Undertaking of preparatory studies, including technical studies related to the feasibility of Project activities, preliminary designs and detailed designs, and preparation of the bidding documents for planned works under the Project

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING NATIONAL AUTHORISING OFFICE OF THE EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND Request for Expressions of Interest Position: Consultancy Services for Conducting of Feasibility Studies, Preparation of Detailed Designs, Environmental and Social Instruments , Bidding and Tender Documents for the proposed Irrigated and Sustainable Agriculture for Transformation (ISAT) Project (Local and International Consulting Firms (Quality and Cost-Based Selection)) Project: Irrigated and Sustainable Agriculture for Transformation (ISAT) Project Preparation Grant The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has requested support from the World Bank through a Project Preparation Grant (PPG) to advance the preparation of the Irrigated and Sustainable Agriculture for Transformation (ISAT) Project . The PPG is intended to support the identification, technical assessment, and preparation of priority irrigation schemes that can be taken forward under the full ISAT operation. There are different types of irrigation investments and scheme models in Zambia: large-scale public schemes; community-based schemes; farmer-led irrigation development (FLID); and corporate irrigation enterprises sometimes in partnership with the other types. The Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP) is an example where the government has established large public irrigation schemes serving both large commercial and smallholder farmers, which were planned to be run by private operators. IDSP aimed to increase the area under irrigation in the country. In addition, IDSP supported the rehabilitation of ten dams. Existing irrigation infrastructures are uneven in quality and performance, and many schemes face challenges related to design adequacy, operation and maintenance arrangements, access to reliable water sources, and linkages to markets. These constraints limit productivity, resilience to climate variability, and the economic viability of irrigated agriculture. The