WES II Sources Sought.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Water Engineering Services II

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Mission to Jordan (USAID/Jordan) is contemplating a potential new activity in Jordan. To support its market research, USAID seeks to collect written information about Architect-Engineer (A-E) firms capable of providing planning, design and tender, construction management, and capacity building services in Jordan. These include firms based in Jordan and international firms. Firms based in Jordan must be registered as Class 1A in the field of water and wastewater, as classified by the Government Tenders Department in the Jordan Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH); other firms must have an equivalent international classification. Interested firms must be engaged in, or capable of, providing A-E and technical support services to support USAID/Jordan and Government of Jordan (GOJ) investments in water and wastewater projects. A-E services include, but are not limited to; feasibility studies, environmental assessments, technical studies, technical memorandums, engineering design, preparation of tender documents, cost estimating and analysis, procurement support, construction management, quality assurance of design and construction performed by third-party contractors, training and capacity building, and related support. A-E services will range from quick response to short- and long-term services, primarily related to water and wastewater infrastructure.

BACKGROUND

Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and water challenges in the country have reached a critical point. Sustained pressure from an influx of Syrian refugees, a high population growth rate, and decreased rainfall adds additional pressures. There are not enough water resources to meet the growing demands for water as freshwater supplies are fully utilized, groundwater is being over-extracted, and the development of new water sources is extremely costly. Jordan’s water issues limit its economic growth and create substantial social and economic vulnerabilities.

The United States supports the GOJ, through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), in carrying out its commitment for the provision of water and wastewater services throughout Jordan. The continued development of water and wastewater infrastructure is critical to meet the demand for services. USAID is considering a new project to provide A-E services for water and wastewater projects funded by the GOJ, USAID, and/or other international donors. USAID envisions A-E services to support water or wastewater systems including networks, water resources, pump stations, treatment plants, among others. All work would be carried out in close coordination with MWI, the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA), water companies, local municipalities, and the Ministry of Environment, as necessary. Due to the continuous changing conditions in Jordan, the contractor must be flexible to respond to the changing needs of MWI and the water sector in general. By the end of the project, MWI and its subsidiary water utilities will have improved their planning for water and wastewater services and ensured a more sustainable water sector.

The expected outcomes of the Activity are:

A. Strategic water and wastewater infrastructure projects are studied, planned, designed, and constructed.

B. Capacity of the water sector staff is enhanced to design, construct, and operate water resources, with a focus on Construction Supervision and Operation and Maintenance.

C. Resources from the private sector and other donors are leveraged to improve water and wastewater systems.

D. Resilience of infrastructure to climate change is improved.

E. Improved Operation and Maintenance (O&M) programs that promote NRW reduction and energy efficiency, while ensuring the design life of the facilities.

F. The capacity of the water sector is increased through the overall performance of the Activity as well as targeted capacity development activities, such as technical and management training.

SERVICES REQUIRED:

1. Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature, which are required to be performed or approved by a registered architect or engineer (i.e., legally registered to practice the relevant engineering disciplines with the Jordan Engineers Association and certified as a Class 1A firm by the Government Tenders Department (GTD) in the Jordan MPWH or a licensed international/U.S. firm.

2. Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature associated with research, planning, development, design, construction, alteration, or repair of real property.

3. Other professional services or incidental services of an architectural or engineering nature or associated with architectural or engineering activities that logically or justifiably require performance by registered architects or engineers or their employees. These services include but are not necessarily limited to studies, environmental assessments, investigations, surveying and mapping, tests, evaluations, consultations, comprehensive planning, conceptual designs, plans and specifications, tendering, value engineering, construction phase services, construction management services (including monitoring for environmental compliance), soil investigation and engineering, drawing reviews, preparation of operating and maintenance manuals, specification and procurement of furniture and equipment, training, capacity building, and other related services.

Delivery of the aforementioned professional A-E services will be in the water and wastewater sector and functional technical areas for both USAID-managed activities and host country contracts in which the GOJ is managing the procurement and implementation of the projects in accordance with USAID regulations and policies.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Capable firms who wish to respond to this notice must address the items below in their response:

1. Each submission must include a cover page indicating the name of the firm, contact information, and its place of incorporation.

2. Jordanian firms must provide a Classification Certificate of Class 1A in the field of water and wastewater, as classified by the Government Tenders Department the Jordan Ministry of Public Works and Housing. Other firms must provide an equivalent international classification.

3. A three (3) page statement describing the firm’s experience in relation to the services being required, and its capability to execute the services and tasks described in this notice, with specific emphasis on implementing activities supporting and building the capacity of water entities.

4. A one-page statement describing suggested approaches on how USAID can design this activity to address the changing needs and priorities of the water sector in Jordan while maintaining the quality and meeting the outcomes of this activity.

5. A one-page table (See Table A in Attachment 1) with a list of up to ten past or current projects demonstrating relevant work experience in providing the services described in this notice section at the prime or subcontractor/awardee level.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses to this Notice must not exceed four (5) pages, including Table A. Any organization responding to this Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the U.S. Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Only one submission per organization will be accepted. If an organization submits multiple responses, it runs the risk of its submissions not being considered.

Responses including written capability statements must be received no later than February 20, 2024, at 16:00 Jordan Time. These submissions must be sent via email ONLY to the following address:

WaterCMservices@usaid.gov. In the subject line of the email, write: “Water CM Services – Sources Sought Notice.”

Fax and hand-carried submissions will not be accepted. Phone inquiries will not be entertained.

This Notice is not a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), a Request for Proposals (RFP), or a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue any RFQ, RFP or a NOFO or ultimately award a contract or assistance agreement on the basis of this notice, or does pay for any information voluntarily submitted as a result of this notice. Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. Responses mailto:WaterCMservices@usaid.gov to this notice will not be returned and respondents will not be notified of the result of this review.

USAID will confirm receipt of submissions, but it will not provide any feedback to respondents on their submissions, nor will it answer any questions related to this notice. All information provided will become the property of USAID and will not be returned. USAID reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for its purposes. Proprietary information must not be sent.

If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from any response to this Notice. This Notice does not restrict the U.S. Government's ultimate acquisition approach on a future solicitation, if any.

Attachment 1

TABLE A

Project Title Project Value Brief Project Description

Dates of Implementation

Point of Contact Phone Email