UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION

UNIDO PROJECT NUMBER: TFIRQ11004

STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE TO FACILITATE TRADE

AND ENHANCE CONSUMER PROTECTION

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Revamping of testing laboratories in Baghdad and Al Basra

Governance, Iraq

THE REPUBLIC OF IRAQ

Estimated starting date: August 2014

1. General Background Information

The Central Organization for Standards and Quality Control (COSQC) is the central governmental
organization in Iraq for quality control and standardization issues with the mandate of managing the
national quality infrastructure (Standards, Testing, Quality and Metrology) with the aim of supporting the
country trade capacities and consumer protection.

The broader objective of this UNIDO Project is to provide technical support and capacity building
to.enhance the trade capacities and performance of the Republic of Iraq and fostering integration into the
regional and multilateral trading system.
The specific objective is to upgrade the national quality infrastructure (Standards, Testing, Metrology and
Conformity Assessment) following international best practices for creating the enabling environment
needed for a better trade performance and consumer protection.
The project as designed will provide assistance to achieve the following main outcomes:

 Outcome 1: Adapted to the new principles of the international trade regime, the Iraqi quality
system (i.e. legal framework and infrastructure) is effective in promoting trade and in improving
consumer protection, and national institutions competent in advocating and managing the national
quality system.
 Outcome 2: Conformity assessment services (i.e. testing, certification, inspection), accredited by a
regionally and internationally recognized independent Iraqi Accreditation Body, are offered on the
market.
 Output 2.1: Following international best practice an independent national accreditation body
is established and internationally/regionally recognized.
 Output 2.2: Up to 5 testing / calibration laboratories, one certification body and one inspection
body (from COSQC where possible) accredited as a pilot project for the National Accreditation
Body.
 Output 2.3: A national proficiency testing scheme developed at COSQC and implemented in
partnership with regional / international partners.
 Outcome 3: Enhanced national trade policy framework fostering progress in the WTO accession
process.
The present ToR fall under Output 2.2 as outlined above.

The contractor will be required to cooperate and work in close cooperation with the UNIDO Project
Managers (UNIDO HQs in Vienna), the project’s senior accreditation expert and national counterparts in
Iraq.

2. Aim of the contract

The objective of the contract is to assess and revamp selected laboratories in the Al-Basra Governance of
Iraq and in Baghdad, assuring compliance with international requirements.

3. The Scope of the proposed Contracted Services

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In the case of the Al-Basra laboratories (i.e. construction material testing and chemical and micro-
biological food testing) basic civil works have already been completed and against international state of
the arts advice shall be given on required technical revamping as to assure that the established facilities
will subsequently allow for international accreditation against ISO 17025.

In Baghdad COSQC has been operating various laboratories (i.e. construction material testing, chemical
and micro-biological food testing, chemical testing of non-food items, and engineering and textile testing)
in a building which was built in the 1970’s. This building shall now be rehabilitated and against
international state of the arts advice shall be given on required technical renovation as to assure that the
facilities will ultimately allow for international accreditation against ISO 17025.

Against the above the overall objective of the contract is to obtain technical expertise for the upgrading
and revamping of testing facilities as follows:

Expected results:

1- In-depth gap analysis of exisitng buildings and/or currenly ongoing construction work and of
available plans/drawings/specifications
2- Defined layout concept and work flow design for both laboratories
3- Based on the assessment of existing buildings and/or already completed civil works provide ToR
for required improvements/revamping
4- Detailed specifications and bills of quantities for required walls, floors, secondry ceiling, cooling
and ventilation system, doors, windows, benches, hoods, water supply, and drainage
5- Overview on minimum equipment needs and according technical specifications
6- Identification and assessment of potential laboratory personnel
7- Final report

As to achieve above listed overall results, a team of two experts/expert consortia (1 expert for food
testing/chemical testing/textile testing laboratories, and 1 expert for construction material
testing/engineering laboratories) shall be engaged. Below a detailed overview on the main tasks foreseen
for each of the experts:

1 – Food testing and chemical laboratory expert

- Review available technical documentation (i.e. drawing, technical specifications, bills of

quantities, etc.) and assessment of already existing building
- Define layout concepts for the food testing, chemical testing and textile laboratories
- Identify need for improvement of already existing building and/or completed/ongoing civil works
- Establish detailed ToR for required technical revamping and completion of civil construction
works, aiming at local execution
- Determine the work flow design for the laboratory facilities
- Identify and establish detailes technical specifications for walls, floor, secondry ceiling, cooling,
and ventilation system, doors, windows, benches, hoods , water supply and drainage;
- Define minimum equipment needs and provide respective technical specifications
- Identify and assess potential lab personnel

