Individual consultant for panel experts for large Dams for CDAT Project (Team Leader)

COUNTRY: Rwanda

NAME OF PROJECT: Commercialization and De-risking for Agricultural

Transformation (CDAT) Project

Credit A No: 7084-RW, Credit B No: 7085-RW and Grant No: E017-RW

Assignment Title: Hiring an individual consultant for panel experts for large Dams for CDAT Project (Team Leader)

Reference No: RW-RAB-431573-CS-INDV

The Government of Rwanda has received financing from the International Development

Association (IDA) toward the cost of the Commercialization and De-risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDAT) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting service: Hiring an individual consultant for panel experts for large Dams for CDAT Project (Team Leader).

The Terms of Reference (TOR) related to this assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB)/ Commercialization and De-risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDAT) Project now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Service. Interested Consultants should provide their CVs demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Service.

The shortlisting criteria are:

The Dam Design and Safety Specialist, (Panel Chair), must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Civil/Hydraulic Engineering with fifteen (15) years demonstrated/proven professional experience in dam design and construction works.

Specifically, the expert will:

1. enhance the client’s staff technical review capacity on dam design matters;
2. attend a joint workshop with other panel experts to present and discuss the dam design (for design review) & construction procedure and standards to be used by consulting firms contracted for the project;
3. review the dam type and design made during the detail design phase and in particular: review of layout of dam and appurtenant structures; design criteria and design calculations; and design, technical specifications and construction schedules; assess the adequacy of construction work for the dam and appurtenant structures; review of design adoptions during construction; review of construction procedures, plan, and schedule; assess the safety requirements with respect to stability and performance of the dam and appurtenant structures during operation based on results of safety inspections. Review and evaluate the optimized reservoir operation in view of the multipurpose aspect that intends to supply water for irrigation.
4. Review and comment, or lead the team to do so, on various models such as; hydrologic, hydraulic, structural and/or geotechnical that would be built up by the consultant or contractor.
5. Visit and inspect the construction site, in coordination with other panelists, and give constructive comments or guidance especially on critical challenges that may encounter
6. Lead in reviewing the dam safety and all other requirement as per the World Bank Good practice note on Dam Safety ESF/ESS4 Annex 1: Safety of Dams.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section VII. Approved Selection Methods: Consulting Services, paragraphs; 7.34, 7.35, 7.36 and 7.37 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Fifth Edition September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

The evaluation shall be based on the relevant qualifications and experience of the Consultant. Individual Consultants selected to be employed by the RAB/CDAT Project shall be the most experienced and best qualified among the candidates, Expressions of interest must be delivered through e-procurement system on www.umucyo.gov.rw by the time indicated in the system.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR HIRING A

DAM EXPERT FOR LARGE DAMS PANEL OF EXPERTS

1 Introduction and Background

The World Bank approved $300 million in financing under the International Development Association’s (IDA’s) grant, credit, and scale up window to help the Government of Rwanda increase the use of irrigation and commercialization among producers and agribusiness firms to support value chains, and to increase access to agricultural finance. 

The Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation Project (CDAT) will support the Government to provide services and create an enabling environment for the private actor throughout the agricultural value chain. It will finance public investments in the seeds sector, develop and rehabilitate irrigation systems on over 17,673 ha, provide accompanying land husbandry development on about 10,986 ha in surrounding water catchment areas to increase productivity and promote climate smart agriculture.

The project will also support commercialization by helping farmers’ access markets and availing matching grants for investments in mechanization, post-harvest infrastructure and processing equipment.  A CDAT challenge fund will invest in particularly innovative solutions for the sector that can be brought to scale. The project is nationwide and is foreseen to directly benefit at least 235,000 households, including women and youth.

In partnership with financial institutions, the Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation Project will seek to enhance access to affordable financial services and products in the agricultural sector by providing short and long-term financing and reducing risks and challenges faced by agricultural value chains through strengthening market linkages and scaling up agriculture insurance.

