Consultant to Develop a Water Quality Monitoring Framework for Each District Under the Isoko Y’ubuzima Project and a Water Quality Monitoring Plan for all the Water Supply Systems Rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A WATER QUALITY MONITORING FRAMEWORK FOR EACH DISTRICT UNDER THE ISOKO Y’UBUZIMA PROJECT AND A WATER QUALITY MONITORING PLAN FOR ALL THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS REHABILITATED BY THE ISOKO Y’UBUZIMA PROJECT.

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

Isoko y’Ubuzima is a five-year Rwanda Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) activity funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), awarded in July 2021. The activity is being executed by a consortium led by Water For People including IRC, CARE International, and VEI. It will occur in ten districts: Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Nyanza, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngororero, and Nyabihu.

The overall goal of the Isoko y’Ubuzima project 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.

Isoko y’Ubuzima has supported the 10 targeted districts in different WASH-related components including developing water supply detailed engineering designs and related detailed studies as essential tools for resource mobilization by potential donors/ partners to reach district universal clean water access. Furthermore, the Isoko y’Ubuzima supported the 10 districts in transforming the detailed engineering designs into a 7-year full life cycle costed investment plans that districts can use to mobilize resources needed to ensure universal and sustainable access by 2030.

The detailed engineering designs of Districts have shown a list of proposed new water supply systems and existing ones that need to be rehabilitated to achieve universal water supply access for a 25-year horizon. From the engineering designs and in partnership with its districts of intervention, the Isoko y’Ubuzima selected several water supply systems that needed rehabilitation and have now completed all the rehabilitation works.

In Rwanda, water resources are already scarce, and there are many factors that affect water quantity and quality. It is therefore paramount that we plan for the sustainability of the water services including ensuring water quality is monitored and maintained to acceptable standards.

It is against the above background that Water For People, through the Isoko y’Ubuzima project, will hire individual consultants to develop a water quality monitoring framework for each district under the Isoko y’Ubuzima project and a water quality monitoring plan for all the water supply systems rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima project to meet the objectives as follows:

OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive water quality monitoring framework and a water quality monitoring plans for the WSS rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project for each of the 10 districts namely Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Nyanza, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngororero, and Nyabihu Districts. The specific objectives include the following:

1. To review all existing materials (detailed engineering designs, water quality-related materials, legal and institutional framework, water resource monitoring plans (WRMP), etc.)
2. To prepare a water quality monitoring framework that provides identification of water quality parameters of concern per district, proposed treatment mechanisms for all the parameters, and in case of pollution, concrete steps, and actions for effective water quality monitoring and management.
3. Develop water quality monitoring plans for all the water supply systems rehabilitated under the Isoko y’Ubuzima identification of water quality parameters of concern per water supply system, and proposed treatment mechanisms for all the parameters in case of pollution.
4. To develop a dissemination/ training plan for key stakeholders on the water quality monitoring plans.
5. To train key concerned stakeholders on the developed water quality monitoring plans.

SCOPE OF WORK

The water quality monitoring framework will be carried out for each of the 10 districts and all existing water supply systems rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima project (See below the number of targeted water systems per district).

The Water Quality Monitoring Framework (WQMF) will be developed to protect and manage the water supplies in the 10 districts to meet current and future needs over a minimum of 25 years, while the Water Quality Monitoring Plans on the WSS rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project will be developed to address and monitor the water quality issues identified on those water supply systems.

List of water supply systems rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project

TASKS TO BE CARRIED OUT

Literature review

• Identify materials availability and provide gaps for regular water quality monitoring and management (Note: Isoko y’Ubuzima will share detailed engineering designs of all water supply systems and WRMPs per district).
• Assess the water quality status for the WSS rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project based on available studies, pre- and post-water quality assessment during WSS rehabilitation, and water resources management plan.
• Determine the extent of additional data collection required to ensure the qualitative depth of this study and the steps required (site visits, interviews, literature review, etc.).

Develop a water quality monitoring framework per district and water quality monitoring plans for the rehabilitated WSS.

The water quality monitoring framework and plans shall include but not be limited to the following sections:

1. Current and proposed practices for water quality monitoring and management.
2. Current and proposed legal and institutional framework for water quality monitoring and management.
3. Current and proposed steps and actions for effective water quality monitoring.
4. Current and proposed elements (physical, biological, and chemical) to be tested and testing frequency.
5. Develop the water quality monitoring plans for recently rehabilitated WSS under the Isoko y’Ubuzima project.
6. Propose treatment actions for all water quality issues identified
7. Outline the risks and uncertainties for future planning.
8. Estimated budget for the implementation of the steps and actions.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall prepare and submit to the client the following:

1. Inception report describing the existing materials, methodology of the study, timeframe for the assignment, structure of the final report, and proposal of any amendments to the terms of reference.
2. Interim report highlighting key findings from the literature review.
3. Draft report including the Water quality monitoring framework for the 10 districts with individual reports per district, water quality monitoring plans for the WSS rehabilitated under the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project including a flowchart of actions and steps.
4. Final reports including all comments from validation meetings.
5. All deliverables mentioned above with all attachments will be produced and submitted to the client in soft and 2 hard copies.

