Call for National Tender to Conduct Soil Test at Nuru Nigeria

Nuru Nigeria is a locally Led NGO with affiliates in the US, Kenya, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Nuru equips local leaders with tools and knowledge to lead their communities out of extreme poverty by integrating impact programs that address the most prevalent and fundamental challenges of extreme poverty around four areas of need: Hunger, Inability to Cope with Financial Shocks, Preventable Disease and Death, Lack of Access to Quality Education for Children.Locations: Biu, Kwaya Kusar in Borno State and Toungo in Adamawa State

Summary

Soil plays a critical role in sustaining agricultural production, food security, and environmental health. However, increased demand, unsustainable practices, and limited soil data have contributed to soil degradation and reduced productivity, leaving farmers unable to maximize their preferred crop choices.
Many of these challenges are linked to past poor land management practices, including overuse of harmful chemicals and unsustainable cultivation methods.
To address this challenge, Nuru Nigeria seeks to conduct soil tests in its SUSTAIN Project intervention communities in Biu (Borno State), Kwaya-Kusar (Borno State), and Toungo (Adamawa State).
The findings will inform tailored farmer trainings, promote climate-smart agriculture, and improve food security and livelihoods in Southern Borno and Adamawa.

Terms of Reference (ToR)
Purpose / Objective:
The objective of this consultancy is to:

Conduct and analyses soil samples from selected SUSTAIN communities.
Provide a detailed soil analysis report to Nuru Nigeria.
Offer practical recommendations to guide farmer training, crop selection, and sustainable land management practices.
The results will be used to design training resources that empower rural smallholder farmers with evidence-based solutions for soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Scope of Work / Methodology:
The selected contractor will be responsible for:

Conducting comprehensive soil sampling and analysis at specified locations
Testing for physical and chemical properties including pH, nutrient levels, texture, and contamination
Providing detailed laboratory reports and recommendations
Ensuring compliance with national and international standard.

Assignment / Methodology:

This assignment will cover Nuru Nigeria’s SUSTAIN Project intervention communities in Biu, Kwaya-Kusar, and Toungo LGAs.
The Nuru Nigeria Impact Team will work closely with the consultant during soil sample collection.
Soil samples will be collected from farms across the following communities:

Biu LGA: Maina-Hari, Yamarkumi, Hizhi-Goram
Kwaya-Kusar LGA: Kogu, Bila-Kutiki, Dunkar Gusi, Wandali, Bumanda
Toungo LGA: Mayo Bakari, Mayo Gwa-Gwa, Mayo Sum-Sum, Daga, Mayo Butali

A total of 240 soil samples will be collected from randomly selected farms among the 2,300 registered farmers. (16 registered farmers farms from each community)
Each sample will be labelled and geo-referenced with GPS coordinates.
The consultant will oversee collection, conduct laboratory analysis, and prepare a detailed report.

Deliverables / Expected Outputs
The consultant/firm is expected to provide:

A comprehensive soil test report.
Interpretation of results with implications for smallholder farmers.
Actionable recommendations for soil fertility management, crop selection, and sustainable agricultural practices.

Duration and Timing:

The assignment is expected to be completed within 45 days from the date of contract signing.

Eligibility / Qualifications (RA, Vendor, Consultant etc):

A qualified consultant, research institute, or firm with expertise in soil science, agronomy, or related fields.
Demonstrated experience in soil testing, analysis, and reporting in Nigeria or similar agroecological contexts.

Opening, Evaluation of Tenders and Selection Criteria:

The opening and examination of tenders is for the purpose of checking whether the tenders are complete and whether the tenders are generally in order.

Tender Process
The following processes will be applied to this Tender:

Tender Period
Tender Closing
Tender Opening
Administrative Evaluation
Technical Evaluation
Financial Evaluation
Contract Award
Notification of Contract Award.

The subsequent evaluation of the tenders shall be carried out in Yola by an Evaluation Committee made up of representatives of Nuru Nigeria. Tenders will be evaluated on the criteria listed below:

Compliance with Nuru Nigeria Procurement terms and conditions. (Administrative)
Prices based on best value for money of items requested. (Financials)
Financials must be on company letterhead
Registered general supplier companies in furniture (Preferably)
Adherence with technical specifications requested. (Technical)
Quality of the product. (Technical)
Delivery Lead-time. (Technical)
Similar past experiences with NGO/UN agencies. (Administrative)
Availability of physical presence (Operational Office/shop). (Technical)
Payment Terms and Conditions. (Technical)
Validity of the offer. (Administrative).

Additional Information:

In the interests of transparency and equal treatment and without being able to modify their tenders, bidders may be required, at the sole written request of the evaluation committee, to provide clarifications within forty-eight (48) hours. Any such request for clarification must not seek the correction of formal errors or of major restrictions affecting performance of the contract or distorting competition.
Any attempt by a bidder to influence the evaluation committee in the process of examination, clarification, evaluation and comparison of tenders, to obtain information on how the procedure is progressing or to influence Nuru Nigeria in its decision concerning the award of the contract will result in the immediate rejection of the tender.
No liability can be accepted for late delivery of tenders. Late tenders will be rejected and will not be considered.