The Russian Federation has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Second State Statistical System Development, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant services for the development of methodological recommendations to account for changes in consumer properties, and individual, low-volume, and irregular output while estimating output dynamics; conducting pilot surveys (No ST2/2/A.1.5.a).

The main objective of the assignment is improvement of index calculations, harmonization of calculation techniques for index numbers of industrial production with the accepted international methodology and standards and in view of national practices to ensure compatibility.

To fulfill the assignment, the following tasks should be implemented:

• to review international recommendations, review and summarize experience of national statistical services in this field;
• to prepare a list of products where study of their consumer characteristics is necessary;
• to prepare methodological recommendations to account for changes in goods quality while calculating index numbers of industrial production;
• to prepare guidelines to account for the output of individual items, low-volume output and irregular production while calculating index numbers of industrial production;
• to design questionnaires and tools and to test them jointly with Rosstat at the enterprises representing various kinds of economic activities in 5 to 6 regions of Russia;
• to test the designed guidelines and calculation techniques in the framework of pilot surveys in 5 to 6 regions of Russia;
• to carry out test calculations of index numbers of industrial production by months of 2008-2009 on the basis of large and medium enterprises, by kinds of economic activity;
• to summarize and analyze the results of pilot surveys and test calculations and to draw conclusions regarding practical application of the developed methodology at the federal and regional levels.
• to finalize guidelines after conducting pilot surveys and test calculations.

Estimated duration of the assignment is 9 months.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis Foundation appointed as Project Implementation Unit of the Second State Statistical System Development Project now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the QCBS (Quality- and Cost-Based Selection) procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004).

Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below from 10:00 to 17:00 hours Moscow time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by August 21, 2009.

Bureau of Economic Analysis Foundation
Second State Statistical System Development Project
Attn: Mr. Sergey N. Lavrov, Executive Director
Cc: Mr. Sergey Kirnos, Head of Procurement Department
27, bld. 3, Zubovsky blvd., Moscow 119021, Russia
Tel: (+7 495) 937-67-50
Fax: (+7 495) 937-67-53
E-mail: : procurement@beafnd.org; skirnos@beafnd.org