Request Of Proposal For Hydrogeological, Geophysical Investigation And Socio-economic And Environmental Assessment For Borehole Sitting

SMART IRRIGATION SCHEME PROJECT IN BAIDOA FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE

REQUEST OF PROPOSAL  

HYDROGEOLOGICAL, GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR BOREHOLE SITTING

1.      Introduction

Somalia faces crises of all sorts. The country is experiencing several crises, including conflict, climate change, and the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Security continues to threaten many lives, livelihoods, and the country’s development trajectory. A significant part of the country remains inaccessible and thus lags economic development. Somalia is also facing a disproportionate impact of climate change-induced hazards. The country is going through its worst drought in over four decades. After the failure of five consecutive rain seasons, the country is facing alarming water and food shortages. With the below-average crop production coupled with the death of over 3 million livestock, the resilience of many rural households has been severely eroded.

Somalia is facing these crises against the backdrop of geo-political tensions caused mainly by the Ukraine -Russia war. The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted key supply chains and compounded food and energy shortages in the country. Despite unprecedented increases in food inflation, Somalia’s women and girls face a disproportionate burden of these reinforcing crises, conflict, and food and water shortages. Many Somalis have been forced to flee their homes and join the ever-increasing numbers of internally displaced people.   

Local governments are the sphere of government closest to the people and thus face the challenges of climate change-induced droughts and conflict first-hand. The drought and security situation in Somalia is driving Somalia’s unprecedented urbanization trend. In fact, at 4.5%, Somalia has one of the highest urbanization rates on the African continent. Urban infrastructure is barely coping with Somalia’s record rural-urban migration trends. As there are limited employment opportunities in urban areas, most displaced people join the ranks of unemployed people. Their access to essential urban services is limited, and many experience water and food insecurity.

Baidoa municipality is at the epicenter of the displacement crisis. The district requires urgent solutions to its deepening crises of drought-induced food insecurity and perennial water shortages. The proposed project is aimed at (1) providing a solar-powered irrigation scheme to improve food production in Baidoa and, at the same time, enhancing economic opportunities for IDPs and host communities; and (2) providing solar-powered water to IDPs and adjacent. The proposed project directly responds to the evolving humanitarian and developmental challenges facing the Baidoa community. It is also a pathway to empowering and integrating displaced people in their host communities. In other words, internally displaced people and the municipality will benefit from an income-generating irrigation scheme and affordable water provision.

In the pilot phase, about 57 (for full integration, 50% will be IDPs and 50% host communities) families will be allocated small plots in a 9-hectare farm donated by the municipality. The beneficiaries stand to benefit in terms of employment opportunities and food security. The municipality will benefit from revenue from charging the 57 households a small fee. This smart agricultural solution will ensure not only sustainable food production but cheap food production as well. The project will be inclusive and will aim to support a disproportionate number of women, youth, and girls to transition into new livelihoods. In a nutshell, the project will contribute directly to the following ten sustainable development goals (SDGs), including the following:

Five result areas are expected from the project:

·         Result 1: Improved food and water security and building resilience for displaced people in Baidoa.

·         Result 2: Improved livelihood opportunities and incomes for IDPs and host communities.

·         Result 3: Financing and technical support provided to increase crop production and water provision.

·         Result 4: Capacity building on smart agricultural solutions s to generate sustainable sources of living using innovative solar-powered drip irrigation.

·         Result 5: Improved own source revenue for Baidoa municipality.

·         Result 6:  IDPs integrated with host communities[1]

2.      Project Area

Baidoa is a strategic town in South-Central Somalia and the interim capital of the Bay region of Somalia, situated approximately 250 km west of Mogadishu. The city is traditionally one of the most important economic centers in Southern Somalia, conducting significant trade in local and imported cereals, livestock, and non-food items. The combined effect of drought and the ongoing crisis in Bay and surrounding areas have had a harmful impact on economic stability and livelihoods leading to a chronic humanitarian situation and major displacement of population.

