Technical Assistance Contracts
U.S. firms excel in consulting and have traditionally ranked first in awards, winning over $22 million worth of technical assistance contracts in 1996.American firms and individual consultants interested in providing services to the ADB should register using the Data on Consultants (DACON) form which is currently being automated on the ADB homepage. After identifying a project of interest from the homepage or monthly publication ADB Business Opportunities, firms should do the following:
1. Submit an expression of interest (EOI) to ADB's Consulting Services Division electronically via the ADB homepage with a hardcopy addressed to the officer assigned to the project.
2. Convince ADB staff of its capability to carry out the project.
The ADB assesses the firms that have expressed interest and compiles a shortlist of the 5-7 most qualified firms. To maintain geographical fairness, usually only one or two U.S. firms are shortlisted. These firms are invited to submit a proposal. A Consultant Selection Committee within ADB makes the final selection.
Successful American firms report that their winning proposals follow the Bank's terms of reference to the letter. The quality of the proposed individual consultants is a key component of the final score.
Equipment, Civil Works and Related Services
The majority of the Asian Development Bank's funds are loans to government for equipment purchases, civil works projects and related services.In 1996, U.S. firms won $190 million worth of loan-financed contracts.
All procurement is done by the borrowing country, so firms should focus their marketing on the executing agencies handling the project of interest. The borrower advertises invitations for prequalification and procurement notices in the ADB Business Opportunities, local newspapers, Commerce Business Daily and U.N. Development Business. The Bank does not maintain a register of eligible suppliers.
Expressions of interest for consulting services under a loan project should be addressed to the executing agency and copied to the ADB project officer.
