Terms of Reference (TOR) for Establishing water quality testing mini-laboratories

TERMS OF REFERENCE –Establishing water quality testing mini-laboratories in Raksirang rural municipality of Makwanpur district

1. Project background

Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) has been implementing WASH systems strengthening and behavior change in the hilly region of Makwanpur district in Nepal (NPL 1081-21) project since November 2022 with the technical support from Welthunegrhilfe and financial support from BMZ and Viva Con Agua. The overall objective of the project is to improve the health and nutritional status of marginalised communities in the rural municipalities of Raksirang and Kailash, Makwanpur district through strengthened WASH systems and behaviour change.

2. Objective of the assignment

Main objective of the assignment is to establish water quality testing mini-laboratory at Chainpur of Raksirang rural municipality which have capacity to test 12 water quality parameters (Turbidity, PH, Temperature, Iron, Chloride, Nitrate, Hardness, Ammonia, Phosphate, Free residual chlorine, E-coli and coliform) as specified in National drinking water quality standard 2079.

In this connection, the company is expected to establish mini laboratory in Raksirang rural municipality and provide training to local human resources for operation and management of laboratory. 

3. Methodology

The methodology includes the following:

• Field visit for site assessment, discussion with project staff and Palika authority.
• Procurement of required equipment, chemicals and delivery to the site.
• Installation of water quality testing mini-laboratory in the room provided by Raksirang rural municipality.
• Operation of mini- laboratory.
• Training to local human resources provided by Raksirang for operation and management of the laboratory.

4. Responsibilities 

• Establishment of water quality testing mini laboratory in Raksirang rural municipality which is fully equipped with required equipment, chemicals and furniture etc.
• Operation of the laboratory and training to lab technician/local human resources on operation and management of laboratory.
• Submission of report of laboratory establishment, operation and training.

5. Key deliverables

• Well-furnished water quality testing mini-laboratory in Raksirang rural municipality.
• Trained human resources for operation and management of mini-laboratory.
• Report of water quality laboratory establishment.

6. Timeframe

The time period for establishing water quality mini-laboratory in Raksirang rural municipality will be 45 days (Including lab establishment, training and handover). The expected date of starting of this assignment is 15th July 2024.

7. Required Qualification and experience

The companies should have prior experience in establishing mini laboratories outside Kathmandu valley and have expert team having capacity to establish water quality testing mini-laboratory and provide training to local human resources for operation and management of laboratory. 

8. Document required

The application should include:

• A brief technical proposal outlining how the work will be undertaken, the team structure (around 5 pages maximum).
• Detailed budget breakdown (Budget sheet can be downloaded from RRN website, www.rrn.org.np)
• Detailed work plan.
• CVs of the proposed team members.
• Company profile, copies of registration and renewal certificate, VAT registration certificate and tax clearance certificate. 

9. Proposal deadline 

Interested and qualified companies are requested to submit sealed quotation as mentioned in TOR at RRN office Gairidhara Kathmandu by 17:00 hours of 30th June 2024.

Only short-listed companies will be contacted for further evaluation process. RRN reserves right to reject any or all application without any reasons.

Rural Reconstruction Nepal-RRN

288 Gairidharamarga, Gairidhara Kathmandu Nepal

Contact no.: 01-4004976; 01-4004985