LBTY01593 - School Filter Maintenance

1. Introduction/Programme Information

Project Title: WASH cholera prevention and response activities in high cholera risk areas in Baalbeck-Hermel and South of Lebanon.

Starting Date: December 2022           End date: November 2023

General Objective: Rolling out a lifesaving cholera response to reduce transmission of the disease in affected areas and minimize the risk of introduction of the outbreak in other high-risk areas.

Donor Agency: LHF (OCHA)

Implementing NGO: Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Beneficiaries: Students and Schools’ Staff in 31 Schools in Sahel El Zahrani Union of Municipalities                                                                                                   

Introduction: Cholera is a virulent bacterial infection caused by contaminated water or food. It can spread quickly in areas with limited access to basic water, sanitation, and health services. The disease can kill within just hours due to severe acute watery diarrhoea that heads to quick body dehydration. In Lebanon, the lack of access to safe water and sanitation along with the vulnerable situation of a big part of the in-country population, including Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian refugee population, paths the way for a rapid spread of cholera in the country. 

In the public schools, the lack of financial resources and the inability of the schools' administration to withdraw their money from banks led to the lack of maintenance of the schools' water filters, which increased the risk of cholera spreading in the water and sanitation facilities.

In Lebanon, the first case of cholera was detected on 4th October 2022 in Menieh-Doniyyeh in the northern region of Akkar. This was the first case in 30 years. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) declared a cholera outbreak on 6th October and committed to support and coordinate the response. By 12^th December Lebanon had registered 5,136 confirmed cases and 23 deaths, and cholera had spread to the Governorates of Akkar, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, Nabatieh, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. Out of this total, about 67% were Syrian households, 30% Lebanese households, and 3% Palestinian and other nationality households. Sewage and water testing conducted by WHO in October also confirmed the presence of vibrio Cholera in Beirut Area (Bourj Hammoud) and Mount Lebanon. Furthermore, most cases so far have been found in Bebnine/Abdeh (Akkar), Rihanieh (Minieh Dannieh), Arsal (Baalbek) and Zahle. The same MoPH data highlights that 33 % of confirmed cases are between 0 – 4 years old, one of the most vulnerable population groups to be severely affected by Accute Watery Diarreah (AWD).

It is important to stress how the spread of cholera affects women and men, as well as diverse age groups, differently. Cholera is transmitted primarily through contaminated food and water, putting all members of the population at risk, especially children under 5 years old, immunocompromised and elders. This is important in public schools where the water and sanitation facilities need good hygiene practices to avoid the spread of cholera among the students and schools’ staff.

2. Objective of the service

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER will support 31 public schools to ensure safe water is delivered to students and school staff by maintaining water filters and conducting water quality tests through maintenance of the water filters.

The maintenance includes replacement and fix of all items, accessories, and materials for the water filters in 31 schools based on the pre-Identified BoQ which can be requested through email. Some schools require repair parts to be fixed, which are mentioned in the related BoQ.

Detailed BOQ for each school will be included in the tender document.

Water Quality test

Conducting a conductivity/TDS test on site for the school's water source for each water filter to ensure that all total dissolved solids are within minimum allowable limits. Conducting bacteriological and chemical water analysis from a certified laboratory (ISO 17025 or 9001) for the school's water source for each water filter after the maintenance process.

3. Clarification meeting

Clarification Meeting will be held on Wednesday 14^th of June 2023 starting time 10:00 am. The meeting link will be sent to the interested bidders after their confirmation. It’s mandatory to attend the Clarification meeting at the mentioned time and date. Questions not answered during the meeting  will be communicated - together with any clarifications in response to written requests in writing to all bidders no later than 15^th of June 2023 at 16:00 (local time of the Beirut strip). No further clarification will be provided after this date, even if collecting the dossier afterwards.

4. Expected Deliverables

First maintenance:

Proper maintenance/ Replacement/repairing of the water filters based on the BOQs to ensure proper functioning and that should be taken into consideration in the quoting process.
Some schools may have more than one water filter

Second maintenance:

Proper maintenance/ replacement/repairing of the water filters based on the BOQs to ensure proper functioning and that should be taken into consideration in the quoting process.
Some schools may have more than one water filter

Water Test

A complete bacteriological and chemical water analysis from a certified laboratory (ISO 17025 or 9001)  for the water source feeding the school

5. TECHNICAL AND ADMINSTRATIVE REQUIRMENTS FOR ADMISSION:

The Service Provider should submit:

• Past clients’ levels of satisfaction with the quality of previous works by the contractor
• Proven experience in conducting water filter installation and maintenance and water testing.
• Logical work plan with available resources to finalize the works.
• Time frame for the proposed work plan
• Company registration document
• Offer should contain Validity period
• Payment Schedule

6. Application

Bidders can request the bid document through [email protected]

Applicant should submit the following document by email to  [email protected] the latest by /June 16^th, 2023 before/at 16:00 (Beirut Time)

• ID of the owner/Manager
• Bank Account Details signed from the bank
• This ToR should be signed and stamped
• BoQs should be filled
• Request for Quotation (RFQ)

7. Evaluation of Application:

Application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Offer (40%)
2. Financial offer (50%).
3. Administrative (10%)