Request for Proposal
For
Consultancy services for Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) of 750 MW proposed Solar Project in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India
by
New and Renewable Energy Department,
Government of Madhya Pradesh
Consultancy services for ESA studies of the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of MP 15
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER,
NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, Bhopal (M.P.)
UrjaBhawan, Near - 5 no. bus stop, Shivaji Nagar,
Bhopal – 462016
NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS
Engagement of consultant for Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) of the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India
No.NRED/BM-Gen-61/2014-15/92 Issue date: 15.04.2015
Madhya Pradesh is fast becoming the destination of choice for major investments in the areas of renewable energy. The state is having a vast potential of renewable energy in grid connected renewable energy technologies – solar, wind, biomass and small hydro. In this regard, the state is desirous of engaging consultant for Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) of the proposed Ultra Mega Solar Power Project in Rewa district of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India as per the World Bank requirement.
Office of the Commissioner, New and Renewable Energy, MP, now invites proposals from eligible and interested consultants in the prescribed format.
Detailed description is provided in the Request for Proposal (RFP) document. The RFP document and format of application are available on website www.mpnred.com.
The last date for receipt of applications is 07/05/2015 by 1530 hrs. at the address given below:
Deputy Commissioner,Office of Commissioner
New and Renewable Energy,
UrjaBhawan, Near - 5 no. bus stop, Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal – 462016
Tel. No: 0755-2551438, 2579876, 2980002
Fax: 0755-2551439
Website: www.mpnred.com
E-mail ID: [
Interested consultants may obtain further information or seek any clarifications from the address given above from between 1030 - 1330 hours and 1430-1700 hours, local time (Monday to Saturday) exclusive of public holidays.
Consultancy services for ESA studies of the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of MP 15
Table of Contents
1. Background 4
2. Objective 4
3. Conditions of Eligibility of Bidder 7
4. Schedule of Selection Process 10
5. Scope of Study 10
6. Deliverables 16
7. Submission of Deliverables 16
9. Criteria for Evaluation 17
10. Confidentiality of Data and Documents 18
11. Conflict of Interest 18
12. Rights of Nodal Office: 19
13. Termination of Contract 19
14. Application Submission 19
15. Validity 20
16. Amendments to the RFP 20
17. Fee 21
18. Payment Milestones: 21
19. Liability of the Consultant 21
20. Penalty on Delay in Completion: 21
Consultancy services for ESA studies of the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of MP 15
Request for Proposal for “Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) of the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India”
As per present rules, Solar Power Projects in India are not required to conduct Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA). However World Bank is interested in conducting the ESA for 750 MW Solar Project in Rewa district of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The World Bank has agreed to provide financial support to the proposed 750 MW Solar Project in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
This assignment is designed to assess the impact of the proposed solar project (750 MW project at Rewa, MP) and recommend a framework for managing impacts in the project area and its surrounding; as applicable for the proposed solar project in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
A baseline study has already been conducted covering key environmental and social aspects, which will be made available on the website for the benefit of interested consultant.
1. Background
The Phase-2 of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) focusses on a more state-led solar power growth in terms of solar parks and facilities, and new financing models for implementation. The implementation and success of the JNNSM and state solar policies will proceed on the basis of the technology advancements and cost reduction, which will be necessary for rapid scale-up. The Government of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) through its New and Renewable Energy Department (NRED) has identified site at Rewa– totalling around 1,500 hectares, for 750 MW of solar capacity. As per the initial environmental and social baseline study, the site seems to be suitable for such kind of development.
2. Objective
While, solar projects in India do not require a regulatory environmental clearance, it is also understood that large-scale projects mayhave environmental and social impacts and these impacts need to be avoided as far as possible. The impacts which cannot be avoided, needs to be mitigated or managed.
Clearances processes and procedures to be followed in case of solar projects include:
· Under green category and requires consent to establish and operate under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981.
· Commitment for water availability for construction and operation phase:
o Consent to withdraw groundwater, if any or use of surface water resources after applicable clearance and allocation of resource.
o If located on the designated groundwater recharge zones, regulatory clearances from Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Department (WRD) or Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) will be required.
· If located in the close vicinity of rivers, wetlands, state level clearances will be required.
· If located in forest areas, regulatory clearances under the Forest Conservation Act and the Forest Dwellers’ Rights Act (additionally wildlife clearance will be required depending if the forest in the vicinity is a national park or a wildlife sanctuary).
· Establishing clearance requirements related to the transmission lines for transfer of generated solar power to National and State grid.
· Usual clearances will be required if land acquisition is involved.
The requirements of the above-mentioned regulatory clearances including any other clearance requirements applicable for the proposed Ultra Mega Solar Power Project (UMSPP) shall be evaluated by the appointed consultant.
An initial assessment of the baseline conditions based on secondary information has been undertaken for the proposed site. The baseline conditions study suggests the key environmental and social aspects that need to be focused upon as part of the ESA study.
The key objective of this study is to conduct Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) with a view to identify anycritical environmental and social concerns in the ultra-mega solar power project and address them as an integral part of project design.
The specific objective includes:
· To assess the existing status of environment and social in the study area and its vicinity (5 km radius) and to identify threats and issues which have potential to adversely impact important environmental and social features of the project influence area.
· Carry out environmental and social analysis of project area in relation to activities under the project.
· Analyze the various options available for ancillary facilities like water supply, with special reference to sources – whether local groundwater or water from distant sources would be used, in case of the later situation conveyance facilities will also be analyzed for impacts, drainage, access, etc. to minimize adverse impacts and enhance positive impacts, where feasible.
· Identification of the project affected families; assessment of loss of land / livelihood / common property resources for people living within the proposed site. The consultants however will carry out consultations with community members in its immediate vicinity (5 km)in addition to consultations with project affected persons (PAP).
