of roaming policies in the Western Balkans

region as one of priority measures in the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area

(MAP REA). Furthermore, this analysis should contribute to the preparation of a Roadmap to

facilitate lowering the cost of roaming as part of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans to be

launched by the European Commission, which is expected to be presented in May 2018 during the

EU-WB Summit in Sofia.

Moreover, the purpose of this research is to present the effects of roaming regulation in force in

the EU (the RLAH regime) which resulted in abolishing roaming charges among all EU MS and

also the EEA, to identify implications on the WB economies, to explore effects of the Regional

Agreement on Reducing the Prices of Roaming Services on Public Mobile Communication

Networks3 (Regional Roaming Agreement or RRA) which is already in force in four WB

economies, and thus enable comparison of current domestic and roaming costs in WB.

Background information

The leaders of Western Balkan economies endorsed the Multi-annual Action Plan (MAP) for a

Regional Economic Area at the Trieste Summit held on 12th

July 2017. Upon request of WB

Prime Ministers, the preparation of MAP was coordinated by the RCC with contribution of all 6

WB economies. Furthermore, the RCC is tasked to monitor the implementation and report on the

achieved progress in regular intervals. The MAP has four components and Digital Integration is

one of them. Digital Integration component is further divided into several areas which focus on

improving connectivity, trust and security, digital skills and digital economy. Digital connectivity

among other areas foresees activities on decreasing roaming charges and creation of a RLAH4

economic area through coordination of roaming policies and following the EU’s RLAH model.

So far the RCC Secretariat has been working on analysing the effects of signed RRA on

decreasing roaming charges in the WB region. Therefore, this research should provide additional

analytical input needed for future actions related to coordination of roaming policies, and provide

further guidance for developing a Roadmap to facilitate lowering the cost of roaming, taking into

account present and still high roaming costs in WB (mainly due to high MTR costs), the recent

abolishment of roaming charges in the EU, as well as side effects it has on the WB telecom

markets.

In February 2017, the RCC completed the Study on Market Impact of the Regional Roaming

Agreement which provided analyses of legal, institutional and policy framework for roaming

3 Signed in September 2014 by ministries responsible for electronic communications from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro,

Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 4 Roam Like At Home

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services in the Western Balkans region, as well as analyses of effects of RRA. The study also

offered analysis of the legal regulation on roaming price caps and marked developments related to

the volume of cross-border traffic.

Coordination of roaming polices towards a RLAH economic area in the Western Balkans remains

a focus of future RCC activities. The new Enlargement Strategy also references this and its

accompanying Action Plan defines the launching of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans,

including a Roadmap to facilitate lowering the cost of roaming as a priority for 2018. Therefore,

this research should be prepared with the aim to identify existing standard domestic and

international prices of roaming services (for data, calls, SMS), to compare standard costs between

WB economies (as a basket of goods), for the purpose of coherence ideally in one currency

(€),and to reflect on the impact of abolishment of roaming charges in the EU on Western Balkans

telecom markets.

II DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Objectives and Scope of the Assignment

The objective of the study is to develop a better understanding of the developments in mobile

markets by collecting information on mobile services' prices using the OECD mobile pricing

baskets (methodology).

Researching mobile prices is a complex exercise, as mobile operators offer a variety of price plans

for different devices and usage patterns including the bundling of several services. The OECD has

defined 5X3 mobile broadband usage baskets to benchmark prices for handset use (considering

also service bundles) separately. In this study, we will apply the methodology defined by the

OECD.

The methodology adopted by the OECD can be accessed here: http://www.oecd-

ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/methodology-for-constructing-wireless-broadband-price-

baskets_5k92wd5kw0nw-en.

The consultant should also take into account the International Roaming BEREC Benchmark Data

Report and the methodology used. The report can be accessed here:

http://berec.europa.eu/eng/document_register/subject_matter/berec/reports/7309-international-

roaming-berec-benchmark-data-report-october-2016-march-2017

The data collection should take place at the same time in all the observed economies.

The European Commission has been collecting price retail data which can be found here:

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/connectivity

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide inputs helpful in shaping the future roaming

strategy and policy, possibly including also the regulatory frameworks in the WB.

