Prequalification of Consulting Firms for Business Need Assessment Activities for MSMEs

This tender invites experienced consulting firms to prequalify for conducting Business Need Assessment (BNA) activities targeting MSME clusters across Pakistan, including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Issued by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in Lahore, this consultancy opportunity focuses on qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder consultations, and structured reporting to identify business constraints and development needs. The scope includes field-based data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings to support policy and planning for MSME growth. The assignment requires firms with proven expertise in research and consultancy, capable of deploying field teams across multiple provinces. The work demands a thorough understanding of MSME challenges, data validation, and report preparation aligned with SMEDA's operational guidelines. Firms must demonstrate financial strength, technical capacity, and compliance with tax and legal requirements. The project emphasizes transparency, quality assurance, and adherence to professional conduct throughout the prequalification and subsequent assignment phases. Applicants must hold valid NTN and Sales Tax registrations, be on the Active Taxpayers List, and not be blacklisted. PEC category is not applicable, but firms should maintain good standing with FBR and comply with 2025-26 fiscal year requirements. The prequalification remains valid for three years, with opportunities for competitive bidding on cluster-specific BNAs. Firms should prepare their proposals carefully, ensuring all eligibility criteria and documentation are complete to avoid disqualification. The submission deadline is set for 12:30 PM on February 4, 2026, with technical bids opening at 1:00 PM the same day. Proposals must be uploaded electronically on the EPADS portal. The physical address for correspondence is 4th Floor, Building No. 3, Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex, Egerton Road, Lahore. Contact details are provided for clarifications. Pro-Tip: Ensure your proposal includes all required annexures and certifications, especially the affidavit of not being blacklisted and proof of ATL status. Missing or incomplete documents are common reasons for rejection, so double-check before submission.