Baidoa currently accommodates one of the largest populations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within the country.  The humanitarian situation in Baidoa has registered major changes in terms of new displacements in the last 3 years, largely driven by adverse weather conditions and consequential food shortages The most recently available report from the CCCM Cluster Report[2] on IDP site verification in October 2021 identified 572 sites hosting 68,634 households (HH)) or 475,035 individuals. Compared to the previous verification in April 2021, this was an increase of 24 IDP sites hosting 7,561 HH or 44,044 individuals. The consequences of displacement include an increase in urban population, high unemployment/demand for jobs and services, increased risk of conflict between the host communities and the displaced person, and attraction of youth to the financial and social status associated with radicalization and crime.

Baidoa is in the eye of the food and water insecurity storm. Famine in Baidoa is possible if drastic preventative measures are not taken. The proposed project is designed to uplift the economic status and create employment opportunities through access to irrigation to supply irrigation water to increase cropping area, crop intensity, and productivity which improves farmers’ livelihood.

3.      Objectives of the assignment

Baidoa municipality is at the epicentre of the displacement crisis. The district requires urgent solutions to its deepening crises of drought-induced food insecurity and perennial water shortages. The proposed project is a direct response to the evolving humanitarian and developmental challenge facing the Baidoa community and is aimed at (1) providing a solar-powered irrigation scheme to improve food production in Baidoa and, at the same time, enhancing economic opportunities for IDPs and host communities; and (2) providing solar-powered water to IDPs and adjacent. It is also a pathway to empowering and integrating displaced people in their host communities. The specific objectives of the assignment are

(i)                 To confirm the availability of groundwater sources and the area to be irrigated

(ii)               To provide standard design, estimation, and specification of the borehole, overhead water storage tanks, and solar-powered water distribution system required for the irrigated area

(iii)             To provide design, estimation of related infrastructure and specification (prototype warehouse, guardhouse, prayer room, and sanitation facilities

(iv)             Prepare a detailed implementation plan for the irrigation project including the socioeconomic aspect

4.      Scope of the work  

The Southwest Ministry of Interior, Local Government, and Reconciliation is in the process of sourcing an Agricultural Engineering Consulting firm that will provide, among other things, a hydrogeological survey, site assessment, and engineering design for the proposed boreholes and solar-powered irrigation scheme in Baidoa. Therefore, the Ministry of Interior, Local Government, and Reconciliation seeks to procure consulting services of an Engineering Consulting firm that will undertake a hydrogeological study, identify site of borehole,, produce BoQs for borehole drilling and water reservoir, design solar powered irrigation scheme in Baidoa and detailed BoQs for associated works. The specific activities are stipulated below,

Hydrological survey

·         Consulting firm shall undertake hydrogeological evaluation and geophysical investigation to ascertain the potential of groundwater harnessing and the appropriateness of drilling boreholes at selected site and recommended drilling depths, as well as the hydrogeological and geophysical rationale for choosing the sites.

·         Consulting firm shall propose drilling site marked with a concrete marker, and indicated on appropriate site sketch maps. GPS coordinates must be provided.

·         Consulting firm shall determine the water supply needs for irrigation and adjacent community and the average yield of the boreholes.

·         Consulting firm shall collect all the necessary hydrogeological data (user requirements, market rates for building materials, borehole drilling rates, standard building practice, etc.) and prepare a concise presentation (with rough sketch drawings).

·         Consulting firm shall develop designs, and technical specifications, and prepare a Bill of Quantities (BoQ) that utilize the best drilling practices, locally available materials, and best Engineering practices.

Topographic survey

·         Consulting firm shall provide undertake a topographic survey and mapping of the area water detection.

·         Consulting firm shall provide.

·         Consulting firm should prepare soil quality survey report with recommendations of agricultural products for cultivation.

·          technical drawings showing the topography of the land and provide GPS coordinates.  

