Request for Proposal (RFP)
Baseline Study for the Project: Jal Dhara
Empowering Communities to Attain Sustainable Environment through
Water Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement
Date Issued: 19 March 2026
Proposal Submission Deadline: 31st March 2026
Total RFP Value : 1,50,000 (One Lakh fifty thousand only)
Contact Person: Mr. Manish Kumar,
About Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS)
Established in 1996, Parmarth Samaj Sevi Sansthan (PSSS) is a prominent grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable development in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region spanning Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. With a strong emphasis on community empowerment, PSSS specializes in water security, environmental conservation, inclusive governance, and women's leadership.
PSSS has pioneered innovative, nationally acclaimed models such as the Jal Saheli (women water champions) initiative—recognized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti as the best NGO model—and Pani Panchayats (village level CBO). These approaches have strengthened community participation and improved the effective implementation of government programs, including the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP).
Over nearly three decades, PSSS has transformed lives in more than 1,000 villages by revitalizing traditional water bodies, constructing over 2,000 conservation structures, rejuvenating rivers and Chandela tanks, and fostering sustainable livelihoods. By collaborating closely with local institutions, government bodies, and communities, PSSS ensures long-term, community-driven solutions that build resilience against climate challenges.
PSSS now invites proposals from experienced research agencies, consulting firms, or individual consultants to undertake a comprehensive Baseline Study for the project “Empowering Communities to Attain Sustainable Environment through Water Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement”. The study will be conducted in Badamalahara Block, Chhatarpur District, Madhya Pradesh.
Objectives of the Baseline Survey:
- To assess current drinking water access, availability, quality, and reliability at household and village levels, including distance to sources, seasonality of access, water quality perceptions, and dependence on unsafe sources.
- To evaluate the functional status, inclusiveness, and institutional capacity of VWSCs, Pani Panchayats, Gram Panchayats, and allied community governance bodies, with reference to their engagement in water resource planning and Gram Panchayat Development Planning (GPDP).
- To document the existing ecological condition of waterbodies (ponds, rivers, tanks) in the project area, capturing biodiversity status, siltation levels, encroachments, groundwater recharge potential, and community-led maintenance practices.
- To assess the current role, skills, knowledge, and leadership capacity of women — particularly Jal Sahelis and women PRI members — in water governance, planning, grievance redressal, and advocacy.
- To understand the awareness levels, behavioral practices, and attitudes of community members toward water conservation, sanitation, hygiene, and responsible water use.
- To map the status of convergence between community water governance and government flagship programs — especially Jal Jeevan Mission, VB-G RAM, and identify gaps in implementation and community benefit uptake.
- To establish baseline values for all project-level indicators, which will form the benchmark for midline and endline evaluations.
- The selected agency/consultant will handle the full scope: designing the methodology, developing sampling frameworks and tools, conducting fieldwork, analyzing data, preparing a comprehensive report, and presenting key findings to stakeholders.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting large-scale baseline/endline studies for rural development, water, WASH, or natural resource management projects.
- The consultant/agency should have prior experience of working in the Bundelkhand region, preferably on similar assignment.
- Demonstrated understanding of Jal Jeevan Mission, VB-G RAM and community-led governance mechanisms (VWSCs, Pani Panchayats, GPDP).
- Expertise in gender-sensitive and socially inclusive research methodologies; proven track record of engaging SC/ST and women-led communities.
- Skilled research team with competency in quantitative and qualitative methods, statistical software and digital data collection platforms.
- Experience in ecological and waterbody assessments with GIS mapping capabilities (preferred).
- At least 3 comparable assignments executed in the last 5 years with client references.
- Ability to work in remote rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and communicate fluently in Hindi and English.
Submission Requirements
Interested agencies/consultant must submit the following as separate documents:
Technical Proposal (PDF/Word)
- Demonstration of understanding the assignment and its context.
- Proposed methodology (including mixed-methods approach).
- Sampling strategy and rationale.
- Draft data collection tools/questionnaires.
- Detailed work plan with timelines (aligned to complete the study within [specify if known; e.g., 3-4 months]).
- Team composition, roles, and CVs of key personnel.
- Organizational/consultant profile with evidence of relevant experience (case studies, completion certificates)
Financial Proposal (Excel Format Only)
Itemized budget breakdown, including:
- Personnel costs (daily rates and person-days).
- Travel, accommodation, and fieldwork expenses.
- Data entry, processing, and analysis costs.
- Report production and presentation.
- Applicable taxes and any other charges.
Note: Technical and Financial proposals must be submitted in separate files. Proposals combined into a single document will not be considered.
Proposals should be emailed to the contact person by the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
For the full Terms of Reference (ToR) and any additional details, please refer to the complete RFP document or contact Mr. Manish Kumar.
PSSS looks forward to partnering with a capable agency/Consultant to generate insightful baseline data that will guide impactful interventions for water-secure and resilient communities in Bundelkhand.
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.