Request for Information (RFI) for grease extraction from waste water system and using it for biodiesel/biogas production at UN Complex, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND Four major companies provide catering services across the UN complex in Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya. These catering services include preparing and serving food to staff, visitors, and participants in key conferences and meetings. The caterers operate in kitchens and utilize wastewater disposal infrastructure provided by the UN. The UN monitors catering activities to ensure optimal use of these facilities. CURRENT SITUATION Significant quantities of cooking oil are used in food preparation. These oils are typically discharged into the wastewater system along with dishwashing water. To separate grease and oil, the larger kitchens are equipped with grease traps, devices that retain floating substances such as fats and oils. These substances accumulate in the traps and can be removed using a vacuum truck. In Nairobi, wastewater (including fats and oils) is commonly collected from various locations using vacuum trucks and transported to Dandora, where it is discharged into wastewater treatment ponds. This practice is unsustainable, as the anaerobic treatment process in the ponds results in greenhouse gas emissions that are approximately 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, fats and oils can be relatively easily converted into biogas or biodiesel, a significantly more sustainable solution. In this process, fats are transformed and reused as fuel, producing primarily CO₂, which has a much lower environmental impact. This method is already standard practice for relatively “clean” fats from commercial kitchens. However, it is less commonly used for fats directly extracted from the sewage system, referred to as grey fats. Some companies are beginning to adopt this approach, and doing so at the UN complex would significantly enhance wastewater treatment capacity and reduce the environmental impact of UNON operations. OBJECTIVE OF THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) The objective of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine whether there are companies operating in Kenya that collect fat from the sewage network and utilize it for the production of biogas or biodiesel. Methods involving disposal or treatment through animal feed, production of fat for kitchen or industrial applications, or delivery to sewage treatment plants are explicitly excluded. SCOPE UNON is seeking responses from suppliers who operate locally in Nairobi, specifically those involved in the local collection of fats/oils and subsequent processing into biogas or biodiesel. This RFI aims to gather comprehensive information on the following: • General description of the company • Equipment used for grease collection from wastewater systems (e.g., grease traps), including a brief explanation of the collection process • Processing activities within Nairobi or, if applicable, outside the city, including any intermediate steps such as temporary storage • Collection and disposal costs, including cost structure per unit (e.g., per kilogram or cubic meter) • Any applicable terms and conditions for providing the service DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED 1. Cover Letter: The cover letter must include: o Legal name of the respondent o Address of the respondent, with specific reference to the supplier’s address in Kenya o Name, title, email address, and telephone number of the individual authorized to submit the response o A statement confirming that the respondent has read, understood, and agrees to all provisions of the RFI 2. Detailed Responses: Responses should directly address each element outlined in the scope above. 3. Case Studies or References Please include any relevant case studies or references from similar projects. Note: Kindly submit the documents via email to unon-procurement-rfx@un.org with a copy to benson.kangangi@un.org by the RFI closing date of 01 July 2025. Kindly also ensure to submit your application electronically via the link provided on page 4 of 5 of this RFI document. In case of any questions, send the questions via email unon-procurement-rfx@un.org with a copy to benson.kangangi@un.org, by the RFI closing date.