 The project development objectives indicators are:

1. Increase in share of agricultural produce sold by participating producers.
2. Increase in the cultivated area being irrigated in new and rehabilitated schemes.
3. Increase in value of agricultural production quantities procured by participating aggregators (cooperative and contract buyers).
4. Increase in number of borrowers obtaining agricultural loans from participating financial institutions.
5. Total number of benefitting households reached by the project.

According to ESF/ESS4 Annex 1: Safety of Dams, It is the Bank’s Good practice note on Dam Safety, the safety of these facilities must be independently reviewed, that any needed corrective measures be implemented to ensure the safety of the dams, and that dam safety be subsequently monitored by the responsible authorities.

The following terms of reference are therefore outlined to guide the direction of activities of the Dam Expert for a Panel of Experts (PoE) for Kageyo and Warufu Projects. The PoE will concern itself primarily with the safety aspects of Kageyo and Warufu Dams.  The primary objective of the PoE is to provide an independent and high level technical evaluation of the safety of the proposed dam(s). Aforementioned sites will be primarily be considered at first phase and if there is a need to incorporate more dam sites the project management will notify consultants.

The reports of the PoE are to become the basis for conducting any necessary actions to upgrade the proposed design and operation of the dam(s) from a safety perspective. 

2. Project Description

With the support of the World Bank, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources (RAB) through CDAT Project will develop 17,673 ha multiple irrigation schemes across the country. The Bank will finance the detailed design and irrigation development for Kageyo and design review of Warufu irrigation schemes as well as project implementation.

2.1 Kageyo Dam

Kageyo dam site is proposed downstream of the Kageyo village. The dam site is proposed at the location of an existing small dam of 3.5MCM where the dam axis of the new dam will be just downstream of the existing dam. As per the feasibility study the new dam will be constructed on top of the existing dam incorporating it into its upstream slope like an upstream coffer dam (see Figure 2.1). The anticipated reservoir capacity according to the feasibility study is approximately 18 MCM for irrigating 2,442 ha command area. The dam height from river bed level is expected to be around 11m with crest length of 598m. 

 Figure 2.1: Dam  Section  (feasibility study)

The salient features of the dam and command area taken from the Feasibility Study are illustrated below.

Figure 2.2 : Kageyo Dam salient features and dam layout

2.2 Warufu Dam

The Warufu site is a multi-purpose project aiming at developing 3,000 ha irrigation, providing drinking water supply of 5,000m3/day to 240,000 people and generating 1,260mWh/yr electricity sufficient to light about 4,000 houses in the project area. It involves construction of a 20 m high dam (above river bed level) to store 25 Million m3, 3,000 ha irrigation system, and land-husbandry technologies in the irrigation area and catchments. Water supply outlets for hydropower and domestic water supply are also be provided. The detailed study was developed and approved by the former LWH, World Bank funded Project under MINAGRI in 2016, and the design was prepared by two Greek Consulting firms in JV; Z&A P. ANTONAROPOULOS AND ASSOSIATES (Leading company) & G. KARAVOKYRIS AND PARTNERS CONSULTING ENGINEERS (Z&A).

Warufu project is located in Gatsibo and Nyagatare Districts of the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The proposed dam site is located 0.7 km upstream of the road bridge next to Nyagahanga town. The dam is reached from either the Kayonza – Kagitumba asphalt road and then the earthen road near Kabarore Gatsibo, or the Kigali – Byumba asphalt road and then the Byumba – Nyagatare asphalt road to Nyagahanga town where the dam site is located and further to Ngarama town which is in the command area. The coordinates of the dam axis are E 524,795/N 4,821,009.

Currently the client is on the process of hiring a consultant. This consultancy service relates to the design review updates and supervision of construction works of Warufu Dam, and the command area.

Table 2.1: WARUFU Site Summary

Figure 2.3 depicts the general scheme layout of the dam and irrigation network of Warufu project, whereas Figure 2.4 shows the dam and appurtenant structures layout.

