TERMS OF REFERENCE TO BUILD A WATER WELL IN BUGESERA

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Contract Type: Agency

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 rainwater harvestingtanks, 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 the construction of a solar-powered water well with the aim of help Nzangwa Nursery and Primary School and the neighbouring communities have access to safe and clean water.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY:

Overall, the aim of this initiative is to construct a solar-powered water well in Kimpara village, Nemba cell, Rweru sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Rwanda, with coordinates 36M194820E, 9740954S, ensuring reliable access to clean water for the school and surrounding communities.

Specific Objectives:

The contracting firm will be required:

• To drill a borehole at the identified site ensuring it reaches the specified depth, as per the hydrogeological survey report (find attached), and penetrates all encountered strata to access groundwater resources effectively.
• To implement a solar-powered pumping system for sustainable water extraction, ensuring it is equipped with suitable components such as a Grundfos motor and pump, combined pipe and casing clamp, and water level control electrodes.
• To construct a sanitary seal casing, grout seal, and concrete plinth at the borehole headworks to prevent contamination and ensure structural integrity.
• To conduct rigorous testing procedures, including step drawdown tests, constant discharge tests, and recovery tests, following British Standard BS 6274 (1792) guidelines, and collect water samples for chemical and bacteriological analysis to ensure compliance with safety standards for human consumption.
• To install plumbing works to connect the borehole to two separate tanks with water points for school and community use, ensuring a reliable and accessible water supply within the specified distances. The distance from the borehole to the main tank is 500 meters and distance from the main tank to the other tank/water pint is 700meters.
• To adhere to legal requirements for borehole construction, including obtaining necessary permits from the Rwanda Water Board and complying with regulatory standards to ensure the project's legality and sustainability.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:

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

1. A fully drilled borehole at the specified site in Kimpara village, Nemba cell, Rweru sector, Bugesera District, Eastern Province, Rwanda, reaching the specified depth as per the hydrogeological survey report and penetrating all encountered strata to access groundwater effectively.
2. A well-installed Solar-Powered Pumping System with appropriate components such as a Grundfos motor and pump, combined pipe and casing clamp, and water level control electrodes, ensuring reliable and sustainable water extraction.
3. Well-constructed Borehole Headworks including sanitary seal casing, grout seal, and concrete plinth, to prevent contamination and maintain structural integrity, ensuring the safety and reliability of the water supply.
4. Results from rigorous testing procedures, including step drawdown tests, constant discharge tests, and recovery tests, conducted in accordance with British Standard BS 6274 (1792) guidelines, and results from water physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis to ensure compliance with safety standards for human consumption.
5. Well-installed Plumbing Works connecting the borehole to two separate tanks with water points for school and community use, ensuring a reliable and accessible water supply within the specified distances.
6. Documentation demonstrating compliance with legal requirements for borehole construction, including permits obtained from the Rwanda Water Board and adherence to regulatory standards, ensuring the project's legality and sustainability.
7. Comprehensive Project Report documenting all activities undertaken. The report should also include any challenges encountered and recommendations for future maintenance and sustainability.

DURATION AND TIMELINE:

The completion of the project is expected to be within two months 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 three) 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 –WATER WELL BUGESERA no later than 02/06/2024 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 the construction of water wells 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 construction responsibilities. Furthermore, the consultant will manage all field activities, including the payment and supervision of workers, 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.