Consultancy: Geological and Hydrological Survey

Oxfam in Nepal

Oxfam has been working in Nepal since the early 1980s undertaking various development initiatives addressing the poverty and injustice faced by women and other socially and economically excluded groups. The level of Oxfam's engagement increased substantially after restoration of democracy in 1990 as it became easier for civil society to work in the new political environment. Over the years, Oxfam has worked in partnership with local civil society organisations and the government to promote rural livelihoods, and vulnerable communities' resilience to climatic shocks and disasters. It has also significantly contributed to empowering community people, especially women, to; negotiate with people in power, influence decision making processes, claim rights and essential services to which they are entitled, demand accountability on the part of duty bearers and engage larger masses in advocacy efforts. Oxfam also worked closely with UNHCR in providing assistance to Bhutanese refugees during the 1990s. Oxfam and its long term programme partners believe that the underlying structural causes and drivers of poverty must be addressed if improvements in peoples's lives are to be broad and lasting. Poverty is not one-dimensional; nor is it purely local in its causes and solutions. Therefore, Oxfam's work addresses not only material and technical change, but also the related economic, social, institutional and policy changes which are necessary to end poverty and achieve development and wellbeing. The Oxfam Nepal Vision is: The people of Nepal are empowered and work together to attain a life of dignity with justice and equal rights for all. The Overall Nepal Programme Goal is: to improve the well being of vulnerable people through strengthening their participation in development and governance processes and reducing poverty and suffering.

Details / requirements:

Consultant Assignment for Geological and hydrological Survey in Sarlahi and Rautahat 

Proposal Submission Deadline: 26 January, 2018   

Send Proposal to: consultancy_nepal@oxfam.org.uk 

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Geological and hydrological Survey in Sarlahi and Rautahat 

Background

Safe water is the need of every citizen of Nepal. Although Nepal is very rich in its water resources, there are populations who are still living in access to poor quality water. Despite the large availability, access of safe water is not so easy and equal for all population of the country. Rugged and difficult terrain, deep river valleys, sparsely distributed settlements and poorly developed infrastructures are the major factors that deprive the easy and equal access to water.   

The issue of water accessibility is different in different places. In context of Terai, the major issue in water is about the availability of safe drinking water. Currently, the population in Terai mostly depend on handpumps which serves groundwater contaminated with Iron, E-Coli and Arsenic.  Oxfam recent study in few wards of Saptari showed that 65% of the handpumps have e-coli contamination. No study has been made yet on the Arsenic contamination in last few years.   Communities of Terai are still forced to drink unsafe water from Handpump. 

On this background, Oxfam is planning to establish a water supply scheme in specific location of Sarlahi District and Rautahat district. This is planned to be done by construction of deep boring and pumping through hybrid pumping to an overhead tank before supplying it to community. The deep boring source should be reliable and should have adequate discharge from the ground water.  To ensure this, Oxfam opens this call to seek technical support for geological and hydrological study of the area for feasibility of deep boring construction.  This study should carry out Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) Survey in the specific locations. This study envisages to access the hydrogeological condition of the deep aquifers within the study area.

Study area

The present study area is Pidari in Pidari Rural Municipality of Sarlahi District and Fatuwa Maheshpur in Rajpur Municipality of Rautahat district. 

Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of the present geophysical exploration is to understand the hydrogeological condition of deep aquifers within the study area. The specific objective of the study is to carry out vertical electrical sounding (VES) in the identified location. To meet the specific objectives, the scopes of works are as follows:

  • Make assessment of topographical and morphological features of the area
  • Conduct general geological survey of the area and generate detail lithological profile. 
  • Carryout VES survey 
  • Compute, analyse and interpret the field VES data with computer added software. 
  • Make suggestion and recommendations on hydrogeological condition.
  • Report Preparation 

Materials and methods

The methodology of the study that the consultant should follow consist of materials collection; literature collection and review, field planning, geological observation and geophysical (VES) survey, data computation, processing and interpretation; and finally report preparation. 

The study can be broadly divided into two major slots: 

  1. Geological and hydrogeological Investigation
  2. Conduction of Electrical Resistivity Tomography

 Desk Study and Field Planning

Necessary materials for the site visit are VES instrument with accessories (Ground Resistivity Meter), District Map, GPS (Global Positioning System), Photographic Camera, Brunton Compass etc. Literatures and information related to topography, climate, geology of the area should also be collected and reviewed. The general geology of the area needs to be taken from the geological map of the area prepared by Department of Mines and Geology. The description of the geology of the area should be done from the published and unpublished literatures and verified in the field by observation and field measurement.

Fieldwork and Data Acquisition

For the present study, schlumberger configuration needs to be used to obtain the resistance of ground surface. The electrodes expansion up to 360 m distance on either side of the sounding point (AB/2) is needed. The readings should be taken with potential electrode spacing 1, 5, 15 and 50 m with current electrode spacing up to 360 m (AB/2).  During the data acquisition, sudden topographic variations and possible source of noise like electric high voltage lines, buried pipe lines are to be avoided. GPS should be used to record the position of sounding point.  Measuring tape and compass are other equipments needed for the field work. Field photographs should be taken do characterized the topographical and morphological character of the area.

The surveyed data should be recorded in standard data sheet in tabular format; which are used for analysis and interpretation. The apparent resistivity is to be plotted against electrode spacing (AB/2) on semi transparent log-log paper to check the consistency of the acquired data. 

Data Processing, Interpretation and Report Preparation

The acquired field data should be computed on spreadsheet and plotted. Computer added program needs to be used for data analysis and interpretation. 

