Selection a Firm for The Provision of Background Screening & Academic Qualification Verification Services to the Economic Community of West African States

SELECTION A FIRM FOR THE PROVISION OF BACKGROUND SCREENING & ACADEMIC
QUALIFICATION VERIFICATION SERVICES TO THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN
STATES

1. Following the identification of priority vacant positions, the ECOWAS COMMISSION intends to
use its resources to finance a service contract for the selection of a consulting firm in charge of
background screening & academic qualification verification.

2. The main objective of the consultancy is to work with the Institution’s Directorate of Human
Resources (DHR) in conducting academic and professional qualifications verification and general
background checks for all Ecowas recruited staff.

3. The overall duration of the assignment is estimated at twelve (12) months, at the first
instance and shall be renewable for further periods, thereafter, depending on performance
and mutual agreement.

4. The ECOWAS Commission invites Consulting Firms specialized in cost-effective background
screening and employment verification/reference checks and related checks as may be
requested by the Institution to submit their candidacy for the services described above. Interested,
eligible and qualified consulting firms must provide full information on their qualifications and
experience, demonstrating that they are qualified and experienced in providing similar services.

The criteria for shortlisting are as follows:
a) Shall demonstrate a minimum of ten (10) years of General Experience; b) Shall demonstrate of
having successfully executed at least five (5) similar experience/projects (Specific and successful
experience in Conduct background checks on any current and prospective staff and employees on
probation whose consent and details the Institution would have obtained legally) within the last
ten (10) years with International Organizations, Public/Private Renowned Entity or Donors Funded
projects; c) Shall demonstrate of having successfully executed at least two (2) similar experience
(Specific and successful experience in Conduct background checks on any current and prospective
staff and employees on probation whose consent and details the Institution would have obtained
legally) within the last ten (10) years within ECOWAS Region.

NB: In addressing the above listed criteria, consulting firms must provide tangible evidence and
detailed references for all claims made in terms of experience and capabilities, similar
assignments, etc. Each reference provided should be summarized on a project sheet and will be
considered and accepted only if the candidate attaches supporting documents indicating the
contact information of the contracting authorities so as to facilitate verification of the
information provided, covering excerpts of contract (inner cover page; page with the signatures
and the Terms of Reference) along with attestation(s) of good performance of each contract
presented.

5. Interested Consulting firms may apply as a consortium or partnership to ensure and/or boost
their consolidated capacities to execute the assignment.

6. The eligibility criteria, the preparation of shortlist, and the selection procedure shall comply with
the ECOWAS Rules and Procedures for the Use of Consultants” (ECOWAS Procurement Code),
available on its website: http://www.ecowas.int. The selection procedure will be based on
Quality and Cost Based Selection Method (QCBS), and a shortlist of minimum of six (6) firms,
which present the best profiles with all claims dully substantiated, shall be drawn up for further
consideration after the expression of interest. Also, firms that are part of an international network
are to submit only one expression of interest as a network.

7. The attention of interested Consulting firms is particularly drawn to Article 118 of the ECOWAS
Revised Procurement Code (“Infringements by Candidates, Bidders and Awardees”), providing
information on corrupt or fraudulent practices in competing for or executing a contract. In addition,
please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment as
per “Article 1119 of the ECOWAS Revised Procurement Code.

8. Interested consulting firms can obtain further information at the e-mail addresses mentioned
below, during working days and hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm (Abuja Time):
ikkamara@ecowas.int with copy to sbangoura@ecowas.int; procurement@ecowas.int,
rguira@ecowas.int ; vvieira-bamba@ecowas.int; dkoffi@ecowas.int

9. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must be addressed to the Director, Administration and General
Services, and delivered in sealed envelopes (1 signed Original and 3 Copies) in English, French or
Portuguese and clearly marked “Selection of a Firm for the provision of background screening &
academic qualification verification services to the ECOWAS COMMISSION”. “Do not open
except in presence of the Opening Committee.” EOIs must be sent to the address below latest by
15 September 2023 at 11.00 a.m. Nigeria Time:

For delivery in person or by registered mail to:
ECOWAS Commission, Directorate of General Administration, Procurement
Division, Plot 101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District, Abuja, NIGERIA.
E-mail: ikkamara@ecowas.int with copy to sbangoura@ecowas.int;
procurement@ecowas.int, rguira@ecowas.int ; vvieira-bamba@ecowas.int;
dkoffi@ecowas.int

Electronic submissions are accepted and will therefore be considered.

10. The working languages shall be English, French or Portuguese.