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[COUNTRY: INDIA]

[PROJECT NAME: ASSAM INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM]

[SECTOR: WATER RESOURCES]

GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Loan No./Credit No./TF No./Grant No.:  [Financing Agreement yet to be signed.] 

Project ID No. P174593

The Govt. of India has applied for financing in the amount of US$ 100m equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of the ASSAM INTEGRATED RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, following the World Bank’s Multiphase Programmatic Approach and it intends to apply part of the proceeds from Phase 1 of the World Bank’s intended loan of US$ 100 million + Government of Assam’s funds of US$ 20 million, to payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under this project.

Phase 1 of the Project will include the following components:

Component 1: Institutional Strengthening and Strategic Studies: This component focuses on institutional strengthening of WRD and ASDMA. Subcomponents include:

1.1 Institutional strengthening of WRD These activities will help WRD make the transition from a department focused structural flood control solutions, to a broader integrated water resources management department that helps Assam sustainably develop its abundant water uses and use a portfolio of structural and non-structural measures—including nature-based solutions, to help reduce flood and river erosion risks in collaboration with ASDMA.

Specific activities include: i) preparing an Assam Water Policy and adjusting the functions and structure of WRD to better meet its evolving mandate; ii) upgrading the management information systems in WRD to move towards a paperless workflow; iii) start-up of the WRD hydro-informatics program which includes data, modelling, and decision support-systems to help improve flood forecasting, drought monitoring, and planning; iv) undertaking of specialized studies to fill in critical knowledge gaps within an integrated water resources framework, such as sediment and river morphology, fisheries and wetlands, groundwater, water uses, etc.; and v) preparation of an Assam Brahmaputra “State of the Basin Report” which will provide the foundation for the Assam Brahmaputra Basin Strategic Plan in Phase 2 of the MPA.

1.2 Disaster Risk Management: These activities will help fulfil critical knowledge gaps and influence ASDMA’s policies and programs by undertaking the following studies: i) river erosion risk management study; ii) weather-related risk financing strategy; and iii) economics and policy of flood proofing housing and critical infrastructure.

1.3 Project-Wide Outreach and Technical Assistance: This encompasses the following activities: i) funding for the Project Management Technical Consultancy (PMTC) that will provide overall implementation support and provision of technical assistance to help WRD and ASDMA achieve the project objectives; ii) communication and outreach to help promote the concepts of integrated water and flood risk management; and iii) FREMAA incremental operating costs, equipment, and implementation support consultants.

Component 2: Integrated Water and Flood/River Erosion Risk Management-WRD: This component will finance the structural and non-structural activities to reduce flood and river erosion risks and establish a foundation of integrated water resources management in selected sub-basins. Subcomponents include:

2.1 No-Regret Investments in Beki and Buridehing Sub-Basins and Emergency Works. This includes anti-erosion works along critical riverbank stretches and rehabilitation of existing levees to ensure structural integrity and enhance climate resilience. In Buridehing this includes 18.55 kms of anti-erosion works and 20.10 kms of levee strengthening. In Beki this includes 13.67 kms of anti-erosion works and 4.0 kms of levee strengthening.

2.2 Integrated Water and Flood Management Planning in Selected Sub-Basins: This sub-component will prepare comprehensive integrated plans for the Assam parts of the Beki, Buridehing, and Jiadhalsub-basins that include both grey and green infrastructure and incorporate non-structural solutions to reduce flood and river erosion risk, as well as opportunities to sustainably develop water resources. Activities for each sub-basin include: i) developing the overall plan; ii) preparing new or updated design project reports (DPRs); and iii) environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA), environmental and social management plans (ESMP) and resettlement actions plans (RAP) for the proposed investments in each sub-basin. Some of these investments are expected to be financed under Phase 2 of the AIRBM program.

2.3. Flood Forecasting in Selected Sub-Basins: This sub-component will assist WRD, in collaboration with the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) and the Assam Water Research and Management Institute (AWARMI which is under WRD) to develop a state-of-the art flood forecasting system in the Beki, Buridehing and Jiadhal sub-basins. WRD will work closely with ASDMA to ensure seamless integration of flood forecasts into ASDMA’s early warning and dissemination (EWDS) that is being upgraded under Component 3. The flood forecasting system will be extended to other tributaries under Phase 2 and to the Brahmaputra mainstream under Phase 3 of the AIRBM program.

2.4 Baseline Information and Levee Asset Management: This component will support the collection of baseline hydrological, topographical, and geotechnical information from cross-section surveys, LIDAR mapping, and expansion of hydrological and meteorological monitoring stations in the Beki, Buridehing, and Jiadhal sub-basins. This information will support the planning and flood forecasting activities in these sub-basins. Assam has over 4,000 kms of river levees, many of them in poor and unsafe condition. This component will also start-up WRD’s levee asset management system and will enhance monitoring, maintenance, and upgrading of levees using modern methods and involving local communities.

2.5 WRD Implementation Support. This will cover WRD’s incremental operating costs, equipment, and additional implementation support consultants.

Component 3: Integrated Flood/River Erosion Risk Management-ASDMA. This component supports the development of early warning and dissemination systems, enhances disaster response at the local levels, and helps enhance the climate resilience of selected villages. Sub-components include:

3.1 Climate Resilient Villages: A community driven development (CDD) process will be used to enhance the climate resilience of approximately 100 villages located in the Brahmaputra River basin. Communities will be offered a menu of options for enhancing resilience at the local level, including more resilient housing and infrastructure; risk education, early warning systems, and disaster management plans; enhancing emergency management measures including helping to meet health, housing, food, and safety needs. The CDD process will be facilitated by a specialized “Social and Technical Agency” that will guide planning and implementation

.

3.2 Flood Shelters: This involves the construction of approximately 10 new flood shelters and the retrofitting of around 30 existing structures, mainly schools. The flood shelters will be designed to offer people a safe haven from the floods and river erosion, taking into account the specific needs women, children, and the vulnerable populations.

3.3 Strengthening of Circle Disaster Management Committees: Circle quick response teams will be formed in approximately eight districts in Assam, along with the establishment of emergency operation centers (EOC) at the revenue circle level. The teams will be trained on disaster response, and be provided with emergency equipment and supplies. An incentive-based program will be piloted to encourage the teams to effectively mobilize and prepare for disasters.

3.4 Early Warning and Dissemination System: This will support the development of an integrated public alert and dissemination system at multiple levels within Assam. A state-of-the-art Assam Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be supported for integrated incident command and operations. A geo-spatial disaster management laboratory will be established to better understand various hazards. Communication and IT systems will be enhanced for first responders and to improve dissemination to affected populations.

3.5 ASDMA Implementation Support: This will cover ASDMA’s incremental operating costs, equipment, and additional implementation support consultants.

4. Component 4: Contingent Emergency Response. This allows an immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed, from other project components to partially cover emergency response and recovery costs. This component could also be used to channel additional funds should they become available because of the Emergency.

The Project Plan presently envisages following procurements:

Procurement of contracts for Works and Consulting Services financed by the World Bank will be conducted following the procedures specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (“Procurement Regulations”) (November 2020), and is open to all eligible bidders/Consultants as defined in the Procurement Regulations.   

Specific Procurement Notices for the above-mentioned contracts will be published in the UN Development Business online, National and local Newspapers, websites of Flood & River Erosion Management Agency of Assam viz. http://fremaa.assam.gov.in, Water Resource Department, Govt. of Assam viz. http://waterresources.assam.gov.in and e-procurement portal of Govt. of Assam viz. www.assamtenders.gov.in.