Job overview
Operations & Maintenance and Systems Strengthening Support Project WISE II is available at Splash International Zambia in Zambia. Review the job description, requirements, closing date and application details below.
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SPLASH INTERNATIONAL – ZAMBIA TERMS OF REFERENCE / REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Operations & Maintenance and Systems Strengthening Support Project WISE II RFP Reference SPL-ZM-RFP-2026-PG001 Contracting Entity Splash International – Zambia Full Project (Framework Agreement) Operations & Maintenance (O&M) at schools and O&M Systems Strengthening – Project WISE II Full Geographic Scope Up to 436 Project WISE II schools in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Chipata (including the 14 First Assignment schools) Framework Term Three (3) years from signature First Assignment O&M at schools and O&M Systems Strengthening – Lusaka Pilot First Assignment Geographic Scope 14 Project WISE II Cohort 1 schools, Lusaka (listed in Annex A) First Assignment Duration Twelve (12) months from contract start What Offerors Submit Technical and Management Proposal and Financial Proposal for the First Assignment, plus an indicative rate card for the Framework Agreement (Section 7) Deadline for Clarification Questions 10 November 2026, 17:00 CAT Proposal Submission Deadline 19 November 2026, 17:00 Central Africa Time (CAT) Submission Address procurement-zambia@splash.org Proposal Validity Ninety (30) calendar days from the submission deadline Expected Contract Start 1 January 2027 1. Background and Purpose Project WISE II (WASH in Schools) seeks to strengthen sustainable, government-led WASH services in 436 schools in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Chipata. The project combines infrastructure improvements with behaviour change, menstrual health, operations and maintenance, and systems strengthening. Sustainability of the investment depends on WASH facilities remaining functional, safe and usable after construction and handover. This partnership is intended as a long-term collaboration towards system change in the operation and maintenance of school WASH infrastructure. The long-term objective is that responsibility for financing and managing school WASH O&M transfers to the Ministry of Education (MoE), local authorities, utilities or other Zambian government institutions. The selected partner is therefore expected to design and operate the O&M system with that transfer in view from the outset: building institutional capability, generating cost and performance evidence that government can act on, and avoiding arrangements that depend on continued donor financing. The work is intended to move beyond reactive repairs by strengthening the capacity, processes, accountability, financing and coordination needed for preventive maintenance, rapid fault identification and timely resolution of maintenance needs. Splash International – Zambia (“Splash”) invites qualified organisations, firms, consortia and other eligible service providers to submit proposals. This solicitation will establish a Framework Agreement covering the full scope of work described in Section 2, under the arrangements described in Section 3. The First Assignment (Section 4) will be the first call-off order under the Framework Agreement. Offerors are bidding for the Framework Agreement, but are asked to plan and price only the First Assignment. Splash will use the First Assignment as a representative assignment to assess each Offeror’s capacity, approach and value for money for the wider scope, together with the Offeror’s organisational experience, references, team and indicative rate card (Sections 7 and 8). This procurement is conducted through full and open competition. Any provider that meets the mandatory requirements in Section 7.1 and the submission requirements in Section 7 is eligible to compete. Key dates, the submission address and the clarification process are set out in Section 10. 2. Framework Scope of Work This section describes the full scope of services that Splash may procure under the Framework Agreement. It is intentionally broad. Specific services, schools, deliverables, timelines and prices will be set out in individual call-off orders (Section 3). 2.1 Objectives 1. Strengthen MoE, school and relevant partner systems, roles and capacities for sustained preventive and corrective O&M of school WASH infrastructure. 2. Establish a practical maintenance-response mechanism that enables faults to be reported, triaged, assigned, repaired and closed within agreed service standards, thereby reducing downtime. 3. Keep WASH assets functional through preventive and corrective maintenance, delivered in a way that progressively builds the capacity of schools and government to take this on. 4. Generate an evidence-based, costed and scalable O&M model that can inform Project WISE II scale-up and wider government systems for sustainable WASH in schools. 