Expression of Interest for Digital and Data Advisory Services 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a consulting firm looking to contribute to transformative institutional, financial, and technical improvements in Pakistan? The Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA), in collaboration with GIZ Pakistan, has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy services towards “Digital and Data Advisory Services” as part of the Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) Project. This opportunity, supported by the European Union (EU) and the German government, aims to enhance the digital landscape in Pakistan. Apply by 31st March 2025 to be part of this impactful initiative!

What is the ASP Project?

The ASP Project, co-financed by the European Union (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ as part of the Economic Cooperation and Development program, has a funding commitment of €26 million (in words: twenty-six million euros) from the German contribution until 2028. This project focuses on improving institutional, financial, and technical conditions to implement adaptive and gender-transformative social protection in Pakistan.

About the EOI

This Call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) seeks the participation of consulting firms to provide performance consultancy towards Digital and Data Advisory Services for the ASP Project in Islamabad, Khber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Punjab. Only firms meeting the specified experience and qualification criteria may apply.

Key Requirements for Applicants

Minimum Firm Requirements

1. The tenderer is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender.
2. Following this, the tenderer presents and justifies the explicit strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible.
3. The tenderer is required to present the actors relevant for the services for which it is responsible and describe the cooperation with them.
4. The tenderer is required to present and explain its approach to steering the measures with the project partners and its contribution to the results-based monitoring system.
5. The tenderer is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create an operational plan or schedule that describes how the services (tasks) are to be performed by the contractor are to be provided, in particular the tenderer is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones and contributions of other actors (partner contributions).
6. The tenderer is required to describe its contribution to knowledge management for the partner and GIZ and to promote scaling-up effects under learning and innovation.

General Requirements

1. Proof of registration – Active sales tax registration.
2. Office infrastructure – Have an office presence in Pakistan.
3. Firm or a consortium of firms must have completed more than two IT contracting and software protection projects in the last 5 years with a value of at least USD 500,000.
4. Annual Financial Turnover – The firm must have cumulative turnover of PKR 75 million over the last three years as evidenced by audited accounts statements or any other credible document.
5. At least two reference projects in the following fields over the last period of four years, preferably with the government or equivalent in Pakistan:
   • Consultancy in the area of data interoperability and systems integration.
   • Procurement of experts (as per expert list) in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta.
   • At least two years of experience providing software hosting services in Pakistan.
   • Registered with the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB).

Interested firms should provide evidence of the above-stated requirements in the form of a company profile with a table of contents. Each of the above-mentioned main requirements should be addressed in separate sections within the profile and should contain recently completed successful projects proving the required qualification and experience.

How to Apply

Submit your EOI with all above-mentioned requirements to be qualified. Only qualified/submitted firms will be contacted. Proposals and technical & financial proposals should be in English and sent to the GIZ Pakistan office. Please note that all correspondence, proposals, and responses to the EOI do not necessarily imply that your firm will receive the GIZ’s RFP for the provision of above-mentioned services. GIZ reserves the right to accept or reject any bid without providing a reason for its decision.

Submission Details

• Deadline: 31st March 2025
• Address: 2nd Floor, Serena Business Complex, Khayaban-e-Suhrawardy, Sector G-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
• Contact: Submit via email or in a sealed envelope to the above address.

Why Participate?

This is a unique opportunity to work on a high-impact project funded by the EU and German government, contributing to digital transformation and social protection in Pakistan. Successful firms will play a crucial role in shaping data advisory services across multiple regions.

Final Thoughts

Don’t miss the chance to be part of a transformative project with STEVTA and GIZ Pakistan. Submit your EOI by 31st March 2025 to the specified address and showcase your firm’s expertise. This could be the gateway to a prestigious collaboration in the field of digital and data advisory services!