RFP Consultant Services Contract for Works - Consultancy Service to provide a Master Plan and a Feasibility Study for Faculty of Agriculture in Iraq/Sinjar

New clarification added: In the RFP, you specified that in February 2019, MoHSER looked into the option of establishing a university branch, two universities expressed their interest but the proposal didn't materialize, stating: "MoHESR has certain requirements that need to be met when establishing new universities and/or branches of universities(...) Through this ToR, UNOPS is looking for a specialized consulting Firm to study the feasibility of meeting all these requirements to establish a faculty for agriculture in Sinjar." Are we to work on proposal for a univeristy or a branch? Are we to decide or it will be decided? UNOPS REPLY: As per the ToR title "Establishment of A Faculty/Branch of University for Agriculture in Sinjar - Iraq", the consulting firm is required to develop a Feasibility Study and Master Plan for Branch/Faculty that will be affiliated to an existing University.    

New clarification added: For the feasibility study, is it the Consultant responsibility to conduct the financial studies and analysis, i.e. ROI (return of investment) .... etc. UNOPS REPLY: As per the ToR, the consulting firm is responsible for the financial studies and analysis as following:On Ground Appraisal Stage:- Review of financial policy and national investment budget including analysis of higher education allocation and expenditure;Feasibility Study Stage:-Identification of the optimum capital investment buildings requirements in a staged development manner up to 20-year time horizon;-Identification of human resources projected requirements in a staged development manner up to 20-year time horizon;-Identification of operation and maintenance (O&M) expenditures requirements in a staged development manner up to 20-year time horizon;​It is assumed that the lands are owned by the Client, we need an estimation on the number of lands, the level of efforts, estimation on the lands area, just so we can have a better understanding about the project size and scope and also so we can build our financial model, this information is very important. UNOPS REPLY: Four Lands of similar scale will be identified for development;  The Area to be developed in the Master Plan is not defined yet; it will depend on the feasibility study output and the selected locations; however, the only area to be developed is the Faculty of Agriculture area and the related services (development of adjacent areas of different functions and use will not be required). It is highly recommended to get references of similar projects in terms of scope and context in order to get an idea about the scale and requirements of the project.  in the RFP, it is mentioned that a training should be conducted, can you please advise what kind of training and to whom. UNOPS REPLY: The feasibility study, master plan and all their components (concept design, human resources requirements, cash flow, operation and management, etc...) should be a live document that will be updated during the 20 years time frame. In order to ensure sustainability; the knowledge on preparation, assumptions, data collected ...etc and the design in different scopes and phases should be transferred to beneficiaries responsible for handling the products afterwards. As these are (in different phases) are very specialized, therefore there should be on job training  for the beneficiary staff as much as the consultant sees needed for sustainability of the product and the full transfer of knowledge. This should be reflected on the method statement requested by the consulting firm.   Is full hydrology study required for the four locations or only for the selected site. UNOPS REPLY: The hydrological study is required as part of the infrastructural assessment on the macro level and on the 4 locations to be studied. The purpose of the study is to understand the hydrological conditions of the concerned area and the constraints and threats that could affect the project in each location and will be one of the criteria that shall be considered during the evaluation of the 4 proposed master plans.  ​Where is the location of the water source? Shall we assume that there will be a tank inside the campus? UNOPS REPLY: The question is premature as the project locations have not been selected yet. The consulting firm is required to identify an eventual existing water source and propose the engineering solutions for water supply provision and storage throughout the development of the feasibility study and the master plan.  ​

New clarification added: 1-What is the expected site area for this project ? UNOPS REPLY: The Area to be developed in the Master Plan is not defined yet; it will depend on the feasibility study output and the selected locations; however, the only area to be developed is the Faculty of Agriculture area and the related services (development of adjacent areas of different functions and use will not be required). It is highly recommended to get references of similar projects in terms of scope and context in order to get an idea about the scale and requirements of the project. 2-Please specify the expected deliverables for infrastructure services ( water, wastewater & storm water ) in master plan & feasability stages. UNOPS REPLY: As per the ToR, the expected deliverables related to infrastructural services are:- Assessment report on the existing infrastructural services in the project area on the macro level: topography, geotechnical studies, groundwater, and hydrogeological studies, etc;- Infrastructure assessment of each of the 4 locations' water supply, storm, sanitary, electrical, data and telecom networks, etc;-- Schematic architectural design and design criteria of the buildings and relevant data on planned faculty, administration buildings, and faculty facilities including roads networks, water and wastewater infrastructure, drainage, yards, fence, etc.3- Is full hydrology study required for the four locations or only for the selected site. UNOPS REPLY: The hydrological study is required as part of the infrastructural assessment on the macro level and on the 4 locations to be studied. The purpose of the study is to understand the hydrological conditions of the concerned area and the constraints and threats that could affect the project in each location and will be one of the criteria that shall be considered during the evaluation of the 4 proposed master plans.4- What is the exact scope for water supply, storm and sanitation. UNOPS REPLY: Same answer as for question number 2.5-Where is the location of the water source. Shall we assume that there will be a tank inside the campus? UNOPS REPLY: The question is premature as the project locations have not been selected yet. The consulting firm is required to identify an eventual existing water source and propose the engineering solutions for water supply provision and storage throughout the development of the feasibility study and the master plan.6-The location of the sanitation network outfall; UNOPS REPLY: The question is premature as the project locations have not been selected yet. The consulting firm is required to assess the existing sanitation network and propose the engineering solutions for wastewater treatment and/or disposal throughout the development of the feasibility study and the master plan. 7-Does the storm water network surface drainage or sub-surface? UNOPS REPLY: Same as above.

