PRUBA sub-component 2.4 « Urban Water Supply » builds on the successful implementation of the first phase of
the Kabala program and the need for additional support to supply the left bank and extend access to the
periphery of the District of Bamako on the right bank. The project will therefore finance the infrastructure
planned in the second phase of the Kabala program to:
(a) increase water storage capacity by 16,000 m3 to further improve and regulate
the distribution of the existing and proposed water system and service delivery in
Bamako and neighboring communes;
(b) extend water distribution networks in unserved areas and rehabilitate existing
ones in the District of Bamako and surrounding areas up to 300 km, and
(c) Increase access to piped water by providing 17,500 social household connections.
The Project would like to engage in a dialogue with market stakeholders to gather
information and feedback on the implementation of works on 300 km of distribution
network (three lots) in Bamako, Mali. The purpose of Early Market Engagement is to
assess market appetite, analyze feasibility, and refine project design to ensure its
success.
- OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTATION
The objectives of this process are as follows:
Assess market interest in the proposed project.
Gather feedback on key requirements, risks, and opportunities of the
venture.
Identify potential private sector partners.
Optimize the structuring of the project before the launch of a possible call for tenders. - PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT
SOMAPEPSa.
The city of Bamako is experiencing rapid urbanization, and it must be noted that despite the efforts made,
significant challenges still remain, in particular the need to ensure a high level of
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wider geographical coverage of the city, improved access rates in the face of growing
needs, due, among other things, to strong urbanization and accelerated population
growth.
Today, Bamako has some 3.5 million inhabitants, ten times more than in 1960. Currently, the
population doubles every fifteen years. This phenomenon can be explained by a
demographic growth of about 3%.
The « Bamako Urban Resilience Project » (PRUBA) was therefore launched in April 2020
with the support of the World Bank, following an analysis of Bamako (« Bamako, an
engine of growth and service delivery ») which presented the potential that the city could
offer to become an internal hub in the West Africa region.
The activities planned in the context of the call for tenders currently being prepared
are: supply and laying of pipes;
.
. .
testing and commissioning of the supply and distribution pipes, the valve
chambers; Jacking;
River crossings (Niger) via the Martyrs’ Bridge;
The expected results:
Supply, installation, and commissioning of 300 km of transmission and distribution pipes of all
diameters, broken down as follows:
The transmission pipe from the Badalabougou reservoirs to the Sotuba reservoir
over approximately 11.94 km, supplied and
installed; About 10 km of discharge pipe from the new Sotuba reservoir to the new
Doumanzana reservoir, supplied and installed;
- The transmission pipe from the new Doumanzana reservoir to the new Moribabougou
reservoir over approximately 12 km has been supplied and laid;
278
km of distribution network (DN63 mm to DN 800 mm) were laid.
This work is planned to be carried out through a call for tenders and is divided into three (03) lots:
Lot No. 1: Supply and installation of connecting pipes for the reservoirs (Badalabougou-Sotuba,
Sotuba-Doumazana, Doumazana-Moribabougou) and distribution of the tank outlets (DN800)
and connections to the expectations in 18 months.
Lot No. 2: Supply and laying of pipes for the primary, secondary and tertiary networks in the
districts of Moribabougou est, N’Gabakoro droit, Solokoro, and Dogobala in the city of
Bamako in 18 months.
Lot No. 3: Supply and laying of pipes for the primary, secondary and tertiary networks in the districts
of Doumanzana, Saranbougou, Sangarebougou, Moribabougou Ouest, Souleymanebougou,
and Titibougou in the city of Bamako in 16 months.
For technical and financial considerations:
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As was the case with the similar achievements carried out under the Kabala project,
there are no technical and financial considerations that could jeopardize the feasibility
of the activities included in this project. The detailed design studies (PDS) carried out in
2024 highlight the following main investments in the networks.
The conveyance pipes are planned to connect the reservoirs to be constructed under the
project. - The transmission pipeline from Badalabougou to Sotuba will have to feed by gravity the
5000 m3 ground reservoir to be built in Sotuba;
The Sotuba-Doumanzana discharge pipe will pump water from Sotuba to the 5,000 m3
reservoir to be built at Doumanzana;
The transmission pipe from Doumanzana to Moribabougou will have to feed by gravity
the 6000 m3 ground reservoir to be built in Moribabougou.
At the distribution level, the aim will be to supply and lay pipes for reservoir outlets (DN800) and
connections to expectations and pipes for densification and extension of the network and the
construction of standpipes in the districts of Moribabougou, N’Gabakoro droit, Solokoro,
Dogobala, Doumanzana, Saranbougou, Sangarebougou, Souleymanebougou, and Titibougou.
The laying of the supply pipes will require the crossing under the Martyrs’ Bridge
(DN500 pipe), the laying of a section of pipe in the main bed of the Niger River,
the drilling of 13 DN 500 to 600 mm pipes, the crossing of rugged terrain, etc.