2.2 Geographic Coverage Up to 436 schools supported by Project WISE II in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Chipata, including the 14 Cohort 1 schools in Lusaka. Schools are expected to be added in cohorts as construction is completed and facilities are handed over. Services may also involve the relevant MoE offices at school, district (DEBS), provincial (PEO) and national levels, and local authorities and utilities. 2.3 Assets in Scope School WASH assets built or rehabilitated under Project WISE II, and associated existing school WASH facilities where agreed in a call-off order, including: · boreholes, solar pumping systems and associated electrical components; · water storage tanks, tank stands and water-supply pipework within the school boundary (from the utility meter or point of connection onwards); · handwashing and drinking-water stations and taps; · ablution blocks: plumbing fittings, cisterns, taps, doors, locks, lighting and menstrual health facilities; · sewer lines within the school boundary, septic tanks and soak-aways. Excluded unless specifically instructed in a call-off order: structural or building works beyond minor repairs; new construction; defects covered by a construction contractor’s defects-liability period or manufacturer warranty (the partner reports these to Splash); and utility-owned infrastructure beyond the meter or point of connection (the partner coordinates with the relevant utility). 2.4 Services that May Be Called Off · O&M system, asset-condition and capacity assessments. · Design and roll-out of preventive maintenance systems, tools and records. · Fault-reporting, triage, escalation and rapid-response mechanisms. · Preventive and corrective maintenance and repairs, including the supply of spare parts and consumables, at agreed rates. · Capacity strengthening for MoE personnel, school management, WASH/WinS structures, caretakers and other actors. · O&M financing, budgeting, procurement and supply-chain strengthening, including design and testing of payment modalities such as results-based financing. · Monitoring, verification, data management, learning and scale-up planning. · Transition support to MoE, local authorities, utilities or other Zambian institutions. 2.5 Progressive Transition Over the Framework term, the partner’s role is expected to shift progressively from delivering maintenance directly to supporting, supervising and verifying maintenance that is managed and financed by Zambian institutions. Each call-off order will state the expected balance between direct service delivery and systems-strengthening support for that assignment. 3. Framework Agreement Arrangements 3.1 Term and Value The Framework Agreement will run for three (3) years from signature, subject to extension at the end of the initial 12 months agreement subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. The Framework Agreement does not guarantee any minimum volume or value of work beyond the First Assignment. 3.2 Call-Off Orders Splash will contract specific assignments through written call-off orders issued under the Framework Agreement. Each call-off order will state the schools, services, deliverables, timeline, service standards, price and payment terms, and will draw down against the Framework maximum value, which is yet to be agreed with the successful bidder. The Section 4 scope of work will form the first call-off order. 3.3 Pricing of Future Call-Offs Future call-off orders will be priced using the rate card submitted with the Financial Proposal (Section 7.4), as confirmed during contract negotiation. Rates will be fixed for the first twelve (12) months of the Framework Agreement and may then be reviewed once a year by written agreement, with reference to documented cost changes. 3.4 Number of Awards Splash intends to award one Framework Agreement. Splash reserves the right to award more than one Framework Agreement where this is in the best interests of the project, for example by geography. If more than one award is made, call-off orders will be allocated by geography or by a mini-competition among framework holders, as stated in each call-off request. 3.5 Performance Performance on each call-off order, including achievement of the agreed service standards and key performance indicators, will be reviewed and will inform decisions on future call-off orders. Splash may suspend further call-offs or terminate the Framework Agreement in line with its terms if performance remains unsatisfactory after a corrective action plan. 4. First Assignment: Lusaka Pilot 4.1 Purpose and Context The purpose of the First Assignment is to establish and operationalise a sustainable O&M support system for the 14 Cohort 1 schools in Lusaka that strengthens MoE and related partner capacity, keeps WASH assets functional, and ensures maintenance needs are identified, escalated and addressed promptly to minimise downtime. The pilot will test and develop an O&M model that can be adapted for wider Project WISE II scale-up and eventual government ownership. The list of the 14 schools, a summary asset inventory by school, and the handover and warranty status of each asset are provided in Annex A. Offerors may visit the schools during the optional site visit listed in Section 10. 