The National Sanitation Utility of Tunisia (ONAS) has issued an international tender for the design and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in Skhira, a coastal town in the Sfax Governorate, reports ESI Africa.
The project, part of the Small Cities Sanitation Programme Phase I (PAPC-I), aims to bolster sanitation infrastructure in areas with populations under 10,000. The initiative is being financed through loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Project overview
The tender calls for the construction of a "turnkey" wastewater treatment facility with a daily processing capacity of 2,770 cubic meters and a treatment load of 1,150 kilograms of BOD5 per day. The facility will employ an activated sludge process at low load, supplemented by tertiary treatment, to meet the stringent requirements of wastewater management. The scope of work also includes the development of a treated wastewater transfer system.
This wastewater treatment plant represents a critical step in addressing sanitation challenges in Tunisia's smaller municipalities. By leveraging modern wastewater treatment technologies, the project aims to enhance public health, environmental protection, and sustainable water resource management in the Sfax Governorate.
The deadline for submitting bids is January 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM local Tunis time.
Eligibility and requirements
The tender is open to both national and international participants, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Technical and Financial Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate the technical expertise and financial stability required for the project. They should not be in a state of bankruptcy, liquidation, or equivalent under their national laws.
- Specialized Partners: Mechanical, electromechanical, and electrical equipment services must be entrusted to specialized firms. Civil engineering companies must hold category 5 VRD0 or VRD3 approvals for Tunisian firms, or equivalent credentials for foreign companies.
- Bid Structure: Bidders may apply individually or as part of a consortium. If the lead entity is a civil engineering firm, it must meet the required category approvals.
- Language: All documentation must be submitted in French.
Tender process
Interested companies can acquire the tender file from ONAS’s Central Order Office, located at 32 Rue Hédi Nouira, Tunis République. The file costs 300 Tunisian Dinars (TND), non-refundable, or an equivalent in convertible currency. Office hours for inquiries are Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM.
