1. The Zambezi River Authority (“the Authority”) has set aside funds in the 2019 Finance Budget and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards consulting services for Engineering Feasibility Studies and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies (ESIA) for the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro - Electric Scheme (BGHES) Additional Transmission Lines.
2. The Authority is a corporate body jointly and equally owned by the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe(Contracting States) and is mandated with the management of the Kariba Complex and the stretch of the Zambezi River (from Kazungula to Kanyemba) forming a common border between the two Contracting States.
3. The scope of the consulting services (“the Services”) to be implemented over a period of five (5) months shall include but not limited to;
(a) Engineering Feasibility studies for additional Transmission Lines
- Power Plant Data and Evacuation Options
- Undertake Load Flow Studies
- Undertake Short Circuit and Stability Studies
- Undertake Reactive Power Compensation Assessment and Recommendation
- Undertake Transmission Line Mechanical and Electrical Designs
- Scope, Cost Estimate and Implementation Time Schedule Integration
(b) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies for additional Transmission Lines
- Conduct meetings with the Authority, ZESCO Ltd and Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) team to understand and familiarize with the Master plans and activities related to the proposed transmission lines;
- Conduct visits, to all sites for the purpose of site reconnaissance and establishing updated baseline and collecting data from the local concerned authorities and all other relevant stakeholders;
- Review all relevant national laws and regulations including international conventions protocols and treaties relevant to the planned activities;
- Describe the environmental and social settings for the areas where the planned transmission lines will traverse including surrounding areas;
- Assess the potential positive and negative environmental and social impacts associated with the planned activities;
- Assess risks and hazards associated with the project activities;
- Develop relevant enhancement and mitigation measures for identified positive and negative impacts associated with project activities;
- Prepare a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP);
- Perform effective and efficient public/ stakeholder consultation throughout the ESIA process. A proper communication/ stakeholder engagement plan should be prepared and specific actions to be taken to ensure good representation and good attendance of affected communities and stakeholders in the planned Public consultation events; and
- Develop an institutional development and capacity building plan to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the proposed environmental and social management and monitoring activities.
The Terms of Reference for the Consulting Services can be inspected on the Authority’s website: www.zaraho.org.zm
4. The Authority now invites consulting firms (“Consultants”) to express their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection method set out in the Authority’s Procurement Policy and Procedures.
The shortlisting criteria is;
(i) The firms core business,
(ii) Scope and cost of previous comparable assignments undertaken,
(iii) Technical and managerial capacity,
(iv) Specific experience in the design and construction of similar high voltage transmission lines in the past ten (10) years,
(v) Specific experience in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of similar high voltage transmission lines in the past ten (10) years, including working knowledge of Zambia Environmental Management Agency and Environmental Management Agency-Zimbabwe requirements,
(vi) Experience in similar conditions or sub Saharan Africa region, and
(vii) Suitability of the qualifications and experience of the Consultants core staff, such as principals or directors who may not at all be proposed subsequent to short listing to be among the key staff of the consultants who may be proposed to undertake the assignment. Specific key staff requirements will be considered in the next stage and not during EOI preparation.
5. Further information can be obtained at the address below during working hours from 0800 to 1630 hours local time.
Expressions of interest must be delivered by E-MAIL in PDF on or before 14th March 2019, 1600hrs on the following E-mail addresses;
Email: Langton Pfaira: pfaira@zaraho.org.zm
cc: Avitol Nkweendenda: ankweendenda@zaraho.org.zm
The Expressions of interest must be addressed to;
The Chief Executive
Zambezi River Authority
Kariba House
32 Cha Cha Cha Road
Lusaka, Zambia.
Tel.: +260 211 227970-3
Att: Manager Procurement