|
General Procurement Notice Strengthening Risk Information For Disaster Resilience In Bhutan The Project Will Include The Following Components: A. Project Components The Proposed Project Will Be Funded By Recipient-Executed Trust Funds From The Climate Investment FundS Pilot Program For Climate Resilience And The Global Facility For Disaster Reduction And Recovery.[1] It Will Be Composed Of The Following Components: Component A. Development And Piloting Of A Multi-Hazard Risk Decision Support System; Component B. Strengthening Hydromet And Agromet Services Delivery; And Component C. Professionalization Of Construction Industry For Green And Resilient Infrastructure Development. Component A. Development And Piloting Of A Multi-Hazard Risk Decision Support System (Us$2.5 Million) Component A Will Improve The Availability And Accessibiliy Of National-Level Multi-Hazard Risk Information, Which Will Form The Foundation For Integrating Risk Information Into Targeted Sectors Such As Agriculture (Component B) And Construction (Component C). The Project Builds On The BankS Past And Ongoing Engagement In The Country.[2] At The Request Of The Rgob And With World Bank Technical Assistance Support, Ddm Has Been Taking Stock Of Existing Risk Data, Identifying Design Elements For A Multi-Hazard Risk Decision Support System (Mhrds), And Developing An Action Plan For Conducting A Nation-Wide Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment. This Component Will Build On DdmS Efforts By Providing Support For The Establishment And Piloting Of A Functional Mhrds Platform Through The Following Activities: Subcomponent A.1: Development Of Mhrds The Project Will Finance The Nationwide Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment With A Focus On High-Risk Hazards (Earthquakes, Floods, And Landslides), Priority Sectors, And Rapidly Growing And Most Vulnerable Communities. The Risk Assessment Will Include: (I) A Probabilistic Assessment Of Flood And Seismic Risks For Key Infrastructure And Economic Sectors (E.G., Transport, Power, Schools, Hospitals, Public Buildings, Agriculture, And Tourism) And Exposure Of Key Infrastructure To Landslides; (Ii) A Deterministic Flood Hazard Assessment[3] And Mapping Of Four Priority River Basins Through Desktop And Selective In-Situ Surveys Using A Hydro-Enforced And Reliable Digital Terrain Model For The Designated Areas; And (Iii) A Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Through Desktop And In-Situ Socioeconomic Surveys Taking Into Account Future Growth Information. Based On The Risk Information Generated, The Project Will Finance The Development Of A Mhrds And Mobile Applications To Better Understand The Climate And Disaster Risks That Bhutan Faces. In Addition, The Project Will Identify Top 10 Risk Hotspots By Location Or Sector And Develop Risk Mitigation Investment Strategies For Each Hotspot. The Probabilistic Assessment Of Flood And Seismic Risks For Key Infrastructure And Economic Sectors (Point (I) Above) Will Include A High Precision Estimate Of Potential Losses From Building Stock, Which Will Inform Business Cases For Seismic Strengthening And Resilience. The Project Will, Therefore, Finance The Development Of A Geospatial Building Inventory For 13 Dzongkhags[4] And An Earthquake Loss Estimation. Furthermore, The Project Will Finance Shake-Table Tests On Model Buildings For Experimental Verification Of The Interventions Recommended In The Training Manual For Earathquake-Resistant Stone Masonry Construction Of 2014 Which Attempts To Identify Shortsomings Of Present Construction Practices And Recommend Internationally-Accepted Measures And Update The Manual As Needed Based On The Results. The Findings In Particular Will Be Used To Study Damage Patterns For Classification Of Damage States (Severity Level Of Structural Damage), Required In Earthquake Loss Estimations. It Will Also Enable Evidence-Based Adoption Of Fragility Curves. Based On The Landslide Inventory Database Developed For The National Highways Through The World Bank-Financed Technical Assistance, The Project Will