Feasibility Study for Fire Detection and Management System — Uganda Wildlife Authority

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) Country: UGANDA Name of the Project: INVESTING IN FORESTS AND PROTECTED AREAS FOR CLIMATE -SMART DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Project ID No.: 170466 Assignment Title: CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO UNDERTAKE A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT OPTIONS FOR WILDFIRE DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT IN WILDLIFE PROTECTED AREAS AND CENTRAL FOREST RESERVES Reference No: UWA/CONS/2023-2024/00316 STEP: UG-UWA-375901-CS-CQS JUNE, 2024 Background The Government of Uganda has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of “Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development (IFPA-CD)” Project.

The IFPA-CD project is jointly developed and implemented by Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) as the Lead Agency and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, National Forestry Authority (NFA) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The problem being addressed by this project is increased vulnerability of economic productivity, biodiversity and livelihoods to climate change effects due to declining forestry ecosystems goods and services. The project geographic area includes the Albert Rift and West Nile, with focus on target protected areas (7 National Parks, 4 Wildlife Reserves, 27 Central Forest Reserves) and 18 refugee host districts.

The performance-based subsidy scheme for private plantation development will be implemented at national scale. The project aims to improve sustainable management of forests and protected areas and increase benefits from forests in target landscapes. At the end of the project life as a result of improved sustainable management of forests and protected areas, increased benefits from forests in target landscapes, additional household level economic activities supported by the project interventions, there will be an increased provision of ecosystem goods and services, increased household incomes and improved livelihoods of 250,000 households in the project area.

The interventions to achieve the above outcomes include; i) management of forest and wildlife protected areas in the Albertine Rift and West Nile region; ii) enhancing productivity of forests and wildlife protected areas; and, iii) increasing resilience of landscapes and livelihoods to climate change and impact of refugees. The Project will support both Uganda Wildlife Authority and National Forestry Authority to strengthen the on-the-ground management capacity to detect fire outbreaks, be able to control and minimize the negative impacts of such fires on the biodiversity of the wildlife protected areas and central forest reserves.

UWA and NFA therefore plan to use part of the project funding to develop a wildfire detection and management system in wildlife protected areas and central forest reserves. Objectives of the Assignment The main objective of this assignment is to undertake a feasibility study on the most efficient and effective way for early detection and management of the wildfire outbreaks in target wildlife protected areas and central forest reserves within the project area (Albertine Rift and West Nile). Scope of services The consultancy will undertake feasibility studies on early wildfire detection and management in 7 National Parks, 4 Wildlife Reserves and 27 Central Forest Reserves as detailed in annex 1.

The study does not necessarily imply the need for detailed field work in each of the protected areas, but should include an assessment of a representative sample of habitat types and understanding of the key management circumstances in each PA, in order to make informed recommendations across all areas. • The detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) for the assignment can be found at the UWA website: www.ugandawildlife.org • The Uganda Wildlife Authority now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

The interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services as set out in the TOR. The shortlisting criteria are: • Demonstrated experience in area of fire management in African rangeland for not less than five (5) years; two (2) of which must be managing fires in sensitive natural areas (Copies of signed contracts should be attached as evidence). • The firm must be familiar with forestry environment especially fires in plantations (Copies of signed contracts should be attached as evidence). • Strong understanding and at least 5 years’ experience in planning; Demonstration of good technical and managerial capabilities. • Demonstrate a full range of multi-disciplinary consultancy services required for this assignment, providing specific services of the various consultants as indicated.

The Qualifications and Experience of Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. • The attention of shortlisted Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. • Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in form of a joint venture and /or a sub-consultancy.

In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. • A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. • Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (09:00 to 16:00 hours- Ugandan Time) Monday to Friday. • Expressions of Interest clearly marked with the Assignment Title (one original plus two copies) must be delivered in written form or by email to the addresses below to the addresses below by 11:00am (Ugandan Time) on July 31st, 2024: Physical Address The Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority P.O Box 3530, Kampala Uganda Tel: 0414 355128/9 Email: mack.opowo@wildlife.go.ug and copy to sheem.kawaddwa@wildlife.go.ug