TOR for TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICE ON FOREST BIOMASS-BASED BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION UNIT ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION

Terms of Reference (TOR) for TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICE ON FOREST BIOMASS-BASED BIOFERTILIZER PRODUCTION UNIT ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION IN KALIGANDAKI, SYANGJA

1. BACKGROUND

Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja, contains nine community-managed forests totaling about 2.4 km². Agriculture is a primary livelihood for most households, yet local production is constrained by declining soil fertility and a heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. At the same time, large volumes of forest leaf litter accumulate seasonally and are often unmanaged or burned, increasing air pollution and wildfire risk, while wasting valuable organic matter that could restore soil health. The rural municipality is aiming to respond to these interconnected challenges through a circular bio-economy approach: collecting forest biomass, converting it into high-quality organic fertilizer, making it available for farmers to adopt regenerative practices, improve soil health, and promote a green economy, while controlling wildfire risk from unmanaged forest biomass.

Heifer Project International Nepal (HPIN) is a non-profit and humanitarian organization dedicated to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. HPIN has been working in partnership with various local governments to advance sustainable agrifood systems, inclusive economic growth, and climate resilience. HPIN, together with Kaligandaki Rural Municipality (RM), Syangja, Division Forest Office (DFO), Syangja, and community stakeholders, intends to promote a circular green economy approach that addresses interconnected challenges of soil degradation, wildfire risk from unmanaged forest biomass, and public health. The approach links forest biomass collection and processing with community-based biofertilizer production and the adoption of sustainable agriculture. In this context, HPIN has agreed to provide technical support to the municipality and the local stakeholders on bio-fertilizer production and promotion. This ToR is prepared to select and mobilize a qualified consulting firm to provide specialized technical advisory services for the aforementioned.   

2. OBJECTIVE OF ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of this assignment is to provide end-to-end technical advisory service for the establishment and operationalization of a community-owned biofertilizer production system in Kaligandaki RM, Syangja. 

3. DESCRIPTION OF TASK / SCOPE OF WORK

a. Scientific and Technical Services

• Assessment and GIS-based mapping of the forest biomass availability by types, seasonality, location, elevations, CFUGs, and their sustainability
• Stratified soil and forest biomass sampling (50 pre and 50 post samples), including field data capture (GPS coordinates) and laboratory analysis of physio-chemical properties and microbial analysis to assess baseline soil health and biomass characteristics. 
• Isolation, identification, and formulation of native, agriculturally beneficial microbial consortia sourced from the program area for application in biofertilizer production.
• Develop appropriate bio-fertilizer production technology, including the use of sustainable harvest of biomass; efficient waste treatment and composting techniques, an appropriate ratio of different ingredients for quality bio-fertilizer production, and the use of beneficial microorganisms.  
• Develop a detailed technical protocol and standard operating procedure (SOP) for forest biomass-based bio-fertilizer production from collection, processing, production, storage, and waste management. 
• Design and supervision of demonstration plots covering biomass collection, production processes, and farm application across at least five communities and relevant production/farm sites.

b. Technical support on infrastructure design and procurement 

• Provide technical advice on procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of machinery and equipment. 
• Ensure the fertilizer production process flows and lines of production equipment are arranged appropriately for increased efficiency. 
• Provide technical requirements for the facility for the biomass collection units, central processing unit, and warehouse facility.

c. Capacity Building, Training, and Extension

• Review existing policies, guidelines, and regulatory requirements related to forest biomass utilization and bio-fertilizer production in Nepal (including quality standards, registration process, and other compliances) and provide technical support to (re)formulate in relevance to the local context. 
• Conduct hands-on training for the local plant operators and extension staff on the biofertilizer production process. 
• Build the capacity of local plant operators and extension workers on isolation, multiplication, and application of bio-organisms in the bio-fertilizer production process. 
• Provide technical guidance and advisory support on the establishment and operation of a mini-lab at the local level for isolation, multiplication, and application of beneficial bio-organisms. 
• Prepare a training manual / Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials (in Nepali) on the use of bio-fertilizer, appropriate for farmers, CFUG members, and local technicians.
• Facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing through virtual and field demonstrations and learning events.

4. METHODOLOGY

This assignment shall adopt a phased, participatory, adaptive, and results-oriented methodology to ensure that the bio-fertilizer production unit is technically sound, environmentally sustainable, socially acceptable, and economically viable. The methodology integrates technical assessment, hands-on implementation support, capacity building, and operational backstopping.  The consultant shall work closely with the multistakeholder team of local government and stakeholders at the local level to further detail and refine the methodology and delivery plan; however, the following, not limited to, shall be included: 

A. Inception and planning: The assignment will begin with an inception meeting with HPIN and Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, followed by consultations with Kaligandaki RM, DFO–Syangja, CFUGs, and relevant local institutions to clarify the ToR and implementation approach. A review of relevant national policies and guidelines on forest biomass utilization and biofertilizer production will be conducted. An inception report outlining the methodology, work plan, timeline, and coordination mechanism will be prepared. 

