Consulting Firm for Third-Party Validation of Community-Based School Sites by PMU, Balochistan Education Support Project

The Project Management Unit, Balochistan Education Support Project, invites eligible consulting firms to express interest in third-party validation and verification of community-based school sites identified by District Education Groups under the Getting Results: Access and Delivery of Quality Education Services in Balochistan project, known as GRADES-B. The project number is P507512, and the assignment reference is PK-PMU-SED GOB-576103-CS-CQS.

The Government of Balochistan, through the Government of Pakistan, has secured USD 100 million in IDA credit financing from the World Bank for GRADES-B. The project aims to increase girls' and boys' enrolment in pre-primary and primary grades and improve reading and numeracy proficiency in primary grades in project-supported schools. Its activities address educational access, quality and equity, teaching quality, data-driven accountability, climate resilience and emergency preparedness. Part of the financing will support this consulting assignment.

The selected firm will undertake third-party verification of community-based school sites under GRADES-B in accordance with the Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference for the primary procurement stage are available at https://pmubesp.gob.pk/ or from the Project Management Unit office at House # 74-A, Chaman Housing Scheme, Airport Road, Quetta.

Interested firms must submit information demonstrating their qualifications and relevant experience. The firm must be legally registered in Pakistan and have demonstrated technical capacity to conduct large-scale, geographically dispersed field verification exercises. Required qualifications include at least 10 years of social-sector experience, particularly in education; completion of at least three similar third-party validation assignments involving GIS-based geo-tagging, mapping and spatial or distance analysis; and experience in digital or mobile data collection using platforms such as KoBoToolbox, ODK or SurveyCTO.

The firm must also demonstrate capacity to mobilize and manage field teams across geographically remote and hard-to-access districts of Balochistan, including Sherani, Chaman, Washuk, Duki, Kohlu, Barshore, Jhal Magsi, Kachhi, Sohbatpur, Chaghi, Kharan and Musa Khel. Experience working with government departments, education projects or development partners in Balochistan or similar rural contexts is required.

Consultants may associate with other firms to strengthen their qualifications, identifying whether the association is a joint venture or a sub-consultancy. All joint venture partners will be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected. Selection will follow the Consultant Qualification Based Selection method under the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, September 2023. Interested consultants should observe the conflict-of-interest provisions in Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17.

Written expressions of interest must reach the Project Management Unit, Balochistan Education Support Project, House # 74-A, Chaman Housing Scheme, Quetta, by 27 November 2026 at 16:00. Submission may be made in person, by mail or by email. Electronic submissions may be sent to ps.gradesb@gmail.com and subsequently delivered by courier. Further information is available at the office during working hours, 09:00 to 17:00. Telephone: +92812864295-6. Fax: +92812864297.