Research Study on Karoo Sedimentary Aquifer in Lesotho and South Africa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: South Africa

Project: The Sustainable Groundwater Management in the SADC Member States – Project Phase 2

Grant No.: GEF 176607

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services to Undertake Research on Karoo sedimentary Aquifer (Lesotho & SA)

Contract No: ZA-SADC-GMI-521595-CS-CQS

The SADC Groundwater Management Institute (SADC-GMI), through the SADC Secretariat, has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Sustainable Groundwater Management in the SADC Member States Project under GEF Grant Number 176607 and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services ("the Services") will focus on undertaking research on the Karoo Sedimentary Transboundary Aquifer (shared by Lesotho and South Africa). The estimated level of effort is 200 person-days, including all field and office work shared among 5 Key Experts and deployed over twelve (12) months. The implementation period is expected to start on 1 March 2026.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found on the SADC-GMI website: www.sadc-gmi.org.

SADC-GMI now invites eligible consulting firms ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they possess the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The shortlisting criteria are as follows:

• Relevance and suitability of the core business area of the applicant firm to the subject assignment and the number of active years in the business/in the consulting industry.

• The applicant firm’s overall institutional, managerial, and technical competence and capability, in terms of financial strength, institutional quality management system, and a good track record in providing urban water dependency and vulnerability assessment services, are desirable factors to be assessed for the shortlisting.

• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in the field of transboundary water governance in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly having at least 5 years of experience in the groundwater sector within the SADC region, and preferably at least three projects undertaking detailed work in a TBA context in the SADC region. Demonstrated familiarity with undertaking TDA/JSAP processes and working on projects with complex institutional settings in a regional context is essential. Technical and professional capabilities to deliver on the assignment must be demonstrated through previous assignments done. Relevant completion certificates and/or letters of recommendation from clients must be provided.

• A good number and mix of a pool of professional experts under the firm’s command, as well as the applicant firm’s experience in different countries—including working experience in socio-economic and geographic contexts similar to those of the Southern African region—would be an advantage.

Note: The qualifications and experience of Key Experts shall not be evaluated at this stage.

The attention of interested 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 September 2025). In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interest of the Borrower, as per paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all partners shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualifications Selection (CQS) method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained via email at [email protected] during office hours from 0800 to 1700 hours.

Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than 30 January 2026.