OREANDA-NEWS. On August 06, 2008 the Governing Council of Millenium Challenge Account-Armenia SNCO met, presided at by GC Chairman, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, reported the Official website www.gov.am.

The session discussed and approved the shortlist and the invitation of bids for the Ararat valley drainage system design and construction monitoring as part of the MCA-Armenia Irrigated Agriculture Project Infrastructure Activity, the evaluation results of combined technical and financial proposals on consulting services for the next stages of survey of farming activities under the monitoring and evaluation component of the MCA-Armenia Program. The above-stated shortlist, the invitation of bids and the results of combined technical and financial proposals on consulting services will be submitted for the MCC approval.

The meeting has also reviewed and approved the MCA-Armenia SNCO staffing plan and organizational structure. The decision on increased level of staffing was said to stem from the requirements stipulated in the reference note on the further activities of the MCA-Armenia SNCO as discussed at the previous Governing Council meeting of July 23, 2008 in connection with the revision of the Irrigated Agriculture Project Infrastructure Activity.

In particular, the MCA-Armenia is going to recruit design and construction engineers to ensure implementation efficiency and quality supervision for the Irrigated Agriculture Project Infrastructure Activity. Also, there will be hired an organizational strengthening specialist and a number of experts for environmental and social impact assessment, monitoring and evaluation activities at the rate of one specialist per each activity.

The Governing Council-approved staffing plan and organizational chart will subsequently be handed over to the MCC for endorsement. Upon receipt of such endorsement, they will be forwarded to the Republic of Armenia Government Staff for approval with the latter being MCA-Armenia SNCO authorized representative under the compact.