4.2 Roles and Repair Boundaries During the First Assignment the partner will carry out maintenance directly while building the capacity of schools and MoE to take on routine tasks. To avoid creating a parallel system, all faults must be logged through a mechanism co-owned by the schools and the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) office, maintenance must be carried out with the involvement of school focal persons and caretakers, and records must be held by the schools. Maintenance needs fall into four categories: Category: Routine tasks Examples: Cleaning, inspections, replacing tap washers, clearing minor blockages, reporting faults Responsibility and funding: School caretakers and focal persons, coached by the partner. Consumables planned in school budgets. Category: Corrective repairs Examples: Pump and solar faults, plumbing leaks, cistern and fitting repairs, electrical faults, septic desludging Responsibility and funding: Carried out by the partner. Labour and transport included in the partner’s price; parts, materials and third-party services paid from the provisional sum (Section 7.4). Category: Major repairs and replacements Examples: Items costing more than ZMW 10,000 each, pump replacement, borehole rehabilitation Responsibility and funding: Partner diagnoses and quotes; work proceeds only with Splash’s prior written approval. Category: Warranty defects Examples: Defects within a contractor’s defects-liability period or manufacturer warranty Responsibility and funding: Partner reports to Splash within 48 hours; does not repair unless instructed. 4.3 Workstreams The selected partner will work closely with Splash, MoE, participating schools and other relevant actors. At minimum, the First Assignment includes the following workstreams. A. O&M System and Capacity Assessment · Conduct a rapid baseline assessment of existing O&M arrangements in all 14 schools, including responsibilities, maintenance practices, response pathways, budgets, records, skills and supply chains. · Verify the asset inventory in Annex A and record the condition and maintenance history of each asset. · Map MoE structures at school, district (DEBS), provincial (PEO) and national levels, and the roles of local authorities, utilities and other actors in school WASH maintenance; clarify decision-making, escalation and accountability pathways. · Identify recurring bottlenecks that contribute to delayed maintenance or extended downtime and recommend practical corrective measures. B. Preventive Maintenance Systems · Develop or strengthen school-level preventive maintenance plans and schedules for in-scope assets, aligned to asset type and manufacturer or technical requirements. · Introduce simple inspection checklists, asset registers, maintenance logs and responsibility matrices that schools and supervising structures can use routinely. · Support schools to plan for consumables, minor repairs, replacement parts and other recurrent O&M requirements. C. Maintenance Reporting and Rapid Response · Establish an accessible fault-reporting and escalation mechanism for the 14 schools, using practical digital and/or non-digital tools appropriate to the context. · Develop a triage system that categorises maintenance needs by urgency, safety and service impact, with response and resolution times for each category. · Carry out preventive and corrective maintenance on in-scope assets in line with Section 4.2, and verify that faults are resolved and closed with sign-off by the school. · Track downtime, response time, repair time, recurring faults and unresolved issues, and use the data to improve performance. D. Capacity Strengthening and Institutionalisation · Assess O&M capacity gaps among designated MoE personnel, school management, WASH/WinS structures, caretakers and other relevant actors. · Develop and deliver practical coaching, on-the-job support and targeted training on preventive maintenance, fault detection, basic troubleshooting, reporting, supervision and accountability. · Support MoE and schools to embed O&M responsibilities into routine planning, supervision, budgeting and performance review rather than operating a parallel project system. · Develop simple manuals, guidelines and tools that can continue to be used after the assignment. E. O&M Financing and Supply Chain Strengthening · Assess how the 14 schools currently finance recurrent WASH O&M and identify realistic financing gaps and opportunities. · Support practical mechanisms for budgeting, prioritisation and timely access to funds for routine and minor maintenance, and clarify pathways for larger repairs. · Map and, where appropriate, strengthen access to qualified technicians, suppliers, spare parts and service arrangements that can reduce repair delays. · Recommend sustainable O&M financing and cost-sharing arrangements across responsible institutions and partners. · Assess and recommend the payment and contracting modality most likely to be sustained by government over the long term (for example deliverable-based, retainer, schedule-of-rates, results-based or hybrid), with reference to MoE budgeting, procurement and verification practice. This is reported in Deliverable 7. F. Learning, Evidence and Scale-Up · Agree a small set of O&M performance indicators and targets, building on Section 4.5, and maintain a performance dashboard or tracker for the 14 schools in a format agreed with Splash and compatible with Splash’s data systems. · Analyse failure patterns, costs, response times and institutional bottlenecks, and facilitate quarterly learning reviews with Splash, MoE and relevant partners. · Document lessons from the pilot and propose a scalable O&M model, including minimum staffing, systems, financing, tools and governance requirements for wider Project WISE II implementation. 