Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698835660669.pdf (Sierra Leone)
p\ GPEF CRANT NUMBER TFo16568 Globul Psrtnership for Education Fund Grant Agreement (Revitalizing f,ducation Development Projcct) between REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE and INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPIV1ENT ASSOCIATION (acting as adminisrator of Glob.l Pertnership for Education Fund) Dated 20t1 PAiLTAMENT UBR4nr IOWER IIIIT fREEIOIYN GPEF GRANT NUMBER TFOI6568 GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION FUND GRANTAGREEMENT AGREEMENT dated A^^?wfi I 2014, entered into between: REPUBLTC Or SfenRn LSONE l"neclpient) and INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION ("World Bank"), acting as admioistmtor of Global Partnership for Education Fund.
The Recipient and the World Bank hereby agree as follows Article I Stsndrrd Cotrditions; Defi nitions The Standard Conditions for Crants Made by the World Bank Out of Various Funds, dated February 15, 2012 ("Standard Conditions"), constitute an integral part ofthis Agreement.
Unless the context rcquines otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreemcnt have the meanings ascribed to them in the Standard Conditions or in this Agreement- Article II Tbe Projeca The Recipient declares its commitment to the objectives of the project desoibed in Schedulc I to this Aereement ("Projecl").

To this end, the Recipient shall carry out the Project through the MEST in accordance with the provisions of Article ll ofthe Standard Conditions.
Without limitation upon the provisions of Section 2.01 of this Agreement, and except as the Recipient and the World Bank shall otherwise agree, the Recipient shall ensure that tlre Project is carried out in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2 to this Agreem€nt.

1.0r.

t.02.

2.01 2.02 Article III The Grant 3.01.


The World Bank agrees to extend to the Recipient, on the terms ard conditions ser forth or referrcd to in this Ageem€nt, a grant in an amount equal to sevenleen million nine hundred thousand Unitcd States Dollars (US$17,900,000) C'Granf').

to assist in financing the Project.

3.02 The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of lhe Granl in accordance with Seclion lV of Schcdule 2 to this Agreement.
-2- 1.03 The Crant is funded our offte abovementioned trust fund for which the World Bank receives periodic contributions ftom the donors to the tlust fund.

In accordance with Section 3.02 of the Standard Conditions, the World Bank's payment obligations in connection with this Ageement are limited to the amount of funds made available to it by the donors under the abovementioned trust fun4 and the Recipient's dght to withdraw the Grant proceeds is subject to Ore availability ofsuch funds.
Article IV Additional Remedies 4.01.
The Additional Events of Suspension refened to in Section 4.02(k) of the Standard Conditions consist ofthe following, namely, that: (a) As a result of events which have occurred after the date of this Agreement, a situation has arisen which shall make it improbable that the Program, or a significant part of it, will be carried out; and (b) the World Bank has determined after the Effective Date referred to rn that prior to such date but Bfter the date Section 5.03 of this Agre€ment of this Agreement, an event has occurred which would have entitled the World Bank to suspend the Recipient's right to make withdrarvals from the Grant Account if this Agreement had been effective on the date such event occurred, 4.02 The Additional Even6 of Acceleration consisl ofthe following, namely, that the event specified in paragraph 4.01(b) occurs and is continuing for a period of sixty (60) days after notice ofthe event has been dispatched by the World Bank to the Recipient.
Article V Effectiveness; Terminstion 5.01 This Agreement shall not become effective until evidenc€ satisfactory to the World Bank has been fumished to the World Bank that the conditions specified below have been satisfied: (a) (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement on behalf of the Recipient has been duly authorized or ratified by all necessary governrnental action; the Grant Agreenent dated the same dare as this Agreemenl, between the Recipient and the World Bank acting as administrator of grdrt funds provided by the Govemment of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nonhem lreland, represented by the Department for lntemational Development under the Reviralizing Education Develoryent in Siena- Leone Multi-Donor Trust Fwtd (Nwnber TF072152), providing a grant in -3- support of the Project, has been executed and delivered and all conditions prccedent to its effectiveness or to the right of the Recipient to make withdrawals under it (other than the effectiveness of this Agreement) have been fulfilled; and (c) The Recipient has adopted the Project Implementation Manual in accordance with the provisions of Section I.B.l of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.
As part of the evidence to be fumished pursuant to Section 5.01(a), there shall be furnished rc the World Bank an opinion or opinions satisfactory to the World Bank of counsel acceptable to the World Bank or, if the World Bank so requests, a certificate satisfactory to the World Bank of a competent o{Iicial of the Member Country, showing the following matters, namely, on behalf of the Recipient, that this Agreement has been duly authorized or ratified by, and executed and delivered on its behalfand is legally binding upon it in accordance with its terms.
Except as the Recipient and the World Bant shall otherwise agrec, this Agreement, shall enter into effect on the date upon which the world Bank dispatches to the Recipient notice of its arceptanc€ ofthe evidence required pu$uant to Section 5.01 ("Effective Date).
lf, before the Effective Date, any event has occurred which would have entitled the World Bank to suspend the right ofthe Recipient to make withdrawals from the Grant Account if this Agreement had been effective, the World Bank may postpone the dispatch of the notice referred to in this Section until such event (or events) has (or have) ceased to exisl 5.02. s.03.