Figure: 2.3: General Schematic layout for Warufu Irrigation Project

Figure: 2.4: Schematic layout for Warufu Dam and appurtenant structures 

Figure 2.5: Warufu Dam Section

3.  Objective of the assignment

The main objective of the PoE is to conduct periodic, comprehensive, and independent reviews with the objective of evaluating features and actions pertaining to the safety of the dam and providing recommendations to CDAT Project of actions that may be needed to upgrade the dam and appurtenances to acceptable dam safety standards.

4. Expected output

At the end of the assignment, it is expected that before the final review feasibility and design studies all features related to different steps for Dam construction and operation will be reviewed and subsequent recommendation will be provided to CDAT for Action.

5. Scope of the Service

During the assignment, the PoE will meet as frequently as necessary depending on the status of the dam involved. During the design phase PoE will be involved in each project deliverable milestones to ensure that all dam safety issues are well captured at each milestone with respect to Kageyo and Warufu projects.  Accordingly, a minimum of three visits were planned during design review or detail design study for Warufu and Kageyo respectively. Therefore, for dams under design, meetings shall be held as such intervals to assure the PoE of the adequacy of design data collection, foundation exploration, determination of design parameters, foundation analysis, dam type selection, dam section design and determination of design or safety check floods and respective flood routing.

During construction, three visits of the PoE to dam site is important especially after dam foundation excavation just as foundation is opened to where critical conditions relating to foundation treatment or need for additional excavations can be observed, during the start of dam construction and at the end of dam construction (before initial reservoir impoundment). Additional visit can be arranged during the course of construction at the request of CDAT project management when major changes happen from the design assumptions.

The PoE meetings will normally be at the project site and shall be attended by all members. Inspection of the site, designs or of the dam under construction individually should occur only under special circumstances and in such cases the member will send his report of findings to CDAT Project Management for issuance jointly after occurrence by all the panel members.

An advance schedule of meetings will be drawn up by the PoE and the CDAT Project and sent to the World Bank to allow them to send an observer to PoE meetings if they so desire. While the PoE will review and evaluate mainly technical elements of the dam designs, the specific elements to be reviewed and evaluated shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Designs Review/Detailed Design Phase

1. To review site exploration data for the foundation and for material sources including results of drilling or boring, laboratory testing, in-situ tests and regional and local geological characteristics;
2. To review the designs of the foundation treatment, proposed excavations, selected foundation strength parameters and seepage control measures;
3. To review the strength parameters and characteristics of the selected construction materials for the embankment dams including zoned materials, filters, riprap  and placement requirements;
4. To review the selected aggregate source, cement type, and material characteristics for concrete and masonry works including results of durability, gradation and reactivity tests, trial mix designs, strength design parameters and construction requirements;
5. To review stability analysis and resulting factors of safety for normal, unusual and extreme loading conditions for embankment dams, spillway structures and outlet works including determination of seismic loading criteria;
6. To review upstream conditions with regards to formation of landslide and handling of floods caused by the collapse of such natural dams;
7. To review the reservoir factors of dam stability, sedimentation, wave action ,dam seat area preparation plans and their effect on dam stability;
8. To review the flood hydrology methodology and computations for determining the project design flood hydrographs, reservoir routing and spillway sizing;
9. To Review the design of spillway facilities including flow conditions, energy dissipation and recommendations need for modeling where applicable;
10. To review the inlet and outlet works, including its hydraulic designs, capacity for emergency reservoir drawdown, sediment handling capability, regulation range and other factors;
11. To review the designs of diversion works schedule hydrology, capacity and risk factors associated with diversion during construction and with the closure of diversion works at initial reservoir filling;
12. To review the risk and hazard evaluations including need for Dam breach analysis;
13. To review the design for dam instrumentation and the program for collecting evaluation and maintaining data to be obtained; and
14. To review the final plans, drawings and specifications for design adequacy, construction, scheduling and owner quality control procedures.

