Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS) Request for Proposal (RFP)-PHASE II.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

G.P.O. Box 295

U.S. Embassy, Maharajgunj

Kathmandu, Nepal

Telephone: +977.1.423.4000

Email: usaidnepal@usaid.gov

Website: https://www.usaid.gov/nepal

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

ISSUANCE DATE:

Monday, June 15, 2020 by 13:00 PM Nepal Standard Time (NPT; 5:45 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC))

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF

QUESTIONS:

Thursday, June 25, 2020 by 13:00 PM NPT

RFP CLOSING DATE: Thursday, July 30, 2020 by 13:00 PM NPT

SUBJECT:

Request for Proposal of USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS) Project from the Phase One Selected Offerors

REFERENCE: RFP No. 72036719R00009

Dear Selected Offerors, The United States Government (USG), represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development Nepal mission (USAID/Nepal) seeks proposals only from selected offerors from Phase One of the referenced synopsis in providing technical services for the project titled “USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS)” as described in the attached solicitation.

The applicable geographic code for this procurement is 937 and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541990.

USAID shall conduct this procurement through a full and open competition per Title 48 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Chapter 1 (Federal Acquisition Regulation or FAR) Part 15 procedures for contracting by negotiation utilizing a best-value tradeoff basis (i.e., the competitive negotiation process where the government evaluates both cost/price and non-cost/price factors and awards the contract to the offeror proposing the combination of factors which offers the best value to the government) per FAR § 15.101-1. Moreover, the preceding synopsis and this RFP contemplates a phased evaluation process (i.e., source selection down-select). All types of organizations were eligible to compete under the referenced synopsis. Most notably, synopsis Section I(a)(16)(2.2) provided “[t]here is no qualification requirement that an offeror, its product, or service must meet for award eligibility.” Thus, USAID encouraged the participation to the maximum extent possible of small business concerns in this activity as a prime or subcontractor. Further, USAID encourages proposals that include partnerships of teams – prime and subcontractors – with regional or local partners.

However, per synopsis Sections III.C and IV.A(b), respectively, USAID will “…invite only those organizations whose Proposed Technical Concept rated as Acceptable to submit a Concept Paper per the terms of the subsequent request for proposals (RFP).”

The USAID/Nepal mission contemplates awarding a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) completion cost reimbursement type contract per the FAR § 16.306(d)(1) for a five-year period – a three year Base Period and two one year Option Periods – from the date of award with a $24.8 million (M) total mailto:usaidnepal@usaid.gov https://www.usaid.gov/nepal

USAID/Nepal KAWAS Project RFP No.: 72036719R00009 estimated cost, subject to the availability of funds and USAID discretion.

To facilitate a prompt response, selected offerors per synopsis Sections III.C and IV.A(b) must submit all questions and requests for clarification concerning this solicitation electronically no later than Thursday, June 25, 2020 by 13:00 PM NPT to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov. If USAID receives substantive questions from selected offeros that affect the solicitation or necessitates changes to the closing date, time, or other aspects of the RFP, USAID will amend this solicitation.

USAID will issue and post any amendments on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO.gov), available through the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Office of the Integrated Award Environment (IAE), beta.SAM.Gov, located at https://beta.sam.gov/. Further, USAID strongly encourages selected offerors to check the beta.SAM.Gov website periodically as acknowledgement of any such amendments is required to accompany the offeror’s proposal.

When submitting requests for clarification, selected offerors must reference the specific RFP as follows:

SUBJECT: 72036719R00009 Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS) Project

REFERENCE: 72036719R00009 Section ___, paragraph ___, page ___

It remains the selected offeror’s responsibility to ensure that it has downloaded and received the RFP in its entirety, including subsequent solicitation amendments, if any. USAID/Nepal bears no responsibility for data errors resulting from download, transmission, or conversion processes.

Furthermore, offerors are advised to review the solicitation carefully. Lastly, Block 12 of Standard Form (SF)-33 of this RFP requires that offers remain valid for 180 calendar days from the closing date.

USAID must receive all questions or requests for clarification must be received no later than Thursday, June 25, 2020 by 13:00 PM NPT to the following email address:

kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov.

Selected offerors must NOT submit questions to any other USAID staff, including the technical office.

Proposals received after the closing date and time will be processed as late and handled in accordance with FAR § 15.208(b). USAID/Nepal will only accept electronic submissions for this solicitation. Faxes are not acceptable.

Selected offerors must carefully adhere to RFP Sections L (INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS) and M (EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD). Further, RFP Sections B through J will become the basis for the resulting contract. The Contracting Officer will complete any blanks in RFP Sections B through J before award. Lastly, the selected offerors must separate and submit the Technical and Cost Proposals per RFP Section L to kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov.

The selected offerors must format the subject line for every email as follows:

mailto:kathmanduoaaexchange@usaid.gov https://beta.sam.gov/

USAID/Nepal KAWAS Project 72036719R00009 Offeror’s Name TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EMAIL: 1 of XX.

USAID/Nepal KAWAS Project 72036719R00009 Offeror’s Name COST PROPOSAL EMAIL: 1 of XX.

USAID instructs selected offerors to pay careful attention to RFP Section K

(REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS).

Further, selected offerors must comply with FAR § 52.204-7 (SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT or SAM) website, and complete the annual representations and certifications electronically, located at https://beta.sam.gov/.

Issuance of this solicitation neither obligates the USG to award a contract nor does it commit to pay for any costs incurred by the offeror in the preparation and submission of a technical proposal. Final award remains subject to availability of funds following the proper completion of required USAID internal processes and other internal USAID approvals.

Yours truly, Jack M. Adrien Contracting Officer https://beta.sam.gov/

PAGES

SEC. PAGE(S) SEC. PAGE(S)

CALENDAR DAYS

(Type or Print)

SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD

1. THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 700)

RATING

PAGE OF

4 157

2. CONTRACT NO.

3. SOLICITATION NO.

72036719R00009

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

5. DATE ISSUED

Sex Box No. 28

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE NO.