5.04.

Termination for Failure to Become Efeclive.


This Agreement and all obligations of the panies under it shall terminate if it has not entered into effect by the date ninety (90) days after the date of this Agreemenl, unless the World Banh after consideraiion ofthe reasons for the delay, establishes a later dale for the purpose of this Section.

The World Bank shall prcmplly noliry the Recipienl of such later date.
Article VI Recipient's Representative; Addresses 6.0 r The Recipient's Represe ative referred to in Section 7.02 of lhe Standard' Conditions is its minister responsible for finance.

4- 6,0?- The Recipient's Address referred to in Section 7.01 of the Standard Conditions is: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Trcasury Building George Str€et Freetown, Sierra Leone Facsimile: 23222229060 6.03.
The World Bank's Address referred to in Section 7.01 ofthe St8ndard Conditions is: lntemational Development Association l8l8 H Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America Cable: Telex: Facsimile: INDEVAS Washington, D.C. 248423 (MCl) or 64145 (MCl) 1-2024774391 -5- AGREED at Washington D.C., United States of Americ4 as of the day and year first above rvritten.
REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE B5' Authorized Representative N",n., -f,A*aArr,rl, 9. a-*x 'litle: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (acting as administrator ofthe Global Partnership for Educalion Fund) By Authorized Represenlative Jo-- LJ-tti* Title: t --& kfiue^ { SCHEDULE I Proj€ct Description The objedive of the Project is to improve the leaming environment in targeted schools and establish systems for monitoring ofeducation interventions and outcomes.

The Project consists ofthe following pans: Part 1.


Improving the Learning EnvironmeDt and Opportunities in Targeted Areas (a) (i) Provision of Performance-Based School Grants lo Eligible Schools for the delivery of education services/outputs; and (ii) Provision of technical advisory services and training for the validation and monito ng of the delivery of said education services/outputs.
(b) Piloting aclivities designed to enhance school readiness of pre-primary students, in particular: (i) construction of approximately 30 classrooms; rehabilitation of approximately 20 classrooms; and operationalization of said constructed and, renovated pre-primary classrooms; (ii) developing, implementing and disseminating an ECCE training program for pre-primary teachers (pre-service and in-service) and caregivers; and (iii) developing, implementing and monitoring ECCE minimum quality standards (including provision of associated training to Iocal education officers, staffand school administrators).
(c) lmplementing a program of actions designed to strengthen reading outcomes in early grades, in particular: (i) Provision of approximately 1.9 million reading books, reading support packets and teacher ieaming materials for primary gades l-3 in government and community schools; (ii) rolling out of reading campaigns at the school, community and national levels; and (iii) design and implementalion of a comprehensive training program (including, appropriate manuals and support packages), targeting, among others, primary school teachers, trainers and sdm ini strato rs.
(d) Operationalizing and sfengthening the capacity of the Teachers Service Commission for delivery of its statutory mandate, all through the provision of technical advisory services, training, operating costs and acquisition of goods for the purpose.
Psrt 2, Strengthen Educatioo Service Delivery (a) Establishing systems and processes for effective measurement of leaming outcomes, in particular: (i) establishing, staffing and operationalizing a semi- autonomous assessment unit within MEST; and (ii) design and implementation of English and mathematics leaming assessment exercise in one class level.
(b) Establishing robust school data collection and analysis systems, in particular: (i) carrying out ofan annual school census; (ii) designing a streamlined/abridged census for administration in off-years; (iii) establishing a technical data coll€ction and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team in the Directorate of Planning and Policy; (iii) development of an M&E needs assessment and plan; and (iv) supporting decentralization of data collection and clean up at the district level.
(c) Establishing and operationalizing a temporary change unit within MEST.

Prrt 3.

Project Management and Supervision (a) Srrengthening the capacity ofMEST for day to day implementalion, coordination and management of Project activities (including procuremenl, financial management, environmental and social safeguards, supervision and reporting aspecrs) and results, all through the provision of technical advisory services, raining, operating costs and acquisition ofgoods for the purpose.
(b) Carrying out ofmonitoring and evaluation of Project activities.

