REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – CONSULTING FIRM)

Name of Project: “Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Phase 2” (TTFP)

Loan No: 94710-ME

    Assignment Title: Maritime ITS Strategy of Montenegro 2027-2037

 Reference No. MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-CQ-25-2.2.3

May 12, 2026

The Government of Montenegro has received financing in the total amount of USD 15,000,000.00 (equivalent) from the World Bank, toward the costs of the “Western Balkans Trade and Transport Facilitation Phase 2” (TTFP) project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan towards payment for Consulting services under the Contract Ref. No: MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-CQ-25-2.2.3 - Maritime ITS Strategy of Montenegro 2027-2037.

The Program Development Objective for the MPA is to reduce trade costs and increase transport efficiency in the Western Balkans- Six Countries. Montenegro, with one of the two gateway ports to the Western Balkans, holds a critical position for the landlocked countries of the region as well as along the TEN-T corridor and linkages to the broader European region. Given its advanced progress, towards EU membership and developed road transport infrastructure, Montenegro stands to gain significantly from efficiency gains provided by the TTFP in the country and in neighboring countries through increased road and rail connectivity and enhanced trade integration.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT)/ PIU and Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) is seeking a qualified advisory firm to support the preparation of the Maritime ITS Strategy of Montenegro 2027-2037. The objective is to prepare a strategy that establishes the framework for harmonized planning and successful ITS implementation in the maritime sector in Montenegro.

The Consulting firm will report directly to the PIU Project Manager and MoT Project Coordinator, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the designated person within the MoMA.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for this position can be obtained upon request at the e-mail address given below or on the Client website www.gov.me/msa.

The ‘’MoT’’ through the Technical Service Unit, now invites eligible Consulting Firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consult-firm (Legal entity) should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The Consultant will work closely with relevant stakeholders ensuring compliance with Montenegro’s policies, EU regulations, and international best practices.

The selection criteria are:

    The assignment will require a qualified consulting company or a joint venture that can demonstrate extensive experience in developing maritime transport studies and maritime ITS, and fulfilling the following conditions:

1. General Qualification and Competences of the consultant (firm)

Capacity, competences and organizational structure, of the Consultant firm (Company). The Consulting firm must be a legal entity ---------------------------------------------------------------(max 20 points on this criteria).

2. Qualification of the consultant (firm) relevant to the assignment:

(i) Specific Experience obtained under successful implementation of at least two (2) similar contracts in the role of prime supplier, management Supplier, JV member, or subcontractor. For contracts under which the Bidder participated as a Joint Venture member or sub-contractor, only the Bidder’s share, by value, and role and responsibilities shall be considered to meet this requirement. The similar complexity of these projects in this context means and include activities of (1) design, development, and implementation of maritime ITS, (2) strategic documents or studies covering maritime ITS and/or maritime digitalization, (3) other relevant maritime transport or maritime safety studies, etc.

(ii) Required similar contracts presented as reference in (i) above, at least one shall have been delivered in either EU's or an EU accession country;

(iii) Professional staff generally available: List of the key staff that is generally available for this kind of work (without submission of bio data or CVs). The number of permanent staff of the consultant (individual company or joint venture overall) working in the fields related to this contract, must be at least 3 for each of the last three years (2023, 2024 and 2025);

*For each submitted reference (Contract) the Consultant is required to enclose preferably the statement from the previous Client which unambiguously confirm that assignment has been successfully and substantially implemented. In addition, the Consultant firm shall prepare a table which consist of following information: name of the assignment, short description of work done, year of contract’s implementation, country/region, contact reference (name, e-mail, phone number).   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------(max 80 points on this criteria).

Key Experts qualifications:

The Consultant should plan the team that will consist of the least the following personnel:

Key expert 1: Team Leader/ Senior Maritime Transport/Policy Expert

· University degree in Traffic Engineering, Economics or Law

· Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience in maritime transport planning and/or maritime transport policy

· Experience as a TL/Project Manager on at least two (2) projects related to strategic documents, maritime traffic studies or maritime safety studies, covering maritime transport policy, ITS or maritime digitalization

· Experience as a TL or Key expert on projects related to design, policy development, and implementation of maritime ITS is an advantage

· Proven ability to lead projects relating to strategic transport documents and complex maritime transport studies, including CBA

· Strong leadership, planning and communication skills. Strong coordination skills. Strong analytical and report writing skills

· Managing a team composed of international and local technical specialists

· Excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Montenegrin language is an asset

Key expert 2: Maritime ITS Expert

· University degree in Engineering

· Minimum 8 years of professional experience in maritime transport sector

· Experience as a TL or key expert on at least 2 (two) projects relating to the design, policy development, and implementation of maritime ITS (VTS, VTMIS, NMSW, NPCS, other relevant systems)

· A thorough knowledge of ITS in maritime transport and good understanding of vessel traffic systems and automation and communication technologies in maritime transport

· Excellent written and spoken English is required

Non-Key Experts: The consultant is free to propose an appropriate Non-Key Experts positions for the additional expertise necessary to perform the above tasks (e.g. transport economist, maritime regulation, safety of navigation, port operations & logistics, traffic management, transport modelling, environmental and social, etc). The CVs of Non-Key Experts will not be the subject of evaluation.

The evaluation criteria will be the following:

• (i) General Qualification and Competences of the consultant (firm) (20 points)

• (ii) Qualification of the consultant (firm) relevant to the assignment (80 points)

A Consultant firm will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Issued in February 2025 (Sixt edition). The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.13 - 3.17 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of interest.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment or available further information can be obtained upon request at the e-mail address given below. 

Expressions of interest must be delivered only by e-mail to the address below and in subject must clearly indicate project name, subject number: Maritime ITS Strategy of Montenegro 2027-2037 / MNE-WBTTFP-94710-CS-CQ-25-2.2.3

The deadline for submission is : May 28, 2026 - 12:00h (CEST).

Ministry of Finance /Technical Service Unit

Attention: Mr. Zoran Mijović, Senior Procurement Officer Street Address: Studentska 2 A Floor

City: 81000 Podgorica

Country:Montenegro

Telephone: +382 20 201 695

E-mail: zoran.mijovic@mif.gov.me

Cc: sonja.mamic@msa.gov.me