RFP: Consultancy Service for Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Water Supply Pipe Rehabilitation, Upgrading, and District Metered Area Management in Kabula And Soche Zones In Blantyre City

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

The Government of Malawi (GoM), through Blantyre Water Board (BWB) and Blantyre City Council (BCC) has secured financial support from the International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank (WB) towards the cost of the Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The project development objective (PDO) of the MWSP-1 is to increase access to improved water and sanitation services in Blantyre metropolitan area and to enhance the operational and financial efficiency of Blantyre Water Board. Among the infrastructures targeted by the Project is the rehabilitation and upgrading of the water supply distribution network of Kabula and Soche zones. To ensure successful implementation of the planned rehabilitation and upgrading works, the project intends to seek services of a reputable firm to carry out Consultancy services for Environmental and Social Management Plan of the Water Supply Pipe Rehabilitation, upgrading and District Metered Area management for Soche and Kabula Zones in Blantyre City.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include conducting a full Environmental and Social Screening of the entire 266.18km water supply pipe network in order to identify environmental and social issues and or environmental and social setting that may require in-depth understanding. Developing an Environmental and Social Management Plan for Water Supply Pipe rehabilitation and upgrading works for Soche and Kabula Zone in Blantyre City.

The assignment shall be completed within a period of Three (3) calendar months. This includes preparation time, field work, report writing, presentation/validation and submission of final documents. The activities for the various deliverables will run concurrently. The assignment is expected to start in January, 2025.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found on Blantyre Water Board and Blantyre City Council websites: www.bwb.mw and www.bccmw.com

The Blantyre Water Board (BWB) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Core business area in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments Studies.
2. Relevant similar experience, which should specifically include the below:
   1. Experience in conducting a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessments / Screening and development of ESIA/ ESMPs in water supply infrastructure projects in large cities.
   2. Experience working on water supply system infrastructure and rehabilitation.
   3. Experience in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and development of ESMPs aligning to World Bank (IDA) requirements.
   4. Experience in preparation of ESIA reports aligning to World Bank Environmental and Social Management Framework and Environmental and Social Standards  
3. Technical and Managerial capability of the firm. (Provide only the structure of the organization, general qualifications and number of key staff. Do not provide CV of the staff. Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.)

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.  A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 08:00 to 16:30 hours.

Expressions of interest clearly marked: “Consultancy Service for Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Water Supply Pipe Rehabilitation, Upgrading, and District Metered Area Management in Kabula And Soche Zones In Blantyre City” must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 7 November 2024 at 9.00 Hours local time.

The Chairperson

Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee

Blantyre Water Board

Off Makata Road

P.O Box 30369, Chichiri

Blantyre

Malawi

Tel: +265 01895 000

E-mail: piu@bwb.mw

Website: www.bwb.mw