8- SCHEDULE 2 Project Erecutiotr SectionI.


ItrstitutionalsndlmplemeltatiotrArraneetrreEts A. I. InstitutionalArrungemeBts MEST The Recipient shall designate, at all times during the implementation of the Project, the MEST to be responsible for prompt and efficient oversight of implementation of activities under the Project, and shall take all actions including the provision of funding, personnel and other resources necessary to enable the MEST to perform said functions.

2.

Loca!
2.

Loca!

Councils Without limitation upon lhe provisions of paragraph I of this Section l.A, the Recipient shall designate, al all times during the implementation of the Project, the respective Local Councils established in the respective Localities, to be responsible fot, inter alia, verification of delivery of education serviceyoutputs under Part l(a)(i) of the Project, all in accordance with lhe Project lmplementation Manual.
To this end, the Recipient shall cause to be taken all actions, includin& the provision of funding, personnel and other resources necessary to enable said Local Councils to perform said functions.
B. l. ImplemeDtatiooArrangemeDts Project lmplementation Manual (a) The Recipient shall prepare, in accordance with terms of reference acceptable to the World Bank and fumish to the World Bank for review: (i) an implementation manual, which shall include provisions on the following matters: (A) description of necessary activilies, processes and functions for sustained achievement of the Project's objectives; (B) arrangements on finarcial management, setting forth the detailed policies and procedures for financial man€ement under the Project; (C) procurement management procedures manual; (D) institutional administration, coordination and day to day execution of Proj ect activities; (E) monitoring and evaluation; (F) reporting; (C) information, education and communication of Project activities; (H) guidelines for assessing potential environmental and social impacts of Project activities and designing appropriate mitigation, management, and (ii) -9- monilo ng measures in respect of said impacts; and (I) such other technical and organizational arrangements and procedures as shall be required for the Projecl; and a School C.ant Manual, in form and substance satisfactory to thc Association, for the provision of Performance-Based School Grants under Pan l(aXD of the Project, which shall include a detailed elaboration of, inter a/ia, the following: (A) eligibility criteria and detailed procedurcs for lhe selection, approval and provision of said Performance-Based School Cran6; (B) procurement atrangemenls and procedures; (C) each education service/outpur to be delivered under Part l(axi) ofthe Project; (D) the methodology for calculating the unit price to be paid for each education service/output, which unit price shall be calculeted on the basis of a methodology acceptable to the Association ("Unit Pric€"); (E) the procedures for evaluating End updating of the Unit Itice for each education service/output; (F) the procedures for approval, monitoring and eva.luation of each education servic€/output and for granting of a
 Performance- Based School Grant, including, the designation of the Recipient's teams to be responsible for the intemal verification and extemal verification, respectively, ofthe quality and quantiry' of the education service/output delivered under said Pan l(a)(i) of the Project; and (G) maximum aggregate amount of all Performance-Based School Crants which may be made during each Fiscal Year ofthe Recipient.
(b) (c) (d) The Recipient shall afford the World Bank a reasonsble opportunity to exchange views with the Recipient on said implementation manual and said School Grant Manual, and thereafter, shall adopt such implementalion manual and such School Crant Manual, as shall have been approved by the World Bank ("Project lmplementation Manuat").
The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Project Implementation Malual; provided, however, that in case of any conflict between the provisions of the Project Implementation Manual and the provisions of this Ageement, lhe provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

Exc€pt as the World Bank shall otherwise agree, the Recipient shall not amend, abrogate or waive any provision oflhe froject tmplementation' Manual.
-10- Annual Work Plan and Budget (a) The Recipient shall prepare and fumish to the World Bank not latcr than November 30 of each Fiscal Year during the implemcntation of the Project, a work plan and budget containing all activities (including 8ll Subprojects) proposed to be included in the Project during the following Fiscal Year (including Safeguard Instruments applicable to said activities in accordance with the provisions of Section I.E of this Schedule 2 and the measures proposed to be cafied out under each of said Safeguar4 Instruments), and I proposed financing plan for expenditues required for forth the proposed amounts and sources of such activities, s€tting financing.
(b) (c) Each such proposed work plan and budget shall speciry any Training activities that may be requircd under the Project, including: (i) the type of Training; (ii) the purpose of the training; (iii) the personnel to ba trained; (iv) the institution or individual who will condua the Training; (v) the location and duration of thc training; and (vi) thc cost of the Training.
The Rccipient shall afford the world Bank a reasonable opportunity to exchange views wilh the Recipie on €ach such proposed work plan and that the hoject is implemented with due budget and thereafter €nsure diligence during said following Fiscal Year in accordance with such work plar and budget as shall have been approved by the World Bank ("Annual Work Plan and Budget"). )
The Recipient shali not make or a.llow to be made any material change to thq, approved Annual Work Plan and Budget without prior approval in wdting by the World Bank.