4.4 Deliverables and Timeline #: 1 Deliverable: Inception report and implementation plan Minimum content: Methodology, stakeholder engagement plan, 12-month workplan, risk register, draft service standards and KPI targets, verification and data management approach. Due: End of Month 1 #: 2 Deliverable: O&M baseline and systems assessment Minimum content: All 14 schools: verified asset inventory and condition, institutional roles, capacity, financing, maintenance history, bottlenecks and priority actions. Due: End of Month 2 #: 3 Deliverable: O&M system and toolkit Minimum content: Asset registers, preventive maintenance schedules, inspection checklists, fault-reporting and escalation workflow, maintenance logs, responsibility matrix and final service standards. Due: End of Month 3 #: 4 Deliverable: Operational maintenance-response mechanism Minimum content: Functioning reporting, triage, assignment, escalation, resolution and closure process covering all 14 schools, with evidence of use. Due: Live by end of Month 3 #: 5 Deliverable: Capacity-strengthening package and delivery report Minimum content: Training and coaching materials, job aids, attendance records, competency assessment results and institutionalisation plan. Due: Materials Month 4; delivery report Month 6 #: 6 Deliverable: Monthly performance data and quarterly performance reports Minimum content: Updated dashboard showing faults, response and repair times, downtime, recurring issues, expenditure, outstanding actions and recommendations. Due: Data monthly by the 10th; reports Months 3, 6, 9, 12 #: 7 Deliverable: O&M financing and contracting-modality options paper Minimum content: Findings and recommendations from Workstream E, including the modality most likely to be sustained by government and the verification it would require. Due: End of Month 9 #: 8 Deliverable: Pilot learning, costing and scale-up report Minimum content: Evidence, lessons, unit costs and recommendations for a sustainable, government-owned O&M model that can be adapted for Project WISE II scale-up. Due: End of Month 11 #: 9 Deliverable: Final handover and transition package Minimum content: Updated records, outstanding issues, tools, datasets, institutional responsibilities and transition plan validated with MoE. Due: End of Month 12 Acceptance. Splash will review each deliverable within ten (10) working days and either accept it in writing or return comments. The partner will address comments within ten (10) working days. A deliverable is accepted when the Splash Program Director or designated contract manager confirms acceptance in writing. Payment is linked to accepted deliverables (Section 9). 4.5 Key Performance Indicators Offerors should propose service standards and targets in their Technical Proposal. The values below are Splash’s indicative targets; final targets will be agreed in the inception report. Indicators will be verified by Splash (and MoE where agreed) through record audits, spot checks and school feedback. Indicator: Schools with an up-to-date asset register, preventive maintenance plan and maintenance log Indicative target: 14 of 14 schools by end of Month 3, maintained thereafter Means of verification: Record audit, spot checks Indicator: Reported faults recorded, categorised and assigned through the agreed mechanism Indicative target: 100% from Month 3 Means of verification: Fault log audit, school feedback Indicator: Critical faults (safety risk, or loss of water or sanitation service for the school) Indicative target: Response within 24 hours; resolved or safe interim solution within 72 hours Means of verification: Fault log timestamps, spot checks Indicator: Non-critical faults Indicative target: Resolved within 10 working days Means of verification: Fault log timestamps Indicator: In-scope WASH assets functional Indicative target: At least 90% at each quarterly spot check Means of verification: Quarterly spot checks Indicator: Average downtime per fault and repeat faults Indicative target: 25% reduction between Quarter 1 and Quarter 4 Means of verification: Dashboard data Indicator: Caretakers and school focal persons meeting the competency standard after training Indicative target: At least 80% Means of verification: Competency assessments Indicator: Transition plan and financing pathway validated with MoE Indicative target: By end of Month 11 Means of verification: Validation meeting record The partner is responsible for producing and facilitating the transition plan and financing pathway. Adoption by government institutions is outside the partner’s control and will not be treated as a partner performance failure. 