To accomplish this objective the consultancy will perform analysis of telecom market in the

Western Balkans (WB) and will identify all mobile operators and their market share in each WB

economy. Based on the identified operators, the consultant is expected to develop a methodology

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and design a tool for collecting data on domestic and roaming prices, and to perform data

collection from the three largest5 MNOs on domestic and roaming prices for three types of

services: calls (incoming and outgoing), SMS and data transfer. To collect data on MTR, the

consultant might need to also conduct a (qualitative) research with national regulatory authorities.

The research should investigate actual prices for domestic and roaming services using available

and comparable data (publicly available, obtained from operators, regulators, or other

organisations) which should be presented in appropriate tables and charts making understanding

and comparison easy for readers. Based on the findings and identified actual prices, the consultant

is required to provide interpretation of results, with comments and explanation of the main

parameters, having performed comparative and other analyses. The report shall also include

(policy) recommendations, with various options described with pros and cons, and the preferred

option identified with the explanation (reasoning why it is the most preferred option?).

The research should cover domestic and EU roaming unit prices for mobile services (outgoing and

incoming calls, SMS, data). The research should distinguish between pre- and post-paid tariff

plans. The research should analyse offers in the different baskets of mobile services defined by the

OECD.

The consultant is also expected to develop and elaborate on the economic model for

standardisation of prices to Euro, and include the local purchasing power parity (PPP)

comparison.

The research should be performed in a way to enable systematised presentation of results, easy

understanding of status, types of contracts and comparability among economies, in both

descriptive verbal way and in graphic way (graphs, tables).

Specific Tasks

The scope of services under this assignment includes the following main activities:

Task 1: Market analysis

Analysis of telecom market in WB should include all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MNVOs) if any, active in the region, standard types of pre-

paid and post-paid contracts for their customers, market structure and ownership (private vs state

owned) and their market shares. This task should offer a clear understanding of existing telecom

market, context, market conditions, available products, and standard tariffing models for pre-paid

and post-paid customers, Average Retail Revenue per User (ARPU), basic information about

customers (number of subscriptions), and other relevant parameters. (National Regulatory

Authorities in the 6 WB economies may provide useful information in that regard)6.

This analysis should also include identification of the number of customers using roaming

services to and from each WB economy. The consultant is required to propose the period (one

5 Based on the total number of mobile subscriptions. If the combined market share of the three largest operators is less than 70%,

the fourth largest operator should also be included. 6 A direct contact with regulators and operators will be pursued by RCC. RCC is also ready to sign non-disclosure agreements

when needed.

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year – 2017 or one month, ex. February 2018) based on the most recent available data (subject to

approval and agreement with RCC) for which data will be collected.

In addition to the above mentioned, the analysis of the telecom market in WB should include

(where available and/or where possible) the following aspects:7

- Termination rates (charged to domestic operators, to operators from other WB economies,

and to operators from the EU);

- Wholesale roaming prices charged to and paid to foreign operators;

- Volumes of inbound roaming traffic (from foreign WB operators, from EU operators);

- Outbound roaming traffic (to other WB economies, to the EU), and average monthly retail

roaming consumption.

Based on the last two points (volume of inbound and outbound roaming traffic) the consultant is

expected to provide a series of data (for previous period- subject to agreement with the RCC) that

will enable identification of trends in volume of roaming traffic within WB and from/to EU MS in

light of introduced RLAH model. This part should determine relations between the decrease of

prices and volume of used services, i.e. present impact of RLAH, and enable assessment of future

trends for WB. Results of this part should be presented in annexes to the report, which will be

available only to economies to which they relate.

Task 2: Methodology for data collecting

Coverage of mobile operators

At least three largest mobile network operators should be covered for each economy, based on the

number of mobile subscriptions. If the combined market share of the three largest operators is less

than 70%, the fourth largest operator should also be included. Additionally, if operating, at least

one MVNO per national market should be included in the data collection.

National Regulatory Authorities can be consulted on the list of selected operators subject to

analysis.

The OECD has defined 5X3 mobile broadband usage baskets to benchmark prices for handset use

(considering also service bundles) separately. In this study, we will apply the methodology

defined by the OECD.