N.B: The consultant is not limited to the above-proposed tasks and deliverables. Based on his/her experience the consultancy firm is encouraged to propose any other relevant additional deliverables and tasks to ensure the completeness and quality of the study.

TERMS OF MANAGEMENT OF THE CONSULTANCY

• Consultancy Nature: Individual consultants are eligible to apply for this consultancy.
• The maximum time required to perform the work is 60 calendar days distributed over 3 months, excluding the validation period.
• Consultancy Oversight: The individual consultant will work closely with water supply engineers, WASAC Group Ltd, water supply private operators, and the respective district officials.

• CONSULTANCY QUALIFICATIONS

The individual consultant should present a list of the following requirements including but not limited to:

1. Consultant Profile

• A master’s degree specializing in water engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and environmental chemistry with at least seven (7) years of general experience and at least three (3) similar services.
• Proven work experience of six years in the above-mentioned areas of academic qualification proven by a detailed CV.
• Proven experience in conducting studies related to water quality monitoring and treatment

The application file should contain the following documents:

2. Technical offer

• A technical proposal with an understanding of TORs, a clear description of the proposed methodology detailing the content, the deliverables to be achieved, and the corresponding timeframe. (note: the methodology will be evaluated and weighted based on the best methodology submitted in terms of content, deliverables, timeframe, and quality)
• Up-to-date and detailed CV of the proposed expert to carry out the work and copy of complete identity (ID) and certificate of availability.
• Evidence of experience in conducting water quality-related studies: at least three Copies of certificates signed by their employers with a seal. Submit at least 3 references with their contacts and addresses.

2.1 Technical evaluation

• Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology: 40%
• Profile of Experts: 30%
• General experience in similar assignments with evidence of three completion certificates: 30%

Note:

• To successfully pass the technical evaluation, bidders must meet the following criteria: Achieve a minimum score of 80% in each technical evaluation section: 1) Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology; 2) Profile of Experts, 3) General experience in similar assignments.
• The bidder must achieve a minimum aggregate score of 80% in the technical evaluation.

3. Financial offer

A financial offer detailing the various costs associated with the delivery of the above services, in protected Excel format must be a separate and protected document from the technical offer (in Rwanda Francs) and the password will be requested for only bidders who will reach the financial evaluation

N.B: To qualify for the financial offer, the consultant must obtain at least 80% of the technical offer and the lowest bidder will be selected.

The selected consultant will be contractually required to comply with Water For People’s Vendor Code of Conduct https://www.waterforpeople.org/Vendor-Code-of-Conduct and will be required to deliver a Conflict-of-Interest Certificate before execution of the contract. The Conflict-of-Interest Certificate requires the disclosure of any potential or actual conflicts of interest with Water For People employees or their relatives including past, current, or proposed business transactions, employment, or offers of employment or certain gifts or entertainment. Water For People will evaluate any disclosures of conflicts of interest; if Water For People determines it cannot waive or mitigate the conflict of interest it will result in the disqualification of the selected bidder.

• COPYRIGHTS

Copyright of all material on assignment will be retained by Water For People in Rwanda or the Ministry of Infrastructure through WASAC.

RIGHTS RESERVED

• Water For People reserves the right to cancel the entire procurement process without incurring any liability whatsoever.
• Water For People reserves the right to amend any segment of the RFP prior to the announcement of selected candidates.
• Water For People also reserves the right to remove one or more of the services from consideration for this contract should the evaluation show that it is in WFP’s best interest to do so.
• Water For People also may, at its discretion, issue a separate contract for any service or groups of services included in this RFP. Water For People may negotiate a compensation package and additional provisions to the contract awarded under this RFP.
• Water For People reserves the right to debrief the applicants after the completion of the process due to the expected high volume of applications to avoid the compromise of the process.

How to Apply:

Interested Companies/firms and Individual consultants are requested to submit electronically their application files no later than 31^st January 2025 with the following subject: “Develop a water quality monitoring framework for each district under the Isoko y’Ubuzima project and a water quality monitoring plan for all the water supply systems rehabilitated by the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project” to the following e-mail address: RWProcurement@waterforpeople.org.

Done at Kigali, January 10^th, 2025.

Eugene Dusingizumuremyi

Country Director