Request for Expression of Interest Consulting Services - Royal Government of Bhutan - National Environment Commission
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Request for Expression of Interest
Consulting Services
Royal Government of Bhutan
iREQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
REoI No. NEC/WRCD/32(2)/2020/492
Project Name:
Study on Minimum Environmental Flow for
Hydropower Projects in Bhutan – Phase II
Procuring Agency:
National Environment Commission Secretariat
Title of Consulting Services:
Consultancy for the Project
“Study on Minimum Environmental Flow for
Hydropower Projects in Bhutan - Phase II”
iiTABLE OF CONTENTS
INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST 1
SECTION I: INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSULTANTS 2
SECTION II: STANDARD FORMS 6
SECTION III: TERMS OF REFERENCE 10
iiiINVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
NEC/WRCD/32(2)/2020/492 April 6, 2020
The National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS) invites Expression of Interest (EoI)
to provide the following consulting services: Consultancy for the Project “Study on Minimum
Environmental Flow for Hydropower Projects in Bhutan - Phase II”. More details on the services
are provided in the Terms of Reference.
Consultant(s) will be selected as per the procedures described in this Request for Expression of
Interest (REoI), in accordance with the Procurement Rules and Regulations of the Royal
Government of Bhutan.
The EoI are to be submitted at the address/e-mail listed latest by April 20, 2020; 12:00 Hours
Bhutan Standard Time. The procedural requirements for responding to this invitation are provided
in the complete REoI document, which includes the following:
Section I - Instruction to Consultant(s)
Section II - Standard Forms
Section III - Terms of Reference
Address of Procuring Agency:
Water Resources Coordination Division, National Environment Commission Secretariat,
P.O.Box 466, Tashi-Chhodzong Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan.
Yours sincerely,
Jigchen L. Norbu, Project Manager, Assistant Environment Officer,
Water Resources Coordination Division, National Environment Commission Secretariat.
Email: jlnorbu@nec.gov.bt
1SECTION I: INSTRUCTIONS TO CONSULTANTS
1. Scope of Assignment: The Employer has received budget from the Austrian Development
Agency and intends to select Consultant(s) for the specific assignment as specified in the
Terms of Reference (ToR) in Section III.
2. Qualifications of the Consultant(s): Prospective Consultant(s) shall demonstrate in their
Expression of Interest (EoI) that they meet the required qualifications and experiences and
are fully capable of carrying out the assignment.
3. Conflict of Interest: The Consultant(s) shall hold the Procuring Agency’s interests para-
mount, without any consideration for future work, and strictly avoid conflict with other as-
signments or its own corporate interests. For this purpose, the provisions of the Procurement
Rules and Regulations on Conflict of Interest shall apply.
4. Unfair Advantage: If a Consultant could derive an unfair competitive advantage from having
provided Consulting Services related to the assignment in question, the Procuring Agency
shall make available to all Consultant(s) together with this Request for Expression of Interest
(REoI) all information that would in that respect give such Consultant(s) any unfair
competitive advantage over competing Consultant(s).
5. Preparation of EoI: EoI shall be typed or written in indelible ink in English language and
shall be signed by the Consultant(s). Consultant(s) are required to complete the following
Forms including supporting documents to substantiate the qualification and experience of the
Consultant(s):
Section I: Instruction to Consultant(s)
Section II - Standard Forms
Section III- Terms of Reference
6. Submission of EoI: The prospective Consultant(s) may deliver their EoI by hand, courier
service or e-mail to the address mentioned in the REoI.
7. The EoI if delivered by hand or courier shall be properly sealed in envelopes addressed to the
Procuring Agency as mentioned in the REoI advertisement and bear the name & address of
the Consultant(s) as well as the name of the assignment.
8. The closing date for submission of EoI is April 20, 2020 up to 12:00 Hours Bhutan
Standard Time. Any EoI received after the deadline for submission of EoI shall be declared
late, and returned unopened to the Consultant(s).
9. The EoI may be modified or substituted before the deadline for submission. The Procuring
Agency may at its sole discretion, extend the deadline for submission of EoI.