The methodology adopted by the OECD can be accessed here: http://www.oecd-

ilibrary.org/science-and-technology/methodology-for-constructing-wireless-broadband-price-

baskets_5k92wd5kw0nw-en.

The data collection should take place at the same time in all the observed WB economies.

7 Publicly available sources and data from regulatory authorities should be used, in case of delays and due to possible

confidentiality of data, RCC is ready to sign non-disclosure agreements and coordinate with operators and regulatory authorities.

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The consultant is expected to develop a methodology and prepare a tool for collecting data for one

standard pre-paid and one standard post-paid type of contract. The tool should ensure obtaining all

necessary data on domestic and roaming prices for three types of services (voice, SMS and data)

for operators in WB as defined above.

The methodology should take into account different currencies in WB and provide a model for

standardisation to Euro, as well as local purchasing power comparison.

In addition to this, under this task, the consultant is expected to propose a methodology and source

of data for estimation of smartphone penetration in WB, having in mind a growing trend of use of

smartphones, which have significant impact on roaming incomes of mobile operators.

Task 3: Data collecting (using developed tool, data on actual domestic and international

roaming prices for all operators from all 6 WB economies need to be collected)

For the purpose of systematised presentation of obtained data on domestic and roaming prices the

consultant is also expected to deliver data in electronic open format (MS Excel, MS Access, or

equivalent) in a user-friendly simulation tool.

Data sources

For this task the consultant should use official websites of mobile operators in WB, providing

valid links in the report, or information gathered directly from operators, regulators or other

institutions8.

Data review

Prior to publication, the data should be sent to the National Regulatory Authorities for a review.

The cheapest offers per basket and operator should be recorded for all the baskets in the table

below.

Source: OECD -

DSTI/ICCP/CISP(2011)5/FINAL

8 The RCC will support this process in case of delays and when necessary particularly having in mind possible confidentiality of

data and following non-disclosure principle.

Handset use (data volumes + voice/SMS basket)

100 MB + 30 calls basket

500 MB + 100 calls basket

1 GB + 300 calls basket

2 GB + 900 calls basket

2 GB + 100 calls basket

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Additionally, 5GB + 100 calls + 140 SMS basket will be collected to ensure comparability with

the European Commission datasets.

For detailed information on the calculation of data volumes and prices, please refer to the above

OECD paper.

The consultant can propose to change slightly the composition of the OECD baskets, given the

market evolution. The final list of baskets shall be agreed upon with the RCC.

Task 4: Presenting, analysing and interpreting of data

The consultant is expected to present the obtained insights and results using appropriate tables,

diagrams and other tools which will facilitate and simplify understanding of market conditions,

enable comparative analyses of economies and operators, and provide readers with a quick yet

comprehensive insight into the situation in the region. All information should be presented in

understandable manner following logical order, using proposed standardisation to Euro and taking

into account local purchasing power.

The final datasets:

- The consultant shall provide an electronic database of all the raw data in MS Excel or

equivalent in open format (as stated above).

- The data set should allow users to filter and sort data according to a number of criteria such as

economy, name of the operator, price and basket. A delivery in the form of a simulation tool

format is highly recommended.

- The database should also include a dynamic spreadsheet with graphical presentations of the

data.

- The dataset should be provided as structured data in a machine readable format (e.g. in the

form of a spreadsheet and/or an RDF file) for internal usage and for publishing (ex. on the

Open Data Portal).

Data formats

The raw datasets should comply with the following provisions:

- The data delivered should include the appropriate metadata (e.g. description of the dataset,

definition of the indicators, label and sources for the variables, notes) to facilitate reuse and

publication.

- The data delivered could be linked to data resources external to the scope of the study,

preferably data and semantic resources from the Commission's own data portal or from the

upcoming pan-European portal. The consultant should describe in the offer the approach they

will adopt to facilitate data linking.

- In case of statistical data that could be used to derive/compute indicators (e.g. for

benchmarking national policies), the consultant should use templates provided by (or agreed

with) RCC, like those available on https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/download-data on

the Data Cube vocabulary.

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Report format

All deliverables must be written in English.

