Deadline

The purpose of the Call for Proposal (CFP) is to solicit interest from existing or prospective implementing partners that wish to participate in UN-Habitat’s programmatic operations and contribute complementary resources (human resources, knowledge, funds, in-kind contributions, supplies and/or equipment) to achieving common objectives as outlined below and subsequently agreed in an Agreement of Cooperation.

 

Size of grant: USD 1 million

Purpose of CFP: Engage an implementing partner to identify, assess, design, and rehabilitate 10 structurally unsound buildings, and where relevant the common and public spaces/facilities around them, affected by the Beirut Port explosion, preferably those of cultural heritage value, and located in Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, and Karantina. The assignment involves building the capacities of local public institutions, civil society, and contractors to build back resilient and better by applying environmentally sound construction materials, green approaches and methods.

 

Submission deadline date and time: 1 June 2021, noon Beirut time.

Proposals to be submitted in soft copy stamped and signed before deadline via e-mail to: unhabitat-lebanon@un.org     

Key project information

  • UN-Habitat project title: Support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of most vulnerable urban areas in Beirut impacted by the port explosion.
  • Locations:
    • Town/city: Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, and Karantina (Beirut)
    • Country: Lebanon
  • Anticipated start date: 1 July 2021
  • Estimated duration of project in calendar months: 8 months
  • Maximum proposed value in USD: 1 million
  • Lead organization unit within UN-Habitat Lebanon: Urban Planning and Design

 

Brief background of project

The 4 August 2020 explosion created significant immediate humanitarian needs and severe long-term consequences. As of 14 August 2020, more than 170 people were killed, more than 6,000 injured and 300,000 reported without shelter. A conservative estimate by UN-Habitat, approximates more than 60,000 households impacted by the explosion. Schools and health facilities were extensively damaged, and the blast destroyed an estimated 120,000 metric tonnes of food stocks. Shelter was identified as an immediate, medium- and long-term need, particularly in areas such as Gemmayzeh, Mar Mikhael, and Karantina. These areas are inhabited by a mixed population, including the most vulnerable, including refugees and poor Lebanese and female-headed households.

Several damage assessments have been undertaken by actors on the ground, including combined efforts of the UN family, NGOs, the World Bank and other private and public entities. UN-Habitat conducted with both municipalities of Beirut and Bourj Hammoud two damage assessments at the building level and was involved and/or leading on household level assessments in line with the humanitarian coordination structure on ground and the Lebanese Red Cross.

According to the Shelter Sector (UN-Habitat co-leads with UNHCR), it is estimated that the explosion directly impacted 291,180 individuals living in 72,265 apartments located across 9,700 buildings within three kilometers of the epicentre. This led to temporary and long term displacement of households to areas mainly located outside of the immediately impacted area. However, most affected households continue to reside within their damaged buildings. The Shelter Sector has classified the building damages into three levels: Level 1 (light), Level 2 (moderate) and Level 3 (severe).

Urgent support is needed to facilitate the rehabilitation of the homes of affected vulnerable persons, especially multi-story residential buildings that were severely damaged (categorized as Level 3), which are difficult to rehabilitate by the residents themselves. Considering the impact on infrastructure and overall economy, support is also required to rehabilitate community infrastructure and increase employment/livelihood opportunities. 

The proposed project aims at rehabilitating 10 multi-story Level 3 residential buildings and where relevant affected common and public spaces/facilities around the same site. It will also target the most vulnerable populations and should equally train and recruit men and women to engage in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, thus contributing to regain their livelihoods through cash for work.  

In this CFP, UN-Habitat is looking for an implementing partner (IP) to identify, mobilize the community and get their consent, coordinate with field working organizations and officials to avoid overlap of activities and get the required permits to conduct the reconstruction works. Applicants can submit proposals for the full amount of grant covering 10 multi-story residential buildings or for fewer buildings. and where relevant affected common and public spaces/facilities around the same site.