1. Construction Phase

1. To make at least on field inspection of the nearly completed foundation excavations prior to placement of either embankment or concrete (Mandatory for PoE members covering geology, dam engineering and foundation engineering);
2. To make at least one filed inspection during the early placement of embankment dam section, to evaluate quality control procedures being used during construction and to evaluate if the materials being utilized and construction methods being employed are meeting design parameters and contract specifications;
3. To review any major field design changes that occurs because of changed field conditions; and
4. To review the operational plan for initial reservoir filling, including the time of closure maximum allowable filling rate, dam instrumentation and surveillance programs, emergency release plan and designation of responsible operating personnel.

1. Long term Operation (Post Construction) Phase

1. To review and evaluate the organization, procedures and program to carry out long term independent monitoring of the dam safety status including the inspection frequencies, instrumentation records system, project data files, evaluation criteria and means to provide remedial actions;
2. To review the adequacy of operation and maintenance manuals and establishments of project operations procedure;
3. To review and evaluate emergency plans including downstream flood effects, emergency reservoir drawdown, notification of impending dangers to downstream municipal authorities, major flood early warning systems, major flood spilling operations plans and site access during emergencies, and
4. To review the procedures of handling project records, including as built drawings, operation records, inspection records, instrumentation data and other information associated with the long-term safety of the dam.

1. Capacity Building
2. During the Workshop sessions which will organized by CDAT Project, the PoE will provide training to CDAT Engineers and other National Engineers on operation, maintenance of the dam in order to ensure that the CDAT Staff and private operators are equipped with good skills in Dam operation and management.

1. Organization and Membership

The PoE will consist of at least four members:

1. Dam Expert
2. Geotechnical Expert
3. Dam Hydrologist
4. Environmental Safeguard Specialist

The chairman of PoE will be the Dam Expert; he will oversee and coordinate all activities of the PoE.  CDAT Project Management will nominate the representative from project engineers to coordinate the communications of the PoE, to call and facilitate the meetings to ensure the membership’s objectivity and to provide balance to its reviews and recommendations.

1. Qualification and Experience of PoE

The Panel of Experts must have proven professional experience in Dam and Construction, and dam safety analysis in accordance to the World Bank ESF/ESS4 Annex 1: Safety of Dams.  Therefore, the following paragraph highlights the qualification and Experiences required for each Expert:

1. Dam Engineer/Expert

The Dam Design and Safety Specialist, (Panel Chair), must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Civil/Hydraulic Engineering with 15 years demonstrated/proven professional experience in dam design and construction works. The Expert will visit the project at regular intervals as part of\ the technical panel of experts from various technical fields relevant to safety aspects of dams. Specifically, the expert will:

1. enhance the client’s staff technical review capacity on dam design matters;
2. attend a joint workshop with other panel experts to present and discuss the dam design (for design review) & construction procedure and standards to be used by consulting firms contracted for the project;
3. review the dam type and design made during the design review and detail design phase and in particular: review of layout of dam and appurtenant structures; design criteria and design calculations; technical specifications and construction schedules; assess the adequacy of construction work for the dam and appurtenant structures; review of design adoptions during construction; review of construction procedures, plan, and schedule; assess the safety requirements with respect to stability and performance of the dam and appurtenant structures during operation based on results of safety inspections. Review and evaluate the optimized reservoir operation in view of the multipurpose aspect;
4. Review and comment, or lead the team to do so, on various models such as; hydrologic, hydraulic, structural and/or geotechnical that would be built up by the consultant or contractor;
5. Visit and inspect the construction site, in coordination with other panelists, and give constructive comments or guidance especially on critical challenges that may encounter; and
6. Lead in reviewing the dam safety and all other requirement as per the World Bank good practice note on Dam Safety ESF/ESS4 Annex 1: Safety of Dams.

