(RFP): Consultancy Service: Feasibility study for irrigation systems 142 views

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

RFP N°: SFL/CROP-H PROJECT/FY26/07 for Consultancy Service: Feasibility study for irrigation systems

Shelter For Life International (SFL) Headquartered in Minnesota, USA is an international relief and development organization with over 40 years of experience in providing sustainable development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries around the world.

Project background:

As part of this activity, the CROP-H project supports the design and installation of appropriate irrigation systems across 30 selected farms located in project target regions/districts (6 regions of the Gambia). SCROP-H has database that includes the locations (GPS), farm size, contacts of focal points for the farms, cooperatives.

A comprehensive feasibility study determines the most suitable, cost-effective, and sustainable irrigation solutions for each farm process and results, taking into account water source availability, soil characteristics, topography, crop water requirements, farmer capacity, and long-term operation and maintenance considerations.

Purpose:

The project seeks to engage a qualified Irrigation Specialist Consultant (individual or firm) to conduct a feasibility study for irrigation systems on the 30 (thirty) identified farms (each around 5 ha).

Overall Objective:

The assignment aims to improve water-use efficiency, optimize irrigation performance, and enhance horticultural productivity through sustainable irrigation solutions.

Scope of Work

The Consultant will undertake, at minimum, the following tasks:

• Review relevant project documents, prior assessments, farm/beneficiary lists, provided by CROP-H. Collect primary data, including: water source type and location, water yield/discharge and seasonal reliability, water quality (basic parameters)
• Conduct site visits to each of the 30 farms to collect primary data, including: water source type and location, water yield/discharge and seasonal reliability, water quality (basic parameters), topographic survey/elevation data, soil type and infiltration characteristics, farm size and plot layout, existing infrastructure and access to electricity/fuel, and current and planned crops.
• Conducting comprehensive technical assessments of the thirty (30) selected farms, including topography, soil characteristics, water availability, and existing irrigation infrastructure and planned infrastructure
• Reviewing and evaluating site conditions: existing irrigation systems/infrastructure, including pumps, pipelines, valves, and related components.
• Determine crop water requirements based on current and planned cropping patterns at each
• Conduct a cost-benefit and financial feasibility analysis for each proposed system, including capital costs, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs.
• Assess technical, financial, social, and environmental feasibility and flag any farms where irrigation may not be feasible, with justification and alternative recommendations.
• Provide recommendations on operation, maintenance, and management arrangements (including farmer/user group training needs) to ensure sustainability of the installed systems.
• Recommending sustainable and resilient irrigation solutions that improve water management, system efficiency, and long-term operation and maintenance.
• Providing practical recommendations to support implementation of technically feasible and economically viable irrigation systems.

Location of sites:

30 farms, each 5 ha. Five farms in NBR, Five in CRR North, Five in URR, Five in CRR North, Five in LRR and five in WCR.

Expected Deliverables

Under the guidance and coordination of the CROP-H Water and Agriculture Management Engineer, the Consultant shall submit or deliver the following:

• Inception Report (methodology, work plan, data collection tools, site visit schedule).
• Completed field assessment for all 30 farms (raw data, GPS points, photos, farmer consultation notes).
• Final Consolidated Feasibility Report (consolidated, with farm-specific annexes for all 30 farms) and present to the CROP-H project that will include recommendations.

Duration and Level of Effort

To be included in the offer.

Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant/Consultant firm will coordinate the activity with assigned project focal point for this activity: Water and Agriculture Management Engineer.

Required Qualifications

Interested individual consultants, consulting firms, or service-providing companies should have:

If individual consultant:

• Advanced Master’s degree in irrigation engineering, Water Resources Engineering, water management, or related field.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in irrigation systems, especially drip
  • Experience in Hydraulic
  • Previous experience in similar feasibility
  • Having similar service provided stating the organization or If consulting firm:
• Having professional staff relevant to the required activity
• Having of similar services provided stating the organization or

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested applicants are expected to submit:

• Technical Proposal, including: detailed methodology and approach; detailed work plan and timeline; Budget, relevant experience and past assignments, CVs of personnel who will be engaged in the service. Include company registration/business license, relevant certifications or accreditations, and at least [2-3] list of similar assignment information (to which project and organization/project the service provided.
• If applying as an individual consultant, include CV(s);
• Technical proposal, Financial Proposal / detailed budget (state the currency to be used, based on the country office where the consultancy will take place).

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical capacity and relevant experience
• Understanding of the assignment and quality of proposed methodology/work plan
• Previous experience in similar services Relevant prior experience in The Gambia and with smallholder irrigation.
• Financial proposal / cost reasonableness

Proposals must be submitted to the e-mail address below, quoting the title of the address as “RFP N° SFL/CROP-H PROJECT/FY26/07 -Irrigation”. Proposal Submission Email Address: crophprocurement@shelter.org no later than 7 August 2026 at 05:00 P.M. local time. Late submissions will be rejected.

SFL reserves the right to accept or reject any proposals, and to cancel the procurement process and reject all proposals at any time prior to award of contract, without obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the ground for SFL’s action.