Please read the detailed instructions below. ከስር የተጠቀመጠውን እያንዳንዱን መረጃ በጥንቃቄ ያንብቡ።

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE PROVISION OF HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONAL DRILLING (HDD) FOR FIBER OPTIC DEPLOYMENT

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Safaricom Ethiopia PLC is an incorporated company in Ethiopia, providing integrated telecommunications services. To support the rapid, efficient, and minimally disruptive rollout of our fiber optic telecommunication, Safaricom is seeking prequalified, reputable suppliers for the rental or provision of cutting-edge Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) equipment, including transportation services. This advanced trenchless technology is critical for the installation of underground conduits and cables beneath surface infrastructure, including corridor roads, highways, railways, river crossings, and other environmentally sensitive areas. As such, Safaricom is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified suppliers interested in participating in this opportunity.

2. THE EOI

This Expression of Interest (EOI) aims to identify reputable and qualified suppliers to assist Safaricom with the rental or provision of HDD equipment, associated tools and HDD Transpiration mechanisms, for our fiber optic network expansion projects. Comprehensive details and bid documents will be shared in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process, which will be issued to bidders who have been shortlisted (prequalified) through this EOI approach.

3. BASIC RESPONDENTS (BIDDERS) REQUIREMENTS

1. Legal Status

• Supplier is a legally registered entity. (Supplier registration Certificate)

2. Eligibility

• Supplier to confirm that they are not suspended, nor debarred, nor otherwise identified as ineligible by any UN Organization or the World Bank Group or any other international Organization in accordance with definition.

3. Supplier Certificates and Licenses

• The Supplier must have a local registered Private Limited Company, as registered through the applicable Ministry of Trade and/or Company Registrar in Ethiopia. If the Supplier is a foreign investor partnering with a local investor or Supplier, they must have submitted documentation to the Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIA) and obtained an investment permit to obtain a business license, as issued by the EIA. (If yes, provide a Copy of the valid Certificate)
• The supplier must have a valid Business License in a relevant field of work including but not limited to building construction, power installation, telecommunication installation (If yes, provide a Copy of the valid Certificate):

4. All Company Documents

• Company Profile, not exceeding twenty-five (25) pages for the relevant services.
• Business Registration and/or Certificate of Incorporation
• Tax Registration/ Payment Certificate issued by the Internal Revenue Authority evidencing that the Supplier is up to date with its tax payment obligations, or Certificate of Tax exemption, if any such privilege is enjoyed by the Supplier
• Trade name registration papers, if applicable
• VAT Certificate
• Quality Certificate (e.g., ISO, etc.) and/or other similar certificates, accreditations, awards citations and certificates of competency received by the Supplier, if any
• Environmental Compliance Certificates, Accreditations (e.g. ISO 14001,14064) and other evidence of the Supplier’s practices which contributes to the ecological sustainability and reduction of adverse environmental impact in its business practices 
• Local Government permit to locate and operate in Ethiopia 
• JV, Consortium or Association Agreement, if Supplier is submitting the expression of interest on behalf of another entity located in Ethiopia or outside the country.

5. History of Non-Performing Contracts

• Supplier to declare whether non-performance of a contract did not occur as a result of Supplier default for the last 5 years.

6. Litigation History

• Supplier to disclose any consistent history of court/ arbitral award decisions against the Supplier for the last 3 years. 

Previous Experience

• Experience and Expertise Requirements: Supplier must demonstrate at least 5 years of independent experience in supplying and supporting HDD or similar trenchless drilling machines. Evidence of deliveries to telecoms, utilities, or construction industries should be provided with references.
• Business and Client Evidence: The Supplier should list their principal place of business, countries where they have provided supervision and acceptance services, and relevant client references for similar services (including current projects) within the past 5 years.

8. Financial Standing

• The supplier shall provide audited financial reports for the last three (3) years.
• (For JV/Consortium/Association, all Parties cumulatively should meet this requirement).

4. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Interested suppliers should submit their responses based on the above detailed basic requirements .

5. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

• Interested suppliers should submit their responses to this EOI in soft copy addressed to bids@safaricom.et  to reach out not later than November 15th , 2025.

6. NEXT STEPS

• Review of submitted Expressions of Interest.
• Prequalification of shortlisted suppliers.
• Issuing of tender to prequalified suppliers.
• Awarding the successful bidder and signing a contract.

NOTE:

1. Only the suppliers who pass the prequalification will be considered for further RFP process.

2. No prices should be provided with this EOI.

3. Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia reserves, at its sole discretion, the right to select or reject, either in totality or partially, any or all proposals made in the context of this EOI. Any such decisions made will be final and no correspondence will be engaged, other than for the purpose of informing the bidders of the outcome of the process.

4. Any costs associated with preparing and submitting the response to the EOI shall be borne by the respondent.