1. Geotechnical Expert

The Geology/ Geotechnical Expert shall have a minimum of a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering (Geology/ Geotechnical Engineering Major) and 15 years proven/demonstrated professional working experience in dam studies. The Expert will visit the project at as part of the PoE. Specifically, the expert will:

1. enhance client’s technical review capacity on Geological/Geotechnical matters;
2. attend a joint workshop (organized by client) with other panelists to present and discuss the geological and geotechnical procedures, standards and methodology to be used by consulting firms contracted for the project; and
3. review the results of geological and geotechnical investigations conducted during feasibility studies, detailed design and construction supervision and in particular: (1) the geological foundation conditions for the dam and appurtenant structures with respect to safety requirements in stability and water tightness; (2) the geological and geotechnical conditions of the reservoir rim with respect to safety in slope stability and reservoir tightness; (3) the geo-technical design parameters; (4) foundation treatment design including drainage and sealing by grouting or other methods; (5) technical specifications with respect to foundation treatment; (6) construction procedures as well as materials properties and availability; (7) foundation treatment adoptions as well as adequacy of treatment during construction; (8) foundation stability and tightness after completion of the project during operation, based on results of safety inspections, and (9) seismic assessment and design parameters. The expert will also advise on measures to amend and improve the aspects/areas needing such amendments/improvements.

1. Dam Hydrologist

The Hydrologist will have a minimum of a Masters degree in Civil /Water Resources Engineering (hydrology major) and fifteen (15) years demonstrated/proven working experience, including a minimum of five (5) years in hydrologic studies related to storage reservoirs. The Expert will visit the project at regular intervals as part of the DSRP. Specifically, the expert will:

1. enhance the institution’s staff technical review capacity on hydrological matters;
2. attend a joint workshop with other panelists and the client to present and discuss hydrological procedures, methodology/standards to be used by consulting firms contracted for the project;
3. review feasibility studies and detailed designs in particular: (1) the hydrological conditions with respect to availability of river flow/catchment run-off, stored in the reservoir for multipurpose use, covering the demand; (2) the downstream condition /hazards and required safety level /flood return period, (3) the design flood inflow and reservoir attenuated outflow for determining the spillway capacity; (4) the soil erosion level of the catchments, sediment, as well as sediment management plan; (5) the reservoir operations; and (6) adequacy of live and dead storage considering hydrological variability (including climate considerations), required water supply reliability and sediment handing.
4. To review upstream conditions with regard to formation of landslide and handling of floods caused by the collapse of such natural dams;
5. To review the flood hydrology methodology and computations for determining the project design flood hydrographs, reservoir routing and spillway sizing;
6. To Review the design of spillway facilities including flow conditions, energy dissipation or need for modeling;
7. To review the inlet and outlet works, including its hydraulic designs, capacity for emergency reservoir drawdown, sediment handling capability, selective thermal releases, regulation range and other factors;
8. To review the designs of diversion works schedule hydrology and risk factors associated with diversion during construction and with the closure of diversion works at initial reservoir filling; and
9. To review the risk and hazard evaluations including need for Dam breach analysis.

1. Environmental Safeguard Specialist

The Environmental Safeguard Specialist have a minimum of a master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental engineering, Natural Resources Management, Soil and Environmental Management with 12 years proven/demonstrated professional working experience in dam studies, with a capacity of:

• designing and implementing environmental mitigation and monitoring plans;
• developing detailed cost estimates and schedules for environmental mitigation and monitoring plans; 
• implementing public consultation and disclosure processes; and
• ensuring occupational health and safety for workers and communities. Experience in watershed management and sedimentation will be an added advantage.

The Expert will visit the project at as part of the PoE. Specifically, the expert will:

1. Enhance client’s technical review capacity on environmental and social and matters;
2. Attend a joint workshop (organized by client) with other panelists to present and discuss the environmental and social procedures, standards and methodology to be used by consulting firms contracted for the project;
3. Review the results of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Resettlement Action Plan conducted during feasibility studies, detailed design for ESIA and RAP and construction supervision and in particular: (1) assess and review of environmental and social issues associated with the Dam in accordance with relevant National and World Bank guidelines. (2) assess the compliance and implementation of mitigation measures provided in ESIA/ESMPs and DSMP; (3) Recommend remedial action in the case of considered non-compliance for amelioration or remediation of unanticipated environmental and socials risks pursuant to the requirements of the Dam Safety Management Plan (DSMP; (4); compile other environmental and social aspects as they may deem appropriate;
4. Provide guidance to SPIU and its independent consultants and contractors on key environmental and social issues and methods for preparation of all the environmental and social studies and plans; and
5. Provide advice regarding measures to enhance the overall environmental and social outcomes of the Project. This will include providing advice and guidance on unanticipated environmental impacts of the project identified during the Project’s construction and operational phases.

