TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
SAHELIAN LANDSCAPES, A LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES -“WIDEN PROVEN FURROWS”- LOGMe II
Consultancy for the Design, Installation and Commissioning of a Solar-Powered Dam-Water Pumping System and Dry-Season Community Garden at Gaare, Talensi
1. INTRODUCTION
The Sahelian Landscapes, A Land of Opportunities – “Widen Proven Furrows” (LOGMe II) Project aims to strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods, promote sustainable natural resource management, restore degraded landscapes and improve access to sustainable livelihood opportunities across selected landscapes in the Sahel region. In Ghana, the project is implemented in selected districts of the Upper East and Upper West Regions, in collaboration with relevant national, regional, district and community stakeholders.
At Gaare community in Talensi District of the Upper East Region, an existing dam provides a potential source of water for dry-season vegetable production. IUCN intends to engage a qualified firm to assess, design, supply, install, test and commission a solar-powered surface-water pumping system to convey water from the dam through approximately 150 m of pipeline to a protected community garden measuring 100 m × 80 m (8,000 m² / 0.8 ha). The works include the dam intake, solar pumping package, conveyance pipeline, irrigation network, perimeter fencing and gate, initial ploughing, training and handover. Agrivoltaics are excluded from this assignment.
The system must be designed for verified site conditions. The pump, PV array, pipe diameter and irrigation zones shall be selected from documented calculations of seasonal dam levels, elevation difference, pipeline friction losses, crop-water demand and required irrigation pressure.
1.1 Target Communities and Geographic Scope
The interventions have been geographically targeted based on identified community needs, existing LOGMe II interventions, potential for productive use of water and the potential to demonstrate integrated landscape restoration, agri-value chain development and livelihood benefits.
- One (1) protected dry-season garden measuring approximately 100 m × 80 m (8,000 m² / 0.8 ha), supported by a solar-powered surface-water pumping system drawing water from the existing community dam and conveying it through approximately 150 m of pipeline to the garden at Gaare Community, Talensi District, Upper East Region, Ghana. The intervention shall include a solar pumping system, water conveyance infrastructure, a basic sprinkler irrigation system, perimeter fencing and a lockable access gate.
2. OBJECTIVES
2.1 Primary Objective
To improve access to reliable renewable-energy-powered water and productive agricultural infrastructure in Gaare through the installation of a solar-powered dam-water pumping and irrigation system serving a protected 0.8-hectare dry-season community garden.
2.2 Specific Objectives
Assess dam water availability, intake conditions, garden site, pipeline route, elevation and irrigation demand.
Design and install a solar PV-powered surface-water pumping system suitable for the site and required duty.
Convey water approximately 150 m from the dam to the garden through pressure-rated HDPE pipeline.
Install a simple practical, zoned irrigation system suitable for the garden, intended crops and community maintenance capacity.
Fence and initially plough the garden area, including provision of a lockable gate.
Test system performance, train community operators and provide operation, maintenance, warranty and handover documentation.
3.0 SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED RESULTS
3.1 Site Selection and Feasibility Assessment
Conduct reconnaissance and a joint site visit with community representatives and relevant district technical personnel.
Confirm the dam’s seasonal low-water level, water availability, sediment and debris conditions, safe intake position, access and existing community water uses.
Confirm land availability, community consent, garden boundaries and actual usable area.
Survey the elevation difference and actual pipeline route between the lowest operating dam water level and the garden delivery point.
Estimate daily and peak irrigation demand using proposed crops and local climatic conditions.
Record GPS coordinates, access conditions, land permission and environmental/social risks.
Prepare a feasibility report for the proposed solar-powered surface-water pumping system at Gaare, covering site suitability, dam water availability, recommended intake location, elevation difference, anticipated pumping requirements, key technical and environmental risks, preliminary irrigation water demand, and estimated project costs.
Obtain IUCN approval of the proposed site and design before construction.
3.2 Solar-Powered Surface-Water Pumping System
Supply and install a complete solar PV pumping package comprising PV modules, mounting structure, pump, controller as appropriate, isolators, protected cables, electrical protection and earthing.
Select a surface-water-rated submersible pump installed in the dam or a suitable self-priming surface pump. The contractor shall justify selection against water level, suction conditions, sediment, maintenance access and calculated total dynamic head; a standard borehole pump shall not be assumed suitable.
Provide a screened, secure and serviceable intake positioned to minimise debris entry and avoid drawing sediment from the dam bottom.
Provide dry-run/low-water protection, overload and surge/lightning protection, secure controls and corrosion-resistant fittings.
Design for daytime solar pumping. Batteries are not required by default; any proposed battery bank must be technically justified, separately priced and approved by IUCN.
State the guaranteed flow rate at the calculated total dynamic head, estimated daily delivery volume, pump model and manufacturer pump curve.
Supply and install approximately 150 m of pressure-rated, UV-resistant HDPE pipeline from the pumping point at the dam to the garden inlet. [...]
Procurement details
Reference: IUCN-26-10-Solar-Powered Dam-Water System-1239
Procedure: SOP1 - Open Procedure
Procurement type: Field - Construction materials
IUCN office (lead): PACO Burkina Faso
Requisitioning unit: Burkina Faso Programme Unit (CM)
Project: P04855 LOGMe II -
Country of performance: Ghana
Expected contract duration: 7 Weeks
Estimated contract value: 25,000-199,999 CHF
Currency of proposals: GHS - Ghanian New Cedis
Language of documents: English
Deadline for questions: 04 November 2026 23:59 UTC
Deadline for technical and financial proposals: 16 November 2026 23:59 UTC
Expected contract award date: 20 November 2026 23:59 UTC
Documents
- Terms of Reference: Solar-Powered Dam-Water Pumping with Dry Season Garden.docx
- Conditions for Participating: Conditions for Participating ENG-SPA-FRA v23-09-26.pdf
- Standard contract: Standard Agreement.docx
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership union of government and civil society organisations working on nature conservation and sustainable development. IUCN procures consulting services, goods and works for its projects worldwide through the IUCN Procurement Portal. For all contracts above CHF 25,000 IUCN selects contractors through a formal competitive tendering process under its Standard Operating Procedure 1 (Open Procedure). Interested bidders must register on the portal, review the Terms of Reference, the Conditions for Participating and the standard contract, and submit their technical and financial proposals through the portal before the stated deadline. Questions must be raised through the portal's Q&A function before the deadline for questions.