REQ-367-18-000015

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

Office of Acquisition and Assistance (OAA) USAID/Nepal GPO Box 295 U.S. Embassy, Maharajgunj Kathmandu, Nepal

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations “offer” and “offeror” mean “bid” and “bidder.”

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and electronic only copies for furnishing the supplies or services in the Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in N/A until CAUTION – LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-1. All offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation

10. FOR

INFORMATION

CALL:

A. NAME

(A) TELEPHONE (NO COLLECT

CALLS)

(B) E-MAIL ADDRESS

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXTENSION

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

(x) DESCRIPTION (x) DESCRIPTION

PART I – THE SCHEDULE PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM 04 I CONTRACT CLAUSES 95

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS 12 PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

C

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF

WORK

16 J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 124

D PACKAGING AND MARKING 46 PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE 48

K REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND

OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE 50

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA 62 L

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS., AND NOTICES TO

OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 67 M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD 183

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8)

10 CALENDAR DAYS

20 CALENDAR DAYS

30 CALENDAR DAYS

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated):

AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

15A. NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER

15B. TELEPHONE NO. 15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

AREA CODE

NUMBER

EXTENSION

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION:

21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( ) 41 U.S.C. 253(c)( ) 23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN (4 copies unless otherwise specified)

ITEM

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7) CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) Jack M. Adrien

27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

28. AWARD DATE

IMPORTANT -- Award will be made on this form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION STANDARD FORM 33 (REV. 6/2014)

Previous edition is unusable Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

Table of Contents

SOLICITATION, OFFER, AND AWARD

PART I – SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, and OBLIGATED AMOUNT

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS (CPFF)

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

B.7 MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTING

B.7.1 CANCELLATION CEILING

B.8 FAR 52.216-8 FIXED FEE (JUN 2011)

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE OF PROGRAM

C.2 GOAL

C.3 INTRODUCTION

C.3.1 BACKGROUND

C.3.2 WATER RESOURCES IN NEPAL

C.3.3 WATER AND SANITATION ACCESS

C.3.4 FEDERALISM

C.3.5 POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

C.3.6 SECTOR FINANCING

C.3.7 GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI) IN WATER MANAGEMENT .. 23

C.4. RELATIONSHIP TO CDCS AND OTHER US GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

C.4.1 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER USAID/NEPAL ACTIVITIES

C.5 COORDINATION WITH OTHER DONOR ACTIVITIES

C.6 STATEMENT OF WORK

C.6.1 THEORY OF CHANGE

C.6.2 PROGRAM AND ILLUSTRATIVE INTERVENTIONS

C.6.2.1 OBJECTIVE 1: INCREASED SUSTAINABLE ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER AND

WATER FOR PRODUCTIVE USES

C.6.2.1.1 UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AT MUNICIPAL

LEVEL ACHIEVED

C.6.2.1.1.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.1.2 PRODUCTIVE USES OF WATER ENHANCED FOR INCREASED AGRICULTURE-

LED GROWTH AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

C.6.2.1.2.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.1.3 SOCIAL NORMS AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE FOR WATER SAFETY AND WATER

CONSERVATION AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL AND IN AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

ENHANCED

C.6.2.1.3.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.2 OBJECTIVE 2: INCREASED SUSTAINABLE ACCESS TO AND USE OF SANITATION

THROUGH FECAL SLUDGE MANAGEMENT (FSM)

C.6.2.2.1 SAFE MANAGEMENT OF SANITATION THROUGH FECAL SLUDGE ACHEIVED33

C.6.2.2.1.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.2.2 FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR FSTP DEVELOPED

C.6.2.2.2.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.3 OBJECTIVE 3: STRENGTHENED GOVERNANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE RESILIENT

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

C.6.2.3.1 POLICY AND REGULATIONS FOR WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPED/IMPROVED AT THE WATERSHED LEVEL

C.6.2.3.1.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.3.2 INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND GOVERNANCE OF EXISTING SERVICE

DELIVERY ORGANIZATIONS ENHANCED

C.6.2.3.2.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.4 OBJECTIVE 4: STRENGTHENED CONSERVATION OF WATER-RELATED,

WATERSHED BIODIVERSITY

C.6.2.4.1 WATER CATCHMENT AREAS WELL PROTECTED AND MANAGED FOR

BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE WATER SERVICES

C.6.2.4.1.1 EXPECTED OUTCOMES

C.6.2.5 SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO LINK DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

ACTIVITIES WITH SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER AND

SANITATION SERVICE DELIVERY

C.6.2.5.1 SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE ILLUSTRATIVE ACTIVITIES

C.7 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

C.8 GEOGRAPHIC TARGET AREA

C.9 CO-DESIGN

C.10 MONITORING, EVALUATION, RESEARCH, and LEARNING (MERL)

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING

D.1 AIDAR 752.7009 MARKING (JAN 1993)

D.2 USAID GRAPHIC STANDARDS MANUAL

D.3 BRANDING STRATEGY, IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, AND MARKING PLAN

D.4 BRANDING STRATEGY

D.4.1 NAME OF THE PROJECT

D.4.2 HOW MATERIALS AND COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE POSITIONED

D.4.3 DESIRED LEVEL OF VISIBILITY

D.4.4 EXCEPTIONS

D.4.5 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED

D.5 OUTREACH

SECTION E – INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.1 NOTICE LISTING FAR SOLICITATION PROVISION INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

