Request for Application (RFA)

Drinking Water Supply Project in Bung (Mahakulung Rural Municipality) and Dipsung (Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality) in Koshi Province (DWSP_ B&D)

Request for Application (RFA)

1) Overview

dZi Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization working with rural communities in Nepal to achieve prosperity by eliminating barriers to basic needs, fostering opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, and building their capacity to catalyse transformational change. dZi five-year strategic objective (2024- 2029) is guided by past learning, adaptation to the emerging policy and development contexts, and an improved focus on partnership, local ownership, and sustainability beyond external investment to realize the journey to shared prosperity.

dZi Foundation seeks the service of an experienced, well-resourced and efficient firm/ company/ organization in Nepal to ensure the timely and effective implementation and completion of two drinking water supply projects in two of dZi’s working communities in the Koshi Province. The drinking water supply projects in Bung and Dipsung aim at addressing critical water access needs in remote areas of Mahakulung RM-1, Saddi, Solukhumbu, and Kepilasgadhi RM-6, Dipsung, Khotang. By providing safe and convenient access to clean water, these projects have the potential to significantly reduce water-borne diseases, improve public health, and alleviate the burden of water collection for residents. This infrastructure development represents a crucial investment in rural water supply systems, addressing a fundamental human need and contributing to the sustainable development of these remote communities in Nepal.

2) Objectives

With a primary aim of enhancing the overall quality of life and health outcomes for the local community by establishing reliable water supply systems in Bung (Mahakulung Rural Municipality) and Dipsung (Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipality), the two drinking water projects are:

a) To provide clean and accessible drinking water to the residents of Bung and Dipsung, 

b) To improve public health and sanitation in the community

c) To reduce the time and effort spent on water collection, particularly for women and children

3) Key Components

a) Transmission and distribution:

b) Transmission main line: The project includes the installation of 8.2 km of transmission main line, which will serve as the primary conduit for water from the source to the distribution network.

c) Distribution lines: A total of 9.81 km of distribution lines will be laid out to ensure water reaches various parts of the community.

d) Infrastructure: 

e) Total pipe network: The combined length of pipes to be procured and installed is 18.01 km, encompassing both transmission and distribution systems.

f) Water access points: The project will establish 106 stand posts, also referred to as tap stand pillars, to provide convenient water access points for the community  

g) Social mobilization:

• Community engagement in project planning and decision-making
• Promoting community ownership and responsibility
• Ensuring equitable access to water resources
• Addressing gender considerations in water collection and management

h) Community impact:

• Providing reliable access to clean drinking water
• Reducing the time and effort spent on water collection
• Potentially improving public health by reducing waterborne diseases

i) Implementation Considerations

• Engage with local communities throughout the planning and implementation phases
• Provide training on the proper use and maintenance of the new water infrastructure
• Consider environmental impacts and implement appropriate mitigation measures

4) Deliverables

4.1 Inception report including the updated construction plan, GESI integration, government coordination, social mobilization approach, and plan including local resource utilization, quality assurance, grievance handling mechanism, and a progress tracking matrix.

4.2 Mid-term progress report integrating the mid-way progress status against the inception report/plan. 

4.3 Final project completion report integrating the completion of both drinking water supply projects and conclusion of the final post-construction deliveries that include:

• 4.3.1 Establishment of maintenance fund, orientation on a water safety plan, social audit, and handover.

The following key physical deliverables will constitute an integral part of the above-mentioned deliverables (4.1, 4.2, and 4.3) as applicable:

a) For Bung Drinking Water Supply Project:

1) Installation of a comprehensive water supply system to directly benefit at least 50 families (one tap per household) including the following:

1. Intake structure – 1
2. Interruption/ Distribution chamber (IC/DC) – 4
3. Reservoir Tank (RVTs) – 4 (14m3)
4. Transmission pipeline – 4.18 km and distribution pipeline – 5.78 km. 
5. Stand posts (tap stand) - 50

b) For Dipsung Drinking Water Supply Project:

1. Installation of a comprehensive water supply system to directly benefit at least 50 families (one tap per household) including the following:

1. Intake Structure - 1
2. Interruption/ Distribution chambers (IC/ DC) - 3
3. Reservoir Tank (RVTs) – 3 (19m3)
4. Transmission pipeline – 4.02 km and distribution pipeline – 4.03 km
5. Stand posts (tap stands) – 56

5) Location

The project will be implemented in the following two rural municipalities:

6) Timeline

The estimated duration of this assignment is 160 days between January 10, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

7) Budget

An estimated NPR (TBD) is allocated for the DWSPs in Bung and Dipsung. However, the scope and thus the budget may be extended contingent on fund availability and cost-sharing by the local governments in Mahakulung and Kepilasgadhi Rural Municipalities. In such a case, the SOW will be adapted to adequately cover the changed scope and deliverables.

8) Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)

The project will incorporate GESI principles throughout its implementation:

• Facilitate meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in decision-making processes
• Provide equal employment opportunities during construction and maintenance
• Design water points to be accessible for all, including people with disabilities
• Conduct gender-sensitive and inclusive training on water management and hygiene

9) Conflict Sensitivity/ Do No Harm

To minimize potential conflicts and ensure a positive impact:

• Engage with local communities to understand existing water-related conflicts
• Implement a fair water distribution system
• Setup/ operate a grievance redress mechanism
• Ensure transparent communication about project benefits and limitations

10) Collaboration and Sustainability

a) Collaboration: The project will partner with local government (ward and municipality) authorities for government compliance and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, engagement with community-based organizations for project implementation and monitoring will be prioritized as well as collaboration with health institutions to promote water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.

b) Sustainability: The DWSPs in Bung and Dipsung should demonstrate a model for local commitment to sustainable water infrastructure in rural Nepal. These projects feature extensive pipe networks, and the installation of numerous stand posts promotes equitable access to clean water for local communities. By strategically balancing transmission main lines and distribution lines, these projects should aim to efficiently deliver water from source to end-users. Comprehensive planning and infrastructure development under this project should establish a long-term approach to water management, potentially reducing water scarcity and improving public health in these remote areas.

11) Qualifications and Evaluation Criteria

Qualifications:

a) Legal (Score: 10):

• Valid company/firm/organization and VAT/ PAN registration
• Updated tax clearance

b) Financial management (Score: 15):

• No pending legal issues or blacklisting from government or non-government projects/ agencies.
• Demonstrated financial capacity to undertake projects of this scale 
• Sound financial standing and credit history (i.e., should have maintained a minimum of 100 million NPR transactions annually for the last three years)

c) Project management (Score: 30):

• Proven track record of completing similar I/NGO-funded construction projects, preferably WASH projects on time and within budget.
• Experience in social mobilization and government coordination.
• Adequate human resources, equipment, and materials to handle projects of this scale

d) Geographic acquaintance (Score: 20):

• Geographic experience in challenging and remote areas, particularly in Khotang, Bhojpur, and Solukhumbu districts in Koshi Province. 

e) Costing (Score: 25):

• Cost-effectiveness, cost components, alignment with deliverables, environmental and social impact, equity considerations, and approach for community/third-party contributions.

12) Submission of RFQ

Interested Nepalese firm/company/organization meeting the qualification may submit their RFA with a pre-defined RFA application package including (1) the technical and cost proposal, (2) updated firm/company documents including profile, registration, and latest tax clearance certificate, and (3) evidence of similar assignment, at least three.

Please request the RFA package at procurement.np@dzi.org before/by December 27, 2024. Any questions regarding the RFA should be directed to procurement.np@dzi.org before/by December 27, 2024. Please submit your RFA and all required documents electronically to procurement.np@dzi.org before/by January 1, 2025, with the RFA for DWSP_B&D in the subject line.

Please ensure that the attachment should not be larger than 15 MB. Telephone inquiries shall not be entertained. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for further process. dZi will make one or more awards to carry out the whole or part of the assignment as deemed necessary. dZi reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without assigning any reason whatsoever.