Tender Description

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Tree Plantation initiative in Afgoye town Marerey and Lafolle settlement.

Introduction

Shabelle Community Development Organization (SHACDO) is a non-governmental, Non-profit making humanitarian and development organization dedicated to responding to humanitarian emergences through provision of life-saving support mechanisms in partnership with national and international role players, promoting peace and stability, advocate against all kinds of violence, initiate long term and short-term development projects.

SHACDO is looking for a qualified contractor to implement multi-purpose trees to prevent wind and soil erosion, conserve biodiversity, reduce environmental degradation, and offer animal fodder, lumber, fuel, and fruits, among other benefits, as one of the recommendations from the NEAT + assessment. In Afgoye, there are already tree seedling producers, and the project will support farmers, interested households and institutions to plant and care for 12,128 trees in the course of the project.                       

Objectives of tree plantation

The main objectives of tree plantation project is to create a resilient, sustainable environment through the planting of multi-purpose trees that provide economic benefits (fodder, timber, fuel, fruit), environmental benefits (soil erosion, conserve biodiversity, reduce environmental degradation), and support the local community's long-term well-being. By empowering local farmers, households, and institutions to plant and care for trees, the project aims to contribute to the restoration of ecosystems, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable land management practices in Afgoye.The tree plantation project by SHACDO will be implemented in Afgoye town, Lafoole area and Marerey village as outlined below and focuses on achieving several environmental, socio-economic, and community development goals as follows;

1. Prevent Wind and Soil Erosion: Planting multi-purpose trees is intended to reduce the impact of wind and soil erosion, particularly in vulnerable areas. This helps protect soil quality, reduces desertification, and prevents the loss of productive land.
2. Conserve Biodiversity: By introducing and maintaining a variety of tree species, the project aims to improve local biodiversity, providing habitats for wildlife and promoting a balanced ecosystem.
3. Reduce Environmental Degradation: The tree plantation will help combat environmental degradation by restoring areas affected by deforestation, overgrazing, or unsustainable agricultural practices. This contributes to long-term environmental sustainability.
4. Provide Animal Fodder: Planting trees that can provide fodder for livestock, supporting local agriculture and improving the livelihood of farmers and pastoralists in the region.
5. Providing shade, fuel, lumber and fruits: The trees will offer valuable resources, such as lumber for construction, firewood for cooking, and fruits for nutrition and income generation, enhancing the economic stability of households.
6. Support Farmers and Local Communities: The project will engage farmers, interested households, and institutions in the tree planting process, providing them with tree seedlings and tree care. This supports local livelihoods through direct benefits and skills development.
7. Promote Sustainable Land Use: Encouraging the adoption of sustainable land management practices through tree planting as part of broader efforts to prevent land degradation and promote environmental stewardship.
8. Achieve NEAT+ Recommendations: Aligning with the findings from the NEAT+ (Natural Environment and Agricultural Transformation) assessment to meet the region's environmental and developmental needs through appropriate tree plantation and land management strategies.

In summary, SHACDO's tree plantation project in Afgoye, Marerey and Lafoole is designed to address environmental issues such as soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also providing economic benefits to the local communities through resources like animal fodder, firewood, and fruits. The project also aims to engage the local population in sustainable agricultural practices to improve their livelihoods.

Tree plantation pecifications :

The required trees for the tree plantation are mainly plants with tap roots that can withstand the harsh weather environment particularly the strong wind and semi-arid climate prone to the target locations which are readily available for transplanting. Additionally, they should be well-suited for windbreaks, contribute to biodiversity, soil conservation and help reduce environmental degradation.

These trees include but not limited to Eucalyptus, Tamarind, whistling pine, Indian Almond, Lemon, Mango, Coconut trees which are the most liked and environmentally friendly trees available in the tree nursery centers in Afgoye town. For height requirement, the contractor is required to source trees with a minimum measurement of 20-50cm. in short, all tree seedlings must have the following specifications:

 1. Seedling Heigh: All seedlings must have a height range of 20 to 50 cm.

Seedlings exceeding    50 cm in height may be prone to transplant shock.

• Seedlings below 20 cm in height are considered too fragile and have low survival potential.

