SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- Sole Source - Hydrogeological Assessment - Niger
- Notice Date
- 12/31/2015
- Notice Type
- Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
- NAICS
- 541618
— Other Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, Washington DC, 875 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20005
- ZIP Code
- 20005
- Solicitation Number
- MCC-16-RFQ-0046
- Archive Date
- 1/22/2016
- Point of Contact
- MERLE PHILLIPS, Phone: 2027726319
- E-Mail Address
-
phillipsmc@mcc.gov
(phillipsmc@mcc.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This announcement is a notice of intent to issue a sole source contract under the requirements of FAR Part 15 and FAR 6.302-1," Other Than Full and Open Competition - one responsible source". The applicable NAICS Code is 541618 with a size standard of $14.0M. The award will be made ICA (Ingenieurs Conseils Associes) Niger. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) intends to issue a sole source, non-commercial for a contractor/consultant to provide expert services to prepare a hydrogeological assessment of potential groundwater resources to support the development of a Compact Program for MCC funding. MCC is launching this solicitation with the Government of Niger (GoN), acting through the Unité de Coordination des Programmes du Millennium Challenge (UC-PMC). The services under this solicitation will be funded under a Grant Implementation Agreement By and Between the MCC and the GoN, and administered as MCC Contracted Activities. This contract is being awarded under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1 - "Only one responsible source" as the only viable course of action that provides uninterrupted continuation of critical services. This contract will be awarded to ICA (Ingenieurs Conseils Associes), Niger, BP 11196 Niamey, Niger. There will be no change to the existing specifications or service requirements and the period of performance of the contract will be for 4.5 weeks. Justification Pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 253 © (1), FAR 6.302-1, only one Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services will Satisfy Agency Requirements in this case because ICA/Niger brings a particular and unmatched expertise and knowledge of the Konni irrigated perimeter, due to the previous analyses carried out by their Hydrogeologist of the zone. This was carried out for earlier efforts by the Niger Coordination Unit (UC-PMC) to understand the overall groundwater situation in the Maggia Valley, within which the project zone lies. It involved on-the-ground assessment, hydrogeological data collection, mapping and analyses. These analysis provide the foundation for more site-specific analyses required for this assignment, and can be considered a logical continuation of that work. Specialized Hydrogeological expertise is rare in Niger and ICA's Hydrogeologist brings not only this technical expertise (verified by MCC's Independent Engineer), but an intimate knowledge of the project zone. ICA is therefore uniquely positioned to build on previous work to provide the requirement at modest cost and in a timely manner, utilizing local staff and laboratory resources. Competition: Due to the highly specialized nature of this requirement and limited number of qualified Hydrogeologists in Niger, it is concluded that any other entity in-country or even from outside the country could adequately respond to a call for proposals for this assignment or provide the same level of service at a reasonable cost. Moreover, the small size of the task is not sufficient to attract non-Nigerien bidders. Market Research: During the course of due diligence activities, the Country Team explored the extent of local Hydrogeology expertise and did not find anyone qualified in-country available during the time frame for this assignment. Identification of Interested Parties As noted above, no other potential sources were identified due to the rarity of this expertise in Niger. Moreover, the cost of bringing international experts for such a small assignment would be prohibitive. DESCRIPTIONS / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK 1 INTRODUCTION The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a Federal Corporation created under Title VI of the Foreign Operation, Export Financing, and related Programs Appropriations Act, 2004. As a United States government-owned corporation responsible for the stewardship of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), MCC works with developing countries to promote sustainable economic growth to reduce poverty. MCC's work is based on the principle that aid is most effective in countries that promote good governance, provide economic freedom, and make investments in people. MCC provides large grants to a small number of eligible developing countries. MCC looks at likely distributive effects of projects and, to the extent that data are available to perform such analyses, identifies their beneficiaries and estimates their impact on poverty reduction. Ultimately, MCC seeks significant and measurable decreases in the numbers of poor people and significant reductions of poverty. In addition, MCC-funded projects need to be implemented within a Compact period of five years. Further details on the MCC and its methodology may be viewed at http://www.mcc.gov. 2 SCOPE The objective of this assignment is to assess the extent to which the perimeter's groundwater resources may be tapped to supplement surface water irrigation on the current perimeters and assess the potential for expanding the perimeter using groundwater resources. To this end, the Consultant shall carry out a hydrological assessment of the potential groundwater resources in the irrigated perimeter of Konni. The proposed Konni Irrigation Rehabilitation consists of rehabilitating a system of two cascading surface runoff dams, a downstream collection reservoir and conduit, as well as the 2,452 HA perimeter. Over the last ten years, due to limited water supply through the system, 700 HA are not irrigated in either season and the dry season area under irrigation (maize and wheat) has diminished due to insufficient water supply. The proposed project aims to restore the system to its original intended capacity. Proposed works include potentially increasing the capacity of the dams and the collection reservoir, soil conservation in the catchment to stem the siltation problem that has constrained the capacity of the system, and repairs and rehabilitation of the irrigation system to reduce water losses and improve