RFP- Design and Feasibility Assessment Solar Cocoa Drying Tech

Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to evaluate the technical, operational, economic and environmental performance of existing cocoa drying technologies currently promoted or utilized in PNG and identify opportunities for improvement, assessing, design, and develop investment-ready climate-efficient cocoa drying technologies that:

• Improve cocoa quality and market competitiveness;
• Reduce reliance on fuelwood-based drying systems;
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Enhance climate resilience;
• Improve livelihoods for cocoa-growing households;
• Promote environmental sustainability;
• Support the development of scalable and commercially viable cocoa processing systems in Papua New Guinea.

Specific Objectives

The consulting firm shall:

• Assess current cocoa drying technologies and practices in PNG.
• Evaluate and benchmark existing Cocoa Board-developed drying technologies.
• Assess alternative climate-smart drying technologies and innovations.
• Quantify environmental, climate, social, and economic benefits of alternative technologies.
• Develop technically viable and commercially feasible drying system designs.
• Prepare detailed engineering designs and procurement specifications.

·        Prepare procurement-ready engineering designs and technical documentation for pilot implementation.

 Scope of Work

This assignment covers feasibility assessment, technology evaluation, engineering design, preparation of detailed technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, and procurement-ready documentation for a centralized hybrid solar-assisted cocoa drying facility. For the purpose of this assignment, hybrid systems may include combinations of solar thermal, solar PV, battery storage, biomass backup heating, ventilation systems, thermal storage, or other appropriate low-emission technologies suitable for Papua New Guinea conditions.

The Consultant shall undertake a review of cocoa drying technologies currently used in Papua New Guinea, including household-level solar dryers, hybrid drying systems, and other relevant technologies, to assess their technical performance, operational efficiency, limitations, maintenance requirements, and potential for replication. Lessons learned from existing systems shall inform the design, sizing, and technical specifications of the proposed centralized hybrid solar-assisted cocoa drying facility.

The primary objective of the assignment is to assess, design, and prepare procurement-ready documentation for a centralized hybrid solar-assisted cocoa drying facility. The design of household-level drying systems is outside the scope of this assignment.

Funding for construction and installation of the pilot facility has been secured under the project. However, construction, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the facility are not included within the scope of this consultancy. The outputs of this assignment will inform a subsequent procurement process for the implementation of the selected design.

The assessment shall be undertaken in East New Britain and East Sepik Provinces to evaluate the technical, economic, and operational suitability of solar-assisted cocoa drying technologies under different cocoa production contexts. Detailed engineering designs, cost estimates, and pilot investment recommendations shall focus on East New Britain Province, where pilot implementation under the GEF-7 intervention is planned.

The Consultant shall determine the optimal capacity, configuration, and technical specifications of the centralized facility, taking into consideration projected cocoa volumes, seasonal production patterns, accessibility, operational requirements, financial viability, and potential for future expansion.

Please refer to attached Terms of Reference for details. 

Assess the operational and maintenance requirements of shortlisted technologies, including expected maintenance frequency, technical skill requirements, availability of spare parts, replacement schedules, and associated lifecycle costs. 

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