REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE MAPPING AND DIAGNOSTIC STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AS A POTENTIAL EXPORT SECTOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT Sector: General industry and trade sector IDA Credit No. 71740 IBRD Loan No. 94230 Project ID No. P177895 Reference No. MD-CEP-542543-CS-CQS

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Competitiveness Project (MSME) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the delivery a comprehensive, credible, and evidence-based mapping and diagnostic assessment of the export of educational services from the Republic of Moldova.

The assignment will be performed in a period of three (3) months from contract signature.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (required qualifications and experience of the firm, but not individual experts’ bio data).

This assignment requires a Consultant, which may be a consulting firm or a consortium of consulting firms, with proven experience in the field of the assignment, that meets the following minimum criteria:

Team Composition and Key Experts.

The proposed team shall include at least the following profiles:

Team Leader / Project Manager. At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in educational tourism or education export development; Experience in coordination of multi-beneficiary assignments.

Educational Tourism Operations Expert. Minimum three (3) years of hands-on experience in provider onboarding and account/program administration on international platforms.

Visitor Services. Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience in international visitor logistics, transfers, accommodation, visa facilitation, or educational tourism supply chain management. Demonstrated knowledge of migration procedures, program accreditation, and visitor support solutions.

The Consultant may propose additional experts or adjust the team composition, as deemed necessary, in order to ensure proper achievement of the assignment objectives and delivery of the expected results.

Any proposed modification or addition shall be clearly justified in the Technical Proposal, indicating the role, level of effort, and relevance to the scope of work. Any change in team composition during contract implementation shall be subject to prior review and approval by Invest Moldova Agency and Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications; but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

The Expression of Interest shall clearly state the name of the Consultant (individual Firm, Joint Venture or sub-consultancy). The Consultant shall provide relevant references (assignment name, Client, time frame, the role of the firm (main Consultant/Partner in JV/sub-consultant, contract amount, tasks performed etc.) to confirm its experience and qualifications.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by May 13, 2026, COB.

Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project 180, Stefan cel Mare Ave., office 815, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Tel: + 373 22 296-723 e-mail: piu@mded.gov.md web: www.uipac.md

E-mail for submission of the clarifications: piu@mded.gov.md

E-mail for submission of the EoIs: procurementmgf@gmail.com

Only the notification of EoI submission must be sent to piu@mded.gov.md TERMS OF REFERENCE TERMS OF REFERENCE for the Mapping and Diagnostic Study of Educational Services as a Potential Export Sector of the Republic of Moldova A. Background The Government of the Republic of Moldova (GoM) is pursuing a policy agenda aimed at supporting export-led economic growth. The MSME Competitiveness Project aims to increase the competitiveness of Moldovan enterprises by reducing the regulatory burden they face, improving access to finance, and strengthening MSME development and export competitiveness. The Project supports the digitization of government-to-business (G2B) services, which is expected to reduce compliance costs and administrative burdens for enterprises. In addition, improvements in quality infrastructure increase the availability of accredited laboratory services and reduce costs for enterprises, thereby facilitating increased exports. These measures contribute to enhancing MSME competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The Project also provides funding for partial credit guarantees to improve MSME access to finance, as well as support for enterprises to upgrade their products and services. As a result, access to finance is expected to improve, contributing to MSME survival and growth, job creation or retention, and increased competitiveness and export performance. A key challenge facing the Government of the Republic of Moldova is the need to promote sustainable economic growth and job creation driven by robust private sector activity, exports, and increased investment. Export-led growth has historically delivered higher productivity, increased employment, improved trade balances, and enhanced financial stability. In line with its development agenda, the Government aims to steer the economy toward export-oriented production activities and better leverage the country’s strategic geographic position. Under its legal mandate, the Invest Moldova Agency (IMA) supports the promotion of Moldovan exports and contributes to strengthening the country’s presence on strategic external markets. Educational services constitute a rapidly expanding segment of global trade in services. Universities, colleges, vocational education and training institutions, private training providers, and alternative education platforms in the Republic of Moldova already attract non-resident learners through degree programs, short-term courses, academic mobility schemes, and digitally delivered learning formats. However, information on the international provision of educational services from Moldova remains fragmented and insufficiently systematized at the national level. In particular, there is no consolidated evidence regarding the institutions actively exporting educational services across both the public and private sectors; the types and levels of educational programs offered; the languages of instruction; the origin countries and profiles of international students; the scale and recent dynamics of international enrolment; as well as the barriers affecting competitiveness and the opportunities for further expansion of this sector. In the absence of a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment, the design of public policies, institutional coordination mechanisms, and targeted export promotion measures aimed at strengthening the internationalization of Moldova’s education sector cannot be effectively structured. Therefore, Invest Moldova Agency intends to commission a comprehensive analytical study aimed at mapping and diagnosing the export potential of educational services from the Republic of Moldova. B. Objective of the Assignment The objective of the assignment is to deliver a comprehensive, credible, and evidence-based mapping and diagnostic assessment of the export of educational services from the Republic of Moldova. The study shall: ● Identify and list public and private institutions and companies already delivering education to international learners; ● define and classify the relevant export modalities; ● analyze markets of origin and student profiles; ● assess volumes and trends; ● identify systemic barriers and enabling factors; ● highlight realistic development opportunities; ● formulate actionable recommendations for institutional and policy support. The results shall serve as an analytical tool for informed decision-making by the Contracting Authority and national stakeholders. C. Definition of Export of Educational Services The Consultant shall propose a clear, internationally aligned definition of “export of educational services.” The Consultant shall: ● identify and classify relevant forms of export applicable to Moldova (e.g., international student mobility, distance/online provision, franchising, joint degrees, institutional partnerships, etc.); ● explain methodological implications for data collection and interpretation The definition shall be presented in the Inception Report and approved by the Contracting Authority before full implementation. D. Scope of Work To achieve the objectives, the Consultant shall undertake the following tasks.