efficiency. The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the MCC, with day-to-day coordination in-country with the UC-PMC, in accordance with Annex 1 of this SOW. 3 TASKS Task 1: Demarcation of the Study Area This will be carried out by a mapping team who will demarcate the study area with the support of a geographic information system (GIS). Task 2: Exhaustive Inventory of Existing Hydraulic Structures The study area shall be divided into four (4) sectors. Within each sector, the Consultant shall carry out an exhaustive inventory of all wells and other hydraulic structures. Task 3: Define the Geometric Layout of the Alluvial (shallow) Aquifer This will be carried out through geophysical analysis based on electronic soundings (Schlumberger type) at 40 locations within the study area. Task 4: Conduct Sample Pumping Tests Pumping tests will be carried out on a sample of five (5) wells for a period of six (6) hours, followed by recharge time of one (1) hour. Task 5: Piezo-metric Variation Observations Water level variations will be observed using automatic piezometers installed at five (5) observation wells during a period of three (3) days. Task 6: Infiltration Tests Infiltration rates shall be observed at four (4) sample sites. Task 7: Porosity Analysis This will be carried out through a geotechnical team who will take ten (10) soil samples, which would be analyzed at a soils laboratory in Niamey. Task 8: Report A draft Report shall be submitted no later than four (4) weeks following mobilization. A Final Report shall be submitted one week after receipt of comments. 4 DELIVERABLES AND ESTIMATED SCHEDULE The period for this Contract is assumed to be 4.5 weeks Tasks Timing (weeks) Contractor Mobilization T+0 Task 0 Work Plan T+0.25 Task 1 Demarcation of the Study Area T+0.5 Task 2 Exhaustive Inventory of Existing Hydraulic Structures T+1.0 Task 3 Define the Geometric Layout of the Alluvial (shallow) Aquifer T+2.0 Task 4 Conduct Sample Pumping Tests T+1.5 Task 5 Piezo-metric Variation Observations T+2.5 Task 6 Infiltration Tests T+3.0 Task 7 Porosity Analysis T+3.5 Task 8: Draft Report Final Report 5 STAFFING AND ESTIMATED LEVEL OF EFFORT The Consultant shall mobilize a Team Leader/Hydrogeologist and appropriate local staff to accomplish the various field surveys and analyses noted above. Hydrogeologist/Team Leader • Responsible for the coordination of all field surveys, analyses and report writing. This will include quantitative and qualitative characterization and assessment of the extent to which subsurface water resources are being utilized. • At least 15 years confirmed professional experience as a hydrogeologist in Niger and first-hand knowledge of the project zone. • Degree in hydrogeology from a recognized institution. • Speaking, writing, reading proficiency in French. Contracting Office Address: Millennium Challenge Corporation Contracts and Grants Management Division 1099 Fourteenth Street, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005 This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, responses should be emailed to Ms. Merle Phillips, Senior Contract Specialist, at merle.phillips@mcc.gov and received no later than January 5, 2016. ANNEX 1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR MCC CONTRACTED ACTIVITIES The Government shall participate in the following aspects of the implementation of the Activities and shall have the following obligations and responsibilities in respect of each MCC Contracted Activity: 1. Review and comment on the terms of reference for each MCC Service Provider procurement within an agreed timeframe. Facilitate and cooperate in the obtaining of all necessary permits, consents, and approvals necessary or advisable for the successful and timely performance of all aspects of each Activity, and assist in the identification and contracting of appropriate office space by each MCC Service Provider at such MCC Service Provider's expense. Verify the services performed by an MCC Service Provider and provide such other documents or information as may be requested by MCC (including in connection with MCC's determination of the acceptability of an invoice) and provide a prompt response to any such request for verification or information within five (5) business days. If requested by MCC, ensure a qualified representative of the Government with the relevant technical expertise is available to assist any MCC Service Provider or any MCC technical expert in the performance of the services. Coordinate, as requested, meetings with related agencies, in order to review relevant deliverables provided by any MCC Service Provider and the performance of such MCC Service Provider in connection with the fulfillment of the applicable Activities. Inform each Service Provider of, and facilitate access by each MCC Service Provider to, as appropriate, relevant donor, industry and technical meetings in such MCC Service Provider's field. In connection with the mobilization of each MCC Service Provider: (a) Perform an introduction and orientation for the MCC Service Provider at the commencement of Activity start-up and perform weekly consultations with the MCC Service Provider; (b) Participate in the monitoring of the MCC Service Provider's performance and the progress of each Activity; prepare regular reviews of Activity progress, reports and deliverables of the MCC Service Provider; and review and comment on work plans, reports and other major deliverables; (c) If requested by MCC, submit to MCC, within two weeks of receipt of such request, or such other time as MCC may specify, a memorandum reviewing and commenting on the MCC Service Provider's major deliverables; (d) In a timely manner, respond to the MCC Service Provider's requests for contact information and for organizing meetings with local private sector, civil society, and public agencies as needed to facilitate the tasks called for in the terms of reference; and (e) Participate in regular tripartite conference calls, every fifteen days or at such additional intervals as may be requested by either Party, with the MCC Service Provider and MCC, in order to review the progress and any issues associated with the fulfillment of the Activities. Ensure that any applicable ministries, agencies, or other entities of the Government required for the successful implementation of the Grant enter into such further agreements or memoranda of understanding as may be requested by MCC to specify the responsibilities of such Government entities with respect to the Objective of this Grant.
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