Request for Expressions of Interest: Transaction Advisory Services Consultant – Facilitation and Brokering of Commercial Partnership Deals
Programme: Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme (SIHHBDP)
Procuring Entity: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MoFDP)
Project: Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project
Reference Number: SIHHBDP/CIH/C020/QCBS/2026
Procurement Method: Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS)
Assignment Duration: Approximately 60 months
Date: October 2026
1. Background
The Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme (SIHHBDP-PIU), an entity of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MoFDP), mandated to oversee and implement national initiatives in irrigated horticulture, health systems strengthening, and private sector development, invites eligible and qualified consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the provision of Transaction Advisory Services.
The consultancy assignment aims to facilitate partnership deals between Anchor Farmer Investors (AFIs) and landholders in the four irrigation scheme areas under the Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project, namely Phamong, Tsoili-Tsoili, Manka, and Likhakeng.
The consultancy services will be procured using the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method in accordance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2023.
2. Scope of Work
The consulting services will facilitate and broker commercial partnership deals between Anchor Farmer Investors (AFIs) and landholders in the four irrigation scheme areas of the Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project.
The assignment will be implemented in three phases:
Phase 1 – Diagnostics
The Consultant shall undertake a comprehensive preliminary assessment to develop a clear understanding of the scheme environment, institutional arrangements, stakeholder interests, and readiness of the parties involved. This phase will provide the necessary insights to support the establishment of viable commercial entities within the irrigation schemes.
Phase 2 – Deal Facilitation
The Consultant shall facilitate the structuring of commercial partnerships and develop the required legal, governance, and contractual frameworks to support the establishment and operationalisation of commercial entities within the schemes.
This phase will include negotiations between the parties and the development of mutually beneficial partnership arrangements.
Phase 3 – Deal Closure and Transaction Sensitisation
The Consultant shall facilitate the finalisation and execution of partnership agreements, ensuring that all transactions are successfully concluded.
Following deal closure, the Consultant shall provide capacity-building support, stakeholder sensitisation, and operational guidance to the newly established commercial entities to promote effective governance, sustainability, and successful commencement of operations.
3. General Requirements
Interested consulting firms should:
- Request the summary scope of work and submission forms (EOI-1 to EOI-4) by email from [email protected].
- Complete the provided submission forms with accurate details.
- Attach any additional relevant information as needed.
Deadline for requesting the scope of work and submission forms: 17 November 2026 at 16:30 SAST (GMT+2).
4. Duration of Assignment
The assignment shall commence immediately after contract signature and is expected to take approximately sixty (60) months, or be subject to terms and conditions on duration to be agreed by the parties.
5. Shortlisting Criteria and Eligibility
5.1 Shortlisting Criteria
Interested consulting firms should provide information demonstrating their capacity and experience in the following key areas:
A. Organisational Capability
- Description of the organisational structure, including reporting lines and key functional units.
- Administrative arrangements and quality-assurance systems.
- Documentary evidence demonstrating that the firm has been legally established and in continuous operation for at least ten (10) years prior to the submission deadline.
B. Financial Capacity
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to perform the contract without undue reliance on anticipated payments under the contract.
The applicant’s available financial capacity must be at least USD 150,000.
Applicants must provi