CONSULTANCY TO CARRY OUT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR HEALTH DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WATER WELL PROJECT IN BUGESERA 

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

Contract Type: Agency Consultancy

Duration: Until the completion of the assignment

Expected Start Date: Upon Signing the Contract 

INTRODUCTION: 

Health Development Initiative (HDI) is a Rwandan non-profit organization with a vision for a society in which everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and well-being, regardless of social, cultural, economic, or any other status. Our mission is to empower individuals, communities, and institutions to improve community health and development in Rwanda.

Despite commendable progress made by the Rwandan Government in various developmental aspects, a 2019 report by UNICEF Rwanda showed that a significant portion of the rural population still has challenges in accessing clean water. This limited proximity to clean water not only presents health risks but also hinders educational opportunities, particularly for children. The hard task of water collection often falls upon the shoulders of children, leading to absenteeism from schools. This issue is particularly more serious for girls who, in many cases, are expected to take on the majority of household chores, which further complicates their educational pursuits.

The Eastern province’s community have been affected by this pressing issue. Ecole Primaire Nzangwa is a primary and nursery school found in Kimpara village, Nemba cell, Rweru sector, Bugesera District, in the Eastern Province. The school faces a significant water supply challenge. Their main water collection source is in Lake Nemba, which is far from the school premises. Consequently, the school primarily relies on rainwater to fill up their water collection tools, but this source is often insufficient for their daily needs and is ineffective during the dry season. The amount of water required for various activities is a burden for the school resulting in the necessity to prioritize, affecting hygiene and sanitation activities.

It is in this regard thatHDI Rwanda, in collaboration with the Rob Angel and Family Foundation, is inviting engineering firms to apply to undertake a geological survey with the aim of evaluating the practicality of building water well to benefit the Kimpara Village and Ecole Primaire Nzangwa community.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY: 

Overall, the aim of the geological survey is to review the current suggested location for the well project in Bugesera with assured equal accessibility for both Ecole Primaire Nzangwa and Kimpara community and assess the feasibility of the location, including whether there is a better location for the well project based on the expert. 

Specific Objectives: 

The consulting firm will be required: 

• To assess the feasibility of the proposed well location Ecole Primaire Nzangwa in Bugesera, Rweru sector, Nemba cell, Kimpara village.
  • Number of students: 987 students with 51% female representation (507girls).
  • Nature of school: Non-residential school.
  • Geographical location: Located in a valley.
  • Potential villages that might benefit from the water supply: Kimpara village.  
• Provide estimated water levels during dry and rainy seasons. 
• Provide accurate estimations of the well’s water provision capacity during both seasons.  
• Assess for any potential negative environmental impact. 
• To develop a report of assessment findings to be presented to HDI staff in charge of project implementation. 

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES: 

At the end of the survey, the consulting firm will be expected to: 

• Review existing relevant geological and hydrogeological maps, data, and information availability in the selected locations in Bugesera district.
• Provide a comprehensive feasibility report detailing the following:  

1. Input on a brief review of legislative and institutional setup and responsibilities required for the ToR tasks implementation.
2. Details of the findings of the geological survey including what it takes to build a dual solar-mechanical/electrical or any other energy source water well.
3. Supply water level estimates for dry and rainy seasons.
4. Accurate well water capacity projections, and evaluate possible environmental repercussions.
5. Presentation of the comprehensive feasibility report including special considerations that should be taken into account on the side of the Health Development Initiative. 

DURATION AND TIMELINE: 

The survey results are expected to be completed within two weeks from the date of the signing of the contract. 

APPLICATION PROCESS: 

The applicants should submit a folder containing the following: 

• Company profile and background document explaining how its scope of work is relevant to the consultancy work assignment
• Proof of the company’s registration under the Rwanda Development Board
• Up-to-date tax clearance certificate
• A technical proposal with the proposed methodology for undertaking this assignment, along with a high-level work plan with timelines. The technical proposal should also include a summary of how the support and the expertise of the consultant will be optimized during the assignment
• Samples of work undertaken (at least two) that demonstrate strong technical skills
• Your fee proposal or price proposal by indicating daily rate (in RWF) to undertake the terms of reference above, including travel costs, insurance and accommodation and other related costs. Bids shall be provided in Rwandan francs, including applicable taxes, and shall be valid for at least 90 days after submission.
• Contact details of three referees. 

Applications should be sent electronically to info@hdirwanda.org or submit hardcopies at our office (34 KK 649 St, Kigali)with the subject TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL - GEOLOGICAL SURVEY no later than 29/11/2023 at 5:00 PM CAT. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

The consulting firm should have the following qualifications: 

• Minimum 7 years of experience in geology, engineering or related field
• Proven experience in consultancy and advisory for engineering, geological or hydrological information
• Experience in program implementation for rural development
• Demonstrated technical capacity to collaborate with and manage interdisciplinary teams
• Program delivery of a similar scope in East Africa is required

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

• The following criteria will be used to evaluate the proposals submitted:
  • Relevance of the proposed methodology to the ToR.
  • Clarity and feasibility of the proposed methodology.
  • Demonstrated experience and expertise in conducting geological surveys or similar-related evaluations.
  • Qualifications and experience of the proposed agency team members.
  • Reasonableness of the proposed budget.
  • Ability to deliver quality outputs within the given timeline.

NB: Please note that the consulting firm will assume complete financial responsibility for all geological survey responsibilities. Furthermore, the consultant will manage all field activities, including the payment and supervision of any data collectors, as well as handle transportation and accommodation logistics. Additionally, it is the consultant's responsibility to refine the draft report based on feedback, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure its final approval.