a) Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

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65760 Eschborn

Phone++49-(0)6196-79-0

Phone ++49-(0)6196-79-2689

Fax ++49-(0)6196-79-2269

Internet: www.giz.de

E-Mail: vel@giz.de

b) Brief project title Support for Development of Export Potential of Georgian Honey

c) Project processing no. 13.2144.7-008.00 Tender no. 81221613 Country of assignment Georgia

d) Period of assignment 1st of April 2018 and ends 31st of May 2019

e) Project description and sector (up to three relevant areas can be specified for the reference projects of the expression of interest) The beekeeping sector has previously been identified to possess high potential for being developed into a profitable export business for Georgia. Georgia has a long history in beekeeping. The country's ecological and geographical preconditions are ideal for honey production with large areas suitable as bee pasturages with a significant fraction of plants yielding high value honey varieties, such as acacia, chestnut, linden, or alpine honey.

f) Although locally flourishing, the Georgian beekeeping sector faces serious issues which have to be overcome in order to fully compete in international markets: Both honey product quality and beekeepers' productivity have to be improved to successfully rival internationally established producers. In particular, lack of knowledge about modern treatment of bee diseases in association with handling and application of drugs as well as limited knowledge about proper processing methods for honey and the accompanying quality management is problematic. Solving these problems will be required to successfully enter the Europe honey market as the world's largest importer of premium honey as well as to develop the domestic market and protect it against cheap foreign products.

g) In the framework of the current assignment, the Project seeks to contract consulting expert parties and expert providers of services (companies and/ or individuals) that would work towards developing a comprehensive, systematic and sustainable approach/ roadmap to the development of the country's honey producing segment with a focus on professional beekeeping targeting export markets. The overarching goal to be achieved after the implementation of such a strategic approach/ roadmap is to develop the honey segment as a pillar of the country's export structure in the food segment. The project strives to contribute to this goal through following objectives:.

1. Generation of an initial map of reflecting the regions and producers of safe premium quality honey and special honey varieties for streamlined expansion of the sector: - Lab analyses for general quality and origin; identify special varieties with unique selling points for marketing of premium Georgian honey. Generation of a map of Georgian honey varieties.

2. Development and introduction of good beekeeping practices, technical skills for honey processing and quality management for honey production in line with international guidelines: - Guidelines for developing the technical skills for honey processing; - Guidelines for honey processing monitoring; - Guidelines for Good Beekeeping Practice covering sanitary and veterinary issues; - Guidelines for the legal framework for safety and quality of honey; - Guidelines for boosting productivity of bee colonies while maintaining safety and high quality of the product.

3. Determining the readiness/potential of the Georgian beekeeping sector for production of additional bee keeping products.

4. A marketing strategy to foster recognition of authentic Georgian premium honey. Personnel: Specification of inputs and necessary qualifications The project requires that the nominated pool of consultants include experts in the field of: Food Safety - with experience of work at/with international expert laboratory specialized on testing honey and api products, favorably for multinational retail chains in Europe. Beekeeping - with experience in agriculture extension for apiaries, with focus on veterinary issues, favorably with a track record of developing educational materials for TVET. Marketing - with experience in marketing of foodstuffs (favorably honey and api products) for EU market, including legal support for labeling according to EU legislation. The project aims to contract a pool of international experts who will provide the following expertise:

a) At least 10 years of agricultural extension, advisory with specialization in beekeeping

b) At least 7 years of expertise at leading international expert laborator(ies)y specialized in honey and api products

c) At least 7 years of experience in EU export market advisory for food products

d) Experience in capacity building of agricultural SMEs, associations, public entities, surveillance laboratories.

e) Intimate knowledge and understanding of the EU framework, international standards, implementation experience in entering new markets for food products especially honey.

f) Project management experience

g) Regional experience: a. Eastern Europe, EU b. Georgia, South Caucasus The project aims to also contract a pool of national experts who will provide the following expertise:

h) At least 5 years of agricultural extension, advisory with specialization in beekeeping

i) Intimate knowledge and understanding of the EU framework, international standards

j) Intimate knowledge and understanding of legal framework of Georgia defining: safety of food, especially honey and quality of honey

k) Experience in working with local public authorities Excellent English language proficiency is a must for all experts. Possession of Russian shall be considered as an advantage. If you are interested in implementing the above project please complete the following document and return it no later than 25 January 2018 to the following email address: vel(S)giz.de To obtain automatic confirmation of receipt of your expression of interest at GIZ, please enter "expression of interest", name of interested firm/consortium and the contract no. in the subject line when returning this form. The evaluation of the expressions of interest is expected to be completed by 01 February 2018. If we are unable to consider you, we shall send you brief notification to this end. We herewith declare our interest in bidding in the scheduled GIZ invitation to tender below: Brief project title: SME Development and DCFTA Project processing no.: 13.2144.7-008.00 Tender no.: 81221613 Country of assignment: Georgia Period of assignment: 01 April 2018 - 31 May 2019 Deadline for submission: 25 January 2018 Per email to: E-Mail: vel@giz.de