Call for EOI: Consultancy Services for the ISAT Irrigation Project (Feasibility Studies & Designs)

The Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, has released a Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for a major irrigation consultancy assignment.

We are inviting qualified local and international consulting firms to submit their EOI for the conducting of Feasibility Studies, Preparation of Detailed Designs, Environmental and Social Instruments, and Bidding/Tender Documents for the proposed Irrigated and Sustainable Agriculture for Transformation (ISAT) Project.

This assignment is supported by a World Bank Project Preparation Grant (PPG) and focuses on generating the technical, economic, environmental, and institutional evidence needed to advance the ISAT operation.

Key Scope of Services

The selected firm(s) will be responsible for five main tasks:

1. Feasibility studies & detailed designs for 11 new irrigation schemes – including 10 schemes supplied by IDSP‑rehabilitated dams and the 11th at Nanga Irrigation Research Station.

2. Modernization of 21 existing Community Based Smallholder Irrigation (COBSI) schemes – small gravity systems originally supported by JICA.

3. Expansion of the Manyonyo (Sugar Cane) Irrigation Scheme – fresh feasibility studies and designs to replace outdated 20+ year old documentation.

4. Expansion of the Magobo (Sugar Cane) Irrigation Scheme – 450‑ha expansion, migrating from furrow to modern pressurized systems (drip, sprinkler, pivot).

5. Asset registers, O&M plans, OPEX costs, and irrigation service fees for all schemes – including layout plans (hardcopy and Google Earth KMZ) and detailed operational/maintenance schedules.

Selection Method & Shortlisting Criteria

Firms will be selected using the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method as per the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations (September 2025).

Shortlisting criteria include:

• Core business and years in business

• Experience in similar assignments in the last ten years (include client, contract value, period, and role – lead or JV partner)

• Experience in Africa or developing countries

• Technical and managerial capability (organizational structure and general qualifications of key staff – do not submit CVs at this stage)

Important: Consultants may form Joint Ventures (JV) or sub‑consultancy arrangements. In a JV, each partner must independently meet the evaluation criteria. Sub‑consultant experience will not be used to qualify the lead firm or JV.

Conflict of Interest & Disclosure

Firms must adhere to the World Bank’s Conflict of Interest provisions (Sections 3.14, 3.16, 3.17). The Borrower will also disclose the successful Consultant’s beneficial ownership as part of the Contract Award Notice.

Submission Instructions

Deadline: June 9, 2026 at 10:00 hours Central African Time (+2 GMT)

Delivery: In person, by mail, fax, or email – clearly marked:

“EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR CONDUCTING OF FEASIBILITY STUDIES, PREPARATION OF DETAILED DESIGNS AND BIDDING DOCUMENTS FOR THE PROPOSED ISAT PROJECT”

Email submissions must obtain confirmation of receipt. If you do not receive acknowledgement within two days, call the Project Manager at +260 977319438.

Address:
The Coordinator; and Deputy National Authorising Officer
National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund
Ministry of Finance and National Planning
Plot No. 488a/37/0/1/4, Lake Road, Kabulonga
P.O. Box 50376, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
Email: tenders.agriculture@nao.gov.zm
Tel: +260 211 250828 / 250828

For full details, download the original EOI document below or contact the office during working hours (08:00–17:00 local time, Monday–Friday excluding public holidays).

[Download EOI Document – Feasibility Studies & Designs ISAT Project] (EOI Feasibility Studies Preparation of detailed designs Bidding and Tender Documents)