Para 9.3 — CONSULT_MANUAL

2. In some cases, the agency or institution has access to special expertise or special backup and support facilities that make it worthwhile considering recruitment on an SSS basis. In such cases, there must be full justification that the use of SSS is in the best interests of Procuring Entity.

9.3 Selection of Specialized Agencies/ Institutions 1. From time to time, Ministries/ Departments may need to recruit a specialized agency or institution to undertake a specific Consultancy/ Non-Consultancy Service, for which it is particularly well suited. Such agencies may be Government/ Semi-Government Agencies, Universities or Professional Institutions.

9.4 Selection of Non-governmental Organizations (NGO) 1. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs, not-for-profit organisations) may be hired for Consultancy/ NC Services, if they express interest and/ or if the Procuring Entity finds their qualifications satisfactory. Assignments which emphasize experience in and bonding with grassroot historically disadvantaged communities, e.g., experience in community participation and in-depth local knowledge are typically attributed to NGOs and short lists may comprise NGOs entirely. In this case, QCBS should be followed, and the evaluation criteria of proposals should reflect the NGO-unique qualifications, such as the following:

3. In cases, of Government and semi-Government Agency SSS would be an appropriate method of recruitment. Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, Second Edition, 2025

4. Individual consultants recruited from agencies and institutions may be selected in the same way as any other individual consultants.

a) History of work with grassroots communities and evidence of satisfactory performance; b) Familiarity with participatory development approaches and low-cost technologies; c) Experienced staff conversant with the cultural and socioeconomic dimensions of beneficiaries; d) Committed leadership and adequate management; e) Capacity to co-opt beneficiary participation.

2. Procuring Entities may select NGOs using SSS, provided the approvals and procedures laid down for the same are followed. For example, SSS may be adopted to hire a local NGO for a very small assignment in a remote area where only one NGO is available, and competition is impractical.