C. Anti-Corruption The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the provisions of tlte Antiicorruption Guidelines.

D. Donor Visibility and Visit The Recipient shall take or cause to be takcn all such measures as the World Bank may reasonably request to identifo publicly the Donors'suPPort for the Proj ect.
2 For the purposes of Section 2.09 of the Standard Conditions, the Recipient shall, upon the World Banl('s request, enable the representatives of the Donors to visit any pan ofthe Recipient's territory for purposes related to the hoject.

E. I 2 -l l- Safeguards The Recipient shall ensure that the Project is carried out in accordance with the Eovirorunenta.l and Social Ma.nagement Framework C'ESMF) and Safeguard Instrumenis.
To this end, the Recipient shall ensure that if any Project activity would, pursuant to the ESMF: (a) require the carrying out of an EnvironmenBl and Social Impact Assessment ("ESIA"), the Recipient shall ensure rhat an ESIA tor such activify is: (i) carried out, in accordance wilh the requirements of the ESMF and fumished to the World Bank for review and approval; and (ii) disclosed as required by the ESMF and approved by the World Bank; and (b) require the preparation of an Environmental and Sooial Management Plan C'ESMP'), such ESMP is prepared in accordance with the ESMF and fumished to the World Bank for review and approval, and is disclosed as required by the ESMF and approved by the World Bank V/ithout limitation upon its other reporting obligations under this agreement and under Section 2.06 of the Standard Conditions, the Recipient shall include in the Project R€ports referred to in Scction II.A of this Schedule, adequate information on the implementation ofthe ESMF and Safeguard Insfumcnts, giving details ot (a) measures talen in furtherance of such ESMF and Safeguard Instruments; (b) conditions, if any, which interfere or threaten to interfere with the smooth implementation of such ESMF and Safeguard Instruments; and (c) remedial measures taken or required Io be taken to address such conditions and to ensure the continued efficient and effective implementation of such ESMF and Saleguard Instruments.
F. Performanc€-Based School Grants under Part l(axi) ofthe Project Eligibility.
ln order to ensure the proper implementation of Part l(a)(i) of the Project, the Recipient shall make Performance-Based School Grants to Eligible Schools for the delivery of educalion serviceyoutputs in accordance with eligibility criteria and procedures acceptable to the World Bank, as elabbrated in the School Grant Manuai, which shall include, Dtter alia, the followin5i (a) the Recipient, through MEST, has determined on the basis of an appraisal carried out in accordance with guidelines accePtable to the World Bank, and elaborated in the Sclrool Grant Manual, th&t: (i) the proposed Eligible School is a legal entity and a provider of education services/outputs located in a participating LC with the organization, management, technical capacity and other resources necessary to provide said educstion services/outputs; and I : : I I I -12- (ii) the delivery of the proposed education service/output (A) is technically feasible, and financially and economically sound; and (B) if, pursuant to the ESMF, one or more Safeguards lnstruments are required for the delivery of such proposed education service/output, such Safeguards lnstruments have been prepared and approved by the World Bank and disclosed in accordance with the provisions of Section I.E ofthis Schedule 2, and all measures required to be taken in accordance with said Section I.E prior to commencement of the activities covered by the Safeguard Instrument have been taken; and (C) does not involve any involuntary resettlement.
(b) the Recipient shall make each Performance-Bascd School Grant to an Eligible School on terms and conditions sa sfactory to lhe World Banh which shall include the following: (i) (ii) thg Performance-Based School Grant shall be made on non- reimbursable gant basis; the Eligible School shall be required to: (A) deliver the education service/output with due diligence and efficiency ud in accordance with sound technical, financial, economic, , managerial, environmental and social standards and practic€s salisfactory to the World Bank including in accordance with the provisions of the ESMF and Safeguard Instruments, and the Anti-Corruption Guidelines applicable to recipients of Ctant proceeds other than the Recipient; (B) ensure tiat the resourc€s required for the delivery of education serviceyoulputs are provided promptly as needed; (C) maintain policies and procedures adequate to enable it to monitor and evaluate, in accordance with indicaton acceptable to the World Banlq the progress of the delivery of education servioeyoutputs and the achievement of related objeclives; and (D) (i) maintain a financial management system and prepare financial statements in accordance with consistently applied accounting standards acceptable to the World Bank; and (ii) at the requcst of the world Bank or the Recipient, have such records audited by independent auditors acceptable to the World Bank, in accordance with consistently applied auditing standards acceptable to the World Banlq and promptly fumish the records as so audited to the Recipient and the World Bank (iii) the Eligible School shall be required lo deliver the education services/outputs in accordance with the provisiors ofthe School Grant Manual; and - 13- (iv) the Recipient shall have the right to: (A) inspect by itself, or jointly with the World Bank, if the World Bank shall so request, the delivery of education services/outputs, the operations of the Eligible School, and any relevant records and documents; (B) obtain all information as it, or the World Banlq shall
 reasonably request regarding the administration, operation, and financial condition of the Eligible School; and (C) suspend or terminate the righl of the Eligible School to use the proceeds of the Performance-Based School Grant, or obtain a refund of all or any part of lhe amount of the Performance-Based School Grant then withdrawn, as the case may b€, upon failure by the Eligibld School to deliver said education services/outputs or perform any of its obligations in accordance with the Project lmplementation Manual; and (c) The Recipient shall exercise its rights in accordance with the above terms and conditions in such manner as to protect its interests and those of the World Bank (including, the right to suspend or terminale the right of the Eligible School to use the proceeds of the Performance-Based School Grant, or obtain a refund of all or any pan of the amount of the Performance-Based School Crant then withdrawn, upon the Eligible School's failure to perform any of its obligations in accordance with the above terms and conditions) and to accomplish the purposes of the Performance-Based School Grant, and, except as the World Bank shall otherwise agree, the Recipient shall not assign, amend, abrogate, or waive, or permit to be assigned, amended, abrogated, or rvaived, the aforementioned, or any provision thereot'.
G. VerilicatioD oftheDeliveryofEducationServices/Outputs (a) lntemalVerification The Recipient shall, under lerms of reference acceptable Io the Association and elaborated in the Project lmplementation Manual, ensure lhat the respective participating Local Council verifies on a quarterly basis, the quality and quantity of the education services/outputs delivered under Pan l(axi) of the Projecl, and for which a Performance-Based School Grant is rcquested.
(b) ExtemalVerification The Recipient shall engage, in accordance with the provisions of Section lll of this Schedule, consultants to oonduct independent verificalions ofthe delivery of education serviceyoutpus by Eligible Schools under Part l(a)(i) of the Project.
To this end, the Recipient shall, in accordance with lerms of reference satisfactory to the Associatio& cause said consultants to carry out, thrcughout -14- Projecl implementation, regular independent verification exercises on the delivery of education serviceyoutpub by Eligible Schools and to provide the World Bank with quarterly reports of such independent verification exercises; such independent verification to include, inter alia, school surveys, school spot checks, verification of data provided and records kept by Eligible Schools on the delivery ofsaid education serviceyoutputs, and assessments ofthe quality ofsaid education services/outputs provided, all in accordance with the provisions of the Schooi Grant Manual.
Section II.

