REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(Consulting Services)
Client: Orange‑Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM)
Project: Preparation of Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer (L‑BWT) Project
Sector: Water Resources Management
Assignment: Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Dam on the Makhaleng River for the L‑BWT Project
Project ID No.: ORASECOM/L‑BWT 003/2026
A. Background
The Orange‑Senqu River Basin Commission (ORASECOM) has applied for a financing grant from the Southern African Development Community – Project Preparation and Development Facility (SADC‑PPDF) towards the cost of preparing the feasibility stage of the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT).
ORASECOM intends to apply part of the grant proceeds toward payments under the contract for the Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for a dam on the Makhaleng River. The L‑BWT is a transboundary multi‑purpose water transfer project between Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa.
B. About ORASECOM
ORASECOM is the river basin organization established in 2000 by the Governments of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa to manage transboundary water resources of the Orange‑Senqu River Basin. The Commission promotes socio‑economic development while safeguarding the basin environment.
With support from development partners, ORASECOM conducts basin‑wide water resources assessments and commissions studies to ensure sustainable water management. The L‑BWT Project forms part of the ORASECOM Climate‑Resilient Water Resources Investment Plan (2025).
C. Scope of the Assignment
The required consultancy services include carrying out a Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and preparing the following:
- Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)
- Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)
The assessment relates to a 140‑metre high double curvature arch dam on the Makhaleng River.
The study must comply with:
- IFC Performance Standards
- African Development Bank (AfDB) Safeguards Policies and Procedures
- World Bank Equator Principles
- IFC / World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines
- World Commission on Dams (WCD) Guidelines
- Recognised transboundary best practices
- Applicable laws and regulatory procedures of the affected State Parties
The assignment will also include:
- Validation of existing hydrology, water resources yield, and planning models
- Assessment of downstream impacts
- Identification and recommendation of appropriate mitigation measures
ORASECOM has already completed technical feasibility studies and a prefeasibility social and environmental assessment.
D. Invitation
ORASECOM invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing the above services.
Interested consultants must submit information demonstrating their qualifications, including:
- Company profile and areas of expertise
- Relevant experience in similar assignments and operating environments
- Understanding and interpretation of the assignment
- Proposed team structure and composition
- Any other relevant supporting information
Consultants may form joint ventures to enhance their qualifications.
E. Selection Method
Eligibility, short‑listing, and selection will be conducted in accordance with the African Development Bank Procurement Framework for Bank Group‑Funded Operations (2015).
The consultant will be selected using the Quality and Cost‑Based Selection (QCBS) method.
F. Submission of Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest must be submitted in both hard copy and soft copy and clearly marked:
“Selection of Consulting Firms for Feasibility Stage Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Dam on the Makhaleng River for the Lesotho‑Botswana Water Transfer Project (L‑BWT)”
Deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026 at 12:00 hours
Submission Address and Contact Details
Attention: Mr Comfort Molosiwa
Position: Executive Secretary
Organisation: ORASECOM Secretariat
Telephone:
+27 12 663 6826 / +266 2231 4168
Postal Address:
ORASECOM Secretariat
269 Von Willich Lane
South‑East Corner of Von Willich Lane & Lenchen Avenue
Entrance: Von Willich Lane
Ground Floor, Block A, Corporate 66 Office Park
Centurion, South Africa
Email:
Only Expressions of Interest submitted in the prescribed format and within the specified deadline will be considered.