RFAs: USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project (Zambia)

Deadline: 30-Apr-24

Applications are now open for the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project that contribute towards improved functionality rate of water supply facilities, increased access to water and increased access to sanitation in underserved areas of Zambia.

The purpose of the USAID Expanding Water and Sanitation Project (USAID Expanding WASH) is to professionalize WASH services, to promote accountability for reliable and high-quality WASH services, and to enhance the enabling environment for private sector engagement (PSE) in service delivery in underserved areas of Zambia (Northern, Western and Muchinga provinces). The period of award is five-years.

The overall objective of USAID Expanding WASH project is to maintain and expand sustainable WASH services in peri-urban, rural growth centers, and rural areas of Muchinga, Northern, Western and Southern Provinces in 12 selected districts namely Chinsali, Nakonde, Mpika, Lunte, Mungwi, Kazungula, Kalomo, Nalolo, Kalabo, Mongu, Kaoma and Sesheke. Over the course of a fiveyear period, the project targets to increase access to water by 15% and increase access to sanitation by 25%.

Objectives

• The three objectives for the project are:
  • Objective 1: Institutionalize market-based WASH service delivery, with financially sustainable and inclusive management models.
  • Objective 2: Increase the accountability of WASH service providers, policymakers, and civic leaders.
  • Objective 3: Increase private sector participation (PSP).

Funding Information

• Northern Region with 5 districts – $60,000
  • Applicants’ budgets should not exceed the above amounts. Submission of budgets in excess of the above amounts may result in the rejection of the application, at the discretion of the project.
  • Before award, the project will discuss the IKG budget amounts to be added to the FAA budget (Support Equipment) based on a detailed needs assessment. The total grant (FAA + IKG) for each region shall not to exceed USD 150,000.
  • RTII anticipates the start date for the grant activities to be around September 30, 2024, upon award with an implementation period of 12 months.

Duration of Grants 

• The planned duration of the grant will not exceed 12 months starting approximately on September 30, 2024, or shortly thereafter.

Grants Activity

• This grant activity seeks to build capacity of District Water Sanitation and Hygiene (D-WASHE) and Village Water Sanitation and Hygiene (V-WASHE) committees, Area Pump menders (APMs) and Community Champions (CCs), with an objective to increase functionality rate of water supply facilities, increase access to water and increase access to sanitation.
• The project seeks to work with eligible Enterprise or, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), excluding GRZ institutions, who will undertake specific capacity building activities as described below.
  • Under objective 1, Task 1.2.4- Orient and build capacity in D-WASHE committees, VWASHE committees and Area Pump Menders (APMs) in the Operation, Maintenance and Management of water points.
  • Under objective 1, Task 1.3.3- Build capacity in Community champions (CCs) to implement sanitation behavioral change activities that will address open defecation and improve access to basic sanitation in the target populations.
  • Support Equipment – Distribute support equipment (Bicycles, Toolkits and Smart Phones) to APMs, CCs and Environmental Health Technicians (EHTs).
• The proposed grant activities must be within the framework of the following sub-objectives and tasks and conform to overall USAID Expanding WASH objectives.
  • Sub-Objective 1.2: Enhance Construction Quality of Small-Scale Water Systems (New and Rehabilitated Hand Pump Boreholes and Small Piped-water Schemes)
    • Task 1.2.4 – Orient and build capacity in D-WASHE committees, V-WASHE committees and Area Pump Menders in the Operation, Maintenance and Management of water points.
    • Activities
      • Orient the D-WASHE committees and V-WASHE committees in sustainable Operation, Maintenance and Management of selected water points. In addition, developing enabling environment for private sector participation.
      • Conduct needs assessment and undertake practical training APMs on repair of non-functional boreholes with hand pumps.
      • Equipping APMs: As part of this activity, new water point tool kits for the repair of water points will be procured by the project, as an in-kind grant to the Grantee, and will be distributed by the Grantee under an improved tool kit management system at district and subdistrict level. The target is to train 120 APMs and procure and distribute 30 special & standard tool kits covering all the 5 districts.
  • Sub-Objective 1.3: Facilitate Access for the Poor to Adequate Sanitation Facilities
    • Task 1.3.3 – Train CCs to be selected from the 5 target districts on ways to address open defecation and improve access to basic sanitation in the target populations with a market- based approach that supports supply chain development in the construction of toilets.
    • Activities
      • Building of capacity in 90 CC covering all the 5 selected districts. The training will enable CCs to mobilize communities and effectively disseminate sanitation behavioral change messages in villages.
      • Equipping the CCs: Distribute 90 Bicycles to be procured by the project and awarded to the grantee as an in-kind grant.
      • Monitoring and Reporting: Distribute 35 Smartphones procured by the project and awarded to the grantee, as an in-kind grant, for EHTs to monitor activities and report progress on water and sanitation activities.

Key Results 

• Key Result 1: Increased access to safe water by 3%–5% at midline & 15% at endline
• Key Result 2: Improved functionality rate of water supply facilities by 5%–10% at midline & 25% at endline
  • Train and equip 120 APM in the 5 target districts who will repair a total of
  • 640 number of boreholes rehabilitated.
• Key Result 3: Increased access to basic sanitation 5%–10% at midline & 25% at endline
• The grant activities shall be carried out under the close supervision of the USAID Expanding WASH Team and in collaboration with 5 Local Authorities, 5 D-WASHE committees and other Government approved structures at district and subdistrict levels.

Target Audience & Coverage 

• The grant activity will seek to create and maximize opportunities to enhance social inclusion, gender equity, and youth empowerment. Towards this end, APMs and CCs selection process will target to include 50% women, youth, and persons with disabilities to foster inclusion in each area.

Eligibility Criteria

• This RFA targets organizations with the ability to implement WASH Capacity building activities in Northern region. GRZ organizations are not eligible to apply. Applicants with presence in the named districts shall be given preference. Organizations restricted from receiving US Government funded assistance will not be considered.
• Thus, applicants should:
  • Be legally recognized and registered organisation in Zambia.
  • Current and updated registration documents and statutes must be submitted.
  • Provide past performance record to demonstrate experience to implement WASH Capacity building activities that focus on improved Operation, Maintenance and Management of water points and sanitation behavioral change.
  • Provide evidence to demonstrate capacity to distribute support Equipment (Bicycles, WASH Toolkits and Smart Phones for APMs, CCs and EHTs) which will be procured as part of the in-kind grant activities.
  • Provide evidence to show that the entity has been active for the last 12 Months.
  • Be directly responsible for preparation and management of the project, not acting as an intermediary or consultant.
  • Not be affiliated with a political party nor engaged in any political activities.

For more information, visit RTI International (RTII).