Request for Expressions of Interest (EoI)

Construction of composting latrines and renovation of tourists’ ancillary service shops along the Congo Nile Trail (Phase 2) 

Reference number: 83455041

Publication date: 24.11.2023 

1. Background

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digitalization and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region. 

2. General Context

Rwanda aspires to improve standards of living for all its citizens in the Vision of 2050. The Country is aiming to become a middle-income economy by 2035 and high-income economy by 2050. The Vision will be implemented through a series of seven-year National Strategies for Transformation (NST1), underpinned by detailed sectoral strategies that are aimed towards the achievement of the SDGs and the Africa Agenda 2063. The NST1 came after the implementation of two, five-year Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategies—EDPRS (2008-12) and EDPRS-2 (2013-18), under which Rwanda experienced robust economic and social transformations. The growth averaged 7.5% over the decade to 2018 while per capita growth domestic product (GDP) grew at 5% annually. However, the rate of unemployment and underemployment is still prominent. With strategies like the NST 1 (2018-2024) and the Private Sector Development and Youth Employment Strategy (PSDYES), the Government of Rwanda is promoting skills development and the creation of off-farm jobs.

The programme Skills Development for Economic Transformation (SD4T) as part of the priority area “Sustainable economic development, training and employment” of the Rwandan-German Development Cooperation, is supporting these efforts. The programme, with the objective of pro-employment growth in the Rwandan light industry is aligned with the principles of inclusiveness, productivity and environmental sustainability and will be implemented between January 2023 and December 2025.

The programme aims at employment-intensive growth through strengthening the capacities of key sectoral institutions; improving the quality of TVET measures; increasing the performance of companies and enhancing women’s economic participation.

As one of the largest and most successful private sectors and the largest contributor to Rwanda’s export value, the GIZ-SD4T programme is building on previous achievements by continuing to support the country’s tourism sector. The SD4T program is actively working towards a sustainable handover of tourism development to its partners in Rwanda. Many of the ongoing tourism initiatives represent the follow-through and finalization of projects initiated during the previous phase by the Eco-Emploi program, the predecessor of SD4T.

3. Rationale of this assignment

Hiking and biking tourism have grown exponentially worldwide over the past years and are perceived by most travelers as the most appealing ways to experience adventure while contributing to better health and supporting the economic growth of the host destinations.

Against this backdrop, Rwanda has over the last years invested in the development of hiking and biking trails to offer more opportunities for travelers seeking to experience the beauty of the country and get immersed with the local culture. The Congo Nile Trail (CNT) is the longest trail and was developed in western part of Rwanda, along the shores of lake Kivu and through different community plantations, homes and villages. The CNT connects 5 districts of the Western province of Rwanda namely Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi. The Trail is used for both hiking and biking.

The development and sustainability of the Congo Nile Trail has called along the process for a more participatory approach between the public sector and the private sector to promote the destination, contribute to community development and offer benefits for all the local stakeholders. To ensure maximum satisfaction to the tourists visiting the CNT and maximize the tourism benefits to the local stakeholders, there are several expected requirements in terms of quality guiding services, accommodations, transport, infrastructure and many other ancillary services like refreshments, restrooms that visitors do not find easily during their visit.

This gap in tourism service delivery has been revealed by different users of the Congo Nile Trail, including tourists and tour guides as well as different experts. Such extra services do not only contribute to the satisfaction of the visitors of the Congo Nile Trail but also economically contribute to the welfare of the local communities through additional income generation opportunities.

In this context, SD4T programme, in collaboration with RDB and the local government, would like to assist the infrastructure improvements for currently identified tourists’ ancillary service shops owned by the community along the Congo Nile Trail. This will involve the construction of four wooden composting latrines and renovation of four tourists’ ancillary service shops along the Congo Nile Trail. This will be done in parallel with the capacity building for those service providers along the trails. The current efforts intend to fulfil different aspects that will lead to the certification of the Congo Nile Trail. 

4. Tasks to be performed by the contractor

Under the supervision of the architect designated by GIZ to supervise the works, the contractor will be expected to undertake construction of four (4) composting latrines and renovation of four (4) tourists’ ancillary service shops along the Congo Nile Trail. Sites that will be constructed are the following:

Please note: This is a brief overview of the scope of work. More details will be included in the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and execution drawing plan that will be provided to contractors who will be interested in submitting tenders for this assignment. 

5. Timelines for the assignment:

The execution of these construction works is planned to take time from January 15^th to April 30^th, 2024. 

6. Process description

The contractor is required to describe the key processes for the services for which he/she is responsible and create a schedule that describes how the services are to be provided. In particular, the contractor is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones and contributions of other actors. The contractor is required to draw up a personnel assignment plan that includes information on assignment dates (duration and expert days) and locations of his assignment. 

• Contractor qualifications and requested information

The contractor is required to provide at least five (5) references of similar works showing its capacities to complete the planned project with the required finishing quality. The specified qualification and information below represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points.   

Qualifications:

• Only contractors’ company is allowed to apply. No individual application accepted.
• 3 years of technical experience in 3 years of technical experience in a similar area of work in Rwanda with proof
• The contractor should be willing to allocate at least 2 staff/ from his/her company to fully work on this project. C.Vs of these 2 staff/ should also be attached to the technical offer that will be submitted to GIZ
• Provide an RDB Certificate as proof that the company is registered in Rwanda
• Evidence that the company is VAT registered with RRA. (Attach the company’s VAT certificate)
• The contractor shall also be expected to present evidence of latest tax clearance 

7. Expressions of Interest process

GIZ invites the contractors based in Rwanda wishing to participate in this call for EoI for construction of four (4) composting latrines and renovation of four (4) tourists’ ancillary service shops along the Congo Nile Trail, to express their interest following below steps:

• Registration for the site visit:

To be part of this process, please pre-register with GIZ Rwanda by sending your company profile to procurement-rw@giz.de by November 30^th, 2023. With subject: 83455041-Registration for site visit.

• Site visit:

It is planned that on December 5^th, 2023, the pre-registered construction companies will meet and conduct site visits at two (2) of the four (4) sites in the Western Province with the architect and the involved partners to get more details and ask questions about the expected work. The journey will start 10AM at Rutsiro District following a short meeting at Business Development and Employment Unit Office (Advised to bring a high 4x4 car as we will use rough roads).

Sites that will be visited:

• Getting Bill of Quantities and drawings

Within 2 workdays after the field visits, interested construction companies will receive by email the Bill of Quantities (BoQ), technical specifications and execution drawing plans. Only contractors who will be present for the site visit will receive the artwork and the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for the assignment. (Essential for submission of tender documents). 

8. Application procedure

Only candidates who attended the site visit will submit their applications (technical offer & financial offer).  The Expression of Interest should contain the following:

1. Technical Proposal:

• A cover letter expressing your interest in this assignment
• Technical offer with a brief description of why you would be considered as the most suitable for the assignment, relevant expertise, and a detailed, clear process as required in point 6.
• Up to date CVs of staff (Engineer, technicians)  
• Company Registration certificate (RDB)
• VAT registration certificate
• Tax clearance certificate
• Proof of successful completion of related assignments. 

2. Financial Proposal:

Financial offer indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of all costs. The costs must be in RWF and VAT excluded. The bidder must use the template shared to prepare the financial offer. 

Please submit electronically your EoI (technical & Financial offer) in 2 separated emails and should be in PDF files to this email ONLY: RW_Quotation@giz.de  until latest December 11^th, 2023. 

Please you must write on each email subject this sentence: 83455041-Technical/financial offer, without this sentence, your offer may not be considered 

Hard copies are not allowed this time 

GIZ reserves all rights