Request for Expressions of Interest: Design and Supervision Engineering Services for the Four Irrigation Schemes
Programme: Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme (SIHHBDP)
Procuring Entity: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP)
Project: Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project
Reference Number: SIHHBDP/CIH/C001/QCBS/2026
Procurement Method: Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS)
Assignment Duration: Approximately 60 months
Date: October 2026
1. Background
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), through the Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme (SIHHBDP-PIU), which is mandated to oversee and implement national initiatives in irrigated horticulture, health systems strengthening, and business development, invites eligible and qualified consulting firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the provision of consultancy services for the Design and Supervision Engineering Services for the Four Irrigation Schemes under the Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project.
In line with the Public Procurement Act 2023, the consultancy will be procured using the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method.
The consultancy will provide comprehensive engineering design, preparation of tender documentation, and construction supervision services for the development of irrigation infrastructure at the four proposed CIH scheme sites.
2. Scope of Work
The consulting services will include, but are not limited to:
- Design and Supervision Engineering (DSE).
- Contract Administration.
- Capacity Building and Management.
- Operation and Maintenance Support Services.
The services will cover the following four irrigation schemes:
- Phamong Irrigation Scheme.
- Manka Irrigation Scheme.
- Tsoili-Tsoili Irrigation Scheme.
- Likhakeng Irrigation Scheme.
The assignment will be implemented in four phases:
Phase I: Detailed Design Updating of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Procurement Support.
Phase II: Construction Supervision and Contract Administration.
Phase III: Management, Operations, and Maintenance (MOM).
Phase IV: Defects Liability Period (DLP) and Final Acceptance.
3. General Requirements
Interested consulting firms should:
- Request the detailed scope of work and submission forms (EOI-1 to EOI-4) by email from [email protected].
- Complete the provided submission forms with accurate details.
- Attach any additional relevant information as needed.
Deadline for requesting the scope of work and submission forms: 10 November 2026 at 16:30 SAST (GMT+2).
4. Duration of Assignment
The assignment shall commence immediately after contract signature and is expected to take approximately 60 months, or be subject to terms and conditions on duration to be agreed by the parties.
5. Shortlisting Criteria and Eligibility
5.1 Shortlisting Criteria
Interested consulting firms should provide information demonstrating their capacity and experience in the following key areas:
A. Organisational Capability
- Description of the organisational structure, including reporting lines and key functional units.
- Quality-assurance systems.
- Documentary evidence demonstrating that the firm has been legally established and in operation for at least fifteen (15) years.
B. Financial Capacity
The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to perform the contract without undue reliance on anticipated payments under the contract.
The applicant’s available financial capacity must be at least USD 150,000.00.
Alternatively, applicants may provide a bank reference letter and/or evidence of an available, confirmed credit facility from a recognised financial institution, confirming the applicant’s financial standing and access to funding.
Applicants must also provide audited or certified financial statements for the last three (3) completed financial years (2023, 2024, and 2025), prepared in accordance with applicable financial reporting standards.
C. General Experience
The Consultant must demonstrate at least fifteen (15) years of experience in irrigation and water development infrastructure, including:
- Planning.
- Design.
- Implementation.
- Construction supervision.
- Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
- Water management.
The Consultant must also describe related assignments undertaken in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
D. Relevant Similar Experience
Firms must demonstrate experience in the design and implementation of:
- Pressurised irrigation systems, including sprinkler and drip systems.
- Dams.
- Weirs.
- Irrigation water abstraction systems.
- Supervision of large-scale or commercial irrigation projects covering 200 hectares or more.
The Consultant must provide evidence of at least three (3) completed assignments of a similar nature, with at least one (1) assignment completed within the last ten (10) years.
Evaluation and Scoring
Expressions of Interest will be evaluated using the criteria specified in the REOI and scope of work.
| Rating | Score |
|---|---|
| Poor | 1 point |
| Average | 2 points |
| Good | 3 points |
| Excellent | 4 points |
The minimum qualifying score is 12 out of 16 points (75%).
Only consulting firms obtaining the minimum qualifying score of 12 points or above shall be shortlisted. Shortlisted firms will be invited to submit detailed Technical and Financial Proposals at the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage.
5.2 Eligibility Criteria
A firm must provide evidence of being legally registered and incorporated in its country of establishment, including partnerships, and must comply with the eligibility requirements of the Public Procurement Act 2023.
6. Clarifications
Consultants seeking clarification on this REOI must submit their requests by email to:
Email: [email protected]
Deadline for clarification requests: 4 November 2026.
Deadline for responses to clarification requests: 6 November 2026.
7. Submission Instructions
Submissions must be sent electronically in password-protected PDF format to:
Email: [email protected]
Hand-delivered submissions will not be accepted.
Email Subject:
Design and Supervision Engineering Services for the Four Irrigation Schemes under the Commercial Irrigated Horticulture (CIH) Project – SIHHBDP/CIH/C001/QCBS/2026
Password Submission Window:
The password for the EOI document should be sent no earlier than 12 November 2026 at 12:00 noon SAST (GMT+2) and no later than 12 November 2026 at 13:30 SAST (GMT+2).
Submission Documents Must Be Addressed To:
The Acting Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Irrigated Horticulture, Health and Business Development Programme Implementation Unit (SIHHBDP-PIU)
3rd Floor, Letsie Office Park
Constitution Road
Maseru 100, Lesotho
Final Submission Deadline: 12 November 2026 at 13:30 SAST (GMT+2).
Late submissions will NOT be accepted.
Public Opening: 12 November 2026 at 14:00 SAST (GMT+2). The link to the opening will be shared one day before the opening.
8. Reservation of Rights
SIHHBDP-PIU reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Expressions of Interest and/or cancel the procurement proceedings in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2023.
Enquiries and Submission Contact
Email: [email protected]