Construction of Muranga South Water Supply Project (MU…

What is being bought

Construction of the Muranga South Water Supply Project by Murang'a South Water and Sanitation Company Ltd (MUSWASCO), P.O. Box 84-01034 Kandara, Murang'a County. The works are HDPE PN16 pipeline works across many named schemes and lines (for example Kangari, Kenol, Kahumbu-ini, Mathuri, Kibingu and Kandani), in pipe diameters from 25mm to 110mm, measured in metres per the listed quantities. The advert also lists three other tenders (borehole solarization, consumer water meters, motorcycles) whose status relative to this tender is unclear.

What could disqualify you

A tenderer proven to have been involved in corrupt, coercive, obstructive or fraudulent practice is automatically disqualified. Standard rule D2 p.15
A tenderer who bids in more than one tender (including as a subcontractor, or as a JV member plus an individual tender) causes all tenders it is involved in to be disqualified. Standard rule D2 p.15
Foreign tenderers must source at least 40% of contract inputs from citizen suppliers and contractors and show evidence; those not meeting this are automatically disqualified. Standard rule D2 p.15
A tender without a substantially responsive bid security is rejected as non-responsive. Standard rule D2 p.23
Late bids are rejected and returned unopened. Late Bids will be rejected. D1 p.1
Electronic bids are not permitted; bids must be delivered in physical form. Unverified D1 p.1
Failing to attend the mandatory pre-tender site visit (and not submitting its signed certificate) is a mandatory requirement at preliminary evaluation; non-responsive if not met. Conflicting D2 p.40
Any false information or documentary evidence given at preliminary or technical evaluation leads to disqualification. D2 p.39
A consistent history of court or arbitral awards against the tenderer (or any JV member) in the last 5 years may result in rejection. D2 p.47

Key facts

Closing: Wed 18 Nov 2026, 10:30 am
Bids must be received by MUSWASCO at the address stated, on or before this date and time; late bids are rejected. P
Bid / tender security: Bid security of Ksh 350,000 in the form of an unconditional bank guarantee (or insurance company guarantee approved by PPRA), valid 210 days, in the format provided in the tender document. The 210-day validity conflicts with ITT 19.3 (30 days beyond tender validity). Conflicting D2 p.36
Tender fee: No tender fee is stated. The bidding document may be downloaded free of charge; the advert and portal do not state a fee for submitting a bid. D1 p.1
Site visit: Obligatoire
Mandatory pre-tender site visit for Lot 1 and Lot 2 (per advert); the TDS places it at MUSWASCO headquarters, Kandara. A signed site visit certificate is required (MR11). D1 p.1
Pre-bid meeting: Optionnel
Pre-tender meeting at MUSWASCO headquarters, Kandara; attendance is optional (non-attendance is not a cause for disqualification per ITT 7.5). D2 p.35
Reserved for: No group reservation: the TDS states the tendering is open competitive. The portal lists no reserved groups. D2 p.37
Contract value: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D2
Tender opening: Public opening of tenders at MUSWASCO, P.O Box 84-01034 Kandara, in the presence of tenderers' representatives who choose to attend. D2 p.37
Tender validity: Tenders remain valid for 210 days from the submission deadline; extension requests may be refused without forfeiting security, and the bid security is extended thirty days beyond the extended validity. D2 p.36

Who can apply

Tendering is open to all qualified and interested tenderers under an open national competitive method (not reserved to any group). D2 p.9
A Kenyan tenderer is eligible only if it provides evidence of having fulfilled its tax obligations by producing a valid tax compliance certificate issued by KRA. Standard rule D2 p.16
Foreign tenderers are ineligible where the country of origin is barred by Kenyan law or UN Security Council decision; a debarred firm cannot tender (ITT 3.7, 3.9). Standard rule D2 p.15

Experience, licences and financial capacity

Technical

Key personnel: a minimum of 5 years of experience in works of equivalent nature and volume is required; an employment contract covering the project duration must be provided. D2 p.36
Experience: at least 10 works of a similar nature in the last 10 years, with client list and certified award/purchase order/contract plus practical completion certificates. Full marks need 10 clients with complete submissions (20 marks). D2 p.42
Equipment: list at least 10 equipment items owned and to be assigned to the project, with ownership, purchase, sale or lease evidence (1 mark each, 10 marks). D2 p.42
Site Engineer: bachelor's degree in civil/water engineering or equivalent with at least 5 years relevant experience (5 marks). Foreman: diploma with 4 years (3 marks). Supervisor: certificate with 3 years (2 marks). D2 p.42
Average current ratio of 2:1 scores full 10 marks, others prorated (ratio x 10 / 2). D2 p.42
Average acid test ratio of 1:1 scores full 10 marks, others prorated (ratio x 10 / 1). D2 p.43
Physical facilities: address and contacts with certified evidence (title, lease or latest utility bill), 5 marks. D2 p.43
Detailed workplan and delivery schedule for the period indicated (20 marks). D2 p.43
Only bidders scoring 70% and above in technical evaluation proceed to financial evaluation; those below are eliminated. D2 p.43
Alternative tenders and alternative completion times are not permitted; prices are fixed. D2 p.36
Tenderers planning to subcontract more than 10% of total volume of work must specify the activities, subcontractors, their details and qualifications in the Form of Tender. D2 p.37