Proiect Monitoring.

Reportine and Evaluation A. l. 2 3 4 ) Project Reports; Completiotr Report The Recipient shall monitor and e!

'aluate the progress ofthe Project and prepare Projeci Repons in accordance with the provisions ofSection 2.06 ofthe Standard Conditions and on the basis of indicators acceptable to the World Bank.
Each Project Report shall cover the period of one calendar semester, and shall be fumished to the World Bank not later than one month after the end of the period' covered by such report.

The Recipient shall prepare the Completion Report in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.06 of the Standard Conditions.

The Completion Report shall be fumished to the World Bank not Iater lhan six months after the Closing Date.
ln order to assist the Recipient in preparing the Completion Report, the Recipient shall employ consultan$ in accordance with the provisions of Section Itl oflhis Schedule.
The Recipi'ent shall, not laler than one month prior to the mid-term review referred to in paragraph 4 of this Section Il.A, furnish to the World Bank for comments, a reporl, in such detail as the World Bank shall reasonably request, on the progress of the Project, and giving details of the various matters to be discussed at such review.
The Recipient shall, not laler than eighteen (18) months after the Effective Date, undertake, in conjunction with all agencies involved in the Project, a comprehensive mid-term review of the Project during which it shall exchange views with the World Bank and implementing agencies generally on all mattersl relating 10 the progress of the Project, the performance by the Recipient of its obligations under this Agreement and the performance by said implementing agencies, having regard lo the performance indicators referred to in paJagraph I ofthis Section II.A.
Following the mid-term review, Ihe Recipienl shall act promptly and diligently in order to take any corrective action deemed necessary to remedy any shortcoming -15- B.

2. noted in the implementation of the Project, or to implement such other measures as may be required in furtherance ofthe objectives ofthe Project.
Financial MaDagement; Financiel Reportsi Audits The Recipient shall ensure that a financial management system is maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07 ofthe Standard Conditions.