All reports should be consistent in style, following RCC rules (headings, margins, citations,

bibliography, etc.) and contain a short executive summary. The consultant is required to properly

apply quotation techniques and particular care will be taken to verify improper re-use of existing

material. To this end, the RCC will provide the consultant with the RCC Communication Strategy

2017-2019, Document Formatting Template, and the Guide for Drafting of RCC Documents.

All reports will be submitted in electronic format (.doc, .xls, .ppt or equivalents in open formats).

Exchange of advance copies as well as other non-formal communications shall take place via e-

mail. In addition to roaming prices, based on proposed methodology (from Task 2) the consultant

is expected to present assessment of smartphone penetration in WB.

Task 5: Conclusions and recommendations

Based on the obtained data and performed analyses of domestic and roaming prices in Western

Balkans the consultant is expected to prepare narrative report with interpretation of the results,

conclusions and recommendation for future activities related to decreasing roaming charges in

WB.

Lines of Communication

The consultant shall submit all reports and timesheets to the RCC Secretariat for review and

approval of deliverables. The consultant will work closely with the RCC Secretariat experts from

whom he/she will seek guidelines to efficiently perform the assignment and will provide them

with all deliverables.

Regular phone communication

Once in ten days or, if needed, more frequently, a phone communication on the state of progress

of the study will take place between representatives of the consultant and the RCC.

Timeframe

The consultant is expected to use up to 50 working days for this assignment, starting from 10th

April and ending on 15th

May 2018.

Deliverable Due date

Market analysis report (Task 1 and 2) – it will include

analyses of WB telecom market, active mobile operators, their

market shares, existing standard types of contracts (pre-paid and

post-paid), termination rates, inbound and outbound roaming

traffic, wholesale roaming prices charged to foreign operators,

14 days after signing

of the Contract

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trends in volume of roaming traffic (in form of annexes), etc.

This task should also include proposed methodology and a tool

for collecting data including a short concept proposing next

steps in finalisation of the assignment.

The assignment should include identification of special

packages/services which operators offer to their customers for

roaming services within their corporate/partners’ networks.

The methodology and tool for data collection, as well as the

concept for finalisation of the assignment should be agreed and

approved by the RCC Secretariat.

The methodology should include a methodology for selection of

12-15 EU MS to be analysed in the document.

Data collection process (Task 3) – will include collection of

data using the developed tool and methodology agreed with the

RCC Secretariat. This process should cover one pre-paid and

one post-paid standard contract for each operator (as described

above) in WB for domestic services and (international) services

provided in other WB economies and EU MS.

For this to be realised the consultant is expected to engage local

experts who speak local languages and who will perform

collecting data.

14 days after

signing of the

Contract

First draft of the report (Task 4 and 5) – it will include

presentation of obtained data (in appropriate tables and using

graphs and other methods for illustrative graphical

presentations), development of an electronic database with data

gathered in previous phase (in open format), interpretation of

results and preparation of a narrative report analysing findings

and entire situation in telecom sector related to domestic and

international roaming prices. The report should contain

conclusions and recommendations for the next steps towards

reducing roaming costs in WB.

This part should also include assessment of smartphone

penetration in WB based on the agreed methodology and inputs.

28 days after

signing of the

Contract

Final draft report (Task 4 and 5) – will incorporate comments

and recommendations received from RCC (including ones of

the EC and WB economies) where the consultant deems

appropriate, or justification in case of disagreement. The final

report should also contain final conclusions and

recommendations.

The consultant is obliged to deliver the final draft as a

35 days after

signing of the

Contract

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proofread document in English (checked by a native

speaker or professional translator).

Reporting

The consultant will work under the direct guidance of the RCC Expert on Connectivity and will

report directly to him.

III PROFILE AND COMPETENCIES

The consultant should have ample knowledge and experience in the fields of mobile

communications market, performing economic analyses, excellent analytical skills, and

experience in collecting data, modelling and performing statistical analyses.

Qualifications:

Education:

University or preferably advanced degree in electrical engineering,

economy, or other relevant field related to electronic communications market

and economic analyses.

Experience:

Qualifications and skills required

Theoretical knowledge and minimum 7 years of practical experience in

market research, market analyses, statistical and economic data processing;

Solid knowledge of electronic communications market, existing

technologies and trends in WB economies;

Experience in developing electronic databases, organising data series and

systematising data;

Analytical skills and ability to conceptualise and write concisely and

clearly, as well as strong presentational skills;

Experience in working with indicators and statistical data, preparing

reporting tables and graphical visualisation, market research, etc.