New clarification added: -          Please specify the area for the master plan: UNOPS REPLY: ​The Area to be developed in the Master Plan is not defined yet; it will depend on the feasibility study output and the selected locations; however, the only area to be developed is the Faculty of Agriculture area and the related services (development of adjacent areas of different functions and use will not be required). It is highly recommended to get references of similar projects in terms of scope and context in order to get an idea about the scale and requirements of the project.-          Please confirm that the level of the infrastructure design to be submitted is Schematic design. UNOPS REPLY: The level of infrastructure design is Schematic; however, all the required deliverables for the Detailed Master Plan in the ToR shall be developed and presented. -          Please confirm that the level of the architectural design for the buildings is Schematic design. UNOPS REPLY:   The level of architectural design is Schematic; however, all the required deliverables for the Detailed Master Plan in the ToR shall be developed and presented.    

New clarification added: - It is eligible to submit a proposal as a joint venture with an Iraqi NGO?UNOPS REPLY: The proposal can be submitted as a joint venture between 2 or more entities (Companies or NGOs); Please refer to the joint venture details under the RFP_Consultant_Services_Contract_for_Works_Section_I_InstructionsToBidders.pdf file.

New amendment added #2: Amendment # 2 was raised to cover the following:Extend the tender deadline for an additional two weeks. Please refer to the revised deadline under the "General" tab.Extend the clarification deadline. Please refer to the revised deadline under the "General" tab.All other terms & conditions remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Question: Due to the tight time we have to prepare a comprehesive and competitive proposal, we would like to ask for an extension of 2-3 weeks time.UNOPS REPLY: The tender deadline will be extended for additional two weeks, please visit the related amendment version that will be published ASAPQuestion:  In the staffing section of the TOR, it is stated that “The Environmental & Social Experts will prepare the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment”. Accordingly, is an Environmental Impact Assessment Study required as a separate deliverable? If yes, is the local authority approval required for the ESIA study?UNOPS REPLY: As per the ToR, no separate document for the EIA will be required; the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment will be part of the Feasibility Study, together with the assessment of other aspects (Cultural, Educational, Economical...). The consulting firm must refer to local laws and regulations while developing the feasibility study; in addition to that, the consulting firm will be required to meet with local authorities during stages I and II to ensure the proposed Master Plan(s) do not interfere with the local policies and visions. The draft feasibility study will be also presented to local authorities for feedback before finalization and handover of the final version of the study.

New clarification added: 1- Unfortunately, we didn't attend the pre-bid meeting because the meeting details are not mentioned clearly on the website of the UNGM, is there is any record for the meeting? UNOPS REPLY: We didn't receive any request to attend the pre-bid meeting, however, bidders can seek further information via the "Clarification" tool in the e-sourcing.2- Are there any pre-bid site visits? UNOPS REPLY: "No pre-bid site visit has been scheduled as it was irrelevant especially that the project exact location is not defined yet. (to be defined as part of the scope of work)3- Is the region safe for work? UNOPS REPLY: UNOPS Hub in Amman has been operational in the Middle East Region since 2004. It provides strategic solutions to core development and humanitarian challenges to its partners in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, and the Gulf countries.The UNOPS Hub has a long-established presence in Iraq with different projects that are currently being implemented in Baghdad, Anbar, Diyala, Ninwa, Salah Al-Din, Mosul, and Erbil Governorates. In Iraq, UNOPS maintains close coordination with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security UNDSS (UNDSS) and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). From a security-related perspective, the risk level for Iraq is moderate to substantial.    

New clarification added: Could you please clarify the type of training, targeted audience and who will attend, expected no. of people as well as the duration of training service.UNOPS REPLY: The feasibility study, master plan, and all their components (concept design, human resources requirements, cash flow, operation and management, etc...) should be a live document that will be updated during the 20 years time frame. In order to ensure sustainability; the knowledge on preparation, assumptions, data collected ...etc and the design in different scopes and phases should be transferred to beneficiaries responsible for handling the products afterward. As these are (in different phases) are very specialized, therefore there should be on job training for the beneficiary staff as much as the consultant sees needed for the sustainability of the product and the full transfer of knowledge. This should be reflected on the method statement requested by the consulting firm.  

New amendment added #1: Amendment # 1 was raised to add "DRiVE questionnaire" under the Docuement & checklist tabs.All other terms & conditions remain unchanged.