[Additional information on the Bamako Urban Resilience Project (PRUBA),
including technical papers, updates and opportunities for participation, can be
found at: http: www.prubamali.org
- THE RISKS OF THE PROJECT
Mastery of the technical aspects (quality supervision) has a crucial influence on the
smooth running of the procedure and on the expected results. Technical aspects come
into play before and during the procurement phase and during and after implementation.
The need expressed by the beneficiary must be in a form consistent with the competitive
procedures and sufficiently elaborate to avoid the risks of poor quality of products and
services or cancellation of the process. The points of weakness identified at this stage (the
expression of need) are:
- Inaccurate or inappropriate technical specifications; Most beneficiaries specify
dimension characteristics and do not know how to describe quality specifications;
The lack of quality supervision (quality standards not specified in the bidding
documents) is often the cause of the receipt of bad products; - Technical specifications written on the basis of suppliers’ catalogues and which
lead to oriented contracts; source of complaints and cancellation of certain
procurement processes;
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Official Use Only - The absence of any indication in the tender documents of proof of compliance; In fact, it is not a question
of defining specifications, but at the same time it is necessary to indicate how the verification of conformity
is going to be carried out; The
« non-coverage » > take into account the requirements of safety, respect for the environment or recycling at
the end of life; - Difficulty for beneficiaries to draw up Terms of Reference (TOR) that allow for an
adequate definition of the need; An evasive description does not guarantee quality and a
restrictive description limits the benefit of the provider’s qualification.
The above-mentioned defects have harmful effects during the bid evaluation phase as well as
during the reception phase. Indeed, it is not possible to reject a bid for non-conformity only on the
basis of the characteristics set out in the bidding documents, even if it is found that it does not
meet the desired quality. Similarly, the goods and services supplied by the contract holder can
only be refused if they do not comply with its bid (which has been found to be compliant).
The risks incurred during acceptance are in addition to the above: - Contractual TORs that do not take into account the relevant elements of the
methodology adopted after negotiation in the case of consultants;
Poor quality of deliverables owing to the poor qualification of the reception body,
whether for works, supplies, or especially for consultants; - The lack of interactivity between the beneficiary and the project management unit
during the phase of expressing needs, evaluating bids, and especially during
execution (e.g., delay in making work sites available and release of rights-of-way); - Delay in the execution period owing to the lack of rigor in the application of contractual
clauses.
Risks related to technical aspects are considered medium. Risk mitigation in this
component will be achieved through capacity building of component managers and
good cooperation between them and procurement specialists.
- ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SECURITY RISKS
In view of the nature, characteristics, and scope of the planned works, as well as the constraints
associated with the urban nature of the site where the works will be located, the subproject is
classified in the moderate environmental risk category according to the classification contained in
the project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and in category B (No. 23)
under Malian regulations. The World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) applicable
to the project are as follows:
.
.
ESS1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts;
ESS2: Labor and Working Conditions;
ESS 3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management;
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. .
ESS4: Community Health and Safety;
ESS5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement;
ESS 6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural
Resources;
ESS8: Cultural Heritage; ESS10.
Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure;
Good Practice Note on Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual
Harassment in Investment Project Financing involving Major Civil Works.
In order to take into account the risks and impacts of the works, among other things, an Environmental
and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and a separate Resettlement Plan (RP) were commissioned in
accordance with the requirements of the World Bank Directives in addition to the requirements of the
Malian Government. For the purposes of applying the Environmental and Social Management Plan
(ESMP) derived from the ESIA, the Environmental and Social and Occupational Health and Safety
Clauses will be incorporated into the bidding documents for consideration. - MODALITIES OF PARTICIPATION
Interested parties are invited to take part in the following activities:
Early Market Engagement Meeting: Construction of 300 km of distribution network (3 lots)
in the city of Bamako in Mali; Date/time: 08/12/2025 at 10:00 am;
Location: SOMAPEP S.A,
Magnambougou Faso Kanu district, opposite the Moroccan Embassy, Bamako (Rep. of
Mali) – Meeting room on the 2nd floor of the annex building, Tel.+(223) 20 22 00 26;
Format (virtual/face-to-face), registration arrangements: please request the link
at the coordination3@somapep.ml email address for companies wishing to
Participate online.
- Next Steps
The information collected will allow SOMAPEP-SA to fine-tune the project modalities
and adapt the procurement strategy. Any subsequent formal procurement will be
communicated through official channels. - Contact Information
For further information or to express interest, please contact:
.
. .
Project Coordinator3
SOMAPEP-SA
coordination3@somapep.ml
+223 20 22 00 26
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Participation in this early market engagement does not confer any advantage in the
upcoming selection process.
This is not a call for bids or a pre-qualification exercise.
All information received will be treated as confidential and used only for contract analysis,
planning and optimization of the works under contract.
Thank you for your participation and valuable contributions.
