CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Title: Consultancy Services to Hire a Training Center to Organize Training on Water Distribution Maintenance for Plumbers

1. About VEI BV

Six Dutch drinking water utilities share their expertise, via VEI BV, with colleague water utilities around the world in so-called Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs). Through these long-term partnerships, VEI BV supports improvements in operational efficiency from source to tap, financial sustainability, and availability of investments. Currently, VEI BV is engaged with partners in 20 countries to work on the ultimate goal of the WOP: universal sustainable water services (SDG 6).

2. Background

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In the framework of fulfilling its mission, VEI BV in consortium with Water for People, CARE International, IRC WASH, and AEE has secured the funds from USAID to finance the Isoko y’Ubuzima project which is a five-year Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activity. The overall goal of the Isoko y’Ubuzima program will be achieved through three interrelated and mutually reinforcing strategic objectives: 1) Improving decentralized WASH Governance; 2) Improving Rural Drinking Water Services, and 3) Improving Rural Sanitation and Handwashing Services and Products.

Under strategic objective two (2), VEI BV seeks to build the capacity of private operators to provide adequate water services within its intervention area. In so doing, VEI plans to enhance the skills of plumbers and enable them to effectively manage the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) across the managed water supply systems.  

Considering the above, VEI BV is seeking to hire a reputable training center to provide comprehensive training to a group of plumbers on water distribution maintenance. The objective of this training is to enhance the skills and knowledge of plumbers in maintaining water distribution systems effectively. This training will focus on various aspects of water network operation, including leak repair, pump operation, house connection, pipe laying, and accessory fitting, among others.

The training is scheduled to take place in January 2024 and is expected to involve approximately 84 plumbers from 14 private operators operating within the project intervention area. By empowering these plumbers with the necessary expertise and knowledge, the project aims to improve the overall efficiency and sustainability of water supply systems, ultimately reducing NRW levels and optimizing water distribution within the target area.

3. Scope of Work

The selected training center is expected to:

1) Develop a customized training program that covers essential aspects of water distribution maintenance, including but not limited to:

a. Overview of water distribution systems

b. Safety procedures and regulations

c. Identifying, recording, mapping, and repairing leaks
d. Preventive maintenance practices
e. Troubleshooting common issues
f.  Use of tools and equipment
g. Environmental considerations
h. Pump operation and maintenance
i.  Techniques for connecting/disconnecting customers to water distribution systems
j.  Pipe laying techniques and best practices
k.  Accessory fitting and maintenance

2) Provide qualified instructors with extensive experience in all aspects of water distribution maintenance, including pump operation, pipe laying, and accessory fitting.
3) Deliver both theoretical and practical training sessions, including hands-on exercises and simulations.
4) Supply all necessary training materials, tools, and equipment required for the training.
5) Conduct regular assessments and evaluations to measure the progress of participants throughout the training program.
6) Issue certificates of completion to participants upon successfully finishing the training.

4. Deliverables

The training center will be expected to provide the following deliverables:

1) A detailed training curriculum outlining topics, session schedules, and learning outcomes, which should encompass all the skills/topics mentioned in section 3.1. With the addition of these skills/topics, the training program will offer a more comprehensive and practical approach to water distribution maintenance for plumbers.
2) Pre- and post-test evaluation reports showing the level of skills of plumbers.
3) Final training report on participant's performance, including any identified areas for improvement.
4) Certificates of completion for all participants.

5. Timeline

The training program is expected to be conducted over a duration of 8 days in January 2024 with specific dates to be determined.

6. Evaluation and Selection Criteri

The selection of the training center will be based on the following criteria:

1) Proven experience in providing water distribution maintenance training to plumbing professionals.
2)  Availability of the training equipment and materials/consumables
3) Qualifications and experience of the instructors.
4) Relevance of the training curriculum to the specific needs of the plumbers.
5) Cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of the proposed budget.

7. Proposal Submission

Interested training centers are invited to submit their proposals, which should include the following:

i) Company profile, including relevant experience in plumbing and water distribution maintenance training.
ii)  Detailed curriculum and training methodology.
iii)  List of available equipment and training materials /consumables
iv) Qualifications and resumes of proposed instructors.
v)  Proposed budget, including a breakdown of all costs.
vi) References from previous clients.
vii) Pictures of the training venue with the capacity to host up to 60 trainees.

8. Deadline for Submission

All proposals should be submitted to asaph.kabaasha@vei.nl with a copy to clement.ndungutse@vei.nl  no later than December 11^th, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Hard copies and late submissions shall be rejected.

9. Confidentiality

All information provided in the proposals will be treated with strict confidentiality and used only for the purpose of this selection process.

10. Contact Information

For inquiries or further information, please contact:

Clement NDUNGUTSE

Project Coordinator

VEI BV

Clement.ndungutse@vei.nl