Outcome of the project: Conduct structural and architectural rehabilitation of at least 10 multi-story (Level 3) residential buildings located within the blast affected area in Beirut, through a comprehensive approach that starts with ensuring owners and tenants consent, obtaining official permits and approvals by relevant authorities, and applying the building back better and resilient approach to ensure the longevity of the buildings and the tenure security of tenants. The proposal could also include affected common and public spaces/ facilities that are within the same location and could be considered complementary to the housing rehabilitation.

 

Main activities and outputs

The IP will undertake the following main activities (but not limited to):

Project area identification:

  • Identify the project area and presenting a location map of the buildings and/or common and public spaces to be rehabilitated.
  • Provide documentation of the proposed buildings for the rehabilitation, including, and not limited to; pictures, maps, type of tenancy (ownership or rent), and any other record that is relevant for the documentation.

Legality and permits:

  • Obtain owners and tenants written consent for conducting the rehabilitation on their behalf.
  • Development of full tender dossiers including structural and architectural assessments, designs, drawings, bill of quantities, material specifications, terms and conditions, etc.
  • Obtain formal approvals and permits from relevant authorities and municipalities. This includes for example the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA), the Municipality of Beirut (MoB) and the Order of Engineers and Architects (OEA). It is to be noted that the IP should secure the official signature of authorized Lebanese civil engineer/s registered in OEA, who should endorse the structural drawings that will require the approval of MoB and OEA.

Rehabilitation process and methodology:

  • Mobilize community groups to select and train vulnerable workers from both genders to participate in and contribute to the rehabilitation process.
  • Present a clear engineering methodology for the rehabilitation of the buildings including and not limited to; storage of material and construction products, propping and shoring of buildings, structural strengthening, architectural repairs and finishing, electro-mechanical repairs and communal spaces upgrade.
  • Present a detailed methodology/ method statement of how to work in unsafe and structurally unsound buildings.
  • Present a clear and detailed timetable of the different activities of the project.

Reporting:

 

Risk Analysis

Risk type

Risk description

Probability

Consequence

Risk Mitigation

Political 

Current political deadlocks and roadblocks

Moderate 

Moderate 

IP to establish a nearby warehouse to store all products and construction material.

Economic 

Current financial crisis and the devaluation of the Lebanese currency 

Moderate 

Low 

All contracts will be paid and processed in US dollars.

Social 

Unhealthy and unsafe work conditions for workers

Moderate 

Low 

- Training to include safety and security to all personnel.

- Site safety conditions should be applied (helmets, safety jackets, boots, gloves, goggles, etc.)

- Proper insurance policies to be furnished before the start of operations.

Health

COVID-19 outbreak and potential lockdown

Moderate

Moderate

Application of strict COVID-19 precaution measures and particularly for construction sites (produced by UN-Habitat)

 

Eligibility criteria

 

Criteria

 

 

Submission Details/ Documents Required

 

 

 

Legal Status
  • Certificate of registration/incorporation i.e.,
  • Proof of registration in country of origin
  • Proof of registration of country of operation
  • Proof of country operational presence

 

Organization profile and details
  • Clear organization profile and structure of the organization indicating:
    • Organization’s vision, mission, and objectives
    • Management structure
    • Members of the Governing Board and their designations duly certified by the Corporate Secretary, or its equivalent document
    • Proof of membership to professional associations if any

 

Financial Capacity
  • Audited company financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) and auditors report for the last two years

 

Exclusive bank account
  • Is the organization willing and able to have a separate bank account for the funds provided by UN-Habitat?

                            

Integrity and governance
  • The organization should complete and submit a signed Partner Declaration Form
  • Provide the profiles of the chairperson of the Board of Directors, head of the organization and chief of finance

 

Selection criteria

 

Criteria

 

Submission details and documents required

 

Weighting

1.   Technical capacity

 

25%

1.1 Does the organization have the relevant experience and proven track record in implementing activities in the areas of the project?

Has it managed in the past projects of similar technical complexities and financial size?

Is the project linked with the core business of the IP?
  • List of projects executed in the last 2 years (value, location, donors, nature of projects, execution stage – completed or ongoing).
  • Demonstrate how the experiences in past projects are relevant in the execution of the current proposal
  • References from past donors

 

1.2 Does the organization have qualified technical staff with the experience and the technical skills required by the project?

