Terms of Reference

Consulting Services Design Verification and Engineering Supervision for

Implementation of Grid-Connected solar PV systems for 286 Facilities in the
Sindh Province

Background:
Sindh Energy Department (SED) under Government of Sindh (GoS) has obtained financing and technical
support from the World Bank to expand solar power and increase access to electricity under the Sindh Solar
Energy Project (SSEP)1. Component 2 of SSEP targets the first of these objectives and included in the first
round the installation of 20 MW of distributed solar power on and around public buildings and in the second
round the installation of 11.5MW around public buildings in the vicinity of the province of Sindh. The
current round includes the installation of an additional at least 12.164 MW in the Sindh province.
Component 2 of SSEP finances the installation of distributed solar PV on rooftops and other available space
on and around public sector buildings in Sindh plus energy efficiency retrofits and energy management
systems. Distributed solar, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on and around buildings in urban
areas, offers the benefit of being close to load centers, removing the need for transmission infrastructure
and making efficient use of already-developed land. The first round of procurement and installation
included around 20 MW of grid solar PV systems whereas the second round included around 11.5MW.
Under the third round, the objective is to add at least 12.164 MW of solar power PV, in addition to the capacity
installed in the first and second round, within key load centers, contributing to the growth of the distributed
and rooftopsolar market in Sindh and Pakistan, and contributing to the reduction of the ‘circular debt’
problem by reducing the overall electricity consumption of the GoS through self-generation and energy
efficiency measures.
SED have short listed 286 public buildings for the assignment, throughout the Sindh province. A survey has
been commissioned for this purpose resulting in comprehensive documentation and plans created in 2024-
2025, which formed the basis for the tendering process of engaging the installation supplier, who are
required to design, supply, and install the solar PV systems.
The services of a supervision engineering firm (the “Consultant”) are required to support the Client in the
implementation of at least 12.164 MW of distributed grid-connected solar PV systems at 286 public
buildings, which will be carried out by multiple suppliers operating in four lots.
The Consultant shall ensure that all installations are carried out to the highest national and international
standards, as specified in the Request for Bids (RFB), and in accordance with the scope of work, and phased
approached detailed in this document.

1
Refer to Project Appraisal Document for further details of SSEP: http://projects.worldbank.org/P159712?lang=en

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Objective of the Assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to ensure that the design, supply, and installations for the solar PV
systems is carried out in accordance with the highest standards, and conforming to technical specification
and contractual requirements, in a timely manner. Independent suppliers will perform activities for design,
supply, and installation of the solar PV systems at the target facilities, where each lot includes either five
or six facilities with a total of 286 facilities forming a cumulative solar PV capacity of at least 12.164MW.
The following requirements shall apply to this assignment:
i) The Consultant shall assist the Client and shall act under its directions;
ii) The Consultant shall work closely with the Client to support them on design verification and
supervision activities and adhere to communication frequency and reporting;
iii) The consultant shall engage actively and coordinate with suppliers, facility management and other
stakeholders to ensure a that the implementation is facilitated in the most optimal forms.
iv) The Consultant shall undertake their work with professionalism and integrity, representing the
interests of the Client in ensuring value for money and high-quality installations that are fully
compliant with all contractual requirements.

Scope of Work:
There are four phases for the implementation of the solar PV system at each facility considered within the
project life cycle. The Consultant is expected to carry out responsibilities as detailed in under each of the
phases. It is possible that the implementation progress at different facilities may vary in pace, depending on
the Supplier and other variables. The activities at each facility shall be carried out independently, while
consolidating data and results where possible for different lots. The scope of work for each of the phase can
be summarized as follows:
Phase 1: System Engineering and Planning
Upon awarding the contract for each implementation supplier; based on lots, they are expected to visit
each of the sites and carry out planning and engineering activities. The supplier is then required to conduct
system planning and engineering to each facility, upon conducting site visits. In conjunction, the
Consultant is expected to carry out the following functions during this phase:
1. Engineering Plans: Review the electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering drawings and designs
submitted by the supplier and ensure conformity to the international best practices and standards
related to solar PV systems, detailed technical specification, contractual agreement, andlocal and
national standards in Pakistan.
2. System Sizing: The consultant shall verify that the proposed solar PV system sizing by the
supplier is consistent with the contractual agreement, based on the variables stated in the original
technical requirements (optimal yield, rooftop space, load limits, energy consumption, shading,
existing network limitation, etc), and shall conduct independent calculation, analysis and modeling
to confirm when necessary.
3. Equipment and Materials: Review the data sheets and technical specification of the proposed
products to ensure conformity to original technical specification and contractual agreement for all

