DAWERR-Request for Expression of Interest for Construction Contractors for Baskinta

Purpose of this Request for EOIs

ECODIT Beirut LLC (henceforth ECODIT) is soliciting expressions of interest and submission of pre-qualification data (Phase 1) from qualified Bidders/Construction Contractors for the construction of an organic waste composting station, including land preparation works, in Baskinta, Matn District - see Attachment A. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) formed by ECODIT will evaluate all Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received and short-list up to three bidders/contractors based on the eligibility for pre-qualification and the evaluation factors described in this request for EOIs.  Subsequently, ECODIT will issue a separate Request for Quote (RFQ; Phase 2) to all short-listed contractors, inviting them to submit detailed quotes in response to final tender documents for that town. The TEC will evaluate the offers received based on the evaluation criteria that will be listed in the RFQ and select one contractor for the construction works in Baskinta.

Background

ECODIT is implementing the USAID Diverting Waste by Encouraging Reuse and Recycling (DAWERR) Activity (2020-2025), which aims to improve the social, environmental and economic well-being of the Lebanese citizens through establishing sustainable and replicable integrated solid waste diversion and valorization solutions in rural areas of Lebanon.

DAWERR has the following three objectives:

1. Build the capacity and commitment of municipalities to provide improved SWM services either directly or indirectly;
2. Empower communities to sort at the source and participate actively in various stages of the Recycling Value Chains (RVCs); and
3. Develop successful business models that create green economic opportunities and generate net incomes along the value chains. 

DAWERR is developing sustainable composting value chains for organic waste and strengthening existing RVCs for recyclable materials in four pilot municipalities, including Baskinta, and will support replication of the successful pilots in additional municipalities across Lebanon. In addition, DAWERR will develop integrated solid waste management solutions in three unions or clusters of municipalities.

Scope of Work for the Construction Works

This Request for Expressions of Interest, and the subsequent RFQ, concern the construction works for the composting station in the pilot municipality of Baskinta. DAWERR will support Baskinta Municipality and its local community to develop sustainable composting value chain for organic waste, including source separation, collection, and composting of organic waste through the construction of small-scale, low-tech, low-cost composting station, creating local demand for the compost produced for agricultural, landscaping, or other uses as soil conditioner/fertilizer supplement.

In Baskinta, DAWERR is planning to install a Container Composter that will be fabricated separately by another contractor, who will bring the container composter to the site and install it after the construction works have been completed. Exhibit 1 outlines the scope of works (SOW) for the municipality, the construction contractor, and other DAWERR contractors to complete the construction of the composting station in Baskinta. The Construction Contractor will be expected to take possession of the site and begin construction, noting that the municipality and other DAWERR contractors will contribute to construction works as detailed in Exhibit 1.

Eligibility to Pre-Qualify

To be eligible to submit an EOI in response to this Request for EOIs and be considered for pre-qualification, a construction contractor must:

1. Be classified in the second category and above of buildings and public works classification at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and provide a proof of such classification;
2. Be registered in the Commercial Registry with a valid registration, and provide a copy of registration showing validity through September 30, 2023 or beyond;
3. Be registered with the Directorate of Value Added Tax (VAT) and provide a copy of the certificate of registration;
4. Operate a non-bankrupt business and provide (1) a non-bankruptcy statement issued by the competent bankruptcy court, and (2) a statement of the Bidder that he/she is not under judicial liquidation, issued by the Commercial Court; both statements should be dated no more than six months before the deadline for submitting the EOI;
5. Have a Professional Liability Insurance Policy with coverage for at least $500,000 for any one claim and $1,000,000 in the aggregate and provide a copy of it, or provide a signed Commitment letter to obtain such insurance prior to contract execution;
6. Provide a signed Commitment letter to obtain a Contractor’s All Risk (CAR) insurance policy, Contractor General Liability Insurance policy, Workers’ Compensation Insurance (all-in-one or separate policies) prior to contract execution ; and
7. Have implemented at least one similar project worth at least $100,000 successfully in the past three years and provide relevant supporting documentation.   

Procurement Timeline

ECODIT will issue the RFQ for Baskinta only after it receives the necessary permits and approvals for the construction works envisioned in that town -i.e., environmental approvals, establishment permit, and construction permit. ECODIT has already received the environmental approvals and has applied for the establishment permit for this project, which once issued ECODIT will apply for the construction permit. ECODIT is also in the process of finalizing the design and tender documents for the construction works of Baskinta composting station.

Subject to obtaining all approvals/permits and finalizing all necessary documents, the tentative timeline for the procurement of services for the construction of Baskinta organic waste composting station, is approximately as follows:

January 5, 2023           Request for EOIs issued and advertised on Daleel Madan and ECODIT Website  

January 12, 2023         Deadline for submitting Questions

January 16, 2023         Updated Request for EOIs, including Questions and Answers, posted on Daleel Madani and ECODIT website 

Jan 30, 2023                Deadline for receiving EOIs from interested bidders (no later than 5:00 pm Beirut time)

February 10, 2023*     Short-listed bidders selected, and notifications sent by email to bidders that were not short listed

March 31, 2023*         Baskinta RFQ sent to short-listed bidders

April 7, 2023*              Deadline for short-listed bidders to submit detailed Quotes for Baskinta

April 14, 2023*           Selection of Construction Contractor and issuing subcontract for the construction of Baskinta organic waste composting station (to be implemented over a 4-month period)

*Tentative dates

Disclaimer

ECODIT reserves the right to change or cancel the procurement at any time during the EOI and/or follow-on solicitation process. ECODIT also reserves the right to require compliance with additional conditions when issuing the RFQ. Responding to this Request for EOIs does not automatically guarantee receipt of the solicitation documents when issued. Invitations to bid or requests for quotes and any subsequent purchase order or contract will be issued in accordance with the rules and procedures of USAID and ECODIT.

Notes:

1. ECODIT Beirut LLC is exempt from paying VAT under license number EFF/2021/64 issued by the Ministry of Finance on 06/29/2020.  
2. During implementation and following every payment request submitted by the construction contractor, ECODIT will review and issue a payment verification report. Based on the payment verification report, and unless the Contractor can provide a performance bond and a retention bond, ECODIT will pay to the construction contractor the amount invoiced and approved after deducting 15% as retention. ECODIT will release two-thirds of the retention (or 10% of the total amounts invoiced and approved) upon completion of works and keep the remaining one-third (or 5% of the total amounts invoiced and approved) as financial guarantee during the defect liability period (12 months).