What is the staff size, type, qualification and education background?
  • CVs of key management staff, technical and non-technical staff that will be involved on the project
  • How many technical staff do you have in the concerned Country for implementing the project? Is there reasonable assurance that such technical staff required by the project will continue to be available as needed in the project?

 

1.3 Does the organization have a clear and strong link with an identifiable constituency relevant to the targeted population of the project?

Does it have the ability to impact on the targeted population and on the issues?

Does it have strong presence in the field and for how long?

Does it have adequate capacity to work in key areas/regions where the proposed field activities will be implemented?
  • Demonstrate, describe and provide proof of local operational presence, including link and ability to impact the targeted population.

 

1.4 Does the organization possess adequate physical facilities, office equipment, transport, etc. to implement the activities?
  • Provide location and list of office facilities, vehicles and office equipment locally available to implement the project.

 

1.5 Does the organization have formal procedures to monitor project execution (e.g. milestones, outputs, expenditures…)
  • Provide formal project monitoring policies and procedures

 

 

2.   Financial and administrative capacity

 

15%

2.1 Has the organization been in operation over a period of at least 2 years to demonstrate its financial sustainability and relevance?
  • State the years of operation
  • Financial statements for the last 2 years

 

2.2 Does the organization have qualified staff in finance? Is the current accounting system computerized and does have the capacity to collect and provide separate financial reports on the activities executed under the Agreement of Cooperation?

Does it have systems and practices to monitor and report whether the project deliverables and expenditures are within agreed time and budget?

Does it have minimum segregation of duties in place (separation between project management, finance/accounting and executive office)

 
  • CVs of key finance and accounting staff
  • Description and key features and controls of the accounting system used
  • Organization structure/ organogram

 

2.3 Does the organization have the capacity to procure goods and services on a transparent and competitive basis? (if applicable) check for procurement unit with experienced staff
  • Copies of procurement policies and procedures. The procedures should show how you procure locally and internationally.

 

2.4 Does the organization have formal procedures and controls to mitigate fraud such as multiple signature signatories on bank accounts, reporting and prosecution of incidences of fraud?
  • Describe anti-fraud controls and provide formal procedures

 

2.5 Does the organization have capacity to provide in-kind, financial, personnel contribution as UN-Habitat Implementing Partner in this present project? Please give details of contribution nature and size.
  • Describe nature and value of contribution (in-kind or cash)

 

 

3.   Financial proposal

 

 

30%

3.1 Is the budget for each component of the activity to be performed by the IP:

(i) cost-effective (i.e. the cost should be economical and prudently estimated to avoid any under/over estimation)

(ii) justifiable/well supported and

(iii) accurate and complete

Budget Proposal (as per attached template)

  • BOQ (if applicable)
  • Other supporting documents

 

 

4.   Technical proposal

 

 

30%

4.1 The technical proposal is sound and responds adequately to the specifications and requirements?

Technical proposal document (as per attached template)

 

 

Cumulative score for ratios

 

100%

 

Notes:

  1. Interested organizations must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochure, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc).
  2. Additional cash funding that could be secured by the applicant in addition to the 1 million, to undertake other relevant complementary works will be considered during the evaluation of proposals.
  3. The CFP and accompanying documents must be received in accordance with instructions provided. CFP submitted to a different email address other than the specified one will not be considered.
  4. CFP from applicants failing to provide the complete information to fulfil the basic eligibility criteria will be considered non-responsive.
  5. CFP received after the above deadline will not be considered.
  6. Organizations will be selected in accordance with the procedure set out in the UN-Habitat IP Management Policy and Standard Operating Procedures.
  7. CFP from applicants failing to provide the requested information will be disregarded.
  8. This CFP does not entail any commitment on the part of UN-Habitat, either financial or otherwise. UN-Habitat reserves the right to accept or reject any or all Proposals without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant(s) of the grounds.
  9. All prices must be in USD.