Invitation to Bid for Subsidized bi-tunnel greenhouses - 10 greenhouses per supplier - 2022/001

1. Context

The ILO Office for the Arab States (ROAS) is implementing the PROSPECTS Programme to improve prospects of host communities and forcibly displaced persons in Lebanon. Under the PROSPECTS Lebanon project, ILO is committed to support covered horticulture farmers in Lebanon to increase productivity and ultimately incomes with a view to safeguarding jobs of both farmers and workers in the sector. Pilot trials conducted with 12 farmers in Akkar, and Beqaa have confirmed that upgrading traditional greenhouses to multi-span greenhouses with high standing walls, openings and insect nets can substantially increase productivity and revenues on farms in Lebanon.

However, in the current context characterized by multiple crises, investments in modern multi-span greenhouses are prohibitive. ILO will therefore ‘subsidize’ the purchase of multi-span greenhouses to support farmers in investing in high productivity multi-span greenhouses. Specifically, ILO will subsidize bi-tunnel greenhouses with the below specifications for any farmer (who fulfills the criteria outlined below) who wishes to purchase such a greenhouse.

2. Provision of subsidies

ILO is committed to making subsidies available to all greenhouse suppliers in the Lebanese market, provided they are capable of delivering greenhouses that fulfill certain minimum requirements as outlined below. Hence, a maximum of 5 suppliers may be selected to benefit from this scheme.

Each bi-tunnel greenhouse shall be subsidized with an amount of USD 3,000, so as to reduce the price that farmers have to pay for the purchase of a bi-tunnel greenhouse. However, only one subsidized greenhouse can be sold per client farm and recipient farms need to be restrictively located either in Akkar, North Lebanon or Beqaa governorates and have no more than 100 existing greenhouses.

Minimum requirements for the bi-tunnel greenhouse that will be subsidized are as follows:

- Number of spans: minimum of 2;

- Width of each span: 8m

- Length of each span: 41.5m ;

- Height: minimum 3.5m ;

- Structure made of galvanized steel with pillars consisting of tubes with minimum size 60 mm x 1.5 mm

- Cover: Polyethylene films, 180-200 microns ;

- Openings: at least 2 side ventilation opening with manual opening ;

- Nets: anti-insect nets at all openings 50 or 40 mesh.

It is important to note that these specifications are to be understood as minimum accetable standards. The specific characteristics and specifications of each multi-span greenhouses shall be determined in discussion with the farmer client and based on the need of the farmer in question as well as the requirements of the specific region and microclimate in which the farmer is situated. Hence, based on advice of the companies’ engineers, farmer clients may want to opt for greenhouses for example with additional front openings or roof ventilation, nets of specific mesh sizes and/or double doors to prevent entry of insects. Associated additional costs for these features shall be borne by the farmer client and are outside the scope of the subsidy provided by ILO to the greenhouse provider for each greenhous sold.

ILO will select up to 5 Lebanese greenhouse suppliers who can sell a batch of 10 subsidized greenhouses each. For the subsidy to be paid to the supplier, firms need to provide ILO with:

- Invoice that proofs the greenhouse was purchased by a farmer at the agreed upon price (price specified in the submitted bid minus the subsidy of USD 3,000)

- Commercial invoice addressed to ILO (MoF: 603-266693) at an amount of USD 3,000 for each greenhouse sold; the amount of the subsidy paid by ILO shall be vatable at 11%

- Contact details of the farmer who purchased the greenhouse to be used by ILO for potential visits and monitoring check-ups

ILO will commit the payment of the subsidy of USD 3,000 per sold greenhouse upon the installation of the greenhouse in the beneficiary’s farm and the receipt of the mentioned documents to the satisfaction of the ILO. The greenhouse supplier shall be requesting a payment from ILO every 2 months, amounting to USD 3,000 for each greenhouse sold; up to a maximum total of 10 greenhouses per supplier.

In return, any greenhouse supplier who participates in this scheme commits to:

- Make efforts to inform farmers with the right profile about the reduced price for their first investments in a bi-tunnel greenhouse while also informing them about the productivity benefits that these can bring to them. ILO support does not need to be mentioned in this regard. Rather, suppliers may decide to inform farmers as part of an overall marketing and sales initiative.

- Advise farmers on the specific greenhouse characteristics most suitable to their microclimate and specific needs (side openings, roof ventilations, double doors, best mesh size for nets, etc) and provide them with guidance on how to best use the bi-tunnel greenhouse based on results of conducted trials (i.e. crops for which productivity benefits are highest, possibilities to reduce frequency of pesticide sprays, possibility to extend seasons, etc.)

- Ensure timely delivery and installation of greenhouse and provide any after-sales services needed for farmers to make the most out of the multi-span greenhouses

3. Eligibility

The below are the eligibility criteria for bidders interested in participating in the proposed tender: 

- formalized firm with a valid Registration Certificate

- proven experience in greenhouse manufacturing and assembly

- verified technical and financial capability to provide the subsidies bi-tunnel greenhouses

- ability to produce, sell and install a total of 10 bi-tunnel greenhouses

For Interested bidders, please refer to the attached ITB Document