1. Mapping of Providers Identify and document institutions involved in or having potential for exporting educational services, including: ● public and private universities; ● colleges and vocational education institutions; ● continuous professional training providers; ● language schools and specialized academies; ● e-learning and hybrid education providers. For each institution, the mapping shall include: ● institutional profile; ● accreditation status; ● programs offered (Bachelor, Master, PhD, short courses, certifications); ● languages of instruction; ● dedicated services for international students; ● international cooperation arrangements.
2. Program and Service Typology Document: ● fields of study and specialization areas; ● duration and format (full-time, modular, online, blended); ● tuition structure and funding models; ● support services (accommodation, relocation, visa assistance).
3. Market Analysis Analyze: ● countries of origin of international students; ● recruitment channels (direct applications, agents, diaspora, partnerships, scholarships, digital marketing); ● evolution of demand; ● concentration by program or institution. At least four key origin markets shall be analyzed in depth.
4. Volume and Trend Assessment Using aggregated institutional data, the Consultant shall: ● estimate the number of international students for the last 5 academic years; ● identify growth patterns; ● assess retention and graduation tendencies where data is available. No personal data shall be collected.
5. Barriers and Constraints Identify and categorize barriers, including but not limited to: ● international visibility and branding; ● geographic perception and connectivity; ● visa and migration procedures; ● recognition of diplomas; ● infrastructure and student services; ● language capacity; ● competition from regional education hubs.
6. Enabling Factors and Opportunities Analyze: ● competitive advantages (cost, niche expertise, multilingual offer, safety, diaspora links); ● programs with export-ready characteristics; ● potential target regions; ● partnerships capable of accelerating internationalization; ● priority actions to enhance attractiveness.
7. Validation with Stakeholders Upon completion of the draft report, the Consultant shall: ● present findings to a Reference Group designated by the Contracting Authority; ● facilitate a structured consultation; ● collect feedback; ● integrate agreed comments into the final deliverables. E. Methodology Within twenty (20) days from contract signature, the Consultant shall submit an Inception Report describing: ● conceptual framework and definitions; ● detailed methodology; ● survey and interview instruments; ● sampling logic; ● risk mitigation approach. The methodology shall include: ● desk research; ● survey of education providers; ● minimum 15 in-depth interviews with institutions; ● consultations with at least 5 public or sector stakeholders; ● triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data. F. Deliverables The Consultant shall provide: ● Inception Report; ● Draft Final Report; ● Final Report in Romanian and English, including executive summary; ● PowerPoint executive presentation in Romanian and English; ● database of mapped institutions (editable format); ● analytical annexes (non-sensitive); ● Organization and delivery of a presentation event for the Reference Group; ● summary note of the validation session; ● One (1) promotional video spot (English, max. 60 seconds). ● design and production of a promotional A4 foldable leaflet (digital + 300 printed copies). G. Reporting and Supervision The Consultant will report to the Invest Moldova Agency. All methodological choices and communication materials require prior approval. All visual and communication outputs developed under this assignment shall be prepared in full compliance with the Invest Moldova Agency’s visual identity, communication standards, and brand book. Working languages: Romanian and English. H. Duration The assignment shall be implemented within a maximum period of three (3) months from contract signature. I. Qualification Requirements This assignment requires a Consultant, which may be a consulting firm or a consortium of consulting firms, with proven experience in the field of the assignment, that meets the following minimum criteria: Team Composition and Key Experts. The proposed team shall include at least the following profiles: Team Leader / Project Manager. At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in educational tourism or education export development; Experience in coordination of multi-beneficiary