INTERNATIONAL EXPERT - Dam Safety Review Panel Member

Source: World Bank — Irrigation and Drainage Project

Request for Expressions of Interest

INTERNATIONAL EXPERT - Dam Safety Review Panel Member

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Ministry of Water and Energy

World Bank Financed Ethiopian Nile Irrigation and Drainage Project

Credit No: IDA 43330              

Project ID: No P092353

Contract Assignment: Dam Safety Review Pannel Member

Introduction

1.               With the support of the World Bank, the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) is implementing the Ethiopia Nile Irrigation and Drainage Project (ENIDP) to develop some 20,000ha of irrigated agriculture at two sites around Lake Tana.  One site on the Fogera Plain will depend on water stored behind a new 78m dam on the Ribb River some 30 km upstream.   Construction of the Ribb Dam is underway.  The MoWE has also contracted feasibility and design studies for four other dams around Lake Tana including Megech dam, which is located upstream of the Megech-Seraba irrigation scheme financed by the World Bank.

2.               The Bank's Operational Policy 4.37 Safety of Dams applies where Bank-financed projects depend upon upstream dams constructed and operated in association with other non-Bank funded projects.  The safety of these facilities must be independently reviewed, and any corrective measures be implemented to ensure the safety of the dams, and dam safety must be subsequently monitored by the responsible authorities.

3.               Terms of Reference are established for the direction and activities of a Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP) for Ribb and other dams being planned by the MoWE around Lake Tana.  The DSRP will concern itself primarily with the safety aspects of Ribb Dam, and consider other dams as time and funds permit. 

Organization and Membership

4.               The DSRP consists of four members: (a) a dam engineer (general design layout, type of dam, hydraulics of waterways, instrumentation),(b) a geotechnical engineer (foundation conditions, construction materials), and (c) a dam hydrologist (assessment of design flood) and (d)an international expert (the subject of this REOI) in embankment dam design and monitoring.  Should any of the dams include hydropower generation as an integral partof the dam and outlet works system, an expert on hydropower systems will also be included on the DSRP. 

Meetings and field visits

5.               The DSRP will meet at least twice per year in order to assess the status of the dams assigned and to present recommendations

Specific Actions

6.               The DSRP will make a general review of the dam planning and design records to become familiar with construction and operational requirements of the dams involved.  With this background the specific elements to be reviewed and evaluated by the DSRP will include, but not be limited to, the following:

a)     Review design drawings and construction specifications.

b)     Review design records including geological reports, foundation investigations, materials testing, materials strength parameters and stability analysis.

c)     Review the criteria, methodology and determination of the design flood, flood routing studies and the spillway sizing. 

d)     Review and comment on the Dam Safety Plans.

e)     Perform a field inspection to put the design choice inthe right perspective with respect to geotechnical and hydrological conditions of the site.

f)      With the notes from the field inspection and design review, the DSRP will make a critical evaluation of actions neededto assure the safety of the dam. These actions will be prioritized.

g)     In some cases additional field data will be required before completing the evaluation, or before the MoWE's corrective actions can be taken.  The DSRPwill evaluate the need for additional drilling, sampling, laboratory testing or installation of instruments, seepage measuring devices, surveys.

h)     The MoWE will make the dam planning and design personnel available to respond to the DSRP's questions as required. 

7.               Each DSRP review will involve an initial desk review, based on dam planning and design documents, to developinitial findings, flag possible issues, and prepare a check list for a site visit(s).  Should the DSRP flag critical issues which are time sensitive, site visit planning should be done accordingly.

APPOINTMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERT:

8.               Objectives of theAssignment: The primary objective of the DSRP's International Expert is to provide an independent and high level technical evaluation of the safety of the proposed dam(s).  The reports of the DSRP's International Expert are to become the basis for conducting any necessary actions to upgrade the proposed design and operation of the dam(s) from a safety perspective. 

9.             Reporting: The International Expert will report to the NPCO and Chairman of DSRP .

The DSRP will document the results of its initial desk review, of each of its meetings, and of the overall conclusions and recommendations following the field inspection(s) and evaluation. 

The International Expert will contribute to each report with a section related to embankment design and monitoring. He will review theentire report, discuss recommendations with other panel members and make sure he is satisfied with the conclusions.

He will submit a brief report to the NPCO of his activities and time spent, at the end of each technical evaluation.

10.            Duration and payment terms: The duration of the assignment is expected to be two years but may be extended until theend of the construction and first filling of Ribb dam. Total input isup to 15 days for two visits per year but may be extended if need be.

Payments will made after each visit and will be time-based on a daily basis. Economic travel, subsistence and reasonable accommodationexpenses will be reimbursed by the MoWE

11.            Qualifications & Experience: The International Expert should have worked in the design and constructionsupervision of embankment dams in climatic and geotechnical conditions similar to those of Ribb Dam. Geotechnical expertise and practical knowledge of instrumentation and monitoring systems for large embankment dams is also required. The expert should have a degree in civil engineering and a work experience in the dam engineering field of at least20 years.

12.            Selection: The International Expert will be selected in accordance with the procedures as the World Bank Guidelines: Selection & Employment of Consultants .

Further information can be obtained forthe address below during office hours from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

13.            Submission of REOI: Interested individual Consultants who fulfill the above requirements should submit theirCVs and copies of any other relevant documents within 14 days of the first announcement of this REOI, to the following address. This submission may be by email.

Attention:       Mr. Solomon Cherie

World Bank Financed Ethiopian-Nile Irrigation and Drainage Project;

Ministry of Water and Energy;

P.O Box 5744

Phone: 251-11-6626326

Fax: +251-11-6638506

E-mail: solomoncherie@yahoo.com