Environmental impact assessment

·         Consulting firm shall familiarize with project areas and identify environmental and social issues that might hinder the implementation of the project.

·         Consulting firms should prepare environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures.

Designing a smart irrigation project

·         Consulting firm should design a smart irrigation project to irrigate nine (9) hectares of land, including solar-powered borehole systems with elevated water tanks, fencing and water provision to the adjacent community, a guard house, and a prototype warehouse including an office and washroom.

·         Consulting firm should prepare appropriate typical drawings and BOQs for the above investments and in consultation with relevant government institutions, Baidoa municipality, and UNCDF.

5.      Detail activities  

The following deliverables shall be submitted by the Consultant.

i)                    Five (5) sets of original maps at scales of 1:2500 with spot heights and contours on sepia paper.

ii)                  Original copies and set of copies of all survey information and computation work done, suitably indexed, and cross-referenced.

iii)                Coordinates and list of benchmarks established together with a survey of benchmarks used.

a.       Provide GPS coordinates for each angle of the fence and for the borehole.

b.       

c.       Elevation points at each 10m (10mx10m):

d.      Detailed survey in natural lands area;

e.       Location of each structure (inlet/outlets, culvert), borehole, and warehouse facilities with beneath and top elevation

f.       provide all required drawings with contour lines and elevation points (polygon, location map with details on all the proposed structure and existing facilities if any)

iv)                Provide technical specifications, drawings, and BOQs for the construction of storage tanks and the supply and installation of pipes and fittings for the garden irrigation system.

v)                  Produce scope of work for construction of ground tanks, drawings, BOQs, and the supply and installation of pipes and fittings for the irrigation system

vi)                Provide technical specifications, drawings, and BOQs for the Chain-link Wire Fence

vii)              Provide technical Specifications, drawings, and BOQs for the Construction of a Prototype Warehouse, prayer room, office, and guardhouse.

viii)            Details technical specifications, drawings, and BOQs for drilling of Solar-powered borehole system for irrigation scheme

ix)                These documents are an integral part of the contract and should not be considered in isolation of the other contract documents, most especially the bill of quantities and the construction drawings.

x)                  Prepare a baseline environmental impact assessment and report on findings.

6.      Implementation phases  

The service provider will be required to undertake the assignment in 2 phases whereby the 2nd phase will be subject to approval of the 1st phase activities. The phases are as follows.

Phase 1 Baseline assessments

a.      Conduct and report on the hydrogeological survey on the land designated for smart irrigation project for Baidoa.

b.      Conduct and submit a topographic survey report.

c.       Conduct and submit soil analysis reports.

d.      Conduct and submit an environmental and social impact assessment report.

Phase 2 Design irrigation scheme

The firm will prepare the following documents upon satisfactory completion of Phase 1 work and subsequent approval and inputs by SWS-Ministry of Interior management.

a.        design of smart irrigation scheme including borehole, water tanks, fencing, entire irrigation scheme,

b.        Prepare detailed BOQs for borehole drilling and solar-powered irrigation project.

9.      Application Procedure and Requirement

This bid is the full and open computation for both national and international, interested bidders are expected to provide the following documentation:

Ø  A technical proposal with a detailed response in RFP

Ø  A financial proposal

Ø  Company profile and CVs of the key staff

Ø  Relevant experience the least four years of relevant experience, and submit similar experience in terms of Scope, Cost, and subject matter (i.e., hydrological survey) carried out on behalf of UN, INGOs, and Government

10.  Application Submission

Interested microfinance institutions that meet the above-required qualifications and experience are invited to submit technical and financial proposals to [email protected], copying [email protected], and giving the subject line Smart Irrigations Scheme Baseline assessment not later than 16/06/  2023 at 3:00 pm

[1] Although minority, members of host communities will be selected to participate in the project.

[2] Somalia CCCM Cluster: Verified IDP sites in Baidoa, October 2021