2 – Construction material testing and engineering laboratory expert

- Review available technical documentation (i.e. drawing, technical specifications, bills of

quantities, etc.) and assessment of already existing building
- Define layout concepts for the construction material testing and engineering laboratories
- Identify need for improvement of already exisitng building and/or completed/ongoing civil works

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 - Establish detailed ToR for required technical revamping and completion of civil construction
works, aiming at local execution
- Determine the work flow design for the laboratory facilities
- Identify and establish detailes technical specifications for walls, floor, secondry ceiling, cooling,
and ventilation system, doors, windows, benches, hoods , water supply and drainage;
- Define minimum equipment needs and provide respective technical specifications
- Identify and assess potential lab personnel

4. General Time Schedule

st
Required works shall start in August 2014 and deliverables be achieved by 31 December 2014. The final
th
report shall be submitted to UNIDO no later than on 15 January 2015.

Depending on project needs the assignment shall be effected either in the field in Iraq, or at the home-
office. An andequate implementation schedule shall be submitted by the contractor, and should be
described in detail in the proposal.

5. Personnel in the Field

The contractor shall be responsible for assigning two senior Laboratory and Accreditation Experts to
carry out all tasks described above.

Qualification Requirements

1. Technical lab expert for food testing and chemical testing laboratories

- Proficient knowledge of quality infrastructure in general, and food-testing/chemical and

textile testing laboratories in particular; proven competence & achievement record in the
area of revamping, upgrading and accrediting testing facilities and laboratories; sound
understanding of relevant international standards including ISO 17025, etc.
- Professional experience: at least 5 years of experience in a senior position in a food-testing
and/or chemical and textile testing laboratories implementing a system according to the
requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and technical as well as practical experience in the
construction of laboratories;
- Education: Advanced university degree, preferably in Science, or any related field with a
specialization in food and/or micro-biological science;
- Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; drafting skills, both written and
verbal; sensitivity to cultural, socio-economic and political differences. Proficient level of
using MS Office Suite.
- Experience in working with international organizations, preferably within the Middle East,
would be an asset.

2. Technical lab expert for construction material testing and engineering laboratories

- Proficient knowledge of quality infrastructure in general, and construction material testing

and engineering laboratories in particular; proven competence & achievement record in the
area of revamping, upgrading and accrediting testing facilities and laboratories; sound
understanding of relevant international standards including ISO 17025, etc.
- Professional experience: at least 5 years of experience in a senior position in a construction
material testing lab implementing a system according to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025
and technical as well as practical experience in the construction of laboratories

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 - Education: Advanced university degree, preferably in Science/Engineering, or any related
field with a specialization in mechanical or construction material science;
- Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; drafting skills, both written and
verbal; sensitivity to cultural, socio-economic and political differences. Proficient level of
using MS Office Suite.
- Experience in working with international organizations, preferably within the Middle East,
would be an asset.

6. Language Requirements

Language Requirements:
- Fluent in English & Arabic (written and verbal skills).

7. Submission of proposals and Criteria for Evaluation

Submission of proposals

The proposal shall be prepared in accordance with the Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of
Proposals underlying this RfP and it shall contain at least all of the sections listed below.

The proposal must include at least all of the following:

- Detailed work plan, including time frame and responsibilities
- Narrative description of the approach showing a clear understanding
- Financial proposal clearly listing various cost items (e.g. daily expert fee, flight costs,
subsistence allowances, security costs, etc.)
- Valid certificate of incorporation and financial statement
- Reference to previous experiences made in working with international organizations
- CVs of the proposed experts

Any travel related costs required for successful completion of all services listed shall be clearly stated in
the financial proposal, and explicitly justified in the technical proposal, namely listing tasks envisaged to
be undertaken in each mission.

Depending on project developments, the contractor shall ensure timely travel and visa arrangement as to
minimize any adverse impact on an efficient project implementation and assume full responsibility for any
travel undertaken within any final contract should UNIDO accept your proposal.

The terms set forth in this request for proposal and its appendixes, including the Terms of Reference and
UNIDO General Conditions of Contract, will form a part of any contract should UNIDO accept your
proposal.

Criteria for Evaluation

- Compliance with the requirements of the ToR and sound understanding of the approach
- No travel limitations
- Profile of the assigned contractor personnel
- Previous experience of working for/contracting with International Organizations
- Proven experience in undertaking work related to quality infrastructure upgrading,
standardization in particular, within Iraq and/or the region
- Cost effectiveness
- Valid certificate of incorporation and financial statement

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