Expertise: Independent Design Review
Expertise Group: Engineering
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: design review
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
ADB is supporting the Government of Vanuatu to prepare and implement the Luganville Urban Water Supply
and Sanitation Project (LUWSSP). LUWSSP will improve access to integrated and resilient urban water
supply and sanitation (WSS) services in greater Luganville, Vanuatu. Feasibility studies and draft due
diligence documents for improvements to water supply and sanitation were prepared in 2018 using
technical assistance (TA) from the Cities Development Initiative for Asia.23 LUWSSP aims to improve (i)
urban water access, quality, and resilience, (ii) urban sanitation and hygiene awareness, and (iii)
capacity and resilience in urban service delivery. The PRF is supporting with design and procurement
readiness of the ensuing project. The Independent Design Review Consultant’s (IDRC) services
(individual) will review the robustness of the technical work undertaken by under the PRF. With the
termination of the TADC’s contract, the IDRC’s role will entail supporting the PIU with reviewing TADC’s
balance deliverables/ payment milestones with the aim of helping the PIU to close out the TADC’s
contract.
Background
The LUWSSP has three distinct components: (i) water supply improvement works; (ii) sanitation
infrastructure development and improved hygiene awareness; and (iii) development of multi-purpose
shelters. Feasibility studies for WSS, and draft due diligence documents for environmental and social
safeguards, procurement and financial management, economic evaluation and climate vulnerability were
prepared during preparatory TRTA (refer footnote 1). The feasibility studies and associated draft linked
documents will be provided by ADB. The LUWSSP water supply improvements are proposed to be achieved
through the procurement of a performance- based service improvement contract that includes two
components: (i) operations and maintenance (O&M) of the existing water supply system for greater
Luganville for a 7-year period with a focus on improved performance, and (ii) delivery of capital works
that contribute to service improvements in accordance with an agreed capital works program. The LUWSSP
sanitation improvements will include construction of three community sanitation facilities, construction
of a septage facility to receive septage from the pumping out of local septic tanks, potential
improvements to sanitation in priority schools, and a pilot for on-site sanitation in low-lying and high
groundwater tables areas. The project will also construct up to 4 multi-purpose shelters which will
serve as evacuation facilities for surrounding communities in the event of disasters.
- To improve the readiness of the LUWSSP and reduce implementation risks, ADB is preparing the project
through the Luganville Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project Readiness Financing (PRF). ADB and
government have agreed on the use of a PRF to:
a. Reduce the risk of encountering unexpected conditions during project implementation, by undertaking
sufficient surveys, geotechnical investigations and unexploded ordinance investigations to support
preparation of detailed-designs and/or specifications;
b. Reduce the level of uncertainty in the project’s cost estimates and loan/grant amounts for approval
by undertaking a detailed assessment and/or detailed design for all project components, supported by
rigorous investigations as outlined in (a) above;
c. Reduce safeguards related risks by ensuring adequate baseline data is collected and consultations
undertaken to address environmental, social, affordability, land and resettlement issues;
d. Support the implementing agencies with the procurement of the works. This includes the preparation of
bidding documents and evaluation of bids; and
e. Improve the quality and efficiency of the preparation of the report and recommendations to the
president of the ADB (being prepared by ADB staff) by supporting the preparation of the required due
diligence documents.
To achieve these overall objectives, the consultants are supporting the PIU with project preparation
activities:(i) preparation of designs, bidding documents and specifications, (ii) supporting with
advance action to advertise bids and undertake bid evaluations, accelerating the start-up of the
infrastructure services contracts and civil works proposed by the project, (iii) finalizing the due
diligence documents to support ADB approval of the project; (iv) provide support for early start- up
activities of the project implementation unit (PIU) and capacity building of the PIU team. The
Independent Design Review Consultant’s (IDRC) services were sought to review the robustness of the
technical work undertaken by the team of individual consultants.
