PROJECT NAME: Mali Water Security Support Project (PASEMa)
SUBJECT: EARLY START OF THE WORKS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPPLY LINE TO THE MISSIRA RESERVOIRS FROM THE DJICORONI-PARA STATION
1. INTRODUCTION
The Mali Water Security Support Project (PASEMa) wishes to initiate a dialogue with market players in order to gather information and opinions on the implementation of the works to build the supply pipeline for the Missira reservoirs from the Djicoroni-para station. This preliminary consultation aims to assess market appetite, analyze feasibility, and refine project design to ensure success.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTATION
The objectives of this approach are as follows:
- Assess market interest in the proposed project;
- Gather feedback on key project requirements, risks, and opportunities;
- Identify potential private sector partners;
- Optimize the structuring of the project before the launch of a possible call for tenders.
3. PROJECT PRESENTATION
Given the vulnerability to climate change and other water security challenges in Mali, an integrated approach is essential to support economic development. The proposed project will increase resilience to drought and flooding by supporting sector development through a holistic approach to water management focusing on improving access to drinking water services as a continuation of the Kabala Investment Program in Bamako and priority areas, while protecting associated water resources at the sub-basin level. To do so, the project will support key climate-resilient water investments for water supply and source conservation, as well as operational and institutional measures to improve sector performance, including reducing non-revenue water and supporting the definition of priority reforms. The project will not only address immediate concerns regarding access to water and the quality of water distributed, but also lay the foundation for long-term resilience and contribute to the growth of employment and economic activity in the water sector. By supporting these activities, the project contributes to building a more stable and sustainable future for the country, reducing the risks of water-related conflicts, and supporting economic growth in vulnerable regions.
The activities planned in the context of the call for tenders currently being prepared are:
- Supply and laying of a DN 1200 mm cast iron pipe over 9.28 km between the Djicoroni Para station and Missira, including the pumping station to discharge (4000 m3/h expandable to 8000 m3/h) in the said pipe;
- Supply and installation of remote management equipment;
- Supply and installation of pipes and protective equipment;
- Testing and commissioning of the DN1200 pipeline;
- Construction of valve chambers;
- Drilling work.
The expected results:
- The DN1200 mm supply line for the Missira reservoirs is supplied and installed and operational via a 4,000 m3/h Djicoroni-Para pumping station that can be expanded to 8,000 m3/h.
This work is planned to be carried out through a single-lot call for tenders:
Single lot: Construction of the supply pipeline for Missira reservoirs from the Djicoroni-para station in 18 months.
For technical and financial considerations:
As with similar infrastructure works 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 (PFDs) carried out in 2025 highlight the following key investments:
- 9.28 km of supply line for the 1,200 mm cast iron reservoirs from Djicoroni-Para to Missira;
- Carrying out the work on protection and jacking with installation of metal ducts;
- Civil engineering and outfitting of a pumping station with a capacity of 4,000 m3/h that can be expanded to 8,000 m3/h;
- An MV metered supply substation, a 15kV/0.4kV transformer substation, with 3 2,000kVA power transformers each, located in the Low Voltage Main Switchboard (TPBT);
- A solar field with a 12.5 kWp storage unit for remote management equipment;
- Automation and remote management installations.
4. 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:
- Unclear 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;
- Failure to indicate proof of compliance in the bidding documents; 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;
- « Failure » to take into account the requirements of safety, respect for the environment or end-of-life recycling;
- 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:
- Poor quality of deliverables owing to the poor qualification of the reception body, whether for works, supplies, or especially for consultants;
- Lack of interactivity between the beneficiary and the project management unit during the need identification phase, bid evaluation, and especially during execution (e.g., delay in making work sites available and release of rights-of-way);
- Delay in the execution period due to 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.
6. MODALITIES OF PARTICIPATION
Interested parties are invited to take part in the following activities:
- Early Contract Engagement Meeting: Works to build the supply pipeline to the Missira reservoirs from the Djicoroni-para station in the city of Bamako, Mali;
- Date/time: 07/11/2025 at 10:00 a.m.;
- 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 to the coordination3@somapep.ml email address for companies wishing to participate online.
7. 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.
8. Contact Information
For further information or to express interest, please contact:
- Project Coordinator 3
- SOMAPEP-SA
- coordination3@somapep.ml
- +223 20 22 00 26
9. Important Comments
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.