E.2 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

E.3 CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

SECTION F – DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

F.1 NOTICE LISTING FAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

F.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

F.3 AUTHORIZED WORKDAY AND WORKWEEK

F.4 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

F.5 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

F.6 REPORTS AND DELIVERABLES

F.6.1 REPORTS

F.6.1.1 WORK PLANS

F.6.1.2 MONITORING, EVALUATION, and LEARNING (MEL) PLAN

F.6.1.3 SUSTAINABILITY PLAN AND EXIT STRATEGY

F.6.1.4 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT MANUAL

F.6.1.5 MONTHLY UPDATES

F.6.1.6 QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS

F.6.1.7 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTS

F.6.1.8 QUARTERLY ACCRUALS REPORTS

F.6.1.9 ANNUAL REPORTS

F.6.1.10 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS REPORTS

F.6.1.11 CLOSEOUT PLAN

F.6.1.12 FINAL REPORT

F.6.1.13 FINAL INVENTORY REPORT

F.6.1.14 PROPERTY INVENTORY LIST

F.6.2 COMPONENT BASED TASKS AND KEY DELIVERABLES/MILESTONES

F.6.2.1 CO-DESIGN WORK-PLANNING CONFERENCE

F.6.2.2 GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI) ANALYSIS

F.7 LANGUAGE OF REPORTS AND OTHER OUTPUTS

F.8 AIDAR 752.7005, SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

DOCUMENTS (SEPT 2013) (Class Deviation OAA-DEV-13-01c)

F.9 PERSONNEL

F.9.1 KEY PERSONNEL

F.9.2 KEY PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

F.9.2.1 CHIEF OF PARTY (COP)

F.9.2.2 WASH GOVERNANCE MANAGER

F.9.2.3 OTHER KEY PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

F.10 PROJECT EVALUATION

SECTION G – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 USAID ACQUISITION REGULATION (AIDAR TITLE 48 CODE OF FEDERAL

REGULATION (CFR) CHAPTER 7) CLAUSES

G.1.1 AIDAR FULL TEXT CLAUSES

G.1.1.1 AIDAR 752.7003 DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT (NOV 1998)

G.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S AUTHORITY

G.3 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICE

G.4 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

G.5 TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS/RELATIONSHIP WITH USAID

G.6 ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

G.7 INVOICES

G.8 PAYING OFFICE

G.9 ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

SECTION H – SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

H.1 FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR; TITLE 48 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL

REGULATIONS CHAPTER 1) CLAUSES

H.1.1 FAR FULL TEXT CLAUSE

H.1.1.1 FAR 52.232-99 PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS

SUBCONTRACTORS (DEVIATION) (AUG 2012)

H.2 USAID ACQUISITION REGULATION (AIDAR; 48 CFR CHAPTER 7) CLAUSES

H.2.1 AIDAR FULL TEXT CLAUSES

H.2.1.1 AIDAR 752.222-70 USAID DISABILITY POLICY (DEC 2004)

H.2.1.2 AIDAR 752.225-70 SOURCE AND NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS (FEB 2012)

H.2.1.3 AIDAR 752.7004 EMERGENCY LOCATOR INFORMATION (JUL 1997)

H.2.1.4 AIDAR 752.7007 PERSONNEL COMPENSATION (JULY 2007)

H.2.1.4.1 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL COMPENSATION

H.2.1.5 AIDAR 752.7032 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL APPROVAL AND NOTIFICATION

REQUIREMENTS (APRIL 2014)

H.2.1.5.1 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVEL

H.2.1.7 AIDAR 752.7101 VOLUNTARY POPULATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES (JUNE 2008)

H.3 AUTOMATED DIRECTIVES SYSTEM (ADS) 302 SPECIAL CONTRACT

REQUIREMENTS

H.3.1 ADS 302 SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS FULL TEXT CLAUSES

H.3.1.1 ADS 302.3.5.19 USAID-FINANCED THIRD-PARTY WEB SITES (NOVEMBER 2017)

H.3.1.2 ADS 302.3.5.21 SUBMISSION OF DATASETS TO THE DEVELOPMENT DATA LIBRARY

(DDL) (OCTOBER 2014)

H.3.1.3 ADS 302.3.5.10 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: PRECLUSION FROM

IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACT (SEPTEMBER 2018)

H.3.1.4 SALARY SUPPLEMENT FOR HOST COUNTRY EMPLOYEES (ADS 302.3.3(d)(2)(viii) &

(AIDAR 752.231-71 and AIDAR 731.205-71))

H.3.1.5 HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12) (ADS 302.3.5.13)

H.4 E.O. 13224 – EXECUTIVE ORDER ON TERRORIST FINANCING

H.5 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

H.6 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES OR PROPERTY

H.7 TITLE TO PROPERTY

H.8 CONFIDENTIALITY AND OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

H.9 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

H.10 CONTRACTOR’S STAFF SUPPORT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS

ARRANGEMENTS

H.11 INSURANCE AND SERVICES

H.12 CONTRACTOR’S USE OF PROJECT VEHICLES AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES

H.13 AUTHORIZED GEOGRAPHIC CODE

H.14 REQUESTS FOR CONSENT TO SUBCONTRACT

H.15 PRESS RELATIONS

H.16 FOREIGN GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

(JUNE 2012)

H.17 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

H.18 PARTICIPANT TRAINING AND EXCHANGE VISITORS (MISSION ORDER (M.O.) No.

