The Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) Heads of Procurement informed FIDIC during a meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 2-3 November 2009 that the MDBs were about to conclude the preparation of harmonised request for proposals documentation, a so-called "master document", that was essentially based on an update to the World Bank's Standard Request for Proposals: Selection of Consultants (May 2004). For the World Bank, the standard request for proposals (SRFP) document is mandatory for contracts estimated to cost more than USD 200,000, and borrowers and implementing agencies of Bank-financed projects are encouraged to use the document for contracts costing than this limit. It must be used "whenever possible" in the selection of consultants, and can be used with the different selection methods described in the Guidelines - Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers.

The changes aim to facilitate the ability of the MDBs' clients to evaluate proposals and to ensure a maximum insurance coverage in the case of damages. They mainly include key provisions in the Instructions to Consultants and in the General and Special Conditions of Contract regarding taxes, limitation of liability, conflict of interest, the composition of joint ventures, the requirements for permanent staff and key personnel, deadlines for confirming participation, and computational errors in Llump-sum contracts have been amended. It was agreed that the final version of the harmonised SRFP will be sent to FIDIC for its non-binding opinion and that the MDBs will continue to engage with FIDIC in discussing the document in bilateral meetings and multilateral fora.

The two formats for the Technical Proposals - Full Technical Proposal (FTP) and Simplified Technical Proposal (STP) - used to date by some MDBs, but not the World Bank, notably the Asian Development Bank (ADB), are incorporated. The Simplified Technical Proposal (STP) is encouraged when (a) the assignment is unlikely to have any downstream impacts or (b) the assignment is of a routine, straightforward or simple nature or (c) the Terms of Reference defines in detail the tasks the consultant has to complete and the estimate price for the assignment is USD 1,000,000 or less. FIDIC has expressed concern in the past to the ADB about the use of STPs as they place too much emphasis on the curriculum vitae of proposed project staff.

FIDIC comments sent on 4 January 2010 are available PDF