· Assess impacts on the indigenous/marginalized communities within the proposed site and its immediate vicinity (5 km).
· Prepare a site specific environmental and social assessment report by documenting environmental features of the project area, socio-economic and cultural status of community in and around the project site (5kM) and PAPs. This assessment should also include considerations of safety – both for the workers in the site and related facilities, as well as of nearby residents, especially those that live close to ancillary facilities like borrow areas, for instance.
· To identify the environmental and social issues associated with implementation of project and develop environmental codes of practices for common activities like site preparation, installation of panels, management of waste, occupational health and safety, etc. and social exclusion list that need to be followed during various stages such as planning, construction and operation & maintenance.
· To undertake consultations with potentially affected people and other community members to understand their views, obtain their input regarding environmental and social issues, and to take these into account during the preparation of the management framework and plans that would be executed before start of work at site.
· For the purpose of the study, MPNERD will provide data to the consultant on Khasra numbers identified for implementation of the project.
· To prepare an Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) including well-defined performance indicators for addressing the identified issues, through various activities/tasks under the proposed project, and strategy for its implementation to achieve sustainable environmental benefits.
· To identify portions of the codes of practice/management framework that need to be integrated with the bidding documents to ensure that the prospective bidders are aware of what all will be required during project implementation and operation from an environmental, health and safety, as well as social perspective.
· To prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP); Resettlement Action Plan (RAP); Gender Action Plan (GAP) and /or Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP) for the mitigation/enhancement activities that is to be undertaken by NRED, GoMP. The EMP / RAP / GAP / IPDP will include the description of relevant activities, institutional responsibilities, budgetary allocations, timelines and reporting arrangements for the same.
3. Conditions of Eligibility of Bidder
3.1. Bidders must read carefully the minimum conditions of eligibility (the “Conditions of Eligibility”) provided herein. Proposals of only those Bidders who satisfy the Conditions of Eligibility will be considered for evaluation.
3.2. Eligibility of Criteria: To be eligible for evaluation of its Proposal, the Bidder shall fulfil the following Minimum Criteria:
Bid Security:
I. The Bidder shall furnish, as part of its Proposal, a Bid Security of INR5,00,000 (Indian Rupee Five Lakhs) in the form of FDR or TDR of any nationalized/scheduled bank in favour of the Accounts Officer, Office of Commissioner, New and Renewable Energy, payable at Bhopal.
• Any Proposal, not accompanied by the Bid Security, shall be treated as nonresponsive and summarily rejected;
• The bid security instrument should be initially valid for 90 days from the date of opening of the proposal;
• The Bidder, by submitting its proposal pursuant to this RFP, shall be deemed to have acknowledged that, without prejudice to any other right of the nodal office or remedy hereunder or in law or otherwise, the Bid Security shall be forfeited and appropriated by nodal office under the following conditions:
- If a Bidder withdraws its Proposal during the period of its validity and as extended by the Bidder from time to time; or
- In the case of a Bidder being selected, the Selected Bidder fails to sign the Agreement or commence the assignment on time.
• The Bid Security will be returned to the unsuccessful bidders within thirty (30) days from the date of letter of award to the successful Bidder.
Performance Security:
• The successful bidder has to submit Performance Security with the acceptance of order valid for 15 months. The Performance Security shall be of INR 5,00,000 (Indian Rupee Five Lakhs) in the form of FDR or TDR of any nationalized/scheduled bank in favour of the Accounts Officer, Office of Commissioner, New and Renewable Energy, payable at Bhopal. The Performance Security will be returned within ninety (90) days from the expiry of the consultancy engagement, on satisfactory completion.
Technical and Financial Bidding Parameters:
II. The Consultant can be a single bidding company, or a consortium of companies. However, the consultant / members of the bidding consortium should each be a Company registered under the Companies Act, 1956 except for the Technical Consultant that could be hired by the Bidder on individual basis.
III. The Consultant (the Lead Consultant, in case of a Consortium) must have the following experience:
§ The consultant shall be an “Accredited EIA consultant” with MoEF;
§ The consultant shall have completed at least 3 EIA studies in last 3 financial years.
§ Minimum turnover from Consultancy Services of not less than Rs. 5 Crores in at least two (2) out of previous three preceding financial years. The documentary evidence in the form of certificate from the Statutory Auditor of the Consultant (Lead Consultant, in case of a Consortium), certifying the revenues from the consultancy services during each of the last three (3) financial years shall need to be provided;
§ Environmental advisory experience, as a firm, of more than three (3) years;
§ Experience of at least two (2) Consultancy Projects involving environment and social assessment (ESA) of power projects.
§ Experience of at least two (2) Consultancy Projects in preparing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)/Resettlement Action Plan (RAP)/Gender Action Plan (GAP) or Indigenous Peoples Development Plan (IPDP) for power sector projects in an Indian state.
IV. Team Composition:
Team Leader (12weeks)
· A post-graduate / doctoral degree holder in Environmental or Social Sciences/ urban or regional planning or a related field with at least 15 years of experience in delivering ESIAs for development projects
· S/he should have demonstrated experience of working with and leading multi-sectoral teams
· S/he should be conversant with relevant regulations in Madhya Pradesh and multilateral funding agencies like the World Bank
· S/he should be fluent in English and similar level of competency in Hindi would be an advantage.
Team Members
Social expert (12weeks)
· A post-graduate/doctoral degree holder in Social Sciences, or a related field with at least 15 years of undertaking (E)SIA studies, preferably for development projects, with funding support from multilateral agencies like World Bank
· S/he should have experience of organizing consultations with potentially affected persons