REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
For the Provision of Professional Services to Conduct Management Audit Services on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
RFP Reference No.: LHWP‑PMA‑0125
Issue Date: 12 April 2026
Closing Date and Time: 24 May 2026 at 12:00 hours (South African Standard Time)
1. INTRODUCTION
The Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC), acting under the authority granted in Article 9, Paragraph 10 of the 1986 Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) Treaty, as expanded in LHWP Protocol VI, invites eligible and qualified consulting firms to submit proposals for the provision of professional services to conduct a Management Audit of the LHWP.
The LHWC is the designated bi‑national oversight body for the LHWP.
2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The LHWC has resolved to conduct a structured, multi‑packaged management audit to evaluate:
- Governance performance
- Contract management
- Institutional efficiency
across the entire LHWP implementation framework.
The audit seeks to assess the efficiency of governance structures at all levels, institutional arrangements, contract management, and supervision frameworks at project implementation level, and to provide recommendations for improvement.
This review is driven by the need to address systemic project delivery delays, cost escalations, and oversight deficiencies affecting strategic infrastructure and social investment projects under LHWP.
3. PROCUREMENT FRAMEWORK
This assignment will be procured through a competitive process in accordance with:
- The Lesotho Public Procurement Act of 2023
- Applicable procurement regulations
- The LHWP Phase II Agreement of 2013
4. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligible consulting firms must demonstrate:
- Proven and extensive experience in multi‑disciplinary management audits of large infrastructure projects, including governance performance, contract management, and institutional efficiency
- Completion of at least five (5) similar assignments within the last ten (10) years, supported by experience in:
- Engineering advisory
- Management audits
- Infrastructure programme evaluation
- Proven experience working with public sector clients, regulatory bodies, or international donors on governance, procurement, and performance audits
- Strong technical, analytical, and communication capabilities, with the ability to deliver under tight deadlines and in multicultural environments
5. ELIGIBLE FIRMS ARE INVITED TO:
- Obtain and review the Request for Proposals (RFP) document
- Attend the Pre‑Bid Meeting scheduled for:
- Date: 24 April 2026
- Time: 09:00 hours (South African Standard Time)
- Submit a Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal in accordance with the instructions set out in the RFP
6. KEY DETAILS
- RFP Issue Date: Sunday, 12 April 2026
- Pre‑Bid Meeting:
- Friday, 24 April 2026
- 09:00 hours (SAST)
- Venue: Sandton, Republic of South Africa
- Virtual attendance available (prior arrangement required)
- Deadline for Submission: 24 May 2026 at 12:00 hours (SAST)
- Bid Validity Period: 120 days from submission deadline
7. RFP DOCUMENT ACCESS
The RFP document may be obtained as follows:
- By email request: [email protected]
- Hard copy:
Lesotho Highlands Water Commission Secretariat Office
5th Floor, Standard Lesotho Bank Tower
Kingsway Road, Maseru, Lesotho
Cost: USD 250 or M4,000 per set (or equivalent)
8. PAYMENT DETAILS FOR RFP DOCUMENT
Account Name: Lesotho Highlands Water Commission
Bank: Standard Bank
Account Number: 042039401
Branch Code: 005633
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJXXX
Proof of payment must accompany the request for RFP documents.
9. MANDATORY DECLARATIONS BY BIDDERS
Firms must submit a signed declaration confirming:
- A conflict‑free relationship with LHWC, LHDA, and LHDA Service Providers
- No current or prior contracts in the past fifteen (15) years
- Compliance with all legal and professional requirements outlined in the RFP
- Tax compliance in the country of origin
- Freedom to Operate, including absence from:
- UN Security Council Sanctions Lists
- U.S. OFAC Sanctions List
- EU Consolidated Sanctions List
- African Union Sanctions List
- Any Lesotho or South African government blacklists
- No engagement in unethical or corrupt practices, including bribery, nepotism, facilitation payments, or conflicts of interest
- Financial stability and adequate resources to execute the assignment without advance payments beyond agreed terms
- Not undergoing bankruptcy, insolvency, or financial reorganisation
- No legal or regulatory actions impairing financial viability
- Acknowledgement that misrepresentation will result in disqualification or contract termination
10. DISQUALIFICATION NOTICE
Incomplete, late, or non‑compliant submissions will be disqualified.
11. ENQUIRIES AND PRE‑BID CONFIRMATION
All enquiries and confirmations of attendance for the pre‑bid meeting must be directed to:
Ms. Helen T. Buluma
Commission Secretary
Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC)
Email: [email protected]