DEPARTMENT OF RURAL WATER SUPPLY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Consultancy Services to conduct Feasibility Study for Nyako Soba and Popanyane Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Services.
- INTRODUCTION
Lesotho is a least-developed, mountainous and landlocked country, surrounded by South Africa. To address the problems of high levels of relative poverty and unemployment, the Government has developed a strategy the objectives of which are to provide equitable access to basic services, create jobs and generate growth in the economy. In recent years, with the exception of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, much of the investment in economic infrastructure and industrial development has been in the western lowlands, where about two-thirds of the population lives. This is the more fertile part of the country and access to markets is relatively better.
The supply of water to rural areas in the lowlands relies heavily on gravity fed systems and pumping from underground sources. In recent years, the rapid economic development in the lowlands, with its attendant increase Peri-Urban populations and commercial/industrial activities, has placed an increasing demand on the existing water supply and sanitation facilities.
Currently most of the villages draw water mainly from groundwater sources — i.e„ surface water Makhalaneng river and a few springs. In many of these sources, water is intermittently provided, or not available at all and quality is not known, however there has not being any water-borne related diseases reported in the area. This however does not mean there are no water related outbreaks, further investigations need to be made under this study to confirm whether there have been any unreported water-borne related diseases.
The aim is to advise the Government of Lesotho on potential options for providing water to this area and the institutional arrangement that will operationalise the schemes. This will as well provide a sound and viable solution to the problem of worsening security of water supply due to aging infrastructure. In this regard then the Ministry of Water through the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) are seeking expertise of qualified consulting firms to carry out the Feasibility Study, Preliminary Engineering Design (PED) of the Bulk Water Supply scheme for Phase I of the Project. And for Phase I determination of the existing demand for water in the Project Area and the projected demand over a Project design life of 40 years.
The population in the Service Area is expected to grow. Commercial and industrial enterprises, especially tourism, as well as institutional activities, are also growing significantly in the area. Based on these, the total water demand from residential, commercial/industrial, tourism, and institutional uses, plus unaccounted-for water, in the Service Area need to be determined as well as the estimated demand increase.
Water resources, through springs and rivers, in the area are observed to be sufficient to meet the current water demand, but need to be confirmed including anticipated future demand. There is, therefore, a need to tap the extensive surface water resources in the area through a bulk water supply project that will feed treated water to the surrounding villages that will also provide water service to individual households where necessary.
Nyakosoba/Popanyane Water Supply which tapped water from Makhalaneng river and was treated through Package Treatment Plant placed at the river bank was constructed by Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) in 2008 to provide water supply service to National University of Lesotho (NUL). The plant has been made available for use by WASCO to DRWS to provide water supply to villages in the area.
- PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
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The primary goal of the programme is to undertake the Feasibility Study, Preliminary Engineering Design (PED) of the Bulk Water Supply scheme for Phase I of the Project. And for Phase II determination of the existing demand for water in the Project Area and the projected demand over a Project design life of 40 years. The aim the of Feasibility Study and the Preliminary Engineering Design is to contribute to the attainment of the Lesotho Vision 2020 and ultimately the SDGs related to WASH in the project areas through improved and sustainable universal access to water supply, sanitation and related environmental health
The objective of Phase I of the Services is to undertake the FS of the Bulk Water Supply for the Service Area, involving the development of surface water sources to meet the current and future demand for water for residential commercial and institutional uses in the Service Area. In particular, Phase I has the following specific objectives:
- To determine the technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, and institutional feasibility of harnessing surface water resources, including Makhalaneng River and/or any other nearby River, and Springs at Popanyane Nyakosoba and any other available source, whose watersheds cover portions of the proposed Service Area, as sources of potable water.
- To study and recommend suitable modalities for the operation and maintenance of the Project Water Service Providers (WSP) which would be attractive to be prospective institutional arrangement/proponents and acceptable to water consumers.
The objective of Phase II of the Services is to undertake the Feasibility Study (FS) for the improvement of (a) the Water Distribution System and (b) Sanitation Services of the different water supply and sanitation services Area. In particular, Phase II has the following specific objectives:
- To improve and expand the water distribution systems of the different service areas to reach the highest feasible number of consumers
- PROPOSAL PROCESSES
- Interested eligible CONSULTING FIRMS may obtain further information from and inspect/collect the full Request for Proposal at the headquarters of the Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) at the address given below during office hours (08h00 to 16h15), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
- International eligible CONSULTING FIRMS are entitled to participate in the tender process but preference margin in favor of Basotho business shall be applicable during evaluation processes as per LESOTHO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS 2007. For this purpose, consultants should submit with their proposals the following documents;
- Articles of Association/Memorandum/Certificate of Incorporation, Shareholding certificates with identification documents of shareholders.
- Proof of use of local labour/personnel
- The issue date for this proposal is 12th September 2019.
- There will be a Pre-Bid meeting at 09:00h at DRWS Headquarters followed by a Site Visit on Tuesday the 24th September 2019.
- Proposal documents can be obtained at Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) Headquarters, Moshoeshoe Road between Wasco and LEC Industrial Area Maseru at a non-refundable fee of LSL 5,000.00.
- Sealed proposals bearing no identification of the firm and clearly labeled “Consultancy to conduct Feasibility Study Nyako Soba Rural Water Supply Systems and the surrounding Villages must be delivered to the tender box at (DRWS) Headquarters on or before 24th October 2019 at 10h00
- The Technical Proposals will be opened on the same day (24th October 2019) and time (10h00) in the presence of consultants’ representatives who choose to attend in the Boardroom of DRWS at the Headquarters Building.
- For any clarification please contact Lehlohonolo Ntlama Cell:No:+266 58776099 or Mr. Felix Malachamela at Cell No: +266 5859 4444.