Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

Taken from the Draft Guideline for Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EbA) in Laos (UNEP 2024):

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is an approach to climate change adaptation that utilizes biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help communities and ecosystems adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. The principles that guide EbA are as follows:

·         Nature-based Solutions: EbA emphasizes the use of nature-based solutions to address climate change impacts. It recognizes that healthy ecosystems can provide a range of adaptation benefits, such as flood regulation, water purification, and climate regulation. By restoring and conserving ecosystems, EbA aims to harness the natural processes and functions of ecosystems to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

·         People-centric Approach: EbA prioritizes the well-being and livelihoods of people. It seeks to deliver adaptation outcomes and socioeconomic benefits for communities, particularly those that are vulnerable to climate change impacts. This principle recognizes that adaptation measures should not only focus on ecological aspects but also consider the needs and aspirations of local communities.

·         Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems: EbA recognizes that ecosystems themselves are climate-sensitive and must remain within safe biophysical limits to effectively provide adaptation and mitigation benefits. It aims to maintain and increase the resilience of ecosystems to climate change by ensuring that they can withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.

·         Sustainable Use of Biodiversity: EbA promotes the sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. It seeks to enhance the capacity of ecosystems to provide adaptation benefits while ensuring the long-term health and effectiveness of these ecosystems. This principle emphasizes the importance of managing ecosystems in a way that balances human needs with the conservation of biodiversity.

·         Environmental protection: Although the community infrastructures that this project will support will be small and community level only, special attention will be paid to ensure that no harm will be done to the environment because of the infrastructure and those promoting water conservation, water reuse, renewable energy, composting, and protecting or restoring local ecosystems will be selected. Environmental and ecological preservation and sustainability will be applied in the design and implementation of the project.

General requirements

It shall be deemed that the bidder, prior to submitting the bid and signing the contract, has visited the site and its surroundings, have knowledge of the land and sub-soil structure, the form and nature of the site, the details and levels of existing and other structures, the quantities and types of work and materials required to complete the work, access roads to the site and all aspects of evacuation shelter that may be required, that also he/she has obtained all necessary information on other circumstances that may affect its offer, and he/she shall not make any claims regarding these matters.

The Scope of Work shall include, but not limited to, the following requirements:

The construction firm shall furnish all labor, materials, tools, equipment, consumables, and supervision to perform and complete all works in accordance with the drawings provided, Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and specifications indicated below, all of which constitute the work to be performed and including the following:

The community water supply work needs to comply with relevant Lao laws, regulations, guidelines and UNDP policies on construction, social and environmental standards (SES) and environmental and social management framework. The IWRM-EbA project has a dedicated Safeguards Officer that is available to guide the firm on any SES, ESIA and ESMF requirements that may need to be adhered to during the construction phase.

Prior to commencing work on site, the construction firm must fulfil statutory environmental and social safeguards requirements, which shall be deemed a fundamental condition of the contract. All issues and concerns on water supply construction measures pertaining to minimizing environmental impacts, loss of private assets due to land and right-of-way acquisition, getting approvals from the local government, etc. need to be resolved or acted upon during the pre-construction. The contractor is required to regularly coordinate with the village authorities and local communities to avoid disruption of activities, health and safety aspects, and operationalize a grievance redressal mechanism.

The construction work must fully comply with the approved design and strictly follow the principles of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and incorporate Ecosystem-based Solutions (EbS) rather than traditional hard engineering approaches aligned with the objectives of the project. The bidder must provide detailed technical specifications in terms of site preparation and excavation works, backfill, masonry and concrete works, transportation, delivery and storage of aggregates, quarry site, concrete mix proportions, sand filling and gabion installations, storage of hazardous materials near the riverbank water surface, quality control system and quality assurance plan, provision and maintenance of camp, store and equipment yard, disposal of spoil and construction waste, protection measures of the adjoining old temple during construction period, all structural and non-structural measures and health and safety measures.

Bidders must be able to demonstrate relevant skills and experience in the construction and installation of water supply works with demonstrated evidence of the successful completion of similar construction works. Engagement with local technical firms is encouraged. 

The selected firm is expected to implement improvements of community water supply and storage in Sopsalou Village, including piping water from a nearby weir to a new community storage, in Sephone District of Savannakhet Province. Bidders are encouraged to refer to the detailed designs and BoQ included in the annexes of this ToR to accurately assess the scope of work and prepare their proposals. Please note that the final project costs will be determined through the competitive tendering process and are subject to change.

Specific tasks

As part of the project’s strategy to strengthen the climate resilience of communities to the impacts of floods, the IWRM-EbA Project conducted an optioneering study in 2024. The study has identified Sopsalou village of Sephone District to support in developing a reliable and sustainable water source and providing water supply connectivity and recommended developing protective infrastructure to provide safe and reliable community water supply and ensure all-season water security to the downstream communities of the project area.

