The World Bank group recently appointed a new Chief Procurement Officer, Hiba Tahboub. Hiba Tahboub is the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) of the Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) Vice-Presidency of the World Bank since September 2024. In this role, Hiba is strengthening the implementation of the Procurement Framework while supporting further innovation and alignment across Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs.) She champions simplification and efficiency in procurement processes while enhancing value-adding approaches and provides strategic oversight of operational procurement work across all regions, in support of the Bank’s corporate priorities. Since Ms. Tahboub just started and we haven’t provided a written procurement ( only webinar ) update we would like to share with you the following updates on operational and corporate procurement.

Operational procurement, rated criteria update

In the last article we shared the following was stated: “Effective September 1, 2023, the World Bank will require the use of Rated Criteria as the default approach for most international procurements. Using Rated Criteria more widely will increase Borrowers’ flexibility to procure works, goods, and non-consulting services best suited to their specific situation and provide a more fit-for-purpose approach. Rated Criteria will also increase willingness of the best suppliers to bid and participate in Bank- financed projects—with the knowledge that their added value will be part of the evaluation, thereby increasing options, global competition, and likelihood for effective market solutions.”

Where we stand today:

• Rated Criteria as the default approach for most international procurement; Projects established after September 1^st, 2023, are utilizing rated criteria. This is the case but due to the implementation of rated criteria being so recent most projects still fall under the old framework.
• Increase borrowers’ flexibility and make more fit-for-purpose; Borrowing countries are receiving in-person and online- procurement training on how to implement rated criteria.
• Increase willingness of best suppliers to bid and participate; The World Bank Group is diligently working on initiatives to promote supplier diversity. WBG procurement teams are traveling the world to consult with international companies. Programs are being launched. New procurement approaches are being developed like rated criteria.

Obviously, there is still room for improvement, but it is encouraging to see and hear from the World Bank Group that as the new chief of procurement says “……. simplification and efficiency in procurement processes….” which is what our customers would like to see.

Corporate procurement

WBGeProcure RFx Now has seen updates in user friendliness and ease of use, below some examples. If you have any specific questions, please reach out directly.

• Changes to overall platform:
  • Now includes “Audit Log”, includes all actions people on team (legal, finance, etc.) have taken.
  • Q&A forum does not become invisible to supplier anymore.
    • Q&A is only available to those who have been shortlisted and invited to submit an RFP.
• TIP from Bank (to suppliers):
  • Don’t rely on WB to remember to add you to the longlist/ shortlist.
  • Have a cadence to go to WB website and look.
• If you’re not longlisted but opportunity is available, this falls under “advertisements.”
  • Where to find advertisements?
    • Who are we > Corporate procurement > Business Opportunities?
• Truly must be a vendor to have access to the Roxon (including credentials, fiscal history, etc.); multiple contacts from one supplier permitted.
• If supplier receives no feedback as to why they weren’t shortlisted, they can request debrief with CP (longlisted companies cannot request feedback)

If you have not already, please explore the links below because each one will help you in the process of winning WBG tenders.

Links

• WBG Operations procurement Suppliers HUB
  • This link has all the operation procurement information a company needs from procurement rules to opportunities.
• WBG Corporate procurement opportunities
  • Above link shows corporate procurement opportunities without creating an account on RFXnow
  • Still need an account to participate.
• WBG Projects and Operations
  • Pipeline projects are listed (filter pipeline)
  • All projects are posted on this page.
  • Excel document can be created (see top right-hand corner)
• WBG Finances APP
  • Useful to download specific information/graphs per country/sector.
  • Manual ‘How to use’

Subscriptions/Registrations

• WBG Tender Alerts – Operational procurement tenders which include consultancies but not WBG corporate.
• WBG RFXnow corporate procurement platform – Tenders which are tendered and paid by WBG directly.
• DevBusiness – All-encompassing tender platform which can be used to find all IFI/FIF tenders (incl. CIF).
• Assortis – Paid membership platform that compiles all MDB tenders.

Every 6-8 months the Private Sector Liaison community (IFI liaisons from likeminded countries) in Washington D.C. has a meeting with the corporate and operational procurement teams so please let us know if you have any questions, comments or experiences related to the WBG procurement processes.