Terms of Reference
Design-and-Build Contractor for Groundwater Assessment, Borehole Drilling, Solar Pumping System Design, Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Handover at Muwolokera Irrigation Scheme, TA Kaphuka, Dedza District
1. Background
Self Help Africa (SHA) Malawi is an international non-governmental Organisation working to create opportunities for lasting improvement in people’s lives. SHA works in partnership with others to support livelihoods and food security, WASH and health, sustainable energy, gender equality and climate resilience programmes.
With funding from Irish Aid, Self Help Africa (SHA) is implementing a five-year Sustainable Production, Economic growth, Accountability and Resilience (SPEAR) programme. One of the key interventions under the programme is irrigation development through the construction of small-scale gravity-based systems. Over time, these schemes have faced depletion of water sources due to catchment degradation, over-abstraction, and climate change, threatening the long-term sustainability.
Consequently, farmers have experienced reduced crop yields and incomes, undermining the programmes objectives. To address this challenge, the programme plans to upgrade one gravity-fed irrigation scheme into a hybrid system by incorporating a solar-powered pumping component. This innovation aims to enhance water availability and ensure year-round irrigation efficiency. In line with this plan, the programme is soliciting the services of a qualified contractor to undertake the assessment, design, and installation of the solar-powered pumping system.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to engage a qualified design-and-build contractor to provide a supplementary solar-powered groundwater system for Muwolokera Irrigation Scheme in TA Kaphuka, Dedza District. The assignment shall include hydrogeological assessment, geophysical siting, borehole drilling and construction, pumping tests, irrigation water quality testing, solar pumping system design, supply, installation, commissioning, training and handover.
3. Scope of Work
The contractor shall be responsible for the full design-and-build process for one supplementary solar-powered groundwater system at Muwolokera Irrigation Scheme. The system shall be designed to supplement and safely feed into the existing gravity-fed irrigation system during dry-season low-flow periods.
The scope shall include hydrogeological assessment, geophysical siting, drilling and construction of two production boreholes, borehole development, pumping tests, recovery analysis, irrigation water quality testing, solar pumping system design, supply and installation of equipment, connection to the existing gravity-fed irrigation system, commissioning, training and handover.
4. Deliverables by the contractor
The contractor shall deliver the following;
- Inception Report – Detailing the methodology, work plan, and timeline for the assignment.
- Hydrogeological and Geophysical Survey Report
- Existing Gravity-Fed System Assessment Report
- Borehole Drilling and Construction Report
- Pumping Test and Recovery Report
- Irrigation Water Quality Report
- Solar Pumping and Irrigation Integration Design Report
- Irrigation Water Quality Report
- Solar Pumping and Irrigation Integration Design report
- Installation and Commissioning Report
- As-Built Drawings
- Operations and Maintenance Manual
- Final Completion Report
5. How to apply
- All eligible partners with verifiable offices and licenses who meet the requirements can submit their bid documents by uploading the electronic files through the link provided below.
- Kindly Send an email to procurement.mw@selfhelpafrica.org to request for a detailed Terms of Reference, or If you have any questions or need further clarification.
- Kindly utilize this provided box link to upload electronic copies of your bid application https://gsha.app.box.com/f/9c9e119f6e1744f9bb0f0fe72e1c7900
- Alternatively, proposals may be submitted in sealed envelopes, clearly labeled “Design-and-Build Contractor for Groundwater Assessment, Borehole Drilling, Solar Pumping System Design, Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Handover at Muwolokera Irrigation Scheme, TA Kaphuka, Dedza District.” and delivered no later than July 7, 2026, at 2PM, Malawi Local time to the Self Help Africa (SHA) Country Office in Lilongwe. Submissions should be addressed to: The Procurement and Logistics Manager, Self Help Africa, City Centre, Mwai House (Same building as Centenary Bank), Next to Anamwino House, Private Bag B-495, Lilongwe
- Closing date of receiving bid submission is July 7, 2026, at 2PM Malawi Local time.
Note: Self Help Africa is not bound to accept the lowest or any other bids. All bids will be evaluated in compliance with SHA guidelines as well as the requirements for the invitation to bid. Self Help Africa takes the safety and wellbeing of those we work with very seriously.
We have a zero-tolerance policy on abuse. Our recruitment is safe meaning that we recruit contractors with the highest values and standards of ethical behavior.
Post expires at 2:00pm on Tuesday July 7th, 2026