REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR THE HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING AND RIVER HEALTH INDEX FOR THE BANAS RIVER BASIN
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Date of Issue of RFP
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13.3.2026
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Last date for seeking clarifications
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19.3.2026
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Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)
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23.3.2026
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Last date for Submission of RFP
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28.3.2026
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INTRODUCTION
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in more than 80 countries and territories. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people communities and culture, and commitment to diversity we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results.
TNC has been advancing projects in India since 2017 to support India’s efforts to “develop without destruction”. We work closely with the government, research institutions, civil society organizations, private sector and local communities to develop science-based, on-the-ground, scalable solutions for some of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges.
Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited (NCIS) is a Private Limited Company incorporated under The Companies Act, 2013. It is a subsidiary of The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest not-for-profit conservation organisations in the world. NCIS was incorporated with the objective of providing research, consulting, technical support, and advisory services to various stakeholders in and outside India relating to conservation of nature, environment, biodiversity, and climate change.
One of the priority thematic areas of NCIS is Fresh water conservation. The present RfP focuses on conservation of River Banas, one of the rivers in the Aravalli Green Wall Landscape (AGWL) through a scoping study on the hydrology of the river and its ecological health.
PURPOSE
Hydrological modelling of River Banas, Aravalli Green Wall Landscape (AGWL) , Rajasthan and assessment of the River Health using indices.
CONTRACT TYPE AND CONTRACT SERVICES
NCIS will entertain under this, RFP Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) completion type contract(s).
BIDS
We welcome bids from bidders for successful implementation of the activities as mentioned in Key Objectives. .
NCIS reserves the right to postpone or cancel the bidding process for one or more clusters with no prior notice.
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PROJECT LOCATION AND PERIOD FOR PERFORMANCE
Location: River Banas Basin, Rajasthan
Period: 6 months from the day of signing the contract.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of this assignment is to develop a validated hydrological model of the Banas River Basin that captures rainfall-runoff processes, groundwater recharge dynamics, and surface-groundwater interactions under present and altered climatic conditions. The model must serve beyond a purely academic exercise and should function as a decision-support tool that can be used by landscape managers and government agencies. Specifically, the assignment seeks to:
- Develop an advanced hydrological model using SWAT, HEC-HMS, or MIKE = for the River Banas basin, simulating rainfall-runoff dynamics, groundwater-surface water interactions, and climate change scenarios.
- Run multi-scenario analyses (climate change, land use change) to assess future trajectories of river flow and groundwater availability.
- Compute a composite River Health Index, integrating the hydrological and physico-chemical indicators, and biological characteristics and assess the overall river health
OUTCOMES
On successful completion, the project will deliver the following:
- A calibrated and validated hydrological model for the full Banas basin, documented and transferable for future use.
- Flow duration curves, groundwater recharge estimates, and environmental flow thresholds for key locations, providing a quantitative baseline for restoration planning.
- Multi-scenario analysis outputs (climate and land use change) to support climate-resilient intervention design.
- A defined baseline River Health Index of River Banas.
- GIS-based priority zone maps identifying where flow restoration, groundwater recharge, and conservation interventions are most urgently needed.
ESTIMATED COSTS AND FIXED FEE
The costs allowable will be limited to reasonable, allocable, and necessary costs.
The financial bid should be prepared in accordance with the cost elements outlined below and Bidders should clearly identify their margin as part of their financial bids.
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S. No.
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Details
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Amount
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1
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The estimated cost of project execution
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INR X (please provide complete break up of total cost)
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2
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The estimated fee for project execution
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INR Y (please mention your fee or margin to manage the project)
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3
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Applicable Taxes (if any)
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INR Z (bidder will be responsible for complying with all applicable tax laws e.g., income tax, GST, etc.)
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Total Cost-plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)
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INR X+Y+Z (Price up to INR 20,00,000)
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The bidder is expected to put together a technical team of communications professionals to deliver the assignment. Below are the desirable experience, skills, and competencies of the team:
- Proven 5 – 8 years’ experience in developing and calibrating hydrological models using tools such as SWAT, HEC-HMS, or MIKE Basin.
- Strong background in conducting climate change and land use change scenario analyses and assess future trajectories of river flow and groundwater availability using robust statistical and modeling approaches.
- Experience in computing composite indices that integrate hydrological outputs with ecological and socio-economic indicators.
- Translate the findings into scientific reports and visualizations.
PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP
To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, Bidders must submit questions via email to mrittika.basu@tnc.org , and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to jayalakshmi.nair@tnc.org by no later than 11:59pm IST, March 19, 2026. NCIS will make every effort to answer questions. Answers to all questions will be shared with all Bidders.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
Last date for submission of proposal is March 28, at 11:59pm IST.
Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “AGWL-BANAS_ <Name of The Organization>” and will be shared at:
Financial Bid must accompany with the following documents:
- Copy of incorporation documents.
- Copy of registration certificate under income tax and GST (If applicable).
- Copy of last three years audited financial statements with audit report.
- Copy of last three years income tax return.
- Copy of last two GST returns.
- Copy of address proof.
- List of similar project executed with name of client, year of execution, and value.
- In case the bidder is registered with Ministry of Home Affairs , please also share FCRA Registration number and validity.
- Total number of staff (full time, part time and volunteer)
Note: - You are requested to send all financial information in one go to avoid disqualification
if any. Bids with incomplete financial and other information as requested in this RFP will be rejected summarily.
Submission of the proposal to any other individual will result in the disqualification of the proposal. Bidder can submit only one bid. Submitting multiple bids under different name will result in automatic disqualification.