10. At any time prior to the deadline for submission of EoI the Procuring Agency for any reason
or on its own initiative may revise the REoI Document by issuing an addendum, which shall
form an integral part of the Document.
211. Evaluation: The Consultant(s) shall be evaluated on the following criteria:
S/N Criteria Points
1 General experience of the Consultant(s) 30
2 Relevant experience of the Consultant(s) 70
Total 100
12. Immediately after the closing date and time for submission, the Procuring Agency shall open
all EoI documents, including any substitutions accompanied by a properly authorized substi-
tution notice.
13. Following the opening of the EoI, and until the RFP is issued; no Consultant(s) shall make
any unsolicited communication to the Procuring Agency. Such an attempt to influence the
Procuring Agency in its decisions on the examination, evaluation, and comparison of the EoI
may result in the rejection of the EoI.
14. EoIs shall be evaluated based on the criteria outlined under clause 11. Request for Proposal
(RFP) documents shall be issued to the shortlisted Consultants only.
3SECTION II: STANDARD FORMS
Form 1: Sample letter of Expression of Interest
Form 2: Consultant(s) Information Sheet
Form 3: General Experience of the Consultant(s) during the last 10 (Ten) calendar
Years
Form 4: Relevant Experience of the Consultant(s) during the last 10 (Ten) calendar
Years
4Form 1: Sample Expression of Interest (EOI) for Consultancy services
Date:
To
[Insert address of Procuring Agency]
Sub: Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Consultancy Service [Insert title of Consulting Ser-
vices]
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is in response to your public notice published in […………..insert name of paper/ web-
site……………………] on [……insert date……………], inviting expression of interest for [insert
description of Consulting services]. We hereby submit our expression of interest and have
attached necessary information according to the standard forms.
The information furnished by us in this expression of interest is correct to the best of our
knowledge. Based on this information, we understand you would be able to evaluate our pro-
posals in order to shortlist for the above-mentioned assignment. We, however, understand that the
Procuring Agency reserves the right to decide whether or not to shortlist without disclosing the
reason whatsoever.
Sincerely yours,
On behalf of the Consultant(s)
Signature:
………………….
Name of signatory:
Designation:
Seal:
5Form 2: Consultant(s) Information Sheet
1. Consulting Services Data
Name of the
consulting
services
Brief
Description of
the
Assignment
2. (a) Consultant(s) Information
Name of the Consultant(s): Country of Registration:
Day, month & Year of Establishment:
Name of Authorized Representative Position/Designation:
(if applicable):
Contact Person details:
Name, Designation, email and phone
number
[Attach valid Trade License/Registration certificate]
63. Core Area of expertise of the Consultant(s) [Provide a brief description]
4. Consultant(s) Profile [Provide a brief Description along with qualifications]
7Form 3: General Experience of the Consultant(s)
during the last 10 (Ten) Calendar Years
Duration of the assignment
S/ Name of the Name of the Address Total Cost Remarks
N assignment client of the From To Total of the
client (Date) (Date) (Months) assignment
Nu.
8Form 4: Relevant Experience of the
Consultant(s) during the last 10 (Ten)
calendar Years
Duration of the assignment
S/ Name of the Name of Address of Total Cost Remarks
N assignment the client the client From To Total of the
(Date) (Date) (Months) assign-
ment Nu.
9SECTION III: TERMS OF REFERENCE
Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Project on Study on Minimum Environmental Flow
for Hydropower Projects in Bhutan Phase II
A. Background
Bhutan is a small landlocked country situated in the eastern region of the Himalayan mountain
ranges bordering China and India in the North and South respectively, with a total area of
38,394 Square Kilometres. The altitudinal variation ranges from 97 meters in the south to
7,500 metres above sea level in the north. The conservation of the environment is one of the
four pillars of Bhutan’s Development Philosophy, which is centred around the concept of
Gross National Happiness (GNH). The concept of GNH is cross cutting in nature and implies
that Bhutan’s socio-economic development cannot be pursued at the cost of the natural envi-
ronment.
To conserve the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystems and river corridors, a Phase-1
project on “Study of Minimum E-Flow for Hydropower Projects in Bhutan” was implemented.