The Recipient shall ensure that interim unaudited financial reports for the Project are prepared and furnished to the World Bank not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar quarter, covering the quarter, in form and substance satisfactory to the World Bank.
The Recipient shall have its Financial Stalements for the Project audited in accordance wilh the provisions of Section 2.07(b) of the Standard Conditions.

Each such audit of the Financial Statements shall cover the period of one Fiscal Year of the Recipient.

The audited Financial Statements for each such period shall be furnished to the World Bank not later than six months after the end of such period.

SectionIII.

Procurement A.

1.

General Procuremert and Consultaut Guidelines.
All goods, works, non-consulting-' services and consultants' services required for the Project and to be financed out of the proceeds of the Grant sha.ll be procured in accordance with the requirements set foflh or referred to in: (a) Section t olthe Procurement Guidelines in the case ofgoods, works and non-consulring services and Sections I and IV of the Consultant Cuidelines in the case ofconsultants' services; and (b) the provisions of this Section III, as the same shall be elabotated in the procurement plan prepared and updated from time to dme by the l.l8 of the Recipient for the Projecl in accordance wilh par€raph Procuremenl Guidelines and pamgraph 1.25 ofthe Consultant Guidelines ("Procurement Plan").
2 Definitions.

The capitalized terms used below in this Section to describe particular procurement methods or methods of review by the World Bank of particular contracts.

refe, to the corresponding method described in Sections II and ltl of the Procurement Guidelines, or Sections ll, III, IV and V of ths Consultant Guidelines, as the case may be.

-16- B.

Particular Metbods of Procurement of Goods, Works end Non-consulting Services 2 3 Lrternatiotral Competitive Bidding.
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2 below, goods, works and non-consulting services shall be procured under contracts awarded on the basis of Intemational Competitive Bidding.

Other Methods of Procurement of Goods, Works and Non-consultlng Services.
The following methods, other than Intemational Competitive Bidding, may be used for procurement of goods, works and non-consulting services for those contracts specified in the Procurement Plan: (a) National Competitive Bidding, subject to the additional provisiots in paragrqh 3 below; (b) Shopping; (c) procurement under Framework Agreemenls in accordanc€ with procedures which have been found acceptable to the World Bank; (d) Direct Conracting; (e) Force Account; (f) Procurement from United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPs); (g) Well-established Private Sector Procurement Methods or Commercial Practices which have been found acceptable to the world Bank; (h) Community Participation procedures which have becn found acceptable to the World Bank; (i) Shopping; and 0) Direct Contracting.
Additional Nationsl Compelitive Bidding (NCB) Procedures.

The procedures to be followed for NCB shall be the open competitive bidding procedures set forth in the Recipient's Public Procurement Act ("the Acl"), provided, however, that said procedures shall be subject to the provisions of Section I, paragaphs 3.3 and :i.4, respectively, ofthe Procurement Guidelines, and subject to the following additional procedures (i.e.
exceptions to the Act): (a) Bidding documents acceptable to the World Bank shall be used; (b) Eligibility to participate in a procurcrnent process and to be awarded a World Bank-financed contract shall be as defined under Section l.ofthg Procurement Cuidelines, Accordingly, no bidder or potential bidder shall be declared ineligible for contacts financed.by the World Bank for reasons other than those provided in Section I of lhe Procurement Guidelines.
:Foreign bidders shall be allowed to participare in NCB procedures, and foreign bidders shall not be obligated to partner with local bidders in order to participale in a procurement process; (c) Bidding shall not be restricted lo pre-registered firms, and foreign bidders shall nol be required to be registered with local authorities as a prerequisite for submitting bicis; (d) No margins of preference of any sort (e.g., on the basis of bidder nationality, origin of goods, services or labor, and/or preferential programs) shall be applied in the bid evaluationi -17- (e) (f) Joint venture or consortium partners shall be jointly and severally liable for their obligations.
Bidders shall be given at least thirty (30) days from the date of publication of the invitation to bid or the date of availability ofthe bidding documents, whichever is later, to prepare and submit bids.
Bids shall be submitted in a single envelope; An extension of bid validity, ifjustified by exceptional circumstances, may be requested in writing from all bidders before the original bid validity expiration date, provided that suclr extension shall cover only the minimurn period required to complete the evaluation and award a contract, but not to exceed thirty (30) days.
r.No further exlensions shall be requested withoul the prior w tten concurrence ofthe World Bank; e) All bids (or the sole bid if only one bid is received) shall nol be rejected, the procurement process shall not be carrcelled, and new bids shall not be solicited without the World Bank's prior written concurrence; (h) Qualification criteria shall be applied on a pass or fail basis: (i) U) (k) Bidders shall be given at least twenty-eight (28) days from the receipt of notification of arvard to submit performance securities; ln accordance with the hocurement Guidelines, each bidding document and contract shall include provisions stating the World Bank's policy to sanction firms or individuals found to have engaged in frauC and corruption as set forth in the Procurement Guidelinesl and ln accordance with the Procurement Guidelines, each bidding document and contract shall include provisions stating the World Bank's policy with respect to inspection and audit of accounts, records and other documents relating to the submission of bids and contract performance.
c l. 2 Particular Methods: of Procurement of Consultants' Services Qurlity- Bnd Cost-based Selectioo.

Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 2 below, consultants' services shall be procured under contracts awarded on the basis of Qualiry- and Cost-based Selection.

Other Mcthods of Procureme[t of Cotrsultrtrts' Scrvices.
The following methods, other than Quality- and Cost-based Selection, may be used for procurement ofconsultants' services for lhose assignments which are specified in the Procurement Pl4n: (a) Quality-based Selection; (b) Selection under a Fixed Budget; (c) Least"Co$ Selection; (d) Selection based on Consultants' Qualifications; (e) Single-source Selection of consulting firms; (0 Well- established Private Seclor Procuement Methods or Commercial Practices which \ -18- have been found acceptable to the World Ban[ (g) Selection of consultanis under Indefinite Dblivery Contract or Price Agreement; (h) Selection of Individual Consultants; and (i) Single-source procedures for the Setection of Individual Comultants.
D Review by the World Bank of Procurement Decisions The Procurement Plan shall set forth those contracts which shall be subjecr to the' World Bank's Prior Review.

All other contracts shall be subject to Post Review by rhe World Bank E. Specilic Procurem€nt Covenant The Recipienl shall, not later than thee (3) months after the Effective Date, update the procurement filing and record keeping system within MEST, in form and subslance acceptable to the World Bank.

Section IV.

Withdrawal of Grant Proceeds A.
General l. ,) The Recipient may withdraw the proceeds of the Grant in accordance with the provisions ot (a) Article lll of the Standard Conditions; (b) this Sectioni and (c) such additional instnrctions as the World Bank may speciry by notice to the Recipient (including the "World Bank Disbursement Guidelines for Projects", dated May 2006, as revised from time to time by the World Bank and as made applicable to this Agreement pursuant to such instructions), to finance Eligible' Expenditues as set forth in the table in paBgraph 2 below.
The follo$,ing table specifies the categories of Etigible ExpenditueS that may be financed out of the proceeds of the Grant ("Category), the ailocations of the amounts ofthe Grant to each Category, and the Percentage of expenditures to be finarced for Eligible Expenditures in each Category: -19- Amount of Graot Allocated (express€d in USD) 3,245,000 I | Percentsge of Expenditures to be Fioanced (inclusive of Tax€s) 100% r3,702,000 l00o/o 0 I I Calegory ( l) Periorm4nce-Based School Grants under Part I (axi) ofthe Project i (2) Goods, work, non+onsulting services, consultants' services, Training and Operating Costs under Parts l(a)(ii), l(b), l(c), l(d) and 3 ofthe Project (3) Goods, works, non-consulting services, consultants' s€rvices, Training and Operating.Costs under Part 2 ofthe Project (4) Unallocated TOTAL A]\IOUNT I e53.000 I t7,900,000 I D. t_ Withdrawal Conditions; Withdrawrl Period Notwithstanding the provisions of Part A of this Section no withdrawal shall be made: (a) (b) (c) for payments made prior to the date of this Agreement, except that withdrawals up to an aggregate amount not to exceed S500,000 equivalent may be made for payments made prior to this date but on or, after Norember 19,2013, for Eligible Expenditures under Category (2); or under Category (l), unless and until the Recipient has: (a) prepared and adopled the School Grant Manual; and (b) trained Eligible Schools on the use ofthe School Grant Manual; or under Category (2), unless and until the Recipient has recruited a procurement consultant for the hoject in accordance with the provisions of Section lli ofSchedule 2 to this Agreement.
2 The Closing Date referred to in Section 3.06(c) of the Standard Conditions is February 28,2017.

-20- APPENDIX Definitions l. "Annual Work Plan and Budger" means the work plan and budget preparod annually by the Recipie in accordanG with the provisions of Section I.B.2 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.
l 4 5 6 7 6 9 "Anri-Corruption Guidelines" means the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006, and revised in January 201 l. "Category" means a category set forth in the lable in Section IV of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.