Implementation arrangements
The Department of Water Resources (DOWR) of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) will be
the key implementing agency for the water supply component of the project. The Department of Urban
Affairs and Planning (DUAP) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) and Luganville Municipal Council
(LMC) are the implementing agencies for the sanitation and multi-purpose shelter components of the
project. A PIU is established in Luganville. The capacity to implement the LUWSSP will be strengthened
by the recruitment of individual consultants with technical, commercial, procurement and legal
expertise, to work alongside the government staff of the PIU.
MLNR, has provided project counter-part staff as a focal point within the PIU to oversee PRF
implementation. MOIA and LMC are also providing implementation support. As a separate activity and
based on the experience of donor-funded infrastructure projects in Vanuatu, the IDRC has been engaged to
undertake a third-party review of the technical assessments, designs, and specifications prepared for
the project. The IDRC is also expected to strengthen the technical and design review capacity of MLNR,
MIA, and LMC. The IDRC consultant will advise the PIU and water and project management specialist to
ensure an efficient and iterative design review process. The intention is to improve the relevance and
the quality of the technical work and reduce implementation-phase risks. The IDRC’s contract is time
based for remuneration and reimbursement of expenses for travel and other out of pocket expenses.
Scope of Work
The IDRC is expected to undertake independent technical reviews of feasibility, due diligence, design
and procurement documents for the LUWSSP prepared for the project, and may also review the designs for
other ensuing projects, as agreed with the government and ADB. The independent technical reviews will
include, but not be limited to, the following key aspects of the individual consultants’ deliverables.
a. Proposed investigations and identification of any data gaps;
b. Analysis of investigations results such as geotechnical, hydrogeological, water quality sampling and
other baseline investigations;
c. Assessment of existing water supply system performance/ service levels;
d. Design assumptions such as unit demands and flows used in design-build operate contract;
e. Standards for materials, design criteria (including process trains);
f. Water technical assessment report;
g. Options and concept design reports for sanitation and multi-purpose shelter components; including
layouts.
h. Concept, preliminary and detailed design hold points;
i. Review of detailed designs including engineering calculations and construction drawings;
j. Review of appropriateness of the proposed specification documentation in the bidding documents;
k. Comments on suitability of design for ongoing maintenance requirements;
l. The above aspects to be reviewed in sufficient details to assess whether there are any deficiencies
or concerns in the design details provided;
m. Comments for value engineering, including buildability issues;
n. Identification of other risks not identified by the design;
o. Engineer’s Cost Estimates; and
p. Suitability of contractual terms in bidding documents and suggesting additional contractual clauses
if required.
q. Review of any additional survey reports
r. Participation in weekly meetings with PIU and ADB
The above aspects will be reviewed in sufficient details to assess and confirm whether:
a. the proposed option/design is the most cost-effective option for each subproject;
b. the design approach/criteria are consistent with best practice and/or internationally accepted design
standards and guidelines;
c. there are any deficiencies or concerns in the design details and specifications provided, considering
nationally and globally accepted water supply, sanitation and buildings design standards;
d. construction drawings, specifications, bills of quantities will provide accurate information for
tenderers without any ambiguity, thereby allowing the service improvement and civil works contractors to
efficiently deliver the works and minimizing the potential for variations and disputes; and
e. Technical risks associated with the designs are identified and appropriately mitigated.
Any refinements or modifications recommended by the IDRC and agreed by the government and the design
consultants will be incorporated into the design for the project and updated design deliverables will be
generated suitable for issue for tender. The consultant is required to use any international standard
software tools for validation as well as to liaise and collaborate with the design consultants for any
clarification before issuing its comments.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
The IDRC will review reports as they are submitted
Minimum Qualification Requirements
The consultant shall have experience carrying out similar assignments for independent technical review
of designs and quality assurance. He/she should be a civil engineer and at least 15 years of
professional experience in engineering design and review of designs. He/she shall preferably have
experience working in small island developing states (SIDS) and for projects financed by multilateral
development banks such as the ADB and World Bank.
Minimum General Experience: 10 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 15 Years