Minimum Environmental flow (E-Flow) is the minimum amount of water flow required to
sustain freshwater ecosystems and the human livelihoods that depend on them. The require-
ment of Minimum E-Flow is in line with the National Environment Protection Act (NEPA)
2007, the Water Act of Bhutan 2011 and its Regulation 2014, whereby it is mandatory to
maintain a minimum E-Flow for any diversion of natural watercourses to maintain a healthy
ecosystem.
The Phase I of the E-Flow project has made a valuable contribution towards developing
guidelines for the assessment, determination and monitoring of E-Flow for run of the river
hydropower plants – generation of hydropower without any storage of water. It has also
helped in strengthening a certain level of technical capacity across the sectors in terms of data
collection, analysis, modelling and simulation.
Building on the outcomes of Phase-I of the E-Flow project, the Phase-II support is aimed to
further cement and institutionalise the E-Flow utility beyond run of the river hydropower
plants development – hydropower peaking, abstraction and diversion of natural watercourses
such as for drinking and irrigation– as well as developing and integrating the study and analy-
sis of E-Flows into the curriculum of educational institutes and establishing robust institution-
al capacities. This would significantly contribute in avoiding and reducing the negative im-
pacts on the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystems and river corridors of the develop-
mental activities at the later stage, thereby achieving the twin objectives of safety and sustain-
ability, i.e. generating revenue with minimal effects to the country’s environment.
10B. Objective and purpose of the project
The overall objective of the proposed project is to minimise or avoid negative impact on the
environment from the developmental activities and carrying forward the achievements made
in the Phase I of the E-Flow project. In order to achieve the above objective, the following is
proposed:
● Institutionalisation of capacity and knowledge on minimum E-Flow through the de-
velopment of an appropriate E-Flow module for technical institutes and regularisation
of E-Flow in both run of the river and beyond run of the river hydropower schemes.
C. Scope of Consultancy
While conducting the assignment, the Consultants (s) shall carry out the following activities,
but not necessarily limited to:
1. Review of current legislation, plans and reports concerning E-Flow, water resources
management and riverine ecosystem;
2. Review and make recommendations on the current E-Flow guidelines for hydropower de-
velopment, five site reports, hydropower guidelines and guidelines on detailed project re-
port preparation to identify areas for integration and adaptation;
3. Assess the capacity gaps and needs of institutions for assessment and monitoring of E-
Flow including software, field equipment and tools/accessories;
4. Develop a framework for formulating an E-Flow module and its integration;
5. Develop an appropriate module on assessment and monitoring of minimum E-Flow;
6. Integrate E-Flow module into existing curricula of the College of Science and Technolo-
gy, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research, and Col-
lege of Natural Resources along with an implementation plan for integration;
7. Provide support in capacity building of the institutions for development and implementa-
tion of the module and new guidelines;
8. Propose integration of E-Flow guideline into the detailed project report preparation and
hydropower guidelines;
9. Assess the applicability of current guidelines to beyond run of the river hydropower
schemes and other types of water abstractions, such as for drinking and irrigation along
with others if applicable;
10. Develop and propose adaptation of current guidelines to beyond run of the river hydro-
power schemes and other types of water abstraction and its integration;
11. Recommend software, field equipment and tools/accessories required to be used for the
assessment and monitoring of E-Flow; and
12. Identify, draft Memorandum of Understandings and propose international institutions to
establish partnerships and linkages for capacity building.
11D. Method of Work
4.1 Proposal: The Consultants shall submit both technical and financial proposals detailing
the approach/methodology to be adopted for the implementation of the tasks specified in the
scope of consultancy including a timeframe for execution and costing in line with Request for
Proposal.
The Consultants (s) shall specify in the expression of interest the requirement for any addi-
tional expert(ise) for the successful implementation of the scope of work.
