Country: South Sudan (Republic of)
Closing date: 31 Dec 2013
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
Title: Biomedical/Biotechnical Engineer to support the redesigning of the BSL 2+ and PCR laboratory in Juba, South Sudan
Project name: Tuberculosis Control Programme and TB/HIV Collaborative Programme in South Sudan
Period of assignment/services: 15 January to 15 July 2014 including public holidays
BACKGROUND:
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was created to dramatically increase resources to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases, and to direct those resources to areas of greatest need. Since the Global Fund was founded in 2002, it has changed the way the world is working to defeat the three diseases. The Global Fund has supported large-scale prevention, treatment and care programmes against the three diseases. The Global Fund attracts, manages and disburses resources in a public-private partnership that will make sustainable and significant contribution to the reduction of mortality and morbidity caused by the three major diseases and contributing to the achievement of millennium development goals. To date, more than 3 million people are receiving antiretroviral treatment, 7.7 million new cases of infectious tuberculosis detected and treated, and more than 160 million insecticide-treated nets were distributed to protect families from transmission
UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of GFATM grants in South Sudan for TB and HIV/AIDS. In its role as Principal Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and service delivery. UNDP’s management role consists of implementing grants, ensuring financial accountability, and training of national and international counterparts on programme management, financial accountability and timely programmatic reporting to the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and Global Fund (GF) Secretariat.
Round 5 TB/HIV and Round 7 TB grants are one of the projects managed by UNDP South Sudan with the overall goal of dramatically reducing the burden of tuberculosis in South Sudan, and as well decreasing the burden of TB amongst HIV patients and vise-versa.
One of the objectives of the Round 7 TB project is to detect multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB cases among patients on standard DOTS treatment. The accomplishment of this objective is ensured through rehabilitation of a TB Reference Laboratory that is capable of diagnosis of MDR TB and drug sensitivity testing (DST); strengthening the human capacities through training on culture and DST for TB and provision of quality assurance within and outside the country. The TB Reference Laboratory will be located within the premises and building of the Public Reference Laboratory of South Sudan. The main objective for the startup of the TB Reference Laboratory is to install ventilation system for the purpose of strengthening infection control measures in the tuberculosis reference laboratory.
The Round 5 TB/HIV project aims at establishing mechanisms for collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS programmes, decreasing the burden of TB in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and decreasing the burden of HIV/AIDS in TB patients. One of the key components of the project includes working with the MoH and other partners in strengthening laboratory services in South Sudan. One of the key task under this component is to set up the Virology/PCR Reference Laboratory through rehabilitation of the existing structure to ensure it meets minimum international standards for installation of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The TB/HIV project envisage to install a PCR as part of improvement of virological diagnostics including Viral Load Testing, Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV, and as well as surveillance of other disease outbreaks such as influenza, etc. In order to maintain adequate infection control measures, the PCR Reference Laboratory needs rehabilitation and installation of a ventilation system.
- SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK
Scope of work and description of proposed analytical work
UNDP South Sudan is seeking the services of an Expert on engineering design, specifications development for renovation and installation of the ventilation system in the TB & PCR Reference Laboratory to ensure level 2+ or 3 biosafety for TB culture and DST (TB), and as well as Viral Load Testing, Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV, and surveillance of other disease outbreaks such as influenza, etc (PCR). In addition, the Expert is expected to carry out a high level of professional capacity to supervise the whole process.
Objectives of the Consultancy
- To review the bidding documents for the mechanical and civil works for the TB & PCR Reference laboratory project;
- Oversee installation of TB Reference Laboratory & PCR Room Ventilation System, and
- Oversee Civil Works during renovation of a TB Reference Laboratory & PCR Reference Laboratory
A. Phase I: REVIEW OF ASSESSMENT & DESIGN WORKS
The Consultant will review previous assessments reports (by CDC, The Union and private consultants) done to establish a TB Reference Laboratory& PCR rooms. S/he will also review the design works including engineering designs of infrastructure rehabilitation for installation of the negative pressure ventilation system as well as the civil works required for adequate infection control and smooth work flow in TB culture and DST and the PCR.
- The proposed infrastructure rehabilitation and installation of ventilation system will necessitate optimal utilization of available indoor space, including culture and DST, protecting workers, and specimens.
The areas for renovation for the TB Laboratory are:
• Store
• Sample reception / Microscopy
• Culture lab - (containment space) BSL 2+ or BSL 3
• Staff and Meeting room
• Microscopy training room, sterilization and media preparation rooms
- With regards to the PCR Laboratory, the proposed infrastructure rehabilitation and installation of ventilation system will necessitate optimal utilization of available indoor space and include demolition/breaking of walls in an existing structure; concrete works; masonry works; floor and wall finishes; painting; doors and windows; water supply, sewerage and drainage works; electrical works; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); and fire fighting system.