QUALIFICATION/SKILLS REQUIRED

  • Should have 5 years of experience in Geological and Hydrological survey 
  • Should have hydrologist, geologist and surveyor in team
  • They should submit one of their previously submitted report along with proposal
  • Consultant(s) must have VAT registration certificate 
  • Prior experience with Oxfam would be an advantage. 

Human Resource 

The following technical experts and assistants are envisaged for the completion of the study.

  • Team Leader (Geophysicsist)
  • GIS Specialist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Surveyor 

 Expected Deliverables

The Expected outputs of the Geophysical Survey (VES) are as follows:

  • Detail VES survey of selected locations of the Study area.
  • Comprehensive discussion, analysis and interpretation of VES data 
  • Comprehensive report of the study with maps and photographs.

(The final report should be able to provide safe location for deep boring with detail description of its geological/lithological profile, hydrological analysis and recommend safe measures to be used during construction of deep boring. 

Reporting Line Manager

This work is to be delivered to the Project Coordinator, Oxfam in Nepal and overseen by the Team leader, Oxfam in Nepal and Scope outputs will be signed off by Country Director in order to ensure full delivery and timeliness.

Duration: Start date and completion date

1.1Timeline

The duration of the study is two months, effective from date of agreement.

 1.2Schedule of Implementation

The time schedule for the completion of the report is as follows: 

S.N.

Description

No. of Reports to be Submitted

Due date for submission after effective date of contract agreement

1

Draft Report

1 Copies

45 days after the date of agreement

2

Final Report

2 hard copy and soft copy

60 days after the date of agreement

  Detail Budget breakdown 

Part A: 1 Aquifer Study

                   

Site Selection

A

Field Work

 

Rate

Amount (NPR)

1

Hydrogeologist

1

 

 

2

Surveyor

1

 

 

3

GIS Specialist

2

 

 

 

Total Amount

 

Geological/Hydrological Survey

1

Hydrogeologist

1

 

 

2

GIS Specialist

1

 

 

 

Total Amount

 

Geophysical Survey

1

Hydrogeologist

1

 

 

2

GIS Specialist

1

 

 

   

Total Amount

 

B

Office Work

 

Rate

Amount (NPR)

 

Data Collection and Report Presentation

1

Team Lead

3

 

 

2

Hydrogeologist

2

 

 

3

Surveyor

1

 

 

 

Total Amount

 

 

Geology/Hydrological Study

 

Hydrogeologist

2

 

 

 

Total Amount

 
 

Geophysical Survey

 

Hydrogeologist

4

 

 

 

Total Amount

 
             

Total(A+B)

 

Abstract of Cost

A

Sum(Totalof allremuneration cost+Office works)

 

B

Stationeries and consumable @ 5% of A

 

C

Survey  Equipments and field costs

 

D

Transportation cost

 

E

Report Preparation

 

F

Total (A+B+C+D+E)

 

G

Overhead Cost

 

H

VAT

 

 

Grand Total

 

Terms of Payment

Schedule of Payment for this work will be as follows: 

S.N.

Description

% of Contract Amount

1

Contractual payment

20%

1

Submission and approval of Draft Report

30%

2

Submission and approval of Final Report

50%

Documents for submission

  • VAT registration certificate 
  • Tax clearance certificate
  • Agreed time sheet of all involved consultants upon completion of project – signed by consultant and hiring manager
  • Detailed work plan – agreed by consultant and hiring manager
  • Detailed budget sheet with breakdown – agreed by consultant and hiring manager
  • Actual invoices to claim for expenses as per mentioned in the contract 
  • Cumulative or one time procurement of service of NPR 1 lakh or more – VAT required

Confidentiality / Non disclosure

All material issued in connection with this ToR shall remain the property of Oxfam and shall be used only for the purpose of this procurement exercise. All information provided shall be either returned to Oxfam or securely destroyed by unsuccessful applicants at the conclusion of the procurement exercise.

During the performance of the assignment or at any time after expiry or termination of the Agreement, the Consultant shall not disclose to any person or otherwise make use of any confidential information which s/he has obtained or may in the course of this agreement relating to partner organization/Oxfam, the respondents or otherwise.

The consultant will be required to sign a non disclosure / confidentiality agreement as part of their undertaking of this work. 

Intellectual property, Copyright, and Ownership of all prepared information

The Consultant shall retain all rights to pre-existing (background) intellectual property or materials used by the Consultant in the delivery of this study. All arising intellectual property, ideas, materials, processes or processes formed in contemplation, course of, or as result of this study shall be passed to Oxfam without restriction.

The Consult shall warrant that all arising Intellectual Property, materials and/or products produced in pursuit of this study shall be original, and shall not infringe on any third party’s claim. All technical or business information, in whatever medium or format, originated, collated or prepared by or for the Consultant in contemplation, course of, or as result of this assignment shall be transferred to Oxfam without restriction on completion and shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose without express written permission of Oxfam’s Head of Programme Funding.

Copyright of all arising documents, data, information or reports produced by the Consultant under this agreement shall belong to Oxfam and will be passed to Oxfam without restriction. Such documents, data, information and reports shall not be used by the Consultant for any other purpose other than in conjunction with this assignment, without the express written permission of Oxfam’s Head of Programme Funding.

Overview

Category Consulting & Professional Services
Openings 1
Experience Please check details below.
Education Please check details below.
Posted Date 19 Jan, 2018
Apply Before 26 Jan, 2018
City Lalitpur