1. Reporting

The minutes of the meeting shall be prepared and signed by all PoE members and presented to the CDAT prior to departure of the members. The minutes shall briefly outline areas of concern, the request for additional analysis and present recommendations of action. If any within three weeks the minutes may be supplemented by additional analysis, discussion, or reference materials provided by the PoE members.

A copy of each minute of the meeting and supplementary reports will be transmitted by CDAT and the World Bank, CDAT append a statement of actions taken on recommendations of the previous panel meeting.

As chairperson of the DSPE, the chairperson will take a lead in preparing the report for each mission of the DSPE. The report shall be signed by all DSPE members and submitted to CDAT. The expected deliverables should not be limited to review reports but it may include workshop materials and recommendations following each mission. The time table for each deliverable should align with the timeline of each mission.

1. Duration of the assignment

The Panel of Experts will undertake their assignments in four respective phases, (1) Design Phase, (2) Construction Phase, (3) Capacity building and (4) Post construction phases. The duration of the assignment for the dam engineer is tentatively expected to be around 24 days for Warufu and 21 days for the Kageyo. The tentative project duration for Warufu is expected to be between August 15, 2024 and September 2027 where as for Kageyo from October 15, 2024 to August 2027. Tentative schedule and assumptions made are presented as follows.

Note that the PoE Interventions will be punctual as per the different construction phases and also CDAT may call upon the intervention of the PoE Whenever it finds necessary.

Project: Warufu

Assumptions

• Commencement of Warufu design review consultancy service, Tentative October 1, 2024
• Completion of design review ( 4 months after contract signing), Tentative February 15, 2025
• Commencement of Construction (9 months after design is completed), Tentative December/ 2025
• Planned Construction Completion (25 months after contract signing, i.e. January/ 2028)

Table 8.1: PoE activity and duration for Warufu Dam

Project: Kageyo

Assumptions

• Commencement of Kageyo Detail Design consultancy service, October 15.2024
• Completion of Detailed Design (6 months after contract signing), April 31/2025
• Commencement of Construction (9 months after design is completed), tentatively January, 2026
• Planned Construction Completion (20 months after contract signing, i.e. August 2027)

Table 8.2: PoE activity and duration for Kageyo Dam

1. Coordination and communication

As a chairperson of the PoE team, the team leader shall make sure the members shall provide prior to departure from Kigali and jointly with other members of the DSPE, an oral presentation of the report findings and recommendations to the CDAT management Team, along other parties may be invited by the CDAT management. It is expected that within three weeks for the receipt of the DSPE report the CDAT management shall provide comments/observations against the recommendation, if any.

1. Safety standards and guidelines

The members of the DSPE shall perform the services in accordance with the terms of reference and carry out their services with due diligence, efficiency, and economy, in accordance with generally accepted techniques, practices, professionalism and consulting standards recognized by international professional bodies without compromising the local requirements.

The PoE is hired to provide an independent review of the investigation, design and construction of the dam and the start of operations and recommendations on the required actions to ensure the safety of the dam and associated facilities to acceptable standards as per the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework/ Environmental and Social Standard 4/Annex 1 on Dam Safety. The ESF Good Practice Note (GPN) should be referred to, which is designed to enhance the quality of practice without creating new requirements for the application of the ESF.

The overall safety standard and criteria of the design reports and construction will be reviewed with due considerations of the potential risk of the dam and consequences as well as the national regulations if any and international standards and practices. The ICOLD and USACE guile lines as well as engineer manuals should be also referred.

1. Local Context

Experience in similar conditions to have worked in sub Saharan Africa or similar conditions is required. Knowledge to the local conditions, regulations, and practices in Rwanda related to dam construction and management are an added bonus.

1. Language proficiency:

All correspondence exchange shall be in English language. The dam expert candidate should be fluent in English communication and also preparation of very good technical report.