Call for Engineering Firm - Water for the Land of Water Program

Context & Background

Michel Daher Social Foundation (MDSF), established in 2014, is a Lebanese NGO dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by communities in Central Bekaa. Committed to creating an environment where individuals can achieve their highest potential, the foundation focuses on community health care, economic and human capacity building, sustainable community development, and livelihood. MDSF's mission is rooted in providing support to help people overcome life challenges and to make a positive impact on the Bekaa community.

Project Overview

The project aims to increase access to safe and reliable water services among communities in Zahle Caza, Lebanon, with a focus on improving the capacities of the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) and enhancing water services for upstream and downstream communities of Jdita. The project includes technical and material capacity strengthening, community engagement, facilitation of allocation agreements, and activation of the regional water network. 

We are seeking an engineering firm to determine the real energy needs of water production facilities and the improvements that can be made in efficiency-improvement interventions and/or modification to the operating modality, as well as comparatively analyzing interventions on energy supply.

The implementation should take place in two phases: the first in June and the second in September including assessment, analysis, and solution preliminary design. 

July Schedule: 

• Pre-Site Work: First 10-14 days of July 2024
• Site Work: The following 10 days
• The First Report: Subsequent 10 days

October Schedule:

• Pre-Site Work: First 10 days starting mid-October 2024
• Site Work: The next 4 days
• The Second and Final Report: The following 5 days

Scope of Work

The energy audit and hydraulic analysis should include the three water well sources, treatment efficiency, and storage procedures. 

Determine the real current energy use/needs of water production facilities and the improvements that can be made in efficiency-improvement interventions and/or modification to the operating modality, as well as comparatively analyze interventions on energy supply alternatives.

1. Pre-site Work (July and October 2024):

• Conduct comprehensive pre-site work, including data collection and evaluation of water establishment, wells, water pumps, and solar panels.
• Assess the hydraulic efficiency of the water station, including water flow, pressure, and distribution.
• Analyze energy efficiency and optimize operations.
• Prepare an energy audit report with no-cost, low-cost, and long-term recommendations after each audit.
• Conduct initial interviews with all relevant staff to facilitate the audit process and data collection.
• Audit current energy usage for the past one to three years, including collecting utility bills and evaluating power sources' technical condition. 
• Develop a site sketch, including a single-line diagram with technical specifications of each phase
• Prepare a checklist and questions to record issues within the water station facility.
• Identify goals through a second meeting with the community and BWE to discuss expected outcomes and address questions and concerns.

2. Site Inspection:

• Visit the water station facility to conduct site inspections, including:
• The engineering firm will analyze all data gathered during the site work, including measurements from equipment testing, water testing, leakage assessments, and system evaluations. This analysis will help to identify inefficiencies, calculate potential energy savings, and assess the overall performance of the water infrastructure.
• Identifies the most significant and cost-effective energy efficiency improvements with respect to the water productivity needs and efficiency, including an estimate of the energy and cost savings.
• Inspecting pumps with measurements and comparing their efficiency and work status against datasheets.
• Inspecting power sources with measurements to check their efficiency, power production, load segmentation, and equilibrium.
• Use specialized tools and equipment to measure and evaluate energy performance, including water flow meters, infrared scanners, and power data loggers. 

3. Post-Site Work (November 2024 - April 2025):

• Evaluate the information gathered during the site visit, including analyzing collected data, executing calculations, and brainstorming the most relevant and effective implementation and efficiency opportunities.
• Review and clarify notes taken during the energy audit, analyze all collected data, and perform qualitative tasks to ensure a good selection of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) and Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM).
• Calculate energy savings and execute needed simulations.
• Prepare detailed audit and hydraulic analysis reports in July and another one in September outlining the findings from both the pre-site and site work phases. This report will highlight areas where improvements can be made and suggest specific energy conservation measures (ECM) and energy efficiency measures (EEM) and will include no-cost, low-cost and long-term recommendations. 
• Implement, with BWE staff, all no-cost recommendations and the most impactful energy efficiency recommendations identified in the energy audit report, focusing on low-cost measures.
• Coordinate with the project team and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and effective implementation.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Energy Audit and Hydraulic Analysis Report ( to be presented to key stakeholders):

• Detailed audit and hydraulic analysis report highlighting areas for improvement, specific energy conservation measures (ECM) and energy efficiency measures (EEM), and no-cost, low-cost, and long-term recommendations. Recommendations focus on optimizing the use of existing equipment and infrastructure, upgrading or replacing inefficient systems, and enhancing operational protocols to reduce energy consumption.
• Initial report in August and a final report (including initial report findings) in November, including recommendations and study of alternatives.
• Presentation of the final report to key stakeholders, including the BWE and the Governor.
• Detailed evaluation report at the end of April 2025 to show the impact of the energy audit and hydraulic analysis.
• Delivery of preventive maintenance presentation to BWE staff on-site, along with the development of a preventive maintenance checklist.
• Completion of a no-cost checklist after BWE implementation of the no-cost recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (Masters or PhD is a plus) 
• Portfolio of previous work on similar projects.
• At least 2 years of experience performing energy efficiency audits.
• Equivalent professional qualifications to manage, maintain, or evaluate building systems, as well as specialized training in energy efficiency audits and maintenance of building systems, as determined by the project engineer.
• Certification or License is a must.

Selection Criteria:

• The firm will be selected based on:
• ID and Legal papers are a must
• Technical Competence: This encompasses the consultant's experience and past projects, expertise, knowledge, tools, project understanding, and ability to propose innovative solutions. It constitutes 60% of the scoring criteria.
• Value for Money: This criterion assesses the cost-effectiveness of the consultant's services compared to their competitors while ensuring quality and meeting project objectives. It accounts for 40% of the scoring.