REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR: Agency/Consultant for conducting Comprehensive Assessment of the Satluj River Basin for Agroforestry, Freshwater Conservation and Landscape Restoration in Punjab
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Date of Issue of RFP
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29 Sep 2026
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Last date for seeking clarifications
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06 Oct 2026
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Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)
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07 Oct 2026
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Last date for Submission of RFP
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12 Oct 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 76 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.
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.
TNC launched the PRANA (Promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture) initiative in 2021 to eliminate crop residue burning and advance regenerative agriculture in Punjab. Building on this work, the project is also focusing on climate-smart crop diversification and promoting agroforestry and tree based solutions, including areas along the Satluj River Basin, to strengthen climate resilience and improve environmental outcomes.
Given the importance of the Satluj River Basin for agriculture, freshwater resources and local communities, TNC proposes to undertake a comprehensive basin-level study to better understand its current status, key environmental challenges and restoration opportunities. The study will assess water resources, land use, flooding, erosion, groundwater stress and landscape health, and identify priority areas where agroforestry, riparian plantations and other nature-based solutions can support freshwater conservation, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
PURPOSE
NCIS invites proposals from qualified agencies or consultants to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Satluj River Basin in Punjab to understand its current water, agricultural and environmental conditions, key risks, and opportunities for landscape restoration. The study will assess the potential of agroforestry, riparian plantations and other nature-based solutions to improve freshwater resources, strengthen climate resilience and deliver wider environmental and livelihood benefits. It will also identify and prioritize suitable locations for interventions and estimate their potential freshwater, carbon, biodiversity and soil conservation benefits. The findings will support NCIS in developing a strategic roadmap for future investments, partnerships and on-ground interventions across the Satluj River Basin.
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 successfully achieving study objectives mentioned below:
- To develop a comprehensive understanding of the current status of the Satluj River Basin, including water resources, land use, ecological health and key environmental challenges affecting the region
- To identify major basin level risks such as flooding, riverbank erosion, groundwater stress, and landscape degradation and understand their implications for agriculture and local communities
- To assess the potential of agroforestry, different agroforestry models, riparian plantations and other nature-based solutions in improving watershed health, enhancing climate resilience and reducing environmental risks across the basin.
- To identify and prioritize locations where plantation and agroforestry interventions can deliver the maximum benefits for farmers, freshwater resources and ecosystem restoration.
- To estimate the potential freshwater benefits that could be generated through large scale adoption of agroforestry and landscape restoration interventions, including improved water retention, recharge and reduced runoff.
- To assess additional environmental benefits such as carsbon sequestration, biodiversity enhancement, soil conservation and resilience to climate related risks.
- To develop a strategic roadmap that can guide future investments, partnerships, and on-ground interventions while supporting freshwater stewardship and sustainability commitments.
- NCIS reserves the right to postpone or cancel the bidding process with no prior notice.
PLACE AND PERIOD FOR PERFORMANCE
Place: Punjab, India
Period: 15 Oct 2026 till 15 Jan 2027
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected agency/consultant will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Satluj River Basin in Punjab to understand key water, agricultural and environmental challenges and identify opportunities for agroforestry, tree plantation and other nature-based solutions. The study will combine secondary research, geospatial analysis, primary data collection and stakeholder consultations to identify priority interventions and develop a roadmap for future implementation and investment.
PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP
To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, Bidders must submit questions via email to samir.mirza@tnc.org and mrittika.basu@tnc.org,and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org by no later than 11:59pm IST, 6 Oct 2026 All the queries received through submitted questions will be addressed during scheduled pre-proposal meeting on 7 Oct 2026.
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
Last date for submission of proposal is 12 Oct 2026, by 11:59pm IST.
Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “Technical/Financial bid against RFP on Comprehensive Assessment of the Satluj River Basin for Agroforestry, Freshwater Conservation and Landscape Restoration in Punjab and will be shared at:
For detailed information, please check the complete version of the RFP attached below.