Terms of Reference (ToRs) – Consultancy for the Design, Modification, Fabrication and Installation of a 40-Foot Shipping Container Showroom with Complementary Steel Works

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs)

Consultancy for the Design, Modification, Fabrication and Installation of a 40-Foot Shipping Container Showroom with Complementary Steel Works

  1. Background

Green Livelihoods (GL) is a local non-governmental organization registered in 2006 with a vision of a “Nation with Sustainable Livelihoods.” Through its commercialization and investment arm, GLICOMEX, Green Livelihoods promotes market access, aggregation, enterprise development, and commercialization of products produced by smallholder farmers, producer groups, cooperatives, women entrepreneurs, youth enterprises and artisans.

To support these commercialization efforts, Green Livelihoods intends to establish a temporary showroom at a designated site approved by the Lilongwe City Council (soon after Crossroads roundabout, opposite area 47 Sana complex along the Mchinji road). The showroom will primarily comprise a modified 40-foot shipping container complemented by structural steel works to create an attractive, secure, and functional product exhibition and marketing centre for bamboo products, honey, seed products, and other value-added products.

Green Livelihoods therefore seeks to engage a qualified Steel Works Engineer/Contractor to design, modify, fabricate, transport, install, and commission the showroom.

  1. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to transform a standard 40-foot shipping container into a modern, secure, aesthetically appealing, and fully functional showroom complemented by steel structures that enhance customer experience, product display, and operational efficiency.

  1. Objectives

The consultant shall:

  • Design a customized showroom based on a 40-foot shipping container.
  • Integrate complementary structural steel works to improve aesthetics, accessibility, functionality and weather protection.
  • Create an attractive product exhibition facility that promotes Green Livelihoods-supported enterprises.
  • Provide adequate office and display facilities for showroom operations.
  • Ensure the showroom remains relocatable and suitable as a temporary commercial structure.
  1. Scope of Work

The consultant shall undertake the following activities.

A. Design Phase

The consultant shall prepare and submit:

  • Site assessment report.
  • Architectural layout drawings.
  • Structural steel drawings.
  • Container modification drawings.
  • 3D perspectives and renderings.
  • Electrical layout/Lighting layout.
  • Shelving layout.
  • Foundation/support details.
  • Bill of Quantities (BoQ).
  • Fabrication and installation methodology.

All drawings shall be approved by Green Livelihoods prior to fabrication.

B. Container Modification Works

The consultant shall modify one 40-foot shipping container into a functional showroom by undertaking, but not limited to, the following works:

  • Cutting and reinforcing openings for doors and windows.
  • Internal partitioning.
  • Ceiling installation.
  • Wall lining and insulation.
  • Floor finishing.
  • Painting (internal and external).
  • Installation of electrical conduits.
  • Waterproofing where necessary.
  • Installation of ventilation systems.

C. Complementary Steel Works

The consultant shall design, fabricate and install structural steel components that complement the shipping container, including:

  • Steel-framed entrance canopy.
  • Covered customer veranda.
  • Steel display extensions where appropriate.
  • Decorative steel façade features.
  • Steel access staircase and handrails (where applicable).
  • Steel ramps for accessibility.
  • External steel branding frames.
  • Security grills for windows.
  • Steel security doors.
  • External display racks.
  • Steel pergola or shaded customer waiting area (where feasible).

All steel works shall be corrosion-resistant and finished with high-quality anti-rust primer and paint.

  1. Functional Requirements

A. Office Space

Construct/fabricate an enclosed office within the container capable of accommodating:

  • Two standard office desks.
  • Two office chairs.
  • Filing cabinet.
  • Lockable storage cabinet.
  • Electrical sockets.
  • LED lighting.
  • Lockable office door.
  • Windows with security features.

B. Product Display Area

Provide an open and flexible display area suitable for exhibiting:

  • Bamboo furniture.
  • Bamboo baskets.
  • Bamboo handicrafts.
  • Bamboo lampshades.
  • Bamboo beehives.
  • Decorative bamboo products.
  • Seed products/packages.
  • Honey products
  • Sunflower cooking oil
  • Promotional materials.

