Consultancy Services to develop the Groundwater monitoring system in the Strategic Aquifers in the Southern Africa.

Request for Expression of Interest

For

The Development of Groundwater Monitoring Systems in Strategic Aquifers in Southern Africa

• Background

After successful completion of the Sustainable Groundwater Management in SADC Member States Phase 1 project, the SADC-GMI is now implementing phase 2 of the same project, under the strategic guidance of the SADC Secretariat. The 4-year phase 2 project is financed by the Multi Donor Trust Fund Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA), in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the World Bank, and comprises of the following key components:

Component 1: Capacity building for sustainable groundwater management

Component 2: Knowledge development, dissemination, and advocacy

Component 3: Building resilient livelihoods, and inclusive groundwater management.

Southern Africa is home to about thirty (30) transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and numerous national strategic aquifers that support the primary water needs and livelihoods of a significant portion of the region's population. Because of climate change, reliance on groundwater has increased. Although there is a fair understanding of the strategic aquifers, increased data collection will enhance the capacity of institutions to sustainably manage groundwater resources. Furthermore, developing groundwater-specific data-sharing protocols among riparian states contributes to the integrated management of shared aquifers. There is a unique opportunity to establish groundwater monitoring networks and strengthen institutional frameworks for shared water management.

• Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to:

• Identify three strategic Aquifers across the SADC Region along three typologies viz: a Fractured or Karst TBA on mainland SADC; a Coastal Aquifer; and an Island State Aquifer
• Develop the groundwater monitoring plan for the selected strategic aquifers, building on other work and initiatives that have been carried out.
• Prepare procurement documentation for works, goods and services required to install a monitoring system for each of the three (3) typology aquifers for collecting data and processing it from one central point

• Specific Tasks and Activities

To achieve the objectives of this assignment, the successful Consulting Firm will undertake the following core tasks:

• Conducting a kick-off meeting with the SADC-GMI staff to clarify and understand the assignment, covering the detailed scope of work and specific tasks.

• Producing an inception report detailing the various tasks with important milestones, a table of contents of the proposed guidelines and a list of the stakeholders to be consulted in selecting the strategic aquifers and developing the monitoring plan.

• Undertaking a desktop study of the monitoring requirements for different aquifer systems that are the subject of this assignment to identify common or unique parameters necessitating monitoring in the Mainland SADC TBAs, Coastal Aquifers and Island State Aquifers, respectively.

• Developing criteria and a stakeholder engagement process to select the strategic aquifers.

• In consultation with regional groundwater experts, identify the parameters that can either simultaneously or independently be monitored across the three typologies of aquifer systems that are the subject of this assignment. Also, establish the viability of monitoring several combinations of parameters across the aquifer types.

• In liaison with SADC-GMI and Member State representatives, identify the priority aquifer suitable for installation of a Monitoring network on Mainland SADC, along the Coast and on an Island State.

• Developing the groundwater monitoring plan for the selected strategic aquifers.

• Conducting a workshop with SADC-GMI staff, RBOs, riparian states, stakeholders and interested parties to discuss the first draft of the groundwater monitoring plan.

• Producing a final version of the groundwater monitoring plan incorporating inputs from the Stakeholders for approval by SADC-GMI.

• Based on the approved Monitoring plan, prepare works, goods and services procurement documents and a Confidential cost estimate for the planned work.

• Support SADC-GMI with the bill of quantities (BOQs) of the installation of the works, goods and services required for the installation and commissioning of the monitoring networks.

• Eligibility i. This assignment targets a Consultancy firm with a track record of more than 10 years of proven experience in transboundary water governance in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly having at least 5 years of experience in the groundwater sector within the SADC region.

ii. The proposal must demonstrate experience in at least three projects undertaking detailed work in a TBA context in the SADC region.

• Schedule and Duration of Assignment

This is a once-off assignment without any obligation for follow-up work and is expected to run for eighteen (18) months with an estimated aggregate level of effort of 190 person-days for key experts only, all-inclusive of field, travel and office work.

• Liaison and Logistics

On a day-to-day basis, the consultant will liaise with the SADC-GMI through the Senior Groundwater Specialist and will be ultimately accountable to the Executive Director of SADC-GMI.

• Expression of Interest Submission Requirements

Interested consultancy firms are requested to submit an expression of interest, and the expression of interest should include the following:

a) Valid Business License

b) Registration Certificate of TIN and VAT

c) Company Certificate Registration/Incorporation

d) Evidence showing that the firm is a legal entity (certificate of registration)

e) Experience of working in a similar geographical region (SADC region)

f) Availability of Professional Key Staff with Suitable Qualifications in the field of

assignment

g) Evidence of at least 3 similar projects previously successfully completed, of which one was in the SADC region

h) Evidence showing the technical and managerial capabilities of the firm in the field of assignment

i) Brief description (not more than 3 pages) of the proposed Methodology of carrying out the scope of the work

j) The EOI submission should not exceed 30 pages.

Further information can be obtained at the e-mail address listed below during office hours i.e., 08:00 am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday, [email protected]

• Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)

Bidders must submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) by e-mail

to [email protected] by 12:00 noon (RSA Time) on or before 31 March 2023.

NB: For a detailed Terms of Reference, please visit SADC website at www.sadc-gmi.org during working hours, 08:00 – 17:00 (RSA Time) Monday – Friday).

Request for Expression of Interest

For

The Development of Groundwater Monitoring Systems in Strategic Aquifers in Southern Africa

• Background

After successful completion of the Sustainable Groundwater Management in SADC Member States Phase 1 project, the SADC-GMI is now implementing phase 2 of the same project, under the strategic guidance of the SADC Secretariat. The 4-year phase 2 project is financed by the Multi Donor Trust Fund Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA), in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the World Bank, and comprises of the following key components:

Component 1: Capacity building for sustainable groundwater management

Component 2: Knowledge development, dissemination, and advocacy

Component 3: Building resilient livelihoods, and inclusive groundwater management.

Southern Africa is home to about thirty (30) transboundary aquifers (TBAs) and numerous national strategic aquifers that support the primary water needs and livelihoods of a significant portion of the region's population. Because of climate change, reliance on groundwater has increased. Although there is a fair understanding of the strategic aquifers, increased data collection will enhance the capacity of institutions to sustainably manage groundwater resources. Furthermore, developing groundwater-specific data-sharing protocols among riparian states contributes to the integrated management of shared aquifers. There is a unique opportunity to establish groundwater monitoring networks and strengthen institutional frameworks for shared water management.

• Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to:

• Identify three strategic Aquifers across the SADC Region along three typologies viz: a Fractured or Karst TBA on mainland SADC; a Coastal Aquifer; and an Island State Aquifer
• Develop the groundwater monitoring plan for the selected strategic aquifers, building on other work and initiatives that have been carried out.
• Prepare procurement documentation for works, goods and services required to install a monitoring system for each of the three (3) typology aquifers for collecting data and processing it from one central point

• Specific Tasks and Activities

To achieve the objectives of this assignment, the successful Consulting Firm will undertake the following core tasks:

• Conducting a kick-off meeting with the SADC-GMI staff to clarify and understand the assignment, covering the detailed scope of work and specific tasks.

• Producing an inception report detailing the various tasks with important milestones, a table of contents of the proposed guidelines and a list of the stakeholders to be consulted in selecting the strategic aquifers and developing the monitoring plan.

• Undertaking a desktop study of the monitoring requirements for different aquifer systems that are the subject of this assignment to identify common or unique parameters necessitating monitoring in the Mainland SADC TBAs, Coastal Aquifers and Island State Aquifers, respectively.

• Deve