SELECTION OF CONSULTANTS BY THE WORLD BANK
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Electronic Submissions through World Bank Group eConsultant http://www.worldbank.org/wbgeconsultant
Assignment Overview
Assignment Title: Waterhealth India - Investment and Advisory
Assignment Country: India
Assignment Description
WaterHealth International, Inc. (WHI) is a health-centered company with the primary purpose of developing and marketing proprietary, decentralized water purification and disinfection systems and services that provide affordable potable water to underserved communities worldwide.
In 2004, WHI approached IFC to fund market feasibility studies for two countries and provide financial support to its early stage clean-tech business model. Access to finance for the company at that time was impaired due to the developing country risks it faced. Other private sector investors (venture capital funds and companies) followed IFC’s investment, making it possible for the company to strengthen its financial plan and operations.
WHI, through Waterhealth India Pvt Ltd (WIPL) plans to install and operate over 630 WHCs, to be installed over a 1-year horizon in India. The systems installed through the current project are expected to be able to serve the potable water needs of ~3.0 million people. The project will be funded through equity contribution from the various communities and through IFC’s resources. WIPL is planning to install the centres in India in 7 states: Andhra Pradesh (AP), Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Madhya Pradesh (MP), Chattisgarh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
WaterHealth International implements education programs on health and hygiene. The Education program primarily focuses on information, education and communication on promotion of public health and it does not market its product. Once local water sources are tested and an adequate location is found, a pipeline is installed which connects the water source to the WHC. Once the retail front is established WIPL sells containers to local villagers. Two different sizes are used: 10 and 20 lts.
The overall aim of the evaluation is: i) To determine the net effect of providing access to clean water through the installation and operation of the WHC in terms of: health expenditures,productivity gains and water use and hygiene practices. ii) By comparing the resources allocated by IFC’s investment and advisory services with the medical cost savings and productivity gains of improved health conditions for end beneficiaries, the evaluation will help determine the efficiency of the use of resources. A quasi-experimental design has been proposed for the study. A baseline and a follow-up survey will be conducted.
The company will provide a list of 250 villages that will be covered in AP during 2009-2010. Approximately 120 control and treatment villages in AP will be included in the study. The 60 treatment villages in this study will be selected based on WIPL rollout in Fiscal Year 2010 (July 2009 to June 2010), while the 60 control villages will be in proximity to the treatment villages, will have similar characteristics to the treatment ones and will not receive the centers during the duration of the evaluation. Villages which have already been exposed to an education campaign or a center installation will not be considered as part of the baseline study. The consultants will also collect information on 3 WHC, regarding the start up and operation of the centers as well as the interaction with villagers (clients and non-clients) shortly after the baseline is conducted. This qualitative research is aimed at finding out key barriers and challenges faced by WIPL.
Duration: Baseline and follow-up survey will be completed within 1.5 years of contract issuance.
Funding Source:
The World Bank intends to finance the assignment/services described below under a budget allocation for the Bank's administrative budget.
Eligibility:
There are no eligibility restrictions.
Individual/Firm Profile:
The consultant will be a firm or consortium.
Submission Requirements:
The World Bank now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).
Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.
Interested consultants are hereby invited to submit expressions of interest.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through World Bank Group eConsultant http://www.worldbank.org/wbgeconsultant.
Notes:
Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the current edition of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers.
Following this invitation for Expression of Interest, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.
Contact Information:
Ana Maria Torres Soto
1-202- 473-8375 / 1-202-473-7495
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