4.6 Splash Responsibilities · Provide the school list, asset inventory, available as-built drawings and warranty information (Annex A) before contract start. · Introduce the partner to MoE and participating schools, including a letter of introduction, and support any MoU or working agreement with MoE. · Coordinate with construction contractors on warranty defects reported by the partner. · Review deliverables and approve major repairs within the timeframes in this TOR. · Provide access to Splash data systems or templates where required for the dashboard. 5. Implementation Approach and Principles Proposals should demonstrate an approach that is: · Government-led and systems-oriented: strengthening MoE and existing structures rather than creating a parallel maintenance system. · Preventive and data-driven: prioritising planned maintenance, early detection and analysis of recurring failures. · Responsive: providing clear escalation and response pathways that minimise downtime. · Practical and affordable: using tools, technology and service arrangements that schools and government can realistically sustain. · Child-centred, inclusive and safeguarding-conscious: maintaining safe, accessible, gender-responsive WASH services and minimising disruption to learners. · Adaptive and scalable: testing solutions in the 14 schools while documenting what would be required for wider replication. 6. Coordination, Reporting and Verification The partner will report to the Splash International – Zambia Program Director or a designated contract manager named at contract signing, and will work closely with Splash’s Global Infrastructure and Program Delivery teams. Implementation requires structured engagement with MoE, participating schools and other relevant government, utility, technical and service actors. · Monthly check-ins with Splash and submission of performance data (Deliverable 6). · Quarterly performance and learning reviews with Splash and MoE. · Escalation to Splash within 24 hours of any critical failure affecting safe access to WASH services, and immediately for any safeguarding concern. · Verification: Splash, and MoE where agreed, may verify performance through record audits, unannounced spot checks and school feedback. The partner will provide access to all records, sites and data on request. 7. Proposal Requirements 7.1 Mandatory Requirements (Pass/Fail) Proposals that do not meet all of the following will not be evaluated further: · Legal registration to operate in Zambia (PACRA certificate of incorporation or equivalent registration). For consortia, the lead entity must be registered in Zambia. · Valid ZRA tax clearance certificate and TPIN. · NAPSA and Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board compliance certificates. · Evidence that personnel or subcontractors carrying out electrical and solar work hold appropriate professional registration (e.g. Engineering Institute of Zambia or Energy Regulation Board). · A written safeguarding policy, or written commitment to adopt Splash’s Child Safeguarding Policy. · At least three (3) professional references (Section 7.4). · Proposal signed by an official authorised to bind the Offeror, with a signed declaration on conflicts of interest. · Submission complete and within the page limits in Section 7.4. 7.2 Organisational and Team Qualifications (Scored) · Demonstrated experience in operations and maintenance, facilities or asset management, WASH infrastructure, institutional WASH or comparable public-service systems. · Demonstrated experience strengthening government or institutional systems and building sustainable local capacity. · Practical experience establishing maintenance workflows, service-level arrangements, preventive maintenance systems and performance tracking. · Ability to mobilise appropriate technical expertise for water, sanitation, plumbing and electrical/solar systems. · Experience working with schools, government institutions or public-sector partners in Zambia (highly desirable). · Strong monitoring, documentation, learning and reporting capability. · Appropriate safeguarding, health and safety, financial management and quality-assurance systems. 