4.2 Consultations: The Consultants (s) and Project Management Unit (PMU) of NECS shall
thoroughly consult the following relevant stakeholders for successful implementation of the
project:
1. College of Science and Technology;
2. Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Research, Department of
Forest and Park Services; MoAF;
3. College of Natural Resources;
4. Department of Hydropower and Power Systems, MoEA;
5. Bhutan Electricity Authority;
6. Druk Green Power Corporation Limited;
7. National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology;
8. National Research Center for Riverine Lake and Fisheries, Department of Livestock,
MoAF;
9. Gross National Happiness Commission;
10. Ministry of Agriculture and Forests; and
11. Ministry of Works and Human Settlements
The PMU shall be within the Water Resources Coordination Division of the NECS. The Con-
sultants (s) shall on need basis conduct field surveys and carry out in-country visits. The Con-
sultants (s) shall present their assessment findings and framework to PMU, the Multi Stake-
holder Task Force (MSTF), Technical Working Group (TWG) and the institutions, and incor-
porate the feedback.
E. Profile of International Consultants
The international experts recruited are recommended to possess the following qualifications:
1. Advanced postgraduate degree in science/engineering with specializations related to eco-
logical impact of flow regulation of rivers, environmental hydraulics, hydraulic engineer-
ing and other areas relevant to the proposed project;
122. Hands-on experience in the assessment, determination and monitoring of environmental
flows for rivers/hydropower projects;
3. Experiences in the field of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Hydropower
development;
4. Experiences in the field of water resources management and natural resources manage-
ment;
5. Experiences in development of curriculum or module of technical institutions;
6. Experiences in teaching of courses or modules related to hydrology, aquatic biodiversity
and/or hydropower development;
7. Familiarity in using field equipment and appropriate computer application software, such
as CaSimir, SMS and Agisoft and surveying equipment such as UAV, total station, base
station, echosounder and others;
8. Having knowledge on hydrological and hydraulic data collection and modelling;
9. Knowledge on gender and social inclusion;
10. Published research articles on river systems in relation to hydropower development will
be an added advantage;
11. Previous working experience in Bhutan in similar areas will be an added advantage; and
12. Excellent oral and written English.
While the above are the qualifications for the lead Consultants, any additional expert required
for the project should be specified accordingly in the bid with exact cost.
F. Outputs
The physical deliverables consists of the following:
● Development of an appropriate module on assessment and monitoring of minimum E-
Flow;
● Integration of the module into the existing curricula of the College of Science and
Technology, Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environmental Re-
search and College of Natural Resources;
● Integration of E-Flow guidelines into the detailed project report preparation and hy-
dropower guidelines;
● Integration of E-Flow guideline beyond run of the river hydropower schemes; and
● Establishment of institutional partnerships.
G. Timeframe
Project will be implemented from February 2020 to April 2022. The Consultants (s) shall dis-
cuss the actual timeframe of the project activities with the Project Management upon award-
ing the contract.
13H. Literature Review (not limited to)
1.The Constitution of The Kingdom of Bhutan;
2.National Environment Protection Act 2007;
3.Environment Assessment Act 2000 and its Regulation 2016;
4.The Water Act of Bhutan 2011 and its Regulation 2014;
5.Electricity Act of Bhutan 2001;
6.Forest & Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995 and its Regulation 2020;
7.Bhutan Sustainable Hydropower Development Policy 2008;
8.Updated Power System Master Plan 2040;
9.National Gender Equality Policy 2020;
10.National Plan of Action for Gender, 2008-2013;
11.12th Five Year Plan, 2018-2023;
12.National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan, 2016;
13.National Irrigation Master Plan 2016;
14.Guideline for development of hydropower projects in Bhutan, 2018;
15.Guideline to determine Minimum E-Flow, 2019;
16.Final Report of the pilot reach of Wangchhu, Punatsangchhu, Pachhu and Pho Chhu;
17.Final report of the pilot reach of Mangdechhu;
18.Fishes of Bhutan 2020 (draft);
19.Hydraulic structure and water power engineering module (CST module code: FMH 403)
20.Hydrology module (code: CLM102), water resources management module (code: NRM
101); wetland and freshwater ecology module (code: ECL402); EIA module (EVS308);
integrated watershed management module (code: NRM306), and MSc. Water resources
management (document) (code:NRM101) (CNR); and
21.National Certificate II and III curriculum (UWICER).
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