253.1)

H.19 STANDARDS OF CONDUCT -- IMPROPER BUSINESS PRACTICES

H.20 GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION (GESI) REQUIREMENTS

H.21 MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

H.22 USAID IMPLEMENTATION OF SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

AND FEDERAL ACQUISITION CIRCULAR (FAC) 97-27 “ELECTRONIC AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY

H.23 LOCAL TAXES

H.24 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN (EPRP) (M.O. No. 304.1)

H.24.1 DISASTER READINESS

H.24.1.1 DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

H.24.1.2 IMPLEMENTER PREPAREDNESS

H.25 VOLUNTARY POPULATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES (JUNE 2008) (AAPD 08-01)

H.26 ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SYSTEM (PROCUREMENT EXECUTIVE BULLETIN (PEB)

No. 2014-06)

H.27 GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT

H.28 GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

H.28.1 ACTIVITY LOCATION DATA

H.28.2 INDICATOR DATA

H.28.3 COMMON STANDARDS

H.28.4 EXTERNAL DATA AND SOFTWARE

H.28.4.1 NEW DATA COLLECTION STRATEGY

PART II – CONTRACT CLAUSES

SECTION I – CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.1 CONTRACT CLAUSES

I.2 TITLE 48 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION (CFR) CHAPTER 1 (FEDERAL

ACQUISITION REGULATION or FAR)

I.2.1 NOTICE LISTING FAR CONTRACT CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.2.2 FAR FULL TEXT CLAUSES

I.2.2.1 FAR 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR INFORMATION

SYSTEMS (JUN 2016)

I.2.2.2 FAR 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (DEC 2019)

I.2.2.3 FAR 52.217-2 CANCELLATION UNDER MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS (OCT 1997)

I.2.2.4 FAR 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

I.2.2.5 FAR 52.222-50 COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (JAN 2019)

I.2.2.6 FAR 52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

I.3 TITLE 48 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION (CFR) CHAPTER 7 (USAID

ACQUISITION REGULATION or AIDAR) CLAUSES

I.3.1 AIDAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (MAR 2015)

I.3.2 AIDAR CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

I.3.3 AIDAR FULL TEXT CLAUSES

I.3.3.1 AIDAR 752.204-72 CONTRACTOR ACCESS TO USAID FACILITIES AND USAID’S

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (APRIL 2018)

I.3.3.2 AIDAR 752.222-71 NONDISCRIMINATION (JUNE 2012)

I.3.3.3 AIDAR 752.228-70 MEDICAL EVACUATION (MEDEVAC) SERVICES (JUL 2007)

I.3.3.4 AIDAR 752.229-71 REPORTING OF FOREIGN TAXES (JULY 2007)

I.3.3.5 AIDAR 752.231-72 CONFERENCE PLANNING AND REQUIRED APPROVALS (AUG 2013)

I.3.3.6 AIDAR 752.245-70 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY – USAID REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

(OCT 2017)

I.3.3.7 AIDAR 752.252-1 AIDAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE (MAR 2015)

I.3.3.8 AIDAR 752.7036 USAID IMPLEMENTING PARTNER NOTICES (IPN) PORTAL FOR

ACQUISITION (JULY 2014)

I.3.3.9 AIDAR 752.7037 CHILD SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS (AUG 2016)

I.3.3.10 AIDAR 752.7038 NONDISCRIMINATION AGAINST END-USERS OF SUPPLIES OR

SERVICES (OCT 2016)

PART III – LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

SECTION J – LIST OF EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS

J.1 LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

J.1.1 LIST OF ACRONYMS OR INITIALISMS WITH CORRESPONDING DEFINITIONS

J.1.2 GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION ANALYSIS

J.1.2.1 ISSUE No. 01 J.1.2.1.1 ISSUE No. 01 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS J.1.2.2 ISSUE No. 02 J.1.2.2.1 ISSUE No. 02 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS J.1.2.3 ISSUE No. 03 J.1.2.3.1 ISSUE No. 03 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS J.1.2.4 ISSUE No. 04 J.1.2.4.1 ISSUE No. 04 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

J.1.3 INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION

J.1.4 SF-LLL DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

J.1.5 IDENTIFICATION OF PRINCIPLE GEOGRAPHIC CODES

J.1.5.1 LOW INCOME/LOWER MIDDLE INCOME

J.1.5.1.1 LIST OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES

J.1.5.1.2 LIST OF LOWER MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

J.1.5.2 ADVANCED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

J.1.5.2.1 LIST OF ADVANCED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

J.1.6 LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN (LCP) RANGE, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 10, 2019

J.1.6.1 ANNUAL BASIC SALARY RATE

J.1.6.2 TOTAL COMPENSATION (i.e., ANNUAL BASIC SALARY RATE PLUS ALLOWANCES

AND BENEFITS)

J.1.7 CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA SHEET AID-1420-17

J.1.8 EXCERPT OF AGENCY VEHICLE WAIVER

PART IV – REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

SECTION K – REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF

OFFERORS

K.1 TITLE 48 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION (CFR) CHAPTER 1 (FEDERAL

ACQUISITION REGULATION or FAR)

K.1.1 NOTICE LISTING FAR SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE

K.1.2 FAR FULL TEXT CLAUSE

K.1.2.1 FAR 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAR 2020)

K.1.2.2 FAR 52.204-19 INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF REPRESENTATIONS AND

CERTIFICATIONS (DEC 2014)

K.1.2.3 FAR 52.209-5 CERTIFICATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2015)

K.1.2.4 FAR 52.209-7 INFORMATION REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018) . 154

K.1.2.5 FAR 52.209-9 UPDATES OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION REGARDING

RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS (OCT 2018)

K.1.2.6 FAR 52.209-13 VIOLATION OF ARMS CONTROL TREATIES OR AGREEMENTS –

CERTIFICATION (JUN 2018)

K.1.2.7 FAR 52.222-56 CERTIFICATION REGARDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

COMPLIANCE PLAN (MAR 2015)

K.1.2.8 FAR 52.230-1 COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOTICES AND CERTIFICATION (JUN

2020)

K.1.2.9 FAR 52.230-7 PROPOSAL DISCLOSURE – COST ACCOUNTING PRACTICE CHANGES

(APR 2005)

K.1.2.10 INSURANCE – IMMUNITY FROM TORT LIABILITY

K.1.2.11 AGREEMENT ON, OR EXCEPTIONS TO, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

K.1.2.12 AUTHORIZED NEGOTIATORS

K.1.2.13 SIGNATURE

SECTION L – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

L.1 TITLE 48 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION (CFR) CHAPTER 1 (FEDERAL