7.3 Consortia Proposals may be submitted by a single organisation or a consortium. A consortium must name a lead entity, which will sign the Framework Agreement and be fully responsible for performance, and must describe the role and scope of each member and how service delivery responsibilities are divided. Performance will be verified by Splash (Section 6); consortium members’ own reporting does not replace this. 7.4 Proposal Structure and Page Limits To make proposals comparable, Offerors must use the structure below. Section headings in Volume 1 match the evaluation criteria in Section 8. Volume 1 – Technical and Management Proposal (PDF; maximum 10 pages excluding annexes; minimum 11-point font) · Technical Understanding (criterion a): understanding of Project WISE II, the school WASH O&M context in Zambia, MoE structures, the long-term transition goal and the needs of the First Assignment. · Methodology and Approach (criterion b): approach to Workstreams A–F; how direct maintenance will shift towards school- and MoE-led O&M; proposed service standards by fault category; 12-month workplan with milestones; risk management. · Monitoring, Verification and Sustainability (criterion e): proposed indicators and targets, data tools, verification arrangements, transition and financing approach, and the payment modality the Offeror considers most sustainable for eventual government financing. · Organisational Experience (criterion c): two to three summaries of recent, similar assignments and their results. · Team and Management (criterion d): team structure, roles, level of effort, key personnel, safeguarding, health and safety and quality assurance. Annexes (not counted in the page limit): CVs of key personnel (maximum 3 pages each); detailed workplan (Gantt chart); mandatory documents listed in Section 7.1; and at least three (3) professional references, each with the representative’s name, organisation, address, telephone and email, and permission for Splash to contact them about the quality and timeliness of the Offeror’s work and whether they would use the Offeror again. Volume 2 – Financial Proposal (separate files; Excel budget plus cost narrative of maximum 5 pages) · Budget for the First Assignment in Excel with unlocked formulas, in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW), showing unit, quantity, unit rate and total for: professional fees (level of effort × daily rate per person); travel and transport; training and capacity strengthening; tools and technology; maintenance-response labour and transport; other direct costs; and taxes. · Indicative rate card for future call-offs: daily rates by personnel category; call-out and per-visit rates; a per-school monthly rate for preventive maintenance; and labour rates for common repairs. Include a short note (maximum one page, within the cost narrative) on how unit costs would change at larger scale, for example 100 or more schools. · Cost narrative explaining the pricing methodology, assumptions, unit rates, quantities, level of effort, exclusions and contingencies. · Proposed milestone payment schedule linked to the deliverables in Section 4.4 (see Section 9). Prices must be stated in ZMW and include all applicable taxes, with VAT shown separately where applicable. Withholding tax will be deducted where required by Zambian law. Prices must remain valid for ninety (60) calendar days from the submission deadline. 8. Evaluation 8.1 Compliance Screening Splash will first check each proposal against the mandatory requirements in Section 7.1. Proposals that fail any mandatory requirement will not be evaluated further. Splash may ask an Offeror to supply a missing minor document within a short deadline. 8.2 Technical Evaluation Compliant proposals will be scored against the criteria below. Each criterion is scored on a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = not addressed; 1 = poor; 2 = weak; 3 = adequate; 4 = good; 5 = excellent) and weighted. Proposals must achieve a technical score of at least 70% to proceed to financial evaluation. Criterion: a. Technical Understanding What is assessed: Understanding of Project WISE II, the Zambian school WASH O&M context, MoE structures, the long-term transition goal and the specific needs of the First Assignment; identification of key risks and assumptions. Weight: 25% Criterion: b. Methodology and Approach What is assessed: Quality, practicality and feasibility of the approach to Workstreams A–F; clarity on how direct maintenance will shift to school- and MoE-led O&M; realism of proposed service standards; logic of the workplan and staffing; risk management; potential to replicate across 436 schools and adapt to different districts. Weight: 30% Criterion: c. Relevant Organisational Experience What is assessed: Recent (last five years) relevant work in O&M or asset management, WASH infrastructure and government systems strengthening; results achieved; reference feedback on quality, timeliness and willingness to use the Offeror again. Weight: 20% Criterion: d. Team Qualifications What is assessed: Qualifications and relevant experience of key personnel; technical cover for water, plumbing, sanitation and electrical/solar systems; adequacy of level of effort and presence in Lusaka. Weight: 15% Criterion: e. Monitoring, Verification and Sustainability What is assessed: Quality of indicators, data tools and verification arrangements; credibility of the approach to generating cost and performance evidence for government; transition and financing strategy; track record of developing sustainability strategies. Weight: 10% Criterion: Total What is assessed: 100% 8.3 Financial Evaluation For proposals that pass the technical threshold, the financial score is calculated on the total price of the First Assignment excluding the provisional sum: financial score = (lowest price ÷ Offeror’s price) × 100. Splash will also review the rate card for completeness and reasonableness. Prices that are abnormally low, unclear or inconsistent with the proposed approach may be clarified or rejected. 