Feasibility Study for Scaling Up Fresh Produce Cold Storage Facilities in the Nairobi City County(updated)

Request for Proposal (RfP) Feasibility Study for Scaling Up Fresh Produce Cold Storage Facilities in the Nairobi City County C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Inc. 120 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10017 United States of America 17 June 2026 Contents 1. C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc. 1 2. Summary, purpose and background of the project 1 3. Proposal guidelines 2 4. RfP and project timeline 4 5. Proposal evaluation criteria 6 6. Project budget 7 7. C40 policies 8 8. Submissions 8 1. C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc. C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere, can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to limit global heating in line with the Paris Agreement and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. We work alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to support mayors to halve emissions by 2030 and help phase out fossil use while increasing urban climate resilience and equity. To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 2. Summary, purpose and background of the project Project Background Nairobi has 65+ gazetted fresh-produce markets, which are the backbone of the city's food system. These markets serve 3.1 million people daily and generate KES 42 billion in annual trade. Yet today, they operate far below their potential: food losses exceed 30–45%, 78% of cooking energy comes from charcoal or kerosene, 400 tonnes of organic waste go unmanaged every day, and 250,000 informal workers lack basic social protection. Under UCAP CAI Phase I, using FCDO’s support, C40 Cities supported the city of Nairobi in installing and commissioning a municipal Solar Powered Cold Room Facility at City Park Market, a pre-scale up project currently serving 162 traders daily on an 18 kWp solar PV system. This pilot project has already proven what is possible: use of rooftop solar PV to provide cold room cooling for fresh produce, reduced energy costs, zero diesel costs, extended shelf life for fresh produce and an estimated 100 tonnes of organic waste Request for Proposals: Feasibility Study for Scaling Up Fresh Produce Cold Storage Facilities in the Nairobi City County 1 diverted from landfill each year. This initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize Nairobi’s markets and improve food security for both traders and consumers. Building on the business case and financial model developed for the pre-scale up project: Solar-powered Cold Storage Facility at City Park Market under UCAP CAI Phase I, the pre-scale up project demonstrated strong technical, operational, and economic viability, forming the foundation for a citywide cold-chain infrastructure network. The cold room demonstrates strong unit economics based on pay-per-use charging for crate storage and steady demand from traders seeking reduced spoilage and improved earnings. Under UCAP CAI Phase II, the purpose of the energy project is to assess the technical, operational, financial, legal and regulatory feasibility of scaling up cold storage facilities to fresh produce markets in Nairobi City County scrutinizing practical governance frameworks and implementation models that can sustainably work for scale up. The feasibility study will help the city move beyond a single pilot to create a systemic, climate-resilient city market infrastructure that secures Nairobi’s food supply, boosts the informal economy, and establishes a new, bankable asset class for public and private investment. Project Scope and Objectives C40 is currently accepting proposals from consultants or groups of consultants, suppliers to develop a feasibility study to assess the technical, socio-economic, operational, financial, legal and regulatory feasibility of scaling fresh produce cold room facilities across the city of Nairobi. The feasibility study will look into feasible governance frameworks, operation and implementation models that would facilitate the scaling up of such facilities city wide, proposing practical recommendations for the city. Local suppliers based in Nairobi are encouraged to apply. Consultants or consortia with prior experience working with city governments are encouraged to apply. 3. Proposal guidelines C40 is looking for a consultant or consortium in Nairobi to develop a feasibility study to assess the technical, socio-economic, operational, financial, legal and regulatory feasibility of scaling fresh produce cold room facilities across the city of Nairobi. Activities and Deliverables This Scope of Work (SoW) for this assignment will include the delivery of the following key activities and deliverables. Work Package 0: Inception phase Activities ● Inception meeti