Below are the routes for the requested services (i) Türkiye (various loading locations) through Georgia through Azerbaijan (Baku port) - (thro Caspian sea route) thro Turkmenistan (Turkmenbashi port) to Afghanistan (Torghundi or Aqina border crossing). (ii) Georgia (port of Poti) through Azerbaijan (Baku port) - (thro Caspian Sea route) thro Turkmenistan (Turkmenbashi port) to Afghanistan (Torghundi or Aqina border crossing). A. Background 1. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience across the world. B. Objective 2. WFP Afghanistan invites qualified Freight Forwarding Agents (FFA) to express interest in delivering comprehensive customs clearance, handling services, and multimodal Freight (road, sea, rail) from Türkiye (various loading points) and/or Georgia (Port of Poti) to Afghanistan (Torghundi or Aqina border crossings). The scope of work covers the seamless movement of cargo through a defined corridor: Türkiye (various loading points) to Georgia (Port of Poti), onward via Azerbaijan (Baku port) utilizing the Caspian Sea route, through Turkmenistan (Turkmenbashi port), and finally into Afghanistan via the Torghundi or Aqina border crossings. 3. This request for Expression of Interest (EoI) aims to shortlist service providers who will be responsible for ensuring efficient, compliant, and secure handling across all transport modes, i.e sea, rail, and road while maintaining adherence to international shipping standards and regional regulatory requirements. This EOI seeks to identify capable Freight Forwarders with proven expertise in complex cross-border logistics and multimodal operations to support WFP humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. 4. WFP Afghanistan invites eligible service providers to express their interest in providing the requested services. C. Service Requirement 5. The appointed Freight Forwarder will be responsible for delivering customs clearance, cargo handling, and multimodal overland transportation services (road, rail, and sea) for both food and non-food commodities. Details of the commodities and package types include and are not limited to the following: a) Food Commodities such as cereals, pulses, edible oils, blended foods, sugar, and other staple items. b) Packaging Types include bags, cartons, tins, palletized cargo, and containerized shipments (TEU/FEU). c) Non-Food Items (NFIs) transported in TEU/FEU containers. 6. Services must cover the full logistics from the designated points of origin (Türkiye – various loading locations, and/or Georgia – Port of Poti) to the specified destinations in Afghanistan (Torghundi or Aqina border crossings), ensuring compliance with international shipping standards and regional transit regulations. 7. This request for EoI represents the initial stage in the Contracting process and is intended to establish a shortlist of prequalified suppliers. The objective is to create a roster of capable and reliable service providers for the provision of freight forwarding services. 8. After the deadline for submission of responses has passed, WFP will evaluate responses received and will notify eligible participants of the outcome of the evaluation. D. Eligibility Criteria 9. The main evaluation criteria for shortlisting are as follows: a. Relevant proven expertise (Minimum 3 years of experience in provision of complex cross-border logistics and multimodal operations b. Legal status to conduct the needful services (Valid business license from relevant ministries, specifically for overland transportation services) c. Financial status (Minimum annual turnover of US$ 200,000) d. Tax clearance Certificate e. Bank account details f. Bank account Statement g. Office presence in Turkey h. Proof of ownership or access to a large pool of trucks and/or rail wagons i. Evidence of strong financial capacity and Secure capital flow. E. Confidentiality: All the information provided in the EOI is treated confidentially. F. How to prepare and submit your Expression of Interest 10. In order to participate in the pre-qualification exercise, potential companies are required to provide the following: • Letter of Expression of Interest with official letterhead • WFP Logistics Services Questionnaire (Annex-1) • Supporting documents o Certificate of Incorporation o Valid Business License issued by relevant ministry o Company Profile o Organisation Structure o Financial statements and audited book of accounts for the year 2023 & 2024 o Reference from major clients (minimum five clients in the last three years) o Vehicle document registration • Signatory by the authorized company representative and company stamp. All documents should be presented in English and/or French. 11. All supporting documentation listed above shall be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided and sent by email to [email protected] (generic email); all documents will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be made available to the public. 12. WFP will not consider incomplete or unsigned submissions as well as submissions after the stipulated deadline. 13. This request for EoI is not an invitation to tender nor does it imply automatic selection to WFP’s shortlist. No rates/prices are required at this stage, and this invitation does not bind WFP to issue any tenders or contracts to the companies expressing their interest. Furthermore, WFP reserves the right to change or cancel this process or any of its requirements at any time during the process. 14. Any questions related to this expression of interest should be direct to: [email protected] 15. WFP does not charge any fee for companies to participate in the entire process. Yours sincerely, The United Nations World Food Programme Afghanistan Country Office