"Consultant Cuidelines" means the "Guidelines: Seleotion and Employment of Consultants tmder IBRD Loans and IDA Crcdits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers", dated January 201 I .
"Directorate of Policy and Planning" means the directorale responsible for policy and planning within MEST.

"ECCE" means early childhood care and education.

"Eligible School" means a school to which or for whose benefit a Performance- Basetl School Crant is made or proposed to be made for delivery of educalion services/outcomes, and "F,ligible Schools" mean, collectively, two or more such schools.
"Environmental and Social Impact Assessment means, with respcct to each activity under the Project pursuant to which the ESMF requires an environmental and social impact assessment, such assessment carried orn pursuant to the provrsions of Section I.E of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, in accordance with lhe ESMF.
"Environ nental and Social Management FrameworK' or "ESMF" mgans the Recipient's framework dared March 31,2014, and disclosed on May 6,2014, sening forth the modalities for envirorunental screening and procedures for the preparation and implementation of environmental assessments and man€ement plars under the hoject, and such term includes all schedules and annexes to thel ESMF, as the same may be amended from time to time with the written agreement of the World Bank.
l0 "Environmental and Social Management Plan" or "ESMP" means the Recipient's plan, prepared in accordance with the ESMF ard the provisions of Section l.E of Schedule 2 to this Agreerhent for the purposes ofa Project activity.

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t5.

I6 i'7.

'18 19.

20.

2t.

"Fiscal Year" means the fiscal year of the Recipient commencing on January I and ending on December 3!

oflhe same year.
oflhe same year.

"Local Council" or "LC" means a local council established and operating pursuant to the Local Govemment Act and any successor thereto, and "Local Councils" or "LCs" means, collectively, all such Local Councils.

"Local Government Act" means the Local Govemment Act Number I of2004 of the laws of the Recipient, as amended from time to time.

"Locality" means an administratiye unit of the Recipient as defined by the Local Government Act.
i "MEST" means the Recipieot's Minisry of Education, Science and Technolory, or any successor therelo.

"MoFED" rneans the Recipient's Minisrry of Finance and Economic Development, or any successor thereto.

"Perforrnance-Based School Grant" means a grant made or proposed to be made by the l-ocal Council to a Beneficiary under Part l(axi) ofthe Project.
"Operating Costs" means the incremental expenses incurred on account of Project implementation, based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget approved by the World Bank puEuant to the prcvisions of Section 1.8.2 of Schedule 2 to this Agreement, and consisting of expenditures for office supplies, vehicle operation and maintenance, maintenance of equipment, communication and insurance costs, omce administration costs, utilities, rental, consumables, accommodation,' travel a,],d per diem, and salaries of Project staff, but excluding the salaries ofthe Recipient's civil service, meeting and other sitting allowarces and honoraria to said staft'.
: "Procurement Guidelines" means the "Guidelines: Procurement of Goods, Works and Non-consulting Services under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Crants by World Bank Borrowers", dated January 201 l. "Procuremenl Plar" means the Recipient's procurement plan for the Project, dated July 2, 2014, and referred to in paragraph l.l8 of the Procurement Guidelines and paragraph 1.25 ofthe Consultant Guidelines, as the same shall be updated from time to time in accordance with the provisions ofsaid paragraphs.
"Project Implementation Manual" means lhe manual referred to in Section I.B.l of Schedule 2 to lhis Agreement.

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22.

2f.

24.

25.

26.

21.

"Program" means the program of actions, objectives and policies set forth or referred to in the document of the Recipied entitled "Education Sector Plan 2014-2018 - Leaming ro Succeed", dated September 2013.

"Public Procurement Act" or "the Acr" means the Public Procurement Act Number l4 pf 2004 of the laws of the Recipient, as amended from time to time.
"Safeguard lnstrument" means an ESIA or ESMP for a Project activityi and "Saf'eguard Instruments" means, collectively, two or more such instruments.

"Schbol Grant Manul" means the Recipient's manual referred to in Section I.B.l (a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.
"-feachers Service Commission" means the Recipient's commission established and operating pursuant to the Siena Leone Teaching Service Commission Act, Number I of20l l. "Training" means the cosls associated with training workshops and study tours provided under the'Project, based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget, consisting of reasonable expenditures (other than expenditures for consultants' services) for: (a) travel, room, board and per diem expenditures incurred by trainers and trainees in conneclion with their training and by non-consultant training facilitators; (b) course fees; (c) training facility rentals; and (d) training material prepararion, acquisition, reproduction and distribution expenses.
28.

"Unit Price" means for e5ch education service/output, the unit pric€ thercof determined in accordance with the provisions of Section I.B.l(a)(ii) of Schedule 2 to this Agreement.

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