Language

requirements:

Fluency in English, as the official language of RCC. The consultant is

required to engage associates in order to cover all languages used in the

region, ensuring along that way that information in each economy is collected

by a native speaker.

Other: Full ICT literacy and familiarity with a text processors, and electronic

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database tools necessary for implementation of the assignment;

Ability to be flexible and respond to changes, as part of the review and

feedback process;

Communication and presentation skills and ability to work in an

environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors including

government representatives, regulators, businesses, operators, trade unions,

civil society institutions, donors and other stakeholders.

IV APPLICATION RULES

No more than one application can be submitted by a natural or legal person whatever the form of

participation (as an individual legal entity or as leader or member of a consortium submitting an

application). In the event that a natural or legal person submits more than one application, all

applications in which that person has participated will be excluded

The Technical Offer must include the following documents:

Statement on Solvency or similar (in case of legal entities) issued by the hosting Bank;

Copy of Company’s Registration Certificate (in case of legal entities);

Bidding consortia of individual consultants participating in this Call must indicate the

members and show how the work is divided between them. Specifically, all members must

name the team leader and authorise this member to represent the consortium and receive

payments on behalf of the other members. A corresponding written authorisation, power of

attorney must be attached to the bid;

CV(s) of a team leader and experts of the project team, outlining relevant knowledge and

experience as described in the Terms of References, along with contact details of referees;

An outline work programme of a maximum of 5 pages that the applicant is applying for

that will describe the main issues, sources of information to be used, timeline and research

tools to be employed. The Work Programme should include the initial outline of the

content of the study;

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List of references for relevant activities implemented over the past 5 years demonstrating

relevant experience in the subject matter. Copies of contracts may be requested for the short

listed applicants;

Service Tender Submission Form (Annex I);

Signed Statements of Exclusivity and Availability (Annex II).

Financial offer

The financial offer should reflect the following (Annex III):

All figures should be expressed in EUR;

VAT amount, if applicable, should be presented.

When preparing the financial offer, the applicant should take into account the following:

- The proposed budget should include daily fee rate for consulting services; the fee rates

should be broadly consistent with the EU framework rates for these types of

professional services.

Submission of applications:

Qualified applicants are invited to send an application via e-mail to

ProcurementforRCC@rcc.int no later than 5 April 2018 by 24:00 Central European

Time;

Please make sure that the application is submitted in two separate folders one

containing Technical Proposal and the other Financial Proposal. The documents should

be submitted in a form of copies of the originals.

Evaluation rules:

The consultancy will be awarded to the highest qualified applicant based on the

relevance of skills and expertise to this assignment;

The applications are evaluated following these criteria:

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EVALUATION GRID Maximum score

A. Technical Offer (A.1+A.2+A.3) 100

A.1. Track record, references and general experience of the

bidder:

General work experience; evidence of other contracts of the size

comparable with that of the tender; experience with clients

comparable to the Contracting Authority.

20

A.2. Quality and professional capacity of the team leader and

experts:

CV(s) satisfy the criteria set forth in the Terms of Reference and

demonstrate professional capacity and experience required; quality

of the team inspires confidence.

40

A.3 Quality of an outline work programme:

Bidder provided a clear outline of the work programme to be

executed with a sound methodology; main challenges identified; the

process is clear and the proposed use of resources adequate.

40

B. Financial Proposal/ lowest price has maximum score 100

Score for offer X =

A: [Total quality score (out of 100) of offer X / 100] * 80

B: [Lowest price / price of offer X] * 20

In addition to the results of the technical and financial evaluation, competencies based interview

will be held with the selected bidder.

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Annex I

APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM

Open Call for Consultancy Services

Reference Number: 026-018

One signed scanned copy of this Application Submission Form must be supplied.