Tasks/detail requirements

The construction firm will conduct the following tasks:

Task 1:

Technical scoping, IWRM-EbA standards compliance and work planning

Organize a kick-off meeting with Project Team and DWR in Vientiane; review project reports, cross-section engineering designs and guiding documents, develop workplan and submit inception report for approval.

Task 2:

Site preparation, clearing pipeline route and excavation

The bidder is required to clear pipeline route off bushes (732 meters), undergrowth, trees, debris and rubbish and dispose with width of clearance to be 2.0m to accommodate for access road and trench and excavation of materials. Where required, depressions caused by the removal of boulders, trees or other obstacles shall be filled with adequate soil and compacted at no extra cost. Burning of removed materials will not be permitted on the site. All unsalvageable materials shall be disposed of by removing them from the site at the contractor's expense.

Excavation, back-filling in trench shall include for trimming trench bottom and for providing selected bedding and surround materials from the excavations as per the specifications and placing and joining the 200m diameter HDPE pipes as directed by the engineer-in charge. Depth of excavation not exceeding 1.0 m unless otherwise specified. Excavations shall be accurately cut to the lines and levels shown on the drawings. Any formation which becomes waterlogged or otherwise spoilt shall be cleaned out and reformed to the original level at the expense of the contractor and to the satisfaction of the site engineer before any further material is placed.

Task 3:

Construction management plan

Construction of robust raised water tank structured on a concrete footing and sediment control should be carried out as per the approved engineering design to ensure protection from floods, land preservation, and movement functionality. This design ensures stability and longevity, capable of withstanding various environmental conditions. The elevated position of the tank will facilitate efficient water distribution, leveraging gravity to deliver water where it is needed. This component of the project is essential for maintaining a consistent and reliable water supply. Concrete formwork and reinforcement bars should be as per the national construction standards with adequate delivery, storage and handling capacity. The Contractor shall furnish the concrete pipe supports, steel flanges, bolts, nuts and gaskets, jointing/welding material as well as water pressure and leakage testing as required for the complete installation and a workable piping system.

Based on technical specifications, the bidder is required to implement its construction management plans as per the UN supplier code of conduct, which includes principles on labour, human rights, environment and ethical conduct, to mitigate the effects of construction activities. This includes the provision of mitigation measures to address impacts from dust generated; strict scheduling of various construction activities to reduce and/or minimize noise; provision of signages/warning signs; erosion control; ensuring safety of workers through the consistent use of PPEs. A joint inspection team (i.e. project manager, site engineer) from the implementing agency will be tasked to monitor the compliance of the contractor with potential mitigation measures.

Task 4:

Civil engineering techniques

Based on the design, civil engineering structures will be applied in critical sites where protection is essential and bioengineering techniques are less effective. The contractor shall provide all labor, materials, tools, equipment, supervision, and any other items necessary to complete the work as described in the design. Civil engineering measures applicable for water supply construction works (amongst others) include site clearance, piping, water tank construction, water pressure, leakage testing and inspection, spoil disposal, etc.

Task 5:

Engaging qualified engineers, environmental and social safeguards expert

Develop a monitoring and reporting mechanism to ensure that all conditions set forth in SES, ESIA and ESMF and other applicable regulatory requirements and standards are well integrated in compliance with the approved detailed engineering design and safeguards documents.

Task 6:

Compliance with potential social and environmental risks

Ensure strict compliance with social and environmental risks through its "Social and Environmental Standards" (SES), which include a set of policies and procedures designed to identify, mitigate, and manage potential negative impacts on communities and the environment from project’s construction activities (viz., physical cultural environment, construction waste and spoil management, community health and safety, indigenous peoples, grievance redressal mechanism, Leave No one Behind, pollution prevention and resource efficiency, gender equality and social inclusion, etc.)

Task 7:

Monitoring and reporting mechanism

Develop a monitoring, reporting and verifying mechanism to assess environmental and social standards set forth in SES, ESIA and ESMF and other applicable regulatory requirements and standards are well integrated in compliance with the approved detailed engineering design and safeguards documents.

Task 8:

Consolidated report

Prepare and submit a comprehensive report, including the as-built designs reflecting any modifications made during the water supply construction works.

Estimated duration

The total estimated duration to complete all tasks under this ToR is estimated approximately six (4) months.

Composition of expert team

The construction firm is required to propose a team of technical experts who are certified and experienced in undertaking all tasks as outlined in this ToR. Organizational profile, curriculum vitae and relevant professional certificates and license are to be submitted with the technical proposal for all proposed experts and engineers.

Interested construction firm is requested to submit a detailed technical proposal outlining their proposed approach/methodology for each of the tasks as listed in this ToR together with an activity workplan that includes a detailed construction planning and schedule.