2. Stem Quality: Seedlings must have a sturdy and straight stem to prevent breakage during transportation and handling.

3. Root System : Seedlings must possess a well-developed and compact root system.

 Roots should be free from damage, disease, or signs of being root-bound.

4. Leaf Health: All seedlings must have healthy, green leaves, free from pests, discoloration.

Contractor’s deliverables in tree plantation.

Procurement of Tree Seedlings: The contractor is required to purchase and deliver 12,128 quality tree seedlings to the final destination including Marerey, Lafoole and Afgoye town.

Distribution of the tree seedlings. The contractor will be responsible for the distribution of the tree seedlings in all the target locations with the support of SHACDO staff and Displacement Affected community (DACs) committees in the target locations.

Reporting: The contractor is required to generate report covering purchasing to distribution with captioned photos with quality.

Roles and responsibilities of SHACDO in tree plantations.

Community Engagement and Awareness: SHACDO will conduct Community engagement and awareness that highlight the benefits of multi-purpose trees in preventing soil erosion, providing fuel, fruits and increasing biodiversity. This will include engaging the Community committees particularly the Displacement affected committees(DACs) forum committees, local farmers, households interested to participate tree plantation and institutions to ensure active participation in tree plantation. Monitoring and Evaluation: SHACDO will continuously monitor to track the progress of tree growth and survival rates, including assessments of tree health, pest or disease issues, and environmental factors. Regular reports should be generated to evaluate project success, including tree survival rates, changes in biodiversity, and soil erosion control improvements. Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Through the agronomist and community extension workers SHACDO will provide support throughout the project's lifespan to ensure the trees are properly cared for. This may include providing care cost for watering, pest management etc. Tree Planting and Initial Care: SHACDO will facilitate tree planting by selecting the target beneficiaries. additionally, SHACDO will oversee the physical planting of trees on prepared sites, ensuring correct spacing and depth for each type of tree.

Scope of Work

The tree plantation inintiatives will be implemented in Afgoye District, Mareerey and Lafoole sattlements, in the Lower Shabelle region, South West State (SWS) of Somalia.

  Accurate Quantities: The contractor must supply the specified quantity of 12,128 trees seedlings as outlined in the Tree Plantation specifications. Quality Assurance: All materials supplied must meet the quality standards specified by SHACDO. Timely Delivery: The contractor is responsible for ensuring timely delivery of the tree seedlings to the SHACDO  office in Mogadishu,  as well as to the project sites in Afgoye, Mareerey, and Lafoole.

Financial Proposal

Interested contractors are required to submit a detailed work plan that includes the following:

Price per Item: provide the unit price for each type of tree seedling.

Additional Costs: Outline any additional costs associated with the procurement and delivery of the tree seedlings, including transportation and handling fees.

The number of trees to be supplied. Specifications for each tree type (e.g., species, height, health status).

This proposal should encompass all necessary costs related to the procurement and delivery of tree seedlings.

Eligibility Criteria:

Bidders wishing to be considered for the services must meet the following qualifications:

·         Must be legally registered in Somalia government and South west regional  state

·         Economic Standing: The total annual turnover must exceed USD 100,000 to ensure financial stability.

·         Professional Capacity: must have skilled and experienced staff in the areas of  environmental projects, including reforestation and tree planting.

·         Technical Capacity: The supplier/firm must have successfully completed at least one major project in relevant fields in the past three years, specifically in reforestation, forest management, or environmental protection.

·         Operational Capabilities: The contarctor  must have the operational /logisticsl capacity to procure, transport, and distribute tree seedlings effectively to the designated project sites in Afgoye, Mareerey, and Lafoole.

·         Knowledge of the Geographic Area: The organization should have a proven record of experience and capacity in the areas of Afgoye, Mareerey, and Lafoole in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.

·         Local Engagement: Demonstrate experience in engaging with local communities, ensuring participation in the planting and maintenance of trees, and fostering community ownership of reforestation efforts.

Bid Evaluation Criteria:

Bid Selection criteria will be evaluated based on.

•         Price competitiveness

•         Quality of seedlings

•         Delivery timeframes

•         Relevant experience

Important Notes:

All submissions must be made by the deadline to be considered.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

Skills Required

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