1 SUBMITTED by:

Name(s) and address(es) of the Entity submitting this Application

Full Name of

the Entity

2 CONTACT PERSON

Name

Address

Telephone

Fax

e-mail

3 STATEMENT

[Name of the Enitity] ______________ hereby declares that we have examined and accepted

without reserve or restriction the entire contents of the Open Call for Consulting Services,

Grounds for Exclusions and Conflict of Interest as such:

Grounds for Exclusion

Candidates or bidders will be excluded from participation in a procurement procedure if it is

known that:

(a) They are bankrupt or being wound up, are having their affairs administered by the courts,

have entered into an arrangement with creditors, have suspended business activities, are

subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or are in any analogous situation arising

from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations;

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(b) They have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a

judgment which has the force of res judicata;

(c) They have been guilty of grave professional misconduct proven by any means which the

Contracting Officer can justify;

(d) They have not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions

or the payment of taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which

they are established or with those of the country of the Contracting Officer or those of the

country where the contract is to be performed;

(e) They have been the subject of a judgment which has the force of res judicata for fraud,

corruption, involvement in a criminal organisation or any other illegal activity.

Contracts may not be awarded to candidates or bidders who, during the procurement procedure,

are:

(a) Subject to a conflict of interest;

(b) Guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required by the Contracting

Officer as a condition of participation in the contract procedure or fail to supply this

information.

Conflict of Interest

a) The candidate or bidder shall take all necessary measures to prevent or end any situation

that could compromise the impartial and objective performance of the contract. Such

conflict of interests could arise in particular as a result of economic interest, political or

national affinity, family or emotional ties, or any other relevant connection or shared

interest. Any conflict of interests which could arise during performance of the contract

must be notified in writing to the Contracting Authority without delay.

b) The Contracting Authority reserves the right to verify that such measures are adequate and

may require additional measures to be taken if necessary. The candidate or bidder shall

ensure that is not placed in a situation which could give rise to conflict of interests. The

candidate or bidder shall replace, immediately and without compensation from the

Contracting Authority, any member of its staff exposed to such a situation.

c) The candidate or bidder shall refrain from any contact which would compromise its

independence. If the Consultant fails to maintain such independence, the Contracting

Authority may, without prejudice to compensation for any damage which it may have

suffered on this account, terminate the contract forthwith.

d) The candidate or bidder shall, after the conclusion or termination of the contract, limit its

role in connection with the project to the provision of the services. Except with the written

permission of the Contracting Authority, the candidate or bidder or supplier with whom

the candidate or bidder is associated or affiliated shall be disqualified from the execution

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of works, supplies or other services for the project in any capacity, including tendering for

any part of the project.

e) Civil servants and other agents of the public administration of the RCC Participants,

regardless of their administrative situation, shall not be recruited as experts in contracts

financed by the RCC Secretariat.

f) The candidate or bidder and anyone working under its authority or control in the

performance of the contract or on any other activity shall be excluded from access to RCC

Secretariat financing available under the same project unless they can prove to the

Contracting Authority that the involvement in previous stages of the project does not

constitute unfair competition.

STATEMENT

We offer to provide the services requested in the Terms of Reference on the basis of supplied

documentation subject to this Open Call for Consultancy Services, which comprise our technical

offer, and our financial offer.

This Call for Consultancy Services is subject to acceptance within the validity period stipulated in

the Terms of Reference.

Name of Authorized

Person:

Signature:

Date:

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ANNEX II: STATEMENT OF EXCLUSIVITY AND AVAILABILITY

REF: 026-018

By representing the Entity_________________________ we agree to participate exclusively in

the above-mentioned tender procedure. We further declare that we are able and willing to work

for the period(s) foreseen for the position for which our CVs have been included in the event that

this tender is successful, namely:

Full Name Available from

(Date)

Available until

(Date)

Acceptance by

signature

Number of

man-days

associated to

each task from

the ToR

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ANNEX III: BUDGET BREAKDOWN

REF: 026-018

No Cost categories Daily fee rate Total Cost

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

2 TOTAL COSTS

3 VAT (if applicable):

GRAND TOTAL (2+3):

NOTE:

When preparing the financial offer, the applicant should take into account the following:

Include the number of proposed working days and daily fee rate for consulting

services, the fee rates should be broadly consistent with the EU framework rates for

these types of professional services.

Travel costs are not subject of the financial offer and shall be treated separately.