8.4 Combined Score and Award The combined score is calculated as 70% technical score + 30% financial score. The proposal with the highest combined score represents best value, subject to satisfactory reference checks, due diligence and contract negotiation. Splash may invite the highest-ranked Offerors to an interview or presentation before final scoring (optional). 9. Contract Management and Payment The selected Offeror will sign the Framework Agreement, and the First Assignment will be issued as the first call-off order. The call-off order will specify deliverable dates, acceptance and verification requirements, payment milestones, allowable costs and approval processes. Fixed-price deliverables. Payments for the First Assignment will be made on acceptance of deliverables. Offerors may propose an alternative milestone schedule in Volume 2; the indicative schedule is: Milestone: Inception report accepted Deliverables: 1 Share of fixed price: 10% Milestone: Baseline, toolkit and response mechanism in place; Quarter 1 report Deliverables: 2, 3, 4, 6 Share of fixed price: 25% Milestone: Capacity-strengthening delivery report; Quarter 2 report Deliverables: 5, 6 Share of fixed price: 20% Milestone: Financing options paper; Quarter 3 report Deliverables: 6, 7 Share of fixed price: 20% Milestone: Scale-up report, Quarter 4 report and final handover Deliverables: 6, 8, 9 Share of fixed price: 25% Parts and materials. Costs charged to the provisional sum will be reimbursed monthly against receipts. Major repairs above the threshold in Section 4.2 require Splash’s prior written approval. Invoicing. Invoices will be paid within thirty (30) days of receipt of a correct invoice for accepted deliverables or approved costs. Longer-term payment modalities. Splash is open to results-based or performance-linked payment against verified service standards in future call-offs, where this can be shown to be workable for government. Offerors should set out their view on the most sustainable modality in Volume 1 (Section 7.4); it is not priced in the Financial Proposal. Deliverable 7 will inform any change in future call-offs. Splash reserves the right to negotiate scope, deliverables, timelines and budget with the selected Offeror before award. 10. Submission Instructions and Timetable Step: RFP issued Date: 03 November 2026 Step: Optional site visit to Cohort 1 schools (register by email) Date: 11 November 2026 Step: Deadline for clarification questions Date: 10 November 2026, 17:00 CAT Step: Splash responses shared with all Offerors Date: 27 November 2026 Step: Proposal submission deadline Date: 19 November 2026, 17:00 Central Africa Time (CAT) Step: Interviews or presentations (if required) Date: Early December 2026 Step: Notification of award Date: By 15 January 2027 Step: Expected contract start Date: 1 January 2027 · Clarification questions must be sent in writing to procurement-zambia@splash.org by the deadline above, with the subject line “Project WISE II O&M Framework – Clarification Question”. Splash will share all questions and answers, without identifying the source, with all Offerors. · Proposals must be emailed to procurement-zambia@splash.org with the subject line “SPL-ZM-RFP-2026-PG001 – Project WISE II O&M Framework – [Offeror name]”. Total attachment size must not exceed 20 MB per email. · Splash will acknowledge receipt by email. Late proposals will not be considered. · Proposals must be in English. · Contact person for this solicitation: Manager-Finance and Operations , procurement-zambia@splash.org. 11. Terms, Policies and Reservation of Rights · No obligation. Issuance of this RFP does not oblige Splash to make an award. Splash may accept or reject any or all proposals, request clarifications, conduct due diligence, negotiate with shortlisted Offerors, modify the scope or terms, or cancel the solicitation at any time. · Proposal costs. All costs of preparing and submitting a proposal are borne by the Offeror. · Child safeguarding. The partner and any subcontractors must comply with Splash’s Child Safeguarding Policy. All personnel working in schools must have a valid police clearance, sign Splash’s code of conduct, and report any safeguarding concern to Splash immediately. · Health and safety. The partner is responsible for safe working practices, including electrical isolation, working at height, confined spaces (such as septic tanks) and personal protective equipment, and for scheduling work to minimise disruption to learners. · Insurance. Before contract signing the selected Offeror must provide evidence of public liability insurance and workers’ compensation cover and professional indemnity insurance, where applicable. · Conflicts of interest. Offerors must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest. · Fraud, corruption and sanctions. Splash has zero tolerance for fraud, bribery and corruption. Splash may screen Offerors against applicable sanctions and debarment