Financial

Cash flow: access to or availability of liquid or other financial means sufficient to meet construction cash flow of KES 40,000,000 (net of other commitments). Unverified D2 p.46
Minimum average annual construction turnover of KES 40,000,000, calculated from certified payments received for contracts in progress or completed in the last 10 years. Unverified D2 p.46
At least 10 contracts of a similar nature, satisfactorily and substantially completed as prime contractor, JV member or subcontractor, each of minimum value KES 40,000,000 equivalent. Unverified D2 p.47
No non-performance of a contract due to the tenderer's default in the last 5 years; pending litigation is assessed as if all were resolved against the tenderer. D2 p.47
Lowest evaluated responsive tender within the engineer's estimate is recommended for award; MUSWASCO may conduct due diligence and negotiation (tie, budget, scope change). D2 p.44

How and where to submit

Physical hard copy only. Submit one (1) original and one (1) copy of the original. D2 p.36
Deliver to the Managing Director, Murang'a South Water and Sanitation Company Ltd, P.O Box 84-01034 Kandara, next to DC's office, Kandara. Electronic submission is not permitted. D2 p.37
Tenders that cannot fit in the tender box are delivered to the reception desk (Managing Director's Office) and recorded on the register. D2 p.36
Inner envelopes must bear the name and address of the procuring entity, the tenderer's name and address, and the tender name and reference number; unsealed or unmarked envelopes are not accepted. Standard rule D2 p.26
Written power of attorney duly notarised by a commissioner of oaths is the required authority to sign on the tenderer's behalf. D2 p.36
Clarification requests must be in writing to the Managing Director by 9 November 2026 at 17:00 hours. D2 p.35

Lots and categories

Lot 1: The advert lists four tenders (Lot 1 Works - Muranga South Water Supply Project; Lot 2 Borehole Solarization; Lot 3 Consumer Water Meters; Lot 4 Motorcycles), with bid security Kshs 350,000 for Lot 1 and Kshs 80,000 for Lot 2. The TDS says the number of lots is not applicable. Conflicting D1 p.1

Points to confirm with the procuring entity

The documents do not agree with each other on these points. Ask the procuring entity for a written clarification before you submit.

Multiple lots: The advert lists four tenders (Works, Borehole Solarization, Consumer Water Meters, Motorcycles) as Lots 1-4, but the TDS says the number of lots is 'Not Applicable'. Ask MUSWASCO whether this tender is a single contract. (D1 p.1; D2 p.35)
Pre-tender site visit mandatory?: MR11 makes attendance at the mandatory site visit and a signed certificate a mandatory requirement, while ITT 7.5 says non-attendance will not be a cause for disqualification. (D2 p.40; D2 p.17; D1 p.1)
NCA registration at tender stage: MR6-MR7 require NCA registration and practising licence with the tender, but ITT 3.12 says registration is not a condition for tender, only for contract award. (D2 p.40; D2 p.16; D2 p.35)
Bid security validity: The TDS and advert state bid security valid for 210 days, while standard ITT 19.3 requires security valid for 30 days beyond the original validity period (tender validity is 210 days). (D2 p.36; D2 p.9; D2 p.23)
Procuring entity P.O. Box: Cover page gives P.O. Box 87-01034 Kandara; the advert, TDS and submission address give P.O. Box 84-01034 Kandara. Confirm the correct box before delivery. (D2 p.1; D1 p.1; D2 p.37)

Not covered in the documents we reviewed

Bills of Quantities (Section V), technical specifications (Section VI) and drawings (Section VII) were not provided, so pipe details and works scope are only the summary listing.
Conditions of Contract, Particular Conditions and contract forms (Sections VIII-X), including performance security amount and retention, were not provided.
Engineer's estimate or contract value, and the procuring budget, are not stated in the reviewed pages.
Tender forms in Section IV (Form of Tender, Tender-Securing forms, Confidential Business Questionnaire, litigation form) were not reviewed.
Any addenda (changes from addenda) and clarification responses issued after the advert were not provided.
Tender documents for Lots 2-4 (borehole solarization, water meters, motorcycles) were not provided, so their requirements are unknown.
Specific evaluation weights and forms beyond those on pages 40-47 (FS evaluation, financial forms FIN-3.1, FIN-3.2, EXP-4.1, CON-2) are not fully reviewed.
Whether the bid security may be in cash or insurance guarantee form for this tender (ITT 19.2 options vs the advert's bank guarantee wording) should be confirmed.

Terms explained

TDS: Tender Data Sheet: the tender-specific figures and rules that amend the standard Instructions to Tenderers.
Tender security: A guarantee (bank or approved insurer) or cash deposit that a bidder files with its tender; failure to provide a responsive one leads to rejection.
Responsive: A tender that meets all mandatory requirements and conditions of the