hiring of consultant to conduct the Soil Survey in two Districts of Kunduz Province

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

For

 hiring of consultant to conduct the Soil Survey in two Districts of Kunduz Province

Publication Date: May 17, 2021

REoI No: MAIL/PD/QCBS/CS/154/1400

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan represented by the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock received a grant/ fund under grant number AFG/ 390331 from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in 1400 and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this fund to implement The Soil Survey of Two Districts, Kunduz Province.

Background of the projects

The Soil Research Directorate (SRD) is one of the key directorates of the Agriculture research institute of Afghanistan, MAIL. It has four departments, which are; a) Soil laboratory, b) Soil survey and Classification, c) Soil mapping, and d) Soil fertility and reclamation department.

Currently, this directorate works in the field of soil survey, soil analysis, classification and soil mapping, along with the implementation of soil fertility and reclamation research experiments. From the four departments of soil research directorate; the soil survey department is one of the key departments, which is the base of the soil directorate and the start point of the directorate works.

Soil Research Directorate with financial and technical support of FAO has conducted soil survey of 26 districts from mid-1396 to 1397 S.H. under the Afghanistan Soil Information System (AfSIS) project. After completion of the mentioned project, SRD continued the soil survey and yet completed 20 districts by it’s own technical and financial resources.

The Soil Research Directorate is committed to study soils of the entire country by 1404 (2025), that contribution of the private sector is vital to achieve the fixed target. For this, this directorate has decided to conduct soil survey and mapping of at least fifteen districts through its staff, and begin with two districts to be surveyed by any competent consultancy company. The total number of soil profiles will be around 120 and 240 surface samples to be studied in two districts (capital of Kunduz and Dasht-e-Archi), Kunduz Province.

Objectives of the projects

The overall objective of this soil assignment is to accomplish soil survey of the Kunduz capital related lands and Dasht-e-archi District in Kunduz Province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, based on the recommended semi detail survey type.

Scope of Work

The soil information data collection and synthesis would be carried out to explore the agriculture potential of the two districts (Kunduz capital and Dasht-e-Archi) in Kunduz Province. The survey will explore the soil depth up to commonly used agriculture crops rooting depth of 2m or up to restriction depth to rock (or whichever is first). The primary concern for plant-available soil nutrients is those that influence suitable crop growth and development in Afghanistan (also known as macro and micro plant nutrients). The soil testing, nomenclature, and classification schemes used are those recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations soil description procedure (FAO, 2006[1]).

Methodology of work:

To complete The Soil Survey of Two Districts, Kunduz Province the methodology will include the following.

1. Planning and data collection

Planning for data collection and soil mapping should be carried out concerning 1) determination of soil mapping units and choosing representative sample sites by Q-field application; 2) Data collection tools and field soil survey. Where field soil survey needs to be done by ODK (Open Data Kit) application.

2. Determination of soil mapping units and sample selection

The determination of soil sampling sites depend on soil forming factors, soil variation and selected scale in the GIS. Hence, Site selection (soil profile points) for the target area to be selected as a semi-detail survey (1:50,000 scale) considering soil forming factors and spatial extent. The total soil profile locations will be around 120 (0-200cm depth) +240 surface samples (30cm depth).

3. Field soil survey

The data will be collected via mobile application known as Open Data Kit (ODK). ODK Collection allows enumerator to collect data during surveys, monitoring visits, or even regular reporting using Android mobile device or tablet and the results sent directly to a central server.  Mobile data collection also collect advanced data such as GPS co-ordinates, images, videos, and time stamp data - all at once in the field.

The above mentioned application is already developed, and the method of its use will be instructed to the enumerator for survey and field data collection. In this protocol, the standard soil survey form is digitized into a mobile application and preloaded into a GSP-enabled mobile tablet. The sites map having each soil profile location will be preloaded into a GPS-enabled mobile or tablet application in order to guide the surveyors to the exact point in the field.

In the field, the data will be collected and profiled the soil based on the FAO, 2006[2] procedure. Soil profile and surface sample study will be digitally-filled and transmitted live to a central database throughout the survey. The server manages the data collection and database organization. 

The collected soil samples need to be shipped to soil laboratory of SRD, Kabul for further analysis. The contractor is not involved in their laboratory analysis, as they will be done by soil the laboratory of SRD itself.

The field data collection entails soil surface description, soil profile (0 – 200 cm deep) description, erosion assessments through practical measurements, and land use/cover description. Soil surface description to be conducted to quantify survey surface characteristics that influence water infiltration, crop germination and development, runoff-water quality, and salt accumulation. The soil profile description is to understand the soil depth, soil type, presence of below-ground characteristics influencing crop growth, groundwater movement, and to sample the soil for chemical analysis of existing plant-available soil nutrients. Soil erosion negatively affects the availability of plant nutrients, water holding capacity, and soil depth. During the field survey, data on the dominant type of erosion and erosion rates to be practically measured in necessary plots. On-going conservation practices and their status are to be recorded.

Table.1 Major Parameters, included in the developed digital soil survey form.