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 equipment and material used in the project. The consultant shall review that all the relevant
documentation for each product, and ensure that the product warranty and other commercial
obligations are met and are according to standards set in the contractual agreements.
4. Implementation Plan Review: Review the Project Implementation Plan for the supplier,
including the timelines and Gantt charts, the methodology, and the proposed templates. Provide
relevant feedback and adjustments to ensure implementation is consistent with the contractual
agreement and standards.
5. Electrical Integration: Review the electrical integration Bill of Quantities submitted by the
supplier, validate based on the market prices locally that shall be researched and identified by the
Consultant. Ensure that the proposed electrical integration works are consistent with engineering
requirements on-site to determine suitability and conformity to solar PV system optimal
interconnection requirements.
6. Commissioning Protocols: Review the testing, commissioning and acceptance protocols and
templates, providing feedback to the suppliers, and ensuring development of consistent approach
for all suppliers responsible for different to follow. Develop alternative templates, protocols, and
procedures when necessary.
The Consultant shall ensure the main functions are performed for each of the facilities for the first phase,
while coordinating with the different suppliers responsible for all four lots accordingly. The Consultant
shall coordinate with the building management to obtain site access, and shall provide weekly updates (or
other agreed upon frequency) to the Client on the progress towards realizing the completion of the first
phase for all facilities. The consultant would also be responsible to validating the completion of contractual
deliverables for the suppliers, and communicate conformity to Client in a timely manner.
Phase 2: System Implementation Supervision
Upon finalizing the first phase for each facility, the supplier would procure the equipment, and initiate the
solar PV system implementation, including the minor civil works, mechanical, and electrical works. The
Consultant shall be responsible throughout the implementation process to supervise the installation, ensure
the consistency with the technical requirements detailed in the contractual agreement, as well as the national
and international best-practices, standards and regulations relevant to the project.
The consultant shall supervise all system implementation activities, including the following:
i) Completion of roof rehabilitation
ii) Completion of civil works
iii) Installation of the mounting system
iv) Installation of solar PV system, including strings, cable management, and modules
v) Installation of electrical circuitry protection, grounding, and lightning protection
vi) Installation of Remote Monitoring System (RMS)
vii) Installation of security and safety measures and equipment
During the implementation phase, the Consultant is expected to closely supervise the activities on site,
identifying any deviation from the original contractual agreement and the technical specification, while
ensuring correction mechanisms are adhered to. The Consultant is responsible for identifying and
documenting all the challenges, lessons learned, and developments taking place in each of the sites. The
consultant would be representing the Client on site, and would be coordinating and communicating
weekly updates and progress by the various suppliers, and ensuring a synthesized reporting is submitted
to client in a timely manner.

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The consultant would be responsible to quantifying, measuring and documenting the contractual
deliverables for the suppliers during the second phase, and shall communicate conformity or deviations to
the client. Furthermore, the consultant shall carry pre-commissioning inspections, and shall produce punch-
list for the suppliers to address, should there be any installation corrections needed. Completing theworks
detailed, and addressing any potential punch-list items would signal conclusion of the second phase, and
would permit the initiation of the third phase for testing, commissioning and acceptance.
Phase 3: Testing, Commissioning and Acceptance Supervision
The Consultant shall directly supervise the testing and commissioning phase, in accordance with agreed
upon methodology and protocols between the Consultant and the supplier. All activities for the testing and
commissioning shall conform to all technical requirements stated in the contractual agreement between
the supplier and the client, and adhere to international best practices.
The processes shall follow the templates formulated in the first phase, and shall be consistent for all
facilities in all four lots. The Consultant shall ensure availability of all documentation requirements,
including product certifications, warranties, manufacturer documentation, amongst other documents prior
to completing this phase. During the testing phase, the consultant shall also conduct randomized sampling
and testing of equipment procured under the project, including through field-based or central laboratories
as required by Client.
Furthermore, the consultant shall verify and coordinate with the supplier all necessary steps required by
the electrical utility (distribution) company and other relevant stakeholder before fully ‘energizing the
system’ and completing the interconnection with the grid and the network at the facility. The main
milestone that is achieved at completion of this phase would be identified as a ‘substantial completion’
which would permit the fourth phase to be initiated.
Phase 4: Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Supervision
Upon initiating the O&M phase, the Consultant is expected to engage in a form that requires less time
commitment compared to the initial three phases that relate to implementation. The Consultant would be
assisting the client in verification of the monthly production in each of the facilities and that the O&M
functions are performed adequately. Furthermore, the consultant shall ensure that the production is withinthe
acceptable and expected range, and that system operations are optimal at each facility.
The Consultant shall assist the client in verification of the quarterly invoices from the suppliers (based on
system production), and shall review the system overall performance in specific on a monthly basis for a
period of 06 months from ‘substantial completion’ milestone.
Therefore, the consultant shall engage in the following order upon activation of O&M:
- Quarterly Review: Review of O&M reports and production reports based on a quarterly basis, upon
supplier’s issuance of invoice, in order to consolidate and identify issues in production.
- Monthly Site Visits: Conduct monthly site visits with the O&M supplier to review any issues that
may jeopardize the longevity of the system, or issues related to mismanagement of the O&M functions
on site, detailing a list of corrective action if needed or relevant. Document and report site visit to the
client, while providing longevity and system operations reviews and recommendations.
- For the first six months upon commissioning, investigation of any complaints or issues logged with
Client by building occupants.