lists. · Subcontracting. Subcontractors must be named in the proposal. Key services may not be subcontracted without Splash’s prior written approval. · Data and confidentiality. Data collected under the contract belongs to Splash and will be shared with MoE. The partner must comply with the Data Protection Act of Zambia (2021) and collect no personal data about children beyond what is strictly necessary. · Intellectual property. Tools, manuals, datasets and reports produced under the contract are owned by Splash, which will make them available to MoE and other government institutions for their use. · Debriefing and complaints. Unsuccessful Offerors will be notified and may request a debrief within ten (10) working days of notification. Complaints about the process may be sent to compliance contact email. Annex A: First Assignment Schools and Asset Inventory 1. Bauleni Special Need Combined School Matched School: BAULENI SPECIAL COMBINED EMIS Number: EDS05060007 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: YES 2. Chaisa Secondary School Matched School: CHAISA PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS02050013 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YES 3. Chazanga Combined School Matched School: CHAZANGA COMBINED EMIS Number: EDS05060018 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: YES 4. Chibelo Primary School Matched School: CHIBELO PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS05060020 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: NO 5. Chilenje B Secondary School Matched School: CHILENJE ‘B’ SECONDARY EMIS Number: EDS05060022 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YES 6. Daina Kaimba Combined School Matched School: DAINA KAIMBA PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS05060032 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: NO 7. Kabwata Primary School Matched School: KABWATA PRIMARY SCHOOL EMIS Number: EDS02070030 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: NO 8. Kalingalinga Primary School Matched School: KALINGALINGA PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS05060054 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: NO 9. Kizito Primary School Matched School: KIZITO PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS01020057 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: NO 10. Lilayi Primary School Matched School: LILAYI PRIMARY EMIS Number: EDS05060069 ECE: YES Primary: YES Secondary: YES 11. Lilayi Secondary School Matched School: LILAYI SECONDARY EMIS Number: EDS05060070 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YES 12. Matero Secondary School Matched School: MATERO SECONDARY EMIS Number: EDS05060089 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YES 13. Mkandawire Secondary School Matched School: MKANDAWIRE SECONDARY EMIS Number: EDS05060092 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YES 14. New Mtendere Secondary School Matched School: NEW MTENDERE SECONDARY EMIS Number: EDS05060109 ECE: NO Primary: NO Secondary: YESRequirements
requirements in Section 7.1 and the submission requirements in Section 7 is eligible to compete. Key dates, the submission address and the clarification process are set out in Section 10. 2. Framework Scope of Work This section describes the full scope of services that Splash may procure under the Framework Agreement. It is intentionally broad. Specific services, schools, deliverables, timelines and prices will be set out in individual call-off orders (Section 3). 2.1 Objectives 1. Strengthen MoE, school and relevant partner systems, roles and capacities for sustained preventive and corrective O&M of school WASH infrastructure. 2. Establish a practical maintenance-response mechanism that enables faults to be reported, triaged, assigned, repaired and closed within agreed service standards, thereby reducing downtime. 3. Keep WASH assets functional through preventive and corrective maintenance, delivered in a way that progressively builds the capacity of schools and government to take this on. 4. Generate an evidence-based, costed and scalable O&M model that can inform Project WISE II scale-up and wider government systems for sustainable WASH in schools. 2.2 Geographic Coverage Up to 436 schools supported by Project WISE II in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe and Chipata, including the 14 Cohort 1 schools in Lusaka. Schools are expected to be added in cohorts as construction is completed and facilities are handed over. Services may also involve the relevant MoE offices at school, district (DEBS), provincial (PEO) and national levels, and local authorities and utilities. 2.3 Assets in Scope School WASH assets built or rehabilitated under Project WISE II, and associated existing school WASH facilities where agreed in a call-off order, including: · boreholes, solar pumping systems and associated electrical components; · water storage tanks, tank stands and water-supply pipework within the school boundary (from the utility meter or point of connection onwards); · handwashing and drinkExplore related jobs in Zambia
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