1. Background information
The NCA – South Sudan is in the process of developing a ground water based small water supply system. The project entails the drilling of 15 high yielding deep boreholes during the dry season of 2012-2013 period. Two of these will be equipped with a solar power pumping system and the rest will be fitted with India Mk2 hand-pumps. or other suitable pumping system.
There exists surface water in the area but this water flows between the months of June – February. This water is however highly turbid and unsuitable for human consumption. Anecdotal information suggested that there are a number of perennial shallow ground water sources which continue to provide water throughout the year but they un-improved and are situated further away from the main center. There is an emergency surface water treatment plant that is run by NCA but the cost for running this system is high and also this system only runs where the water flows in the river, during dry months, the community has no access to water ( March – May ). There are also about 10 shallow boreholes (less than 80 meters deep) but these yield very little water and often dry up in the middle of the dry season.
The water from the successful high yielding boreholes will be pumped to an overhead tank and then reticulated through new mainlines to be developed to 5 key areas within the main settlement center within a radius of 800 meters from the storage tank. The water supply will likely be the only source of water for approximately 24,000 people within Gumuruk area. In addition, provision will be made for supplying water to a school and a clinics run by Non Governmental agencies in in the area. Previous attempts to drill boreholes in the areas has proved futile necessitating the need to carry out extensive hydro-geological and geophysical surveys to ascertain areas of great potential for the drilling of boreholes for the planned ground water based water supply system. in 2017, NCA carried out an initial detailed hydro-geological study which provided an important insight into the hydro-geological characteristic of the area. The new study will build on the findings and lessons learnt from the initial study and possibly lead to a better understanding of the hydro-geology of the area and possibly help to ensure a sustained and equitable access to water for one of the most water insecure areas in south Sudan.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) document is intended to lead to identification of a consultant to undertake a hydro-geological survey for the project but also supervise and guide the drilling works that will follow and this call constitutes the formal Request for Proposals (RFP) and is being availed to bidders to provide information that will assist the client to identify the most suitable bidder to undertake the task.
2. Contract Purpose and Expected Results
2.1 Overall objective
The goal of the consultancy is to identify zones and locations with good potential for fresh, safe and sufficient ground water resources that can be developed through deep borehole drilling for a solar pumped Ground water supply at Gumuruk, that is reliable and of sufficient capacity to be the primary source of water to the residents and institutions in Gumuruk Center.
2.2 Purpose
The purpose of this survey is to investigate possible lateral freshwater recharge within the environs and make recommendations on well fields and aquifers that may be considered to be explored as an alternative water supply source in the area. The proposed study will; therefore, go along in determining the suitability of the area for ground water potential. The study will guide in determining specific locations where 15 boreholes will be drilled and the depth to which sufficient water will be expected to struck. In addition, the consultant will be required to submit comprehensive reports and facilitate the supervision of drilling works for the same boreholes.
To liaise with community members and stake holders to identify locations and sites that are suitable. This will be through public participation and consultation and involvement.
To contribute to an increased understanding of the ground water potential in the basin by disseminating the information and data obtained with the national and sub-national clusters, the UN, Aid Agencies, Government departments and other stake holders..
2.3 Results to be achieved by the Hydrogeologist:
Carry out Geophysical investigations to determine 15 locations on the ground (GPS coordinates and also marked with wooden pegs) representing locations of highest potential for ground water for drilling.
Prepare a detailed geophysical report with all the resistivity data and other information obtained from secondary sources which forms the basis of the recommendations of the report.
Clear recommendations for potential for fresh and sufficient ground water, strata expected and drilling methods to be used, water struck level, main aquifer region, maximum depth of borehole, recommended open and cased diameter, screen setting and intervals, recommended pump setting and safe water abstraction rate.
To carry out environmental impact assessments for the project;
To identify potential Environmental Impacts of the proposed project; both positive and negative;
To prepare a detailed EIA report as per the provision of NCA Greening Policy and other policies outlining NCAs commitment to environmental conservation and protection policies.
Draft BOQ and Financial proposals for borehole drilling supervision services.
3. Scope of the Services
The Total duration of the consultancy is expected to be 90 days . Its is expected that the consultant will spend about 20 days for desk study and 60 days for supervision of drilling works and a further 2 weeks for reporting, presentation and dissemination of report and findings. There is expected to be a gap of 2-3 weeks between the completion of geophysics and commencement of drilling works.
