Request for Information (RFI) for Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Testing of POPs-Contaminated Soil in Kyrgyzstan

New clarification added: 9 ) Our company is interested in the project “Request for Information (RFI) for Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Testing of POPs-Contaminated Soil in Kyrgyzstan.”However, in the Terms of Reference attached to this project opportunity, Chapter 7, “Qualifications of Contractor,” appears to be missing.Could you please send us the contractor qualification requirements ? To ensure fairness of the procurement process, exact qualification requirements of the contractor will be advertised along with the tender itself.

New clarification added: 1) In the TOR, reference is made to the reports with soil conditions and contaminant concentrations in appendix 1. We could not locate such report in the documents published in the RFI.Please find the quoted annex attached hereby : https://drive.google.com/file/d/13R_ZwGNc1gOTPECVJ9Mnc-7Cpr093qK2/view?usp=sharing2) Regarding the 3 scenarios requested, there is a risk that the soil samples collected will not exactly contain the assumed levels of contaminants. How is that mitigated and what happens if the samples after analysis are not fully compliant with the scenarios? -The project stresses that the requirement is for the contractor's effort to procure soil samples that match the assumed levels of contaminants, not a guaranteed end-result.Here is how the risk is mitigated:Mitigation through Back-up Samples: The contractor is advised to test the baseline quality for a number of back-up samples to ensure the necessary environmental quality for the testing scenarios is achieved. The contractor is responsible for selecting the areas and soil at the site that have the required environmental quality.Non-Compliance Resolution: If the samples after analysis are not fully compliant with the assumed scenarios, the results from the contractor's Initial Characterization (Phase 3/Deliverable 2) will be used to establish the definitive baseline. This means the actual measured concentration levels will serve as the starting point for the trials, which verifies the true contamination status of the soil samples used in the experiments.3) What are the 3 baselines mentioned in the calculation of 27 scenarios? How is the baseline defined technically and how is it different from the control?- The 3 baselines mentioned in the calculation of 27 scenarios refer to the initial,   untreated soil conditions, corresponding to the 3 specific contamination scenarios:Highly contaminatedModerately Contaminated (US EPA Industrial Levels)Moderately Contaminated (US EPA Residential Levels)Technical Definition of Baseline:The Baseline is the initial chemical and microbiological characterization of the soil samples before any treatment. The bidder is responsible for collecting and analyzing these samples during the Initial Characterization phase (Deliverable 2). The results from this analysis establish the definitive baseline against which all treatment trials will be measured.Difference between Baseline and Control:The Baseline represents the initial status of the contaminated soil for a given scenario.The Control is a specific treatment method used in the bioremediation trials. The Control is defined as natural attenuation (moisture and aeration only), representing the minimum intervention required for comparison.4) Will UNOPS provide any level of support for the coordination with the local authorities/the ministry to facilitate the process of receiving necessary permits (site access, export etc.)? UNOPS will provide  coordination support with local authorities/the ministry. However, The contractor is solely responsible for arranging all relevant procedures and securing all necessary permits, including but not limited to :Site sampling and collection.Transport and storage of the contaminated soil.Obtaining all necessary national and regional import and export permits.As the import permit is dependent on the contractor's chosen laboratory and location, the contractor must arrange this, and by extension, the export permit as well.5) With pure microbial cultures/species, do you refer to single bacterial strains or mixed cultures? How many? The requirement to "Develop enriched autochthonous microbial cultures" and evaluate the effectiveness of "each species" under controlled conditions implies the isolation and testing of single bacterial strains.The bidder should isolate, enrich, and characterize autochthonous microbial cultures that have potential POP-degrading capacity.The specific number of strains to be tested is not predefined by the TOR. The bidder is expected to determine and propose the number of strains based on their scientific approach, which should be detailed in their Technical Quotation Form (Form C).6) For the deputy PM position, can the study period for a master's degree in a relevant field of study be considered within the 10 years experience requested? No, the period of study for a Master's degree in a relevant field of study cannot be considered as working experience.The TOR requirement for the Deputy Project Manager position specifically calls for "more than 10 years of working experience." The time spent on academic study, even in a relevant field, is not considered working experience for the purpose of meeting this qualification. 7) Can all laboratory analysis be performed outside the country and hence without the need for the local labs in the Kyrgyz Republic. We would for example like to conduct the whole study in Italy.   Local solutions and collaborations with local partners are desired. Of course if the only solution you foresee is the testing outside the country you can formulate it should local capacity not allow testing in country.          The bidder must meet two main conditions:They are responsible for all logistics, including collection, transport, and obtaining all necessary import/export permits (adhering to international conventions like Basel/Stockholm).The facility must be accredited, preferably to ISO/IEC 17025 or an equivalent internationally recognized standard.8) Referring to section B.2 of the RFI file, could you give an example of international guidelines to be followed for the tests?ANSWER:TOR document specifies the international guidelines that must be followed for the tests:The supplier must conduct the study "in accordance with international best practice (US EPA requirements or other relevant internationally recognized standards and guidelines)".It also requires the development of a soil sampling methodology and sample size determination "in accordance with internationally recognized standards ( ISO, FAO, US EPA, or equivalent)".Additionally, the bidder's proposal (evaluation criteria) requires ensuring compliance with international occupational health and safety standards ( ISO 45001, OSHA, or equivalent).International Conventions: Given the nature of the contaminants and transboundary transport of samples, bidders must comply with conventions such as the Stockholm Convention on POPs and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste.

New amendment added #1: To extend the RFI duration