Required Equipment/applications for the field study

 The following equipment/items are required for this assignment:

• Tablet or Android mobile
• Q-field mobile application
• ODK mobile application
• Primary survey map of the area
• Soil coro sampler/auger for bulk density with 5 cm containers/tubes.
• Hardness meter for soil compaction
• Quality portable pH meter and EC meter
• Hydrochloric acid of 10 percent solution.
• Distilled water
• Beaker for soil pH and EC determination solution
• Clinometer to determine the land slope
• Hummer
• Shovel
• Profile address board  
• Zip plastic for transferring samples from the field to the laboratory
• Labels for sample information.

Key expert’s skill and experiences

The team will be comprised of technical surveyors, studied soil science or relevant field with the specific experience and background noted. The members of the team will have the skill and experience necessary to undertake the range of tasks set out in the ToR. Each individual on the team must be personally available to do the work as and when required. The firm will be held accountable, in terms of the contract, for ensuring project deliverables and for the professional conduct and integrity of the team.

The given number of personnel should be considered and appointed to conduct the assignment with following roles, responsibilities, and backgrounds:

Duration of the Project

The duration of the Services is to extend from the date of effectiveness of the Contract for approximately forty-five (45) days only.

The short listing criteria are:

1. The Consultant should be registered legal entity. The consultant should provide a valid copy of the business license with its EOI.
2. The consultant must provide proven experience of having executed at least one contract of similar nature and complexity (The consultant should provide a copy of the accomplished contract in carrying Soil Survey) during last 5 years with the minimum value of 1,400,000 AFN or its equivalent in any other currency, the consultants are required to provide copy of the similar contract with their EOI.

3. The consultant must at least provide a copy of the annual turnover at least reflecting the amount of 2,400,000 AFN or its equivalent in any other convertible currency during last five years, in shape of financial audit report, M16 form or any other credible financial documents generated by a third independent party.

4. Requirements for Consultants participating as Joint Venture, Consortium or Association:

• Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. If consultants intend to associate with other firms, they are advised to clearly identify the lead partner and state the composition and nature of their association (JV/ sub-consultant) in their EOI.

In case of association between the firms are in the form of JV, the following requirements will also apply:

• Only the firm meeting not less (40) % of the shortlisting criteria shall act as the Lead Partner of the JV. The lead partner needs to be identified in JV agreement or intention of forming JV to be submitted with the EoI. Other member(s) of JV need to meeting not less (25) % of the shortlisting criteria. The figures for each of the partners of a JV shall be added together to determine the consultant’s compliance with the shortlisting criteria.
• The variance in similarity and complexity could be acceptable.        

1. Consultant having some regional experience is desirable 
2. The consultant is not black-listed by Government of Afghanistan.
3.  Declaration by the Consultant that the consultant does not have any conflict of interest in terms of taking any assistance / support from individual / firm / consultants who have been part of the Project… ……………. consultancy or the procurement process.
4. Declaration by the Consultant that the information furnished in EoI is correct and for any misrepresentation detected at any stage of selection process or during execution of the resultant contract if successful, the Consultant to be taken up under the Laws of Afghanistan.

Legal References

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to ‘Chapter 4 - Process of Request for Proposal’ of “Rule of Procurement Procedure” issued by Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The consultants are also required to maintain high standard ethics throughout the procurement process. The Consultants’ attention is also drawn to Article 16 of Afghanistan Public Procurement Law for compliance. The consultants can download the Public Procurement Law and Procedure from: www.npa.gov.af

Method of Selection

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality & Cost Based selection (QCBS) set out in Rule 59 of Procurement Procedures.

Submission of EOI

For receiving soft copy of the TOR, please contact procurement section of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock at the address reflected below during office hours 08:00 to 16:00 hours. Habib.rezazada@mail.gov.af habib.rezazada@gmail.com ,Khabeer.karimi@mail.gov.af; and copying mohammadullah.sahil@mail.gov.af , sahil.khan338888@gmail.com .

The expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below or can be submitted (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) to the E-mail addresses reflected above no later than (June 06, 2021 at 16:00 Hrs. Kabul, Afghanistan Local Time).

Muhammadullah Sahil

Procurement Directorate

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock

Jamal Mina Kabul University Road, Kabul, Afghanistan

Annexure 1: Format for Expression of Interest

The expression of interest in English language must be submitted as per the following format:

{Note: In case documents submitted are in any language other than English, the consultant should submit a self-certified copy of the translated document in English (along with originals).}

SECTION 1: Organization Details (In case the EoI is being submitted as a Joint Venture/Sub-Consultant, the information has to be submitted for the Lead Partner as well as other members of the Joint Venture separately/Sub-Consultant.)

SECTION 2: Documents to be submitted

SECTION 3: Format for furnishing details of Credentials / Past Experiences for projects as at Sl. No. 3 of Section 2. The information need to be furnished as per the Format below for each credential.

The project citation should be a maximum of 2 pages per credential/project along with documents as mentioned under Sl. No. 3 of Section 2 (above). The citation need to be furnished for each credential.

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