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Reporting Requirements & Time Schedule for Deliverables:
The selected Consultant shall report to the Client and shall work closely with the designated focal points
to provide the specified technical services and support as required.
The assignment is expected to begin in November 2024 and continue until around June 2025 (prior
toinitiation of O&M). Upon award of the contract, a detailed timeline and reporting schedule shall
bedetermined between the Consultant and Client. Summary and timeline of deliverables:

Deliverables Submission schedule

1. Submission of Inception Report 1 weeks after the award of the contract
2. Revision of Inception Report and Periodic Updates Monthly following approval of initial Work Plan

After submission of deliverables in a report/presentation format, the Consultant shall allow two weeks for
review by the Client. All deliverables must be reviewed and accepted by the Client to be accepted as complete.
- Access to data: The Consultant shall organize progress pictures, and reporting, and up-to-date
database in a cloud-accessible filing system for the /Client, and in a format to be approved by the
Client. The system shall be protected, and access restricted to Client and Consultant only.
- Weekly updates: The Consultant shall provide at weekly updates about implementation progress,
including at the sub-phase level (e.g percentage of completion for electrical, mechanical, and civil
work at the facility level). The weekly updates format shall be approved by the Client.
- Monthly reports: The Consultant shall prepare comprehensive monthly reports to be submitted to
the Client, detailing progress, challenges, lessons learned, and other parameters to be agreed upon
between the Client and the Consultant.
- Update Meetings: The Consultant shall be available to de-brief the Client focal points at a set
frequency determined, providing a progress overview and general updates on implementation.

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 Qualification Criteria:
Experience:
o The consultant shall have successfully completed 05 projects in last 05 years (with
cumulative capacity of at least 13 MWs) for Supervision/Monitoring & Evaluation/TPV
consultancy projects for Installation of Solar PV systems performing similar functions
detailed in the scope of work, and at least 10 projects in general involving energy audits,
feasibility, BOQ, installation supervisions, assessments in relevant domain.
- Staffing:
o The consultants must have the ability to assign full-time engineering staff with relevant
experiences in electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering projects. In particular, the
requirement for the project include:

Key Staff Requirement

Project Director A Postgraduate degree with more than 18 years’ experience in general and
(No:01) at least 12 years in leading similar energy/solar projects.

Relevant Experience includes projects with supervising installation of solar

PV systems,including all electrical, mechanical, and civil works.
Team Lead / A Masters in Electrical/Energy Engineering with at least 12 years’
Project Manager experience in leading similar energy/solar projects.
(No:01)
Relevant Experience includes projects with supervising installation of solar
PV systems,including all electrical, mechanical, and civil works.
Electrical A Masters in Electrical/Energy engineering with experience in designing,
Engineer planning and supervision implementation of solar PV systems for atleast 08
(Nos:02) years.

The Consultant may propose multiple electrical engineers to be assigned on

the project, given the nature of the assignment which requires high electrical
engineering capacity and human resources,
compared to other engineering disciplines.
Mechanical A Masters in Mechanical Engineering (Higher degree may be preferred) with
Engineer relevant experience of ten years in project engineering and design.
(Nos:01)
Civil Engineer A Bachelors in Civil Engineering with experience in structural design and civil
(Nos: 01) engineering for more than 10 years of overseeing construction projects,
infrastructure, industrial and energy projects.

Environmental A master’s in environmental science / meteorology / Climatology (Higher

Expert (Nos: degree may be preferred) with relevant experience of at least 10 years in
01) conducting environmental assessments and implementation.

Contract A Masters in relevant degree, at least 15 years of experience in contract

Management management /goods/works/supply and install procurement in relevant
Specialist sectors.
(Nos: 01)

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 Supporting Staff shall include the following:

 Junior Electrical Engineer (Nos: 02)

 Junior Mechanical Engineer (Nos: 02)
 Junior Solar PV Expert (Nos: 02)
 Solar PV Expert (Nos.02)

Selection Method:

The Consultant will be selected through Consultant Qualification based Selection method(“CQS”) in
accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations for Borrowers,
November 2020 (Fourth Edition).

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