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Tenders are invited for Assessment of Food Safety Ecosystem | Sel: G-018070-001 Closing Date: Sunday, 25. Oct 2026 Intervention Sector(s): Agriculture, Business & Economic Policy, Food & Nutrition Remuneration range: > 6000 (USD) Duration of Contract: 6 Months Project Brief Description The Strengthening Local Economy (SEL) project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aims to improve the competitiveness of agricultural producers and agri-food micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and strengthen their access to demand-driven business and technical services, ultimately facilitating their access to local and international markets. Reliable quality testing and food safety compliance are key prerequisites for improving product quality and safety, increasing consumer confidence, and meeting the requirements of higher-value domestic and international markets. The consultancy will assess the existing food safety testing and compliance ecosystem in Lebanon and develop practical recommendations for strengthening laboratory testing services and improving producers access to reliable food safety compliance services. Context Lebanon continues to experience institutional fragmentation, prolonged economic decline, currency instability, banking restrictions, and weakened public service delivery. Despite these challenges, local solidarity systems, community-based support networks, cooperatives, municipalities, and informal market mechanisms have demonstrated resilience in sustaining vulnerable populations and preserving economic activity. The SEL project seeks to move beyond coping mechanisms and strengthen the competitiveness of local economic actors and market systems to create more sustainable economic opportunities. However, agricultural producers and agri-food MSMEs face challenges in accessing reliable and affordable laboratory testing services, understanding applicable food safety requirements, and ensuring that samples are properly collected and handled. Gaps may also exist in the availability, capacity, geographical coverage, accreditation, equipment, and service delivery of food testing laboratories. The consultancy will focus on the priority agricultural products and value chains supported by the project, with particular attention to Akkar, North Lebanon, Mount Lebanon, and Bekaa. Tasks and Services to be Performed by the Contractor The contractor will provide the following services within the geographic focus of the project area: Inception and methodology: Review relevant documents and existing assessments; consult key stakeholders; develop an inception report, work plan, stakeholder mapping, and data collection tools. Mapping of testing services: Map relevant laboratories and testing facilities; identify available tests, geographic coverage, accessibility, and existing coordination and referral mechanisms. Assessment of laboratory services: Assess organizational structures, staff capacities, testing methods, equipment and facilities, accreditation and quality systems, service costs, and turnaround times. Sampling system assessment: Review sampling practices and protocols for food, soil, water, and other relevant samples, including collection, handling, labelling, preservation, transportation, documentation, traceability, and chain of custody. Compliance gap analysis: Identify gaps between testing and compliance needs and available services, including barriers related to accessibility, affordability, service availability, knowledge, and institutional and regulatory requirements. Recommendations and action plan: Develop a prioritized, practical, and costed action plan to strengthen laboratories, sampling systems, quality testing services, capacity building, coordination, referral mechanisms, and producers access to food safety services. Laboratory prioritization: Develop a technically justified and prioritized shortlist of laboratories and relevant service providers that could be considered for future SEL support, based on transparent technical selection criteria. Presentation and validation: Present findings and the proposed action plan to the project team for review and feedback and incorporate the feedback into the final recommendations. How to apply Please read carefully the "Application requirements" for all details and needed documents regarding this Tender. 1. Expression of Interest Interested bidders are encouraged to send an email expressing their interest to participate in this tender to LB_quotation@giz.de. This will enable GIZs Procurement and Contracts Unit to share any clarifications, amendments, editable documents and updates, including responses to inquiries received. 2. Questions about the award procedure and the tender documents Please address any commercial, technical and procedural questions by Sunday, 18 October, 2026. Please provide the following details in the email subject line: 4500052137 - Questions - (your company name) and send your inquiries to LB_quotation@giz.de. Any responses that are of general interest will be communicated simultaneously in writing to all companies who have submitted an expression of interest. 3. Tender Submission The editable templates (Word, Excel) are to be provided by GIZ in electronic form and must be used to prepare a request to participate or a tender. The tender must be submitted electronically to LB_quotation@giz.de. The tender must be submitted in one (1) email including two (2) separate zip folders. The subject of the electronically submitted offer shall be named: "4500052137 | G-018070-001 | [your company name] | Offer" Please submit your offer by Sunday, 25 October 2026, 23:59 Beirut Time - in English - to LB_Quotation@giz.de. The tender including the technical and financial bids may not exceed a total file size of 25 MB. To submit tenders exceeding 25 MB to LB_quotation@giz.de, File Transfer must be used. Make sure to provide the password the Transfer via email. Using any other link or document transfer systems will lead to the exclusion of the bid from the assessment. [Disclaimer: The above text is machine translated. For accurate information kindly refer the original document.] Tender Link : https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/deutsche-gesellschaft-fur-internationale-zusammenarbeit-giz/calls/public-tender-no-4500052137-assessment-food-safety-ecosystem-sel-g-018070-001
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