The Consultant is expected to use both primary and secondary data in the exercise to ascertain ground water potential. Secondary data will involve desk study of available information/data on existing boreholes, drill logs, reports, and maps while primary data will be obtained by carrying out Hydro-geophysical measurements within the study area using the necessary hydro-geological surveying equipment. The Consultant is expected to have at this disposal and use for this exercise the new ABEM Terrameter SAS 1000, which distinguishes between clays and fresh water by use of Induced Polarization (IP) measurements. Other equipment and techniques may be used as proposed by the consultants if they deemed to offer an improved delineation of ground water characterization of the area. The specific activities shall include:
Review of existing data, topographical maps, satellite images, existing studies and borehole site investigations in the area, geological reports and maps (if available), borehole and surface water records, etc
Mapping out of the water supply and current ground water sources in the vicinity – establishing water demand and taking key information from existing ground water sources to determine ground water potential and water quality.
Carry out detailed hydro-geological survey using the most suitable equipment and methods to provide the most accurate results;
Prepare and submit a detailed Hydro-geological Survey Report with clear description of formations, anticipated output of the borehole, proposed drilling methods based on detailed assessments.
To propose mitigation measures for the negative impacts;
To come up with an environmental management plan for the project during drilling and after drilling;
Hydro-geological fieldwork: Detailed reconnaissance survey of the project area. (GPS coordinates/P-codes, water level measurements, condition of these boreholes, usage, and performance where applicable) inspection of geological, geomorphological and structural characteristics of the investigated area; verification of existing data and findings
Conduct Hydrology, using up to date tools and equipment’s to ascertain the hydro-geology of the project area, previous ground water development, aquifer parameters, hydraulic conductivity (K) or the ground flux, ground water discharge, as well as estimating the mean annual recharge.
Perform Geophysics relating to basic principles and do more than three Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) within the proposed area using the ABEM Terameter SAS 1000, which distinguishes between clays and fresh water by use of Induced Polarization (IP) measurements.
Analyze the data aforementioned (hydro-geological/geophysical data) to assess the ground water potential in the project area.
Make key recommendation on the viability of a borehole to be installed to act as water sources.
Check on site conditions including the availability of space for a drilling rig and other allied types of machinery to access the project area.
Select the MOST SUITABLE borehole site within the project area subject to the above results and taking into account the water quality expected and the requirements of WHO, and relevant Government guidelines and requirements
Compile and submit to the client a comprehensive report, which shall include but not limited all the details of the above investigations.
Consultant’s recommendations on the proposed drilling sites shall be produced in a soft copy (in a flash disk) and other three hard copies of the Geo-survey reports, of which one (for each site) shall be colored.
Supervise the drilling works for the proposed ground water sources.
4. Requirements Needed For Bidding
The Consultant is required to provide the following**
Technical proposal on how the assignment will be conducted.
Appropriate timelines to perform the assignment.
Financial proposal indicating the cost rates and other charges applicable.
CVs of the lead Consultant who should have minimum of 10 years of work experience in Hydro-geology/Borehole drilling/ground water prospecting activities preferably in Pibor/ Jongelei area of South Sudan.
CVs of other assisting hydro-geologists.
Proven field technical and field experience of Consultant(attach recent hydro-geological reports undertaken in South Sudan) and consultancies performed in the last 3 years specifically in South Sudan/ Pibor Gumuruk area.
Proof of availability of all the equipment required to perform the survey.
Availability to perform the assignment at the earliest possible time.
The consultant is willing to take and work within the existing insecure context of Jongelei/ Pibor area and generally of South Sudan.
The consultant must have the ability to deploy the needed tools, equipment’s and manpower to accomplish the task within the agreed time frame.
How to apply
Qualified consultant candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to Send Cover letters, CVs, Academic Qualifications, referees from your previous/or current clients to the following address and email:
Please note that the Proposals may be delivered to the Contracting Authority at the above address in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the above RFP Number and the name of the submitting company or Email Submission may also be acceptable but to a dedicated procurement email only: Procurement.South.Sudan@nca.no with a copy to Raphael.Wamae@nca.no. Additional guidance materials can be downloaded from the link below.