The areas for renovation for the PCR Laboratory are:
• Pre-PCR room
• Post-PCR room
• Reagent storage room
The Consultant will review the previous recommendations as a part of the engineering design, provide specification for mechanical engineering equipment and means of personal protection, as well as develop a maintenance plan of the ventilation system for the Reference Laboratory (TB Culture & PCR). The maintenance plans will adopt appropriate actions for different high-risk areas of the facility and identify the workers responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of the ventilation system and infection control equipment, as well as provide recommendations for staff need to be educated about use, safety and maintenance of the equipment
B. Phase II: PREPARATION & REVIEW OF BIDDING DOCUMENTATION
The Consultant will work in cooperation with experts from the Ministry of Health and members of the MDR-TB Working Group and the HIV/AIDS Surveillance Team in consultation with the specialists on TB and Virology, and construction issues to develop the bidding documentation for initiating a tender process for selection of a construction company to implement planned rehabilitation of the TB and PCR Reference Laboratory, including installation of negative pressure ventilation system. The following will be documents to be developed or reviewed:
• Technical description and scope of work of Constructor for TB and TCR Reference Laboratory;
• Review of the Bill of quantities already prepared;
• Review of the Technical specifications of the ventilation equipment;
• Review of Construction drawings.
C. Phase III: SUPERVISION OF INSTALLATION OF MECHANICAL SYSTEM AND CIVIL WORKS
The consultant, in collaboration with the technical team from MOH and UNDP, will supervise all engineering works from beginning to the end of the project. The civil works entail demolition of some walls, closure of some windows, changing ceilings, floor and wall tiles in some rooms, and installation of emergency equipment at certain points. The consultant will supervise the installation of internationally approved ventilation system to create negative pressure in the recommended rooms to attain biosafety level 2+.
I. Academic Qualifications:
University Degree in Biomedical engineering or related field (as a minimum requirement); Advanced university degree in ventilation systems designing (desirable);
II. Years of experience:
The Consultant must have proven consultancy experience in similar projects;
At least 5 years of professional experience in inspection or supervision of construction works on health care sites; experience in design of ventilations systems for health care facilities requiring implication of infection control measures;
Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills are necessary;
Proficiency in AutoCad;
Knowledge of English language.
III. Competencies:
Experience in conducting and drawing designs of TB Culture Reference Laboratory and PCR Laboratory;
Knowledge of WHO standards and recommendations associated with construction works at the Reference Laboratory requiring implication of infection control measures;
Experience in designing of ventilation systems in BSL-III health care facilities;
Experience of working in developing countries with minimal infrastructure is an asset.
Professionalism:
• Experience in conducting and drawing designs of TB Culture Reference Laboratory and PCR Laboratory will be an asset
Planning and Organizing:
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks
Teamwork:
• Ability engage members from a multicultural and multi ethnic background
Communication:
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills;
• Command of the English language;
• Analytical skills, communications abilities and teamwork;
• Excellent writing and editing skills.
- DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
- Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
- A complete Personal History Form (P11), which can be downloaded from the following link; http://ss.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
Motivation Letter
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Contracts based on daily fee
Contracts based on daily fee - Payments shall be made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked at the agreed daily fee.
The financial proposal should specify the daily fee, which includes all other costs like airfare, per diems, etc. For evaluation purpose, the financial offer should provide breakdown of all costs. While preparing your proposal, kindly note that the standard for air travel authorized by UNDP for individual subscribers is economy class
Travel
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
- EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the methodology: Lowest price and technically compliant offer.
The award of a contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:
a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable (fully meeting the ToR)
b) Offering the lowest price/cost
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% of required total points under technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Criteria Weight Max. Point
Technical 100% 10
Criteria A
Relevant educational background 50% 5
Criteria B
Practical experience relevant to the announced TOR 30% 3
Criteria C
A solid experience in the areas of data management 20% 2
How to apply:
Interested candidates should apply by sending their Letter of Interest, detailed CV with three references, and a sample report of previously conducted consultancy of similar nature, to bids.juba@undp.org or drop a sealed envelope marked Confidential with the title of the position at UNDP Office in Juba by 31 December 2013. The available starting date and fees of the assignment which is subject to negotiation if applicable should be clearly stated in the Letter of Interest. Your package should contain two envelopes: one marked “Technical Proposal” and containing your PII and CV as described below in Section 4 and second envelop your “Financial Proposal”.
Any request for clarification on TORs must be sent in writing by email to the Project Manager at Karin.nasheya@undp.org . She will respond in writing by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.