| Overview : REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Selection of a Service Provider for Professional Technical Advisory Support Services to the Gold Ridge Project UNDP-SOI-RFP-2017-026 The Gold Ridge Mine Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) on the main island of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands has been a constant threat to its surrounding communities since April 2014 earthquake magnitude of 7.6 at 314.0 km SE of Honiara, Solomon Islands and heavy rainfalls then. The TSF is part of a bigger tailings storage system which has been operating since 1998 within a 25 year 30km2 lease. The tailings storage system consists of the main TSF embankment covering 0.62 km2, a water treatment plant with separate (now combined) sedimentation and discharge ponds and a Return Water dam upstream for storing treated water to be reused in the gold processing plant. The closure of the Gold Ridge Mine in 2014 also meant that maintenance of the water balance in the tailings storage system could not be sustained. Due to a combination of both natural (rainfall) and anthropogenic (tailings facility management) discharge, the TSF reached dangerously full levels. During the heavy rains in March/April 2016 TSF waters exceeded the spillway and 200,000 m3 was released into the surrounding environment. The social, environmental, economic, health and security risks associated with the Gold Ridge Tailings Dam continue to be potentially significant. Given the high exposure to natural disasters and likelihood of extreme events, it is essential to ensure that mechanisms and institutional capacity is enhanced to reduce the risks associated with the Gold Ridge TSF and RWD. The implementation of the Solomon Island Government, National Disaster Risk Management Plan 2010 saw there were gaps in technical support for hazard and risk assessment, community level Disaster Risk Management engagement, early warning capability and funding support. This project will address some of the gaps under the preparedness planning activities, particularly pertaining to the downstream communities. Disaster Management has been mainstreamed in the National Development Strategy as a cross cutting issue, focusing on investment in rapid response, disaster management equipment, early warning systems, and awareness programmes to communities vulnerable to disasters. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands is now looking for a service provider for Professional Technical Advisory Support Services to the Gold Ridge Project and wishes to call for Request for Proposals from qualified service providers to undertake the scope of work as per the Terms of Reference (TOR). The TOR and solicitation bid document detailing the exact required services, evaluation criteria and financial consideration formats are available for download. Refer to the attached documents. All proposals must be clearly marked with (UNDP-SOI-RFP-2017-026). The deadline for submission of the proposals is 22nd of June 2016 12.30 pm +11 Hours GMT Solomon Islands time and all proposals must be sent to the UNDP email address below. All late proposals will be rejected. UNDP-SOI-RFP-2017-026 - Selection of a Service Provider for Professional Technical Advisory Support Services to the Gold Ridge Project. Attention: Procurement Unit Email: soi.bids@undp.org | 