assignments. Educational Tourism Operations Expert. Minimum three (3) years of hands-on experience in provider onboarding and account/program administration on international platforms. Visitor Services. Minimum three (3) years of relevant professional experience in international visitor logistics, transfers, accommodation, visa facilitation, or educational tourism supply chain management. Demonstrated knowledge of migration procedures, program accreditation, and visitor support solutions. The Consultant may propose additional experts or adjust the team composition, as deemed necessary, in order to ensure proper achievement of the assignment objectives and delivery of the expected results. Any proposed modification or addition shall be clearly justified in the Technical Proposal, indicating the role, level of effort, and relevance to the scope of work. Any change in team composition during contract implementation shall be subject to prior review and approval by Invest Moldova Agency and Project Implementation Unit (PIU). K. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The performance of the Consultant and the acceptance of deliverables will be assessed against the following indicators.
8. Coverage and Completeness ● All nationally accredited higher education institutions mapped. ● All relevant providers of educational services with export activity or export potential are mapped, including higher education institutions, vocational and technical education providers, private training centers, continuous professional development providers, language schools, and digital or hybrid education operators. ● The database includes, for each mapped provider: programs and services offered, education levels or certification types, languages of instruction, international enrolment or participation (where available), and institutional contact information.
9. Stakeholder Engagement ● At least 15 in-depth interviews with education providers completed. ● At least 5 consultations with public authorities, sector associations, or international stakeholders conducted. ● Participation of minimum 70% of invited institutions in survey activities.
10. Data Reliability and Analytical Rigor ● Usage of triangulation between desk research, surveys, and interviews demonstrated. ● All datasets submitted in structured, editable format. ● Clear explanation of assumptions and limitations.
11. Market Intelligence ● Identification and profiling of at least four priority countries of origin for international students. ● Mapping of recruitment channels and partnership mechanisms for each priority market.
12. Diagnostic Quality ● Clear categorization of barriers (regulatory, infrastructural, reputational, procedural, etc.). ● Identification of minimum five realistic opportunity areas or niche segments.
13. Policy and Institutional Relevance ● Provision of prioritized, feasible, and sequenced recommendations. ● Clear differentiation between short-, medium-, and long-term interventions.
14. Validation and Acceptance ● Successful Event presentation to the Reference Group delivered. ● Incorporation of agreed feedback into the Final Report. ● Final approval granted by the Contracting Authority.
15. Communication Outputs ● Presentation materials suitable for high-level institutional use. ● Leaflet reflects validated findings and national branding guidelines. ● One (1) promotional video spot (English, max. 60 seconds). L. Terms of payment The Contract will follow a lump-sum payment structure in accordance with World Bank procurement procedures. Payments will be made by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) upon acceptance of the deliverables by Invest Moldova Agency according to the following schedule: Payment Deliverable Share of Contract 1 Acceptance of the Inception Report, including methodology, conceptual framework, definition of export modalities, survey instruments, and work plan 15% 2 Submission and acceptance of the analytical outputs, including: database of mapped institutions, preliminary sector mapping results, and market analysis inputs 25% 3 Submission of the Draft Final Report and organization of the validation event with the Reference Group, including presentation materials 20% 4 Submission and acceptance of the Final Report (RO and EN), including executive summary, analytical annexes, and final recommendations 25% 5 Delivery and acceptance of communication outputs, including the promotional leaflet and the promotional video spot 15%

J. Confidentiality All information collected shall be treated as confidential and used exclusively for the purposes of this assignment.