Request for Application (RFA)

Request for Application (RFA)

School Improvement Project- Indrawati (SIP-I) in Salpasilicho Rural Municipality (Bhojpur district in Koshi Province)

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’s 2024-2029 strategic plan builds on years of experience, adapts to evolving policy and development landscapes, and sharpens our focus on partnerships, local ownership, and long-term sustainability beyond external investments.

dZi Foundation/Nepal is now seeking an experienced, well-resourced, and efficient Nepalese partner to implement a critical School Infrastructure Project in the Koshi Province. This transformative project represents a crucial investment in Nepal's education sector, directly contributing to the Nepal School Education Sector Plan 2022-31 while addressing the local need for sustainable development in remote communities. The initiative encompasses the construction of earthquake-resistant and accessible classrooms and toilets, ensuring equitable access and participation in a full school cycle for all children, and creating a safe, conducive learning environment to improve educational outcomes. By aligning perfectly with dZi Foundation's commitment to fostering prosperity and resilience in rural Nepal, this comprehensive approach enhances both physical infrastructure and overall education quality. Partners in this project will play a vital role in shaping the future of education and community development in one of Nepal's most remote regions, fostering an inclusive and resilient educational ecosystem that benefits the entire community.

2) Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to implement an integrated school infrastructure project in Salpasilicho RM that enhances educational quality, promotes inclusivity, and contributes to sustainable community development in rural Nepal.

Specific objectives:

• Infrastructure development: To construct earthquake-resistant and accessible school buildings, including classrooms and toilets, that meet modern safety standards, creating a safe and conducive learning environment that improves educational outcomes for students in the target community.
• Educational equity and inclusion: To ensure equitable access and participation in a full school cycle for all children, regardless of their background or abilities, fostering an inclusive and resilient educational ecosystem that benefits the entire community and aligns with dZi Foundation's commitment to rural prosperity.
• Sustainable community impact: To contribute directly to the implementation of the Nepal School Education Sector Plan 2022-31 through targeted infrastructure development, while ensuring effective project implementation and local ownership.

3) Key Components

Main project components:

a) Infrastructure development

• Construction of earthquake-resistant school buildings:
  • 2 blocks with 5 classrooms total
  • Interlocking brick walls, false-ceiling, CGI roofing, and wiring installation
  • Following dZi school design (2-classroom and 3-classroom models)
• Accessible toilet facilities:
  • 4-room box toilet including separate disability-friendly unit with boys' urinal
  • Adhering to dZi design specifications
• Water station:
  • Stone masonry construction with 5 taps
  • Following dZi design guidelines

b) Community engagement and social mobilization

• Kick-off meeting at the school for project introduction and orientation
• Engaging community and school management committee in project planning and decision-making
• Promoting community ownership and responsibility
• Addressing equity considerations in planning and implementation
• Conducting social audit and project handover
• Post-construction maintenance orientation for the school

c) WASH and educational enhancement

• Installing WASH information "mural paintings" in toilet and water station areas
• Improving overall WASH situation in the school
• Enhancing access and learning outcomes for all children
• Creating a safe and conducive learning environment

d) Sustainability and impact

• Establishing earthquake-resilient and accessible school infrastructure
• Providing training on proper use and maintenance of new infrastructure
• Considering environmental impacts and implementing appropriate mitigation measures
• Aligning with the Equity in Education objective of the Nepal School Education Sector Plan 2022-31

4) Deliverables

4.1 Inception report including an updated construction plan, GESI (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) integration strategy, government coordination approach, social mobilization plan, including local resource utilization, quality assurance framework, grievance handling mechanism, and progress tracking matrix.

4.2 Mid-term progress report including comprehensive status update against the inception report/plan, analysis of project milestones achieved, identification of challenges and proposed solutions, and an updated timeline for remaining activities.

4.3 Final project completion report including a detailed overview of project completion, documentation of all completed infrastructure, analysis of project outcomes and impact, and lessons learned and best practices identified. In addition, the final report should also include a list of post-construction deliveries consisting of the establishment of maintenance funds, documentation of maintenance orientation provided to school staff, results of social audit, and official project handover documentation.

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) Indrawati Secondary School Infrastructure Project (Please see C.3.A for design)

1. Establishment of a physical infrastructure at Indrawati Secondary School with classrooms, toilet, and water station including the following:
   1. School Building: 2 Blocks and 5 Classrooms with interlocking brick wall, false-ceiling, CGI roofing, and wiring installation
   2. Accessible Toilet: 4-room box toilet including separate disabled friendly with boy’s urinal 
   3. Water Station: Stone masonry water station having 5 taps

5) Location

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

6) Timeline

The estimated duration of this assignment is 145 days between January 20, 2025, to June 30, 2025.

7) Budget

An estimated NPR (TBD) is allocated for the project. However, the scope and thus the budget may be extended contingent on updated cost estimation before implementation. 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:

• Ensure meaningful participation of women and marginalized groups in all decision-making processes related to the project.
• Offer equal employment opportunities to all community members during construction and maintenance phases, with a focus on including underrepresented groups.
• Design and implement all infrastructure with universal accessibility in mind, ensuring usability for people with disabilities.
• Conduct kick-off meetings, maintenance orientations, and social audits with a gender-sensitive approach, promoting inclusive participation from all community members.

9) Conflict Sensitivity/ Do No Harm

To minimize potential conflicts and ensure a positive impact:

• Engage with local communities and school management committees to understand existing issues and conflicts regarding school land, proposed infrastructure location, etc.
• Implement a fair decision mechanism while planning and implementation
• Setup/ operate a grievance redress mechanism
• Ensure transparent communication about project benefits and limitations

10) Collaboration and Sustainability

a) Collaboration: Close collaboration with the school authority and relevant ward/municipal office is essential for ensuring the sustainability of the project. Engaging these stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle - from initiation to implementation and closeout - is crucial. To foster this collaboration, the project will prioritize design verification and joint monitoring activities. These practices will not only enhance local involvement but also contribute to the overall success and longevity of the project initiatives.

b) Sustainability: The integrated school infrastructure project aims to serve as a model for local and school management commitment to the sustainable use of built facilities. It encompasses extensive interventions to enhance the school's physical environment while adhering to the Guidelines to School Physical Infrastructure Construction, 2080 (BS). By establishing new classrooms, toilets, and water stations, the project fulfills the physical requirements outlined in the guidelines for Indrawati Secondary School. Throughout the project process, it is imperative to ensure the engagement of communities, school management, and local government authorities. Key events such as project introduction meetings, post-construction maintenance discussions, and social audits should be meticulously planned to encourage participation from all community members, including those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility. The comprehensive planning and infrastructure development undertaken in this project should establish a long-term approach to facility management, ultimately increasing fair access for all students and staff.

11) Qualifications and Evaluation Criteria

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 rural community infrastructure 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 RFA

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 January 6, 2025. Any questions regarding the RFA should be directed to procurement.np@dzi.org before/by January 6, 2025. Please submit your RFA and all required documents electronically to procurement.np@dzi.org before/by January 12, 2025, with the RFA for SIP-I 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.