Finance A Detailed Survey Of Landslide Hotspots Along Road Networks, Including National Highways And Rural Roads, Using Drones. The Project Will Seek To Link The Department Of RoadS (Dor) Existing Road Asset Management System With The Mhrds, And With The Results Of The Landslide Hotspot Survey Strengthen DorS Capacity To Make Risk-Informed Transport Planning And Investment Decisions To Strengthen The Resilience Of BhutanS Road Networks, Which Are The Only Transport Means In The Country, Supporting The Livelihoods Of Local Communities And Many Economic Activities. The Flood Hazard Assessment And Mapping Will Include An Assessment Of Urban Drainage Capacity Under Mid To Upper Climate Change Scenarios Of The Forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel For Climate ChangeS Ipcc Sixth Assessment Report. The Project Will Prepare A Flood Management Plan (Fmp) For Haa Dzongkhag And A Storm Water Management Plan (Swmp) For Gelephu Thromde. This Will Involve The Development Of An Inventory Of Existing Structures, Flood Hazard And Risk Assessments, A Socioeconomic Assessment, Stormwater Management Modeling, And Recommendations On Structural And Non-Structural Flood Risk Reduction Measures, Including Detailed Engineering Designs For Upgrading Existing Flood Protection And Stormwater Drainage Infrastructure. The Project Will Not Finance Civil Works For Upgrading The Existing Infrastructure. The Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Will Include A Village-Level Socioeconomic Assessment Of Selected Communities To Analyze The Capacity Of Local Communities To Anticipate, Adapt To, And Recover From The Impacts Of Natural Hazards, Including Their Access To Local Assistance And Resources From The Government And Civil Society Organizations (Csos). There Will Be Focus On Vulnerable And Disadvantaged Groups Within Communities, Including Women, Persons With Disabilities, Elderly, Persons Living Below The Poverty Line, Indigenous Peoples, And Rural Communities In Remote Areas. The Assessment Will Also Include An Analysis Of Current And Projected Productivity Of Several Economic Sectors, Including Agriculture, Horticulture, Hydropower, Commercial And Retail, Industrial And Manufacturing, And Tourism. The Nexus Of Gender And Climate And Disaster Risks, Which Has Not Been Analyzed To-Date, Will Be Explored As Part Of The Vulnerability Assessment, Analyzing WomenS Roles And Responsibilities In Emergency Response And Recovery From Natural Disasters, Including Disease Outbreaks Such As Covid-19. Attention Will Be Paid To Socio-Spatial Patterns, Including Rural-Urban Migration Of Individuals, Income Quartiles, And Industry Groupings. An Engagement Process Will Inform The Assessment And Sensitize Vulnerable Groups On The Risks Identified. Subcomponent A.2: Capacity Building And Piloting Of Mhrds The Project Will Develop Standard Operating Procedures (Sops) To Define The Roles And Responsibilities Of Relevant Agencies In Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment And Use Of The Decision Support Tool Of The Mhrds To Ensure The Regular Updating Of Their Respective Risk Information And Its Integration Into The Mhrds. Based On The Sops, The Project Will Provide Training To The Relevant Government Officials. The Sops Will Also Define Data Sharing Protocols. In Addition, Trainings And Awareness Raising Activities Will Be Provided To Private Sector Users On The Use Of The Risk Information. The Use Of The Mhrds And The Sops Will Be Piloted By Local Governments And Line Agencies, Which Will Use Risk Information For Urban Planning At The Thromde And District Levels. Through The Mhrds, The Project Will Identify And Prioritize Vulnerable Dzongkhags And Communities To (I) Update The Disaster Management Contingency Plans Of Thromdes And Dzongkhag Disaster Management Committes; (Ii) Conduct Simulation Exercises On Disaster Management In Coordination With Local Governments And With A Focus On Vulnerable And Disadvantaged Groups, Including Women; And (Iii) Implement Advocacy And Awareness Raising Programs For Vulnerable Communities With A