The layout should facilitate customer circulation while allowing display of larger bamboo furniture items. Additionally, inside the open/display space, there shall be shelves which will be used to display some of the above items. The shelves shall:

  • Be fabricated from powder-coated steel.
  • Include timber, laminated board or glass finishes where appropriate.
  • Be adjustable.
  • Be securely fixed to the container structure.
  • Maximise product visibility. 

C. Reception and Sales Area

Provide:

  • Reception counter.
  • Point-of-Sale (POS) counter.
  • Customer enquiry desk.

D. Display Area

Design complementary steel display spaces outside the container for showcasing:

  • Bamboo chairs.
  • Tables.
  • Benches.
  • Garden furniture.
  • Decorative bamboo products.
  1. Technical Specifications

The showroom shall incorporate:

Structural

  • Standard 40-foot shipping container.
  • Structural reinforcement of modified sections.
  • High-quality structural steel members.
  • Weather-resistant construction.
  • Relocatable design.
  • Minimal permanent foundations.

Roofing

Provide a steel-framed roof canopy extending beyond the container walls to:

  • Protect customers.
  • Protect displayed products.
  • Reduce heat gain.
  • Improve aesthetics.

Electrical Installation

Complete electrical installation including:

  • Internal LED lighting.
  • Shelf lighting.
  • Exterior security lighting.
  • Office sockets.
  • Display sockets.
  • Distribution board.
  • Provision for solar power integration.

Ventilation

Provide:

  • Aluminium windows.
  • Louvered vents.
  • Roof ventilation.
  • Natural airflow.
  • Ceiling insulation for thermal comfort.

Security

Install:

  • Heavy-duty steel security doors.
  • Burglar-proof windows.
  • Secure locking systems.
  • External security lights.

Finishes

Provide:

  • Corporate exterior painting in Green Livelihoods/GLICOMEX colours.
  • Attractive internal finishes.
  • Durable floor finish suitable for commercial use.
  • Corporate branding panels and signage.
  1. Deliverables

The consultant shall provide:

  1. Inception and Site Assessment Report.
  2. Detailed architectural drawings.
  3. Structural engineering drawings and 3D visualisations.
  4. Bill of Quantities.
  5. Modified 40-foot shipping container showroom.
  6. Complete and functional showroom based on the provided details.
  1. Assignment Duration

The assignment shall be completed within 20 calendar days from the date of contract signing.

Indicative implementation schedule:

DELIVERABLESESTIMATED NUMBER OF DAYS NEEDED TO COMPLETERESPONSIBLE TARGET DATES TO COMPLETE
Site assessment, inception report2Consultant03rd August, 2026
BoQ submission, and design approval1Consultant05th August, 2026
Actual work/modification and fabrication15Consultant24th August 2026
Handover and completion report1Consultant26th August, 2026
  1. Required Qualifications

The consultant/firm should possess:

  • A degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture or a related discipline.
  • Registration with the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI) and/or the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC), where applicable.
  • At least five (5) years’ experience in shipping container conversions, structural steel fabrication, and commercial building construction.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and constructing prefabricated commercial structures or container-based buildings.
  • Availability of qualified personnel and fabrication equipment to execute the assignment.
  1. Reporting

The consultant shall report to the project lead, Green Livelihoods, working closely with the GLICOMEX commercialization Manager. All designs, drawings and key deliverables shall be submitted for review and approval before fabrication and installation commence.

Following the above ToRs, qualified consultants/films are required to send their applications/quotations to procurement@greenlivelihoods.org

Cc: gmalambo@greenlivelihoods.org by the close of business 31st July, 2026. In your application include details of your experiences and key competencies.

For any further inquiries please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Gibson Malambo on +265 991 768 734 (Calls and WhatsApp).

Post expires at 4:00pm on Friday July 31st, 2026