ACQUISITION REGULATION or FAR)

L.1.1 NOTICE LISTING SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

L.1.2 FULL FAR CLAUSES

L.1.2.1 FAR 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

L.1.2.2 FAR 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

L.2 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

L.3 PROPOSAL SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

L.4 PHASE TWO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

L.4.1 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHASE TWO TECHNICAL PROPOSAL PREPARATION

L.4.1.1 PHASE TWO PAGE AND FORMATTING DIMENSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

L.4.1.1.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL FRONT MATTER

L.4.1.1.1.1 COVER PAGE

L.4.1.1.1.2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

L.4.1.1.2 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL CORPUS

L.4.1.1.2.1 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING [see Section M.2.2.2] L.4.1.1.2.2 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN [see Section M.2.2.3]

L.4.1.1.3 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL REQUIRED ANNEXES

L.4.1.1.3.1 PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION [see Section M.2.2.4]

L.5 COST PROPOSAL

L.5.1 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COST PROPOSAL PREPARATION

L.5.1.1 STANDARD FORM (SF) 33

L.5.1.2 PROPOSED COSTS/PRICES

L.5.1.3 REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, and OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

L.5.1.4 EVIDENCE OF RESPONSIBILITY

L.5.1.5 INFORMATION TO SUPPORT CONSENT TO MAJOR SUB-OFFERORS

L.5.1.6 INFORMATION CONCERNING WORKDAY, WORKWEEK, and PAID ABSENCES

L.5.1.7 LISTING OF ALL SUBCONTRACTS, SUBAWARDS, AND RESOURCE PARTNERS

L.5.1.8 CONSOLIDATED BUDGET

L.5.2 BUDGET PREPARATION GUIDANCE

L.5.2.1 BUDGET LINE ITEM HEADINGS

L.5.2.2 BUDGET LINE ITEM DEFINITIONS

L.5.2.2.1 SALARY AND WAGES

L.5.2.2.2 CONSULTANTS

L.5.2.2.3 FRINGE BENEFITS

L.5.2.2.4 TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, and PER DIEM

L.5.2.2.5 ALLOWANCES

L.5.2.2.6 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

L.5.2.2.7 SUBCONTRACTS

L.5.2.2.8 OTHER DIRECT COSTS

L.5.2.2.9 OTHER TRAINING OR CONFERENCES

L.5.2.2.10 INDIRECT COSTS (OVERHEAD, G&A)

L.5.2.2.11 FIXED FEE

L.5.2.3 BUDGET NARRATIVES

L.5.2.3.1 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

L.5.2.3.2 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

L.5.2.3.3 JOINT VENTURE INFORMATION

L.6 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION AND MARKING PLANS

L.6.1 BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (BIP)

L.6.2 MARKING PLAN (MP)

L.7 CO-DESIGN

L.8 GOVERNMENT OBLIGATION

SECTION M – EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

M.1 GENERAL INFORMATION

M.2 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.2.1 PHASE ONE EVALUATION

M.2.2 PHASE TWO EVALUATION

M.2.2.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

M.2.2.1.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA SUMMARY

M.2.2.2 TECHNICAL APPROACH AND UNDERSTANDING [see Section L.4.1.1.2.1] M.2.2.3 MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING PLAN [see Section L.4.1.1.2.2] M.2.2.4 EVALUATION OF PAST PERFORMANCE [see Section L.4.1.1.3.1]

M.3 PRICE/COST EVALUATION

M.4 DETERMINATION OF COMPETITIVE RANGE

M.5 PHASE THREE EVALUATION

M.6 SOURCE SELECTION

USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS) Project

PART I – SCHEDULE

SECTION B – SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COSTS

B.1 PURPOSE

The USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS) will create healthy, resilient, and water secure communities at the watershed level through strengthened water and sanitation governance that improves water resource management (including water for more resilient and biodiverse ecosystems), enhances sustainable access to drinking water, improves agriculture water management, and reduces the fecal pathogen burden in the environment from poorly managed non-sewered sanitation through fecal sludge management.

B.2 CONTRACT TYPE

USAID/Nepal contemplates a cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) completion type contract per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) § 16.306(d)(1). For the consideration set forth in the contract, the Contractor must provide the deliverables or outputs described in Sections C and F and otherwise comply with all contract requirements.

B.3 ESTIMATED COST, FIXED FEE, and OBLIGATED AMOUNT

(a) The estimated cost for the performance of the work required hereunder, exclusive of fixed fee, if any, is TBD. The fixed fee, for the contract period is TBD. The total estimated cost-plus-fixed-fee is TBD.

(b) Within the estimated cost-plus-fixed-fee specified in paragraph (a) above, the amount currently obligated and available for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred by the Contractor (and payment of fee, if any) for performance hereunder is TBD. The Contractor must not exceed the aforesaid obligated amount unless authorized by the Contracting Officer per FAR §

52.232-22 (LIMITATION OF FUNDS).

(c) Funds obligated hereunder are anticipated to be sufficient through TBD.

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

(a) The contract budget found herein is based on the Contractor’s original proposal or final proposal revision, which was accepted by USAID through award of this contract.

(b) Without the prior written approval of the Contracting Officer, the Contractor may not exceed the total estimated costs set forth in the budget hereunder or the total obligated amount, whichever is less.

(c) The following itemized budget sets forth the estimates for reimbursement of dollar costs for individual line items of cost, and the fixed fee.

Table 1. Summary Budget by Objective.

COST ELEMENTS

Base Period Option Period

TOTAL

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

OBJECTIVE ONE

OBJECTIVE TWO

OBJECTIVE THREE

OBJECTIVE FOUR

OBJECTIVE FIVE

INDIRECT COSTS

TOTAL ESTIMATED

COST

FIXED FEE

COST-PLUS-FIXED-

FEE

Table 2. Summary Budget by Cost Element Breakdown.

COST ELEMENTS

Base Period Option Period

TOTAL

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

PERSONNEL

FRINGE AND

BENEFITS

TRAVEL,

TRANSPORTAION,

PERDIEM

EQUIPMENT

CONSTRUCTION

CONTRACTUAL

OTHER DIRECT

TOTAL DIRECT

INDIRECT COSTS

FIXED FEE

COST-PLUS-FIXED-

FEE

NOTE: USAID will not pay the Contractor any sum in excess of the ceiling price per Section B.7.1 below. Individual Subcontractors should include the same cost element breakdowns in their budgets.

B.5 INDIRECT COSTS (CPFF)

Pending establishment of revised provisional or final indirect cost rates, allowable indirect costs shall be reimbursed based on the following negotiated provisional or predetermined rates and the appropriate bases:

Rate Base Type Period

% 1/ 1/ 1/

% 2/ 2/ 2/ % 3/ 3/ 3/

Description

1/Base of Application:

Type of Rate: Period:

2/Base of Application:

3/Base of Application:

NOTE: The Contractor is allowed to recover applicable indirect costs (i.e., overhead, general and administrative (G&A), etc.) on other direct costs (ODCs), if it is part of the Contractor’s usual accounting procedures, consistent with FAR Part 31, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). Indirect costs shall not be allowed for local organizations. All costs for local organizations shall be budgeted and billed as direct costs

B.6 COST REIMBURSABLE

The U.S. dollar costs allowable must be limited to reasonable, allocable and necessary costs determined per Part FAR 31 (CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES), FAR § 52.216-7 (ALLOWABLE COST AND PAYMENT), FAR § 52.216-8 (FIXED FEE), if applicable, and USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR) 752.7003 (DOCUMENTATION FOR PAYMENT).

B.7 MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTING

As per FAR § 17.103, “[m]ulti-year contract means a contract for the purchase of supplies or services for more than [one], but not more than [five], program years. A multi-year contract may provide that performance under the contract during the second and subsequent years of the contract is contingent upon the appropriation of funds, and (if it does so provide) may provide for a cancellation payment to be made to the Contractor if appropriations are not made.” Further, FAR § 17.106-1(c) provides “[c]ancellation procedures…[encompass] [a]ll program years except the first are subject to cancellation. For each program year subject to cancellation, the contracting officer shall establish a cancellation ceiling. Ceilings must exclude amounts for requirements included in prior program years. The contracting officer shall reduce the cancellation ceiling for each program year in direct proportion to the remaining requirements subject to cancellation.”

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

Below please find the proposed cancellation dates and ceilings for Years Two, Three, Four, and Five:

Cancellation Date Cancellation Ceiling Contract Year Two TBD TBD

Contract Year Three TBD TBD

Contract Year Four TBD TBD

Contract Year Five TBD TBD

B.7.1 CANCELLATION CEILING

As per FAR § 17.103, “[c]ancellation ceiling means the maximum cancellation charge that the Contractor can receive in the event of cancellation.” Given that USAID contemplates a multi-year CPFF completion cost reimbursement type contract per the FAR § 16.306(d)(1), a cancellation ceiling authorizes reimbursing the Contractor for all allowable costs per FAR § 52.216-7 (ALLOWABLE COSTS AND PAYMENT). Further, the Contractor must not incur any costs that would have been amortized over the life of the contract should the contract be cancelled per FAR § 52.217-2. Thus, the cancellation ceiling for each cancellation date is [TBD].

B.8 FAR 52.216-8 FIXED FEE (JUN 2011)

The fixed fee is the fee agreed upon for the performance of a CPFF. As per Title 10 United Sates Code (USC) § 2306(d) and Title 41USC 3905, respectively, “[t]he fee for performing any other cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract may not be more than 10 percent of the estimated cost of the contract, not including the fee.” The USAID paying office must pay the Contractor a percentage of the fixed fee that directly corresponds to the percentage of allowable costs being paid as specified in the Schedule for performing this contract.

In the event of discontinuance of the work in accordance with the termination contract clause FAR § 52.249-6 (TERMINATION (COST-REIMBURSEMENT)), the fee must be redetermined by mutual agreement equitably to reflect the reduction in the work performed. The amount by which such fee is less than, or exceeds, payments previously made on account, the fee must be paid to, or repaid by the Contractor, as applicable.

[END OF SECTION B]

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 TITLE OF PROGRAM

The USAID/Nepal Karnali Water Security Activity (KAWAS).

C.2 GOAL

USAID/Nepal KAWAS seeks to create healthy, resilient, and water secure communities at the watershed level through strengthened water and sanitation governance that improves water resource management (including water for more resilient and bio-diverse ecosystems), enhances sustainable access to drinking water, improves agriculture water management, and reduces the fecal pathogen burden in the environment from poorly managed non-sewered sanitation through fecal sludge management.

C.3 INTRODUCTION

C.3.1 BACKGROUND

Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource that is essential to sustain life, development, and the environment. By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.1 Water stress due to scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate sanitation negatively affects food security, public health, and livelihood choices for poor families across the world. An integrated approach is necessary to address these challenges and ensure water security for more resilient societies.

Sustainable development will not be achieved without a water-secure world. The United Nations (UN) Water’s definition of water security encompasses:

(a) Access to safe, sufficient, and affordable water to meet basic needs for drinking, sanitation, and hygiene, to safeguard the health and well-being, and to fulfill basic human rights;

(b) Adequate water supplies available for food and energy production, industry, transport, and tourism;

(c) Populations resilient to water-related hazards including floods, droughts, and pollution; and

(d) Ecosystems preserved and can deliver their services, on which both nature and people rely, including the provision of freshwater.2

Water security also includes elements of good governance, transboundary cooperation, peace and political stability, and financing. Water security can support reductions in poverty and increase living standards such that there is an improved quality of life for all, especially for the most vulnerable— usually women and children—who benefit most from good water governance and the benefits it provides.

1 Please see https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/.

2 Available at http://www.unwater.org/publications/water-security-infographic/.

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/ http://www.unwater.org/publications/water-security-infographic/

Addressing water security issues will contribute directly or indirectly to all the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).3 KAWAS is designed specifically to support the Government of Nepal (GON) in achieving SDG 6: ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

C.3.2 WATER RESOURCES IN NEPAL

Article 30 of Nepal’s constitution, adopted in 2015, states that ‘Each person shall have the right to live in a healthy and clean environment’, and gives high priority to protection, promotion and proper use of water resources. The constitution cites the importance of people’s participation in conservation, management and use of natural resources, and specifically prioritizes and includes policy provisions for national investment in multi-utility development of water resources. Other policies support development of sustainable and dependable irrigation by managing river systems to prevent and mitigate water-related natural disasters. However, at present, as in other parts of the world, Nepal’s water sector faces challenges in quantity, quality and reliability.

In 2007, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture labelled Nepal as an area of economic water scarcity due to “a lack of investment in water or a lack of human capacity to plan and manage to satisfy the demand for available water.” Since then, many anecdotes and studies have cited reduction in water availability, indicating that Nepal may be starting to experience physical water scarcity, where the available water is not sufficient to meet both human demands and those of ecosystems to function effectively. In one study of 1,115 springs investigated in the Tanahun district, almost two-thirds had reduced flow by an average of 21 percent between 2004 – 2014, and in ten districts of the Far West Region, one quarter of the 693 springs monitored showed a 60 percent average decline in discharge between 2013 – 2016.4 In some cases, people have migrated to other areas because of the water scarcity.

Agricultural activity dominates the use of freshwater in Nepal and globally,5 while the World Bank estimates that over 70 percent of the Nepalese population is engaged in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Agricultural water management is critical.6 There is high demand for irrigation in Nepal, given that most agriculture is rainfed, with only 18 percent of cultivated land being irrigated year-around. Irrigation is a key input to increasing agricultural productivity, but most of the water withdrawn by agriculture is lost in evaporation and transpiration, indicating an urgent need to increase water efficiency. Some of the challenges that affect optimum use of water for productivity include: aging water infrastructure such as pipes, canals, reservoirs, etc; low system efficiency; weak participation and low capacity of Water Users Associations (WUAs); weak institutional capacity;

weak linkages between upstream and downstream; poor agricultural water use efficiency practices;

and subsistence agriculture practices. There has also been increased competition and conflict with other water use sectors thereby diverting water resources from traditional users who are often

3 Please see https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/.

4 Nepal’s silent emergency: springs going dry by Ajaya Dixit. https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/nepals-silent-emergency-springs-going-dry/.

5 WRI 2005 World Resources Institute: Freshwater resources 2005.

6 USAID 2015, Agricultural Water Management: Water and Development Strategy Implementation Brief;

https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/Ag%20Water%20Management_Implementation%20Brie_ Jan%202015.pdf.

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/nepals-silent-emergency-springs-going-dry/ https://www.nepalitimes.com/opinion/nepals-silent-emergency-springs-going-dry/ https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/Ag%20Water%20Management_Implementation%20Brie_Jan%202015.pdf https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1865/Ag%20Water%20Management_Implementation%20Brie_Jan%202015.pdf peasants, fishers and women. Such increasing deprivation is likely to worsen the inequalities.7 Hence, ensuring water security for productive activities for the most vulnerable could be one of the most effective ways of improving equity and reducing poverty.

Biological contamination is a major issue for spring sources and river bodies in Nepal. The practice of open defecation has been reduced to less than 10 percent of households, however, fecal contamination is reintroduced to the environment as the fecal sludge from septic pits/tanks is disposed of directly into water bodies, forest areas, and flood-prone areas. Rivers have also been chemically polluted by excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and unregulated industrial discharges. In the Terai, groundwater is widely contaminated by arsenic levels in excess of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In areas where wetlands have been drained and forests are degraded, natural filtration and treatment of biological and chemical contaminants are hindered by lack of vegetation, soil, and associated microorganisms. These areas are prone to soil erosion and sedimentation that further deteriorates water quality.

As climate variability impacts the timing, amount and intensity of precipitation events, it brings additional risks of drought, floods, erosion and landslides, affecting water supply and sanitation, agricultural potential and ecosystem services. Although climate-related changes in river flow are poorly understood, it is estimated that continuation of the 0.06° Celsius/year warming trend will result in a drop in total water availability from the current 176 km3/year to 128 km3/year by 2100, a 27 percent decrease.8 Variable water flow affects hydropower generation, and can lead to damage of water, sewerage, and irrigation structures (both social and physical) at the national and local levels.

Soil erosion on the slopes and silting in the low-lying areas continues to occur, in part due to Nepal’s steep gradient. But the biggest issue is the trend in reduction of ‘useful’ precipitation, which is spread over a long period and can infiltrate the soil, accompanied by an increase in ‘useless’ precipitation, which falls in large quantities over a short time during cloudbursts and runs off, causing erosion and damaging fields and pathways, and not contributing to infiltration.

Groundwater and aquifer recharge are also affected by land use practices. Unfortunately, as much as 28 percent of Nepal’s land is degraded, affecting the ability of the natural resource base to provide vital ecosystem services and causing economic hardship and social inequities. Wetlands, which cover nearly 5 percent (743,500 hectares) of Nepal’s area9, and are important for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem maintenance, are also degraded by hunting, encroachment, and drainage.

C.3.3 WATER AND SANITATION ACCESS

According to the Ministry, 88 percent of households have access to improved sources of drinking water, which includes piped water, public taps, standpipes, tube-wells, boreholes, protected dug-wells, springs, and rainwater. However, functionality is a challenge, with a 2013 study reporting that only 25 percent of water supply systems function properly, while 39 percent require either major repairs, rehabilitation or reconstruction10. In terms of water quality, the latest Multiple Indicator

7 Namara RE et al. 2010. Agricultural water management and poverty linkages. Agricultural Water Management 97 (4) (2010), pp. 520 – 527.

8 Chaulagain, NP. 2006. Impacts of climate change on water resources of Nepal: The physical and socioeconomic dimensions. MSc Thesis, University of Flensburg, Germany 9 Please see https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/wetlands-in-nepal-2/.

10 Helvetas. (2013). The Effectiveness and Outcomes of Approaches To Functionality of Drinking Water and Sanitation Schemes. Kathmandu: Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Nepal.

https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/wetlands-in-nepal-2/

Cluster Survey (MICS) Nepal survey found 71 percent of household drinking water sources (at point of collection) showed presence of an indicator of fecal contamination (Escherichia coli). Eighty-two percent of households had E. coli when water was sampled at the point of use, indicating additional contamination during transport and storage.11 Thus, access to “safely managed drinking water” as per the definition used for the SDG,12 is estimated to be at only 27 percent. Meeting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards requires clean water and proper hygiene standards to prevent food contamination.

A literature review of fecal sludge management suggests that the full non-sewered sanitation chain is best addressed in developing countries through simple technologies.13 Fecal sludge management is a very immature sector but Nepal has at least two examples of dry bed fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTP), with one supporting a small institution and another a town of approximately 57,000. Both display successful technology, but the small size of the former does not lend itself to providing fecal sludge treatment for a small town. The second FSTP is located in a municipality that is receiving technical assistance from USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Finance (WASH-Fin) activity to develop standard operating procedures, determine what type of service agreement to use for operations of the FSTP, develop a business plan for the FSTP, and determine what type of service agreement to use for operations of the FSTP.

In decentralized systems, simple technologies are best for collection, transportation, and treatment of fecal sludge. The public sector has an important role in raising demand through guidelines, regulations, and public education. Revenues from generation of sludge by-products like fuel, building material, or soil amendments in these rural areas may help to offset the costs of operation.

Public-private or public-community-nongovernmental organization (NGO) approaches can all be successful for fecal sludge management, with the community and NGOs taking on some roles.

Private operators may be more confident of the possibility of developing self-sustaining revenue streams with populations in the range of 50 – 60,000. However, there are signs that systems for smaller towns (in the range of 20,000 to 45,000) can also be viable, particularly when there is public intervention to support revenue generation with sanitation taxes, linking fecal sludge management with water service fees (justified by water quality impacts of untreated fecal sludge), subsidies or service subscription. Public-private partnerships that include donor support for construction and training and mentoring for initial operations can then graduate to a public-private business model.

Similarly, clustering villages or FSTPs under one operator may allow for economies of scale (depending on the construction and transportation costs).14

11 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey 2014 12 Available at https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/coverage/indicator-6-1-1-safely-managed-drinking-water.pdf.

13 S. Singh et al. Technology options for faecal sludge management in developing countries: Benefits and revenue from reuse. Environmental Technology & Innovation 7 · February 2017. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314126067_Technology_options_for_faecal_sludge_management_in_develo ping_countries_Benefits_and_revenue_from_reuse.

14 L Bachelier et al. 2018. Safely managed sanitation services in small towns: an analysis of knowledge and experiences from developing countries. Cranfield University and pS-Eau. Available at https://www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/cranfield_university_ps_eau_safely_managed_sanitation_services_in_small_to wns_an_analysis_of_knowledge_and_experiences_from_developing_countries_en_2018.pdf.

https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/coverage/indicator-6-1-1-safely-managed-drinking-water.pdf https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/coverage/indicator-6-1-1-safely-managed-drinking-water.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/journal/2352-1864_Environmental_Technology_Innovation https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314126067_Technology_options_for_faecal_sludge_management_in_developing_countries_Benefits_and_revenue_from_reuse https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314126067_Technology_options_for_faecal_sludge_management_in_developing_countries_Benefits_and_revenue_from_reuse https://www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/cranfield_university_ps_eau_safely_managed_sanitation_services_in_small_towns_an_analysis_of_knowledge_and_experiences_from_developing_countries_en_2018.pdf https://www.pseau.org/outils/ouvrages/cranfield_university_ps_eau_safely_managed_sanitation_services_in_small_towns_an_analysis_of_knowledge_and_experiences_from_developing_countries_en_2018.pdf

C.3.4 FEDERALISM

Nepal’s 2015 Constitution provides for three levels of government: national, provincial and local.

There are 7 provinces, 77 districts and 753 local governments (460 village municipalities and 293 urban municipalities), and 6743 wards (the smallest units of government). Wards are units of government closest to the communities.

The constitution has distinguished federal, provincial and local responsibilities for the development and use of water resources. The federal government is responsible for large projects for electricity, irrigation, large-scale drinking water supply, and other projects, policies and criteria related to protection and the multi dimensions of water resource use and on international treaties and agreements. The provincial government is responsible for provincial level electricity, irrigation, drinking water supply services, and transport and management of national forest, water resources and ecology within the province. The local governments are mandated to develop and oversee the management of drinking water services, small electricity projects and conservation of watersheds and wetlands at the local level. There are overlapping and concurrent powers for federal, provincial and local levels with regards to drinking water and other environmental conservation concerns.

Although drinking water and watershed management are under the jurisdiction of local government, water resource management is concurrently a right of federal, provincial and local governments. This creates confusion on the roles for water resource management.

Under Nepal’s draft Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Sector Development Plan, the National Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) is the operator for the urban water supplies while Water Users and Sanitation Committees (WUSC) are operators of small towns and village systems, with some overlap with roles as service providers, regulators, and managers of the smaller systems.