B. Resource Assessment and baseline: A systematic assessment of forest biomass availability, sustainability, and suitability will be carried out through field surveys and consultations with CFUGs. Biomass types, seasonal availability, and collection feasibility will be identified. Stratified soil sampling will be conducted to establish baseline soil chemical and physical properties, and all biomass sources will be screened for compliance with sustainable forest management principles. 

C. Technology Selection and Unit Design: Appropriate low-cost and locally manageable biofertilizer production technologies will be assessed and selected. The production unit layout, workflow, equipment, and infrastructure requirements will be designed. SOPs will be developed for biomass handling, processing, production, storage, quality control, and environmental and occupational safety management. 

D. Unit Establishment and Operational Support: The service provider will support procurement, installation, and establishment of the production unit, including trial production runs and operational troubleshooting. Biofertilizer quality standards aligned with national guidelines/standards, and simple quality control and record-keeping systems will be introduced. The experts should provide on-site technical backstopping and operational troubleshooting support to the plant operators, for at least one full production cycle, to address different operational challenges. Such support should be minimum 70% on-site (physical) and remote (30%) of the length of engagement of the respective experts.   

E. Capacity Building and Training: Training and hands-on demonstrations will be provided to biofertilizer production plant operators, CFUG members, and local extension staff on the entire production processes, enterprise management, costing, basic business planning, brand registration, and market development, including branding and marketing. Further, support to establish a mini laboratory facility at the production unit or agriculture section of the local government to extract, handle, preserve, and multiply beneficial microorganisms for use in the fertilizer production process shall be provided. In addition, operational capacity strengthening support should be provided to the plant operating cooperative and CFUG on risk assessment, risk management, regulatory compliance, and business development for sustainability and growth perspectives. 

F. Assignment completion and handover: A completion report will be submitted, including key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling and sustainability, followed by formal handover of the production unit and documentation.

5. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Inception report including detailed methodology, milestones, and workplan 
• Forest biomass resource assessment report 
• Detailed technical protocol for bio-fertilizer production (500mt/yr) 
• Local soil and biomass-based microbial extraction report and sample
• Establishment of 5 demonstration plots and their performance report compared with baseline.  
• At least one training manual and one IEC material
• Scientific analysis report of the bio-fertilizer produced from the unit. 
• Monthly progress report
• Assignment completion report 

6. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT  

The estimated duration of this assignment is approximately 9 months. The entire assignment is broadly divided into two phases (a) active setup phase till June 2026, during which the equipment setup and pilot production start, and (b) scaling and extension phase, during which quality test, compliances, SOP and operational support are planned. A detailed phase-wise implementation plan with defined milestones shall be finalized during the inception phase and approved by Kaligandaki RM and HPIN. The final report of this assignment shall be submitted no later than 30 November 2026. 

7. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS OF THE CONSULTANT  

This assignment may require experts from a multidisciplinary field, including agricultural science, environmental science, forestry, GIS, Mechanical Engineer and microbiology. The length of engagement (LOE) of individual experts shall vary depending on their role and expected deliveries. However, the team leader should have at least a master’s degree in agriculture, forestry, environmental science, biotechnology, or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience. 

8. HEIFER’S INPUT AND COUNTERPART PERSONNEL

This shall be an individual service agreement in accordance with Heifer's procurement policy. Heifer should provide relevant information, project documents, and resources to the consultant and facilitate coordination between the consultants and concerned stakeholders/institutions as and when necessary. The project shall not provide any logistical support to the consultant during the execution of the consultancy service. Heifer shall designate a primary contact person who will act as a professional and support counterpart to the consultant team for any necessary assistance. Further, Kaligandaki RM shall designate a primary contact person for all necessary coordination and collaboration at the local level and liaise with groundwork and Heifer. The consultant shall work closely with her/him and the team members concerned regarding quality deliverables. 

9. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 

All information, knowledge outputs, and deliverables, including the microbial consortia and technology, produced under this assignment shall remain the property of Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja, and Heifer Project International Nepal, who shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, the information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever without the written consent from Kaligandaki Rural Municipality and Heifer Project International Nepal in line with the National and International Copyright Laws applicable. HPIN and Kaligandaki Rural Municipality, Syangja mutually reserve full rights to edit, reproduce, distribute, or use them without further consent from the consultant/company. However, any knowledge, products, technology, and resources owned by the parties before and beyond this assignment shall remain their respective copyright ownership.  

10. HOW TO APPLY?

Heifer Project International Nepal invites applications from qualified firms/Individuals (VAT registered and at least 3 years of similar experience) for this assignment, along with copies of the following documents to                    Procurement-NP@heifer.org mention email subject line “Technical support on biofertilizer production in Syangja” no later than 6th  March 2026, 5 : 00 PM. Incomplete applications and applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 

• Cover letter
• Comprehensive technical proposal
• Financial proposal with details breakdown
• CV of experts highlighting relevant experience and expertise
• Firm Registration / Renewal certificate
• VAT Registration certificate
• Tax Clearance Certificate FY 081/82

Applications received with incomplete documents and after the due date will be disqualified. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the further evaluation process. Applications will be evaluated based on understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology and approach, relevant experience, qualifications, and cost-effectiveness of the proposal. All the application information and documents shall be kept strictly confidential and used only for this evaluation process. HPIN reserves all the rights to reject any or all applications without providing any reasons.