Focus On Women. The Subcomponent Will Also Explore The Potential For Developing Specialized Applications For Integrating Risk Information Into Critical Private Sector-Driven Areas (Agribusiness, Tourism, Construction) By Advocating The Relevance And Use Of The Mhrds In Development Of Projects. Subcomponent A.3: Enabling Environment For Risk-Based Decision Making - To Ensure The Sustainability Of The Mhrds And Keep It Updated And Dynamic, The Project Will Support The Ddm To Formulate A National Disaster And Climate Risk Information Policy. The Findings And Lessons Learned From The Mhrds Development And The National Level Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment For Priority Hazards Will Inform The Formulation Of The Policy, Which Will Guide Improvements In The Collection, Maintenance, And Use Of Risk-Related Data In Development Activities. It Will Also Underpin Recent And Ongoing Investments In Improving Other Risk Information Platforms, Such As The Disaster Management Information System Managed By The Ddm. Support From The Project Will Help The National Disaster Management Authority Headed By The Prime Minister To Activate The Inter-Ministerial Taskforce (Imt) To Ensure That It Carries Out Its Responsibilities As Defined By The Disaster Management Act, Namely To Review And Approve Hazard Zonation And Vulnerability Maps, Disaster Risk Reduction And Disaster Management Activities, And National Standards, Guidelines, And Sops For Disaster Management. Specific Activities Will Include Logistical Support In Convening The Meetings And Providing Technical Guidance On Its Function As A Part Of The Review Of The Dm Act. The Ddm Will Lead The Formulation Of The Imt, Which Will Review And Approve The Risk Maps And Information Generated Through The Project That Will Feed Into The Mhrds. It Will Consist Of Heads Or Technical Leads Of Relevant Agencies And Chaired By The Director General Of The Ddm. Component B. Strengthening Hydromet And Agromet Services Delivery (Us$540,000) This Component Will Support: (I) Strengthening Of Agrometeorological Services Through Operationalization Of The Agromet Decision Support System (Adss) That Was Developed Through The Hsdrrp; And (Ii) Strengthening Hydromet And Climate Services Through Formulation Of A Hydromet Policy And Capacity Building Of The Nchm To Provide Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Subcomponent B.1: Strengthening Agrometeorological Services Delivery - The Adss Developed Through The Hsdrrp Was Launched On March 18, 2021, Featuring Crop Calendar, 72-Hour Weather Forecast From Nchm, Historical Weather Data Since 1996 And Basic Crop Advisory And Pest Panels. This Subcomponent Will Support The Operationalization Of The Adss In 11 Gewogs (Blocks) Covering Approximately 5,140 Households To Enhance Agromet Service Delivery To These Households And Their Access To Risk Information On Priority Crops With Expected Demand From Agribusinesses. Activities Will Include (I) Enhancement Of The Adss Meteorology Data Using Remote Sensing Data And Data From Regional And Global Platforms, (Ii) Improvement Of The Adss Weather Forecast Range From 3 Days To 10 Days (Medium Range), (Iii) Enhancement Of A Pest Panel To Include Information About Dominant Pests By The National Plant Protection Center, Based On Which Pest Advisories Will Be Generated And Provision Of Training To Agromet Focal Persons On Pest And Disease Forecasting In Light Of Climate Change, (Iv) Capacity Building Of Department Of Agriculture (Doa) Staff To Update Crop Data And Prepare Agro-Advisories Using Weather And Climate Data From Nchm, And (V) Enhancement Of Research And Development Carried Out By Agriculture Research And Extension Division Of The Doa To Better Understand The CropWeather Relationship. Beneficiary Surveys Will Be Conducted To Assess The Level Of Awareness And Knowledge Among Farmers About Climate Risks And Climate Smart Agriculture Practices And Accordingly Develop Tailored And User-Friendly End-To-End Agromet Advisory Services Anchored In The Doa. In Addition, With The Financing Of The Project, The Doa Will Organize Climate Field Schools For Farmers, Small-Scale Agribusiness Owners, And District Extension Workers To Enhance Their Knowledge On (I) Climate-Related Risk In Agriculture And Crop Management System, (Ii) The Role Of Climate In Plant Growth And Development As Well As Its Relationship With Insect Pest And Diseases, (Iii) Agromet Advisories Through Adss; (Iv) Integration Of Weather And Climate Information Into Agriculture Planning, And (V) Drm And Climate Change Adaptation. Subcomponent B.2: Strengthening Hydromet And Climate Services Delivery - This Subcomponent Will Support The Nchm In Formulating A National Hydrology And Meteorology Policy And Updating BhutanS Roadmap For Modernizing Weather, Water, And Climate Services That Was Prepared In 2015 By Organizing Stakeholder Consultations And Workshops. The Policy Will Provide A Regulatory Framework For The Nchm To: (I) Enhance Its Provision Of Hydromet, Climate, And Early Warning Services To Weather, Water And Climate Sensitive Sectors; (Ii) Ensure It Retains A Primary Role In Acquisition Of Such Data And Information; (Iii) Provide Guidance For Data Use And Sharing By And With Others; (Iv) Promote Quality-Controlled Methods For Hydromet Data Measurement Across Agencies; And (V) Systematize Processes For Early Warning To Ensure Their Integrity And Accuracy. The Policy Is Also Expected To Ensure That Weather Forecasts And Warnings Of Hydro-Meteorological Hazards And Climate Trends Are Authoritative, Actionable, And Accessible To Comunities At Risk And Those Responsible For The Safety And Security Of Communities, And Provide For A Collaboration Structure At The Regional Level To Strengthen The NchmS Ability To Deliver Such Services. Further, This Subcomponent Will Also Support Capacity Building Of Nchm Both In Terms Of Ict And Human Resources To Provide Medium-Range Weather Forecasts That Will Directly Feed Into The Adss. This Subcomponent Will Also Finance The Development Of A Technical Guidance Note To Help Nchm Prepare Design And Specifications For A Planned 24/7 National Weather And Flood Warning Center. This Technical Note Will Include Specifications For (I) Room And Space Requirements, (Ii) Electrical And Communication Outlets, (Iii) Equipment And Necessary Backups, And (Iv) Internet Connectivity And Other Telecommunication Items. Since A Public Land Is Not Yet Allocated For The Construction Of The Center, The Engineering Design And Drawings Will Not Be Supported Through The Project. The Nchm Will Identify A Public Land In Compliance With Development Control Regulations And Avoid Environmentally And Culturally Protected Areas. Component C. Professionalization Of Construction Industry For Green And Resilient Infrastructure Development (Us$560,000) This Component Aims To Enhance The Enabling Environment, And The Capacity Of The Construction Industry, Including Private Sector Engineers And Contractors, For Integrating Risk Information Into Buildings And Infrastructure Designs, And Ensure Quality Of Construction, And Operation & Maintenance (O&M). Subcomponent C.1: Strengthening Policy And Institutional Frameworks For Resilient Infrastructure - The Project Will Support The Mowhs To Formulate A National Construction Bill And A Housing Bill As The Legal And Regulatory Foundations For Green And Resilient Built Environment In Bhutan, As Well As Corresponding Construction Rules And Regulations. The Project Will Also Support The Mowhs To Amend Relevant Existing Legislation Such As The Bhutan Building Rules And Regulations Through Stakeholder Consultations And Workshops. It Will Also Assist The Mowhs To Develop A System And Procedures For Certifying Builders Through The Cda, Including Qualification Criteria. The Planned Construction Act, Once The Bill Is Approved By The Parliament, Will Legally Establish The Engineering Council Of Bhutan (Ecob) For Registering And Licensing Professionals. The Interim Ecob Was Established By The Mowhs In November 2020. This Project Will Support The Operationalization Of The Ecob Through (I) Digitization Of A Gender-Disaggregated Database Of Professionals; (Ii) Establishment Of Rules And Regulations Pertaining To Registration, Certification, And Continuous Professional Development; And (Iii) Establishment Of A Platform For R&D In Collaboration With Educational Institutions And Private Sector. In Addition, The Project Will Facilitate Knowledge Exchange Events Between Ecob And Engineering Councils Of Other Countries To Ensure Reciprocal Recognition Of Construction Professionals Registered With The Council Outside Bhutan And Step Up The IndustryS Level Of Professionalism. The Project Will Train The Engineers In The Public And Private Sectors To Incorporate Risk Information Generated Through Component A Into Infrastructure Designs And O&M, Approve Building Designs, And Monitor Construction Works. It Will Also Support The Transitioning Of The Desktop Application Of Construction Manager Software (Cms) To An Online Platform. The Cms Was Formally Launched In May 2020 As A Mandatory Software To Be Used By All Engineers In The Country Under The Purview Of Mowhs. Aligned With The GovernmentS Priority To Digitize Tools And Systems, An Online Platform Will Enhance The Monitoring Of Quality And Management Of Contracts And Construction. The Use Of The Online Cms Will Result In A Systematic Approach To Planning And Implementation Of Public And Private Infrastructure Projects, Ensuring Quality, Transparency, And Accountability. Subcomponent C.2: Development And Piloting Of A Construction Quality Compliance Mechanism (Cqcm) - The Project Will Develop And Pilot The Implementation Of A Cqcm For Regulating And Enforcing Strict Compliance With Quality Standards Across All Types Of Infrastructure And Buildings In The Country. The Cqcm Will Define Roles And Responsibilities Of Public And Private Stakeholders In The Construction Sector, And Provide Guidance On The Formulation Of A Quality Assurance And Quality Control Framework, Including Stepwise Processes, Sops, Checklists, Guidelines On Sanctions For Non-Compliance With Quality Requirements By Contractors And Procuring Agencies, And Rules And Regulations Of The Cda. The Cqcm Will Be Finalized Based On A Series Of Consultations With Stakeholders In The Construction Industry For Adoption By The Cda. This Component Will Also Design Web-Based And Mobile Applications For Rolling Out The Cqcm Nationwide. Achieving The Objective Of Delivering High Quality And Resilient Infrastructure Whilst Safeguarding The Environment And Generating Social Benefits For The People Of Bhutan Will Entail A Shift From The Traditional Public Procurement Approach That Focuses On The Lowest Price Of The Infrastructure Contract To An Approach That Assures Overall Value For Money Across The Entire Lifecycle Of The Infrastructure Investment, Including The Total Cost Of Ownership, Quality, And O&M. This Subcomponent Will Develop A Practical Implementation Roadmap For Rolling Out The Cqcm By The Cda And Procuring Agencies, Drawing On International Best Practices And Existing Guidelines. It Will Also Highlight The Roles, Responsibilities, And Systems That Should Be Implemented Through The Cda To Establish Robust, Auditable Mechanisms For Procurement Of Contractors And Quality Assurance Of Construction Works. A Review Of The CountryS Existing Procurement Rules And Regulations Will Be Conducted To Assess The Extent To Which The Principle Of Value For Money And Lifecycle Cost Approach Is Currently Considered In The Procurement Of Works And Identify The Gaps. An Institutional And Technical Capacity Assessment Of The Construction IndustryS Readiness To Adopt New Processes And Tools Will Be Also Conducted To Inform The Introduction Of Changes. Recommendations Will Be Made On Best Ways To Enhance The Procurement Rules And Regulations For Enabling Sustainable Procurement In A Systematic Way Under The Public Procurement Framework Of Bhutan. Based On These Assessments And Recommendations, The Project Will Develop Training Curricula On Cqcm And Conduct Training Of Trainers And Targeted Training Of Government Officials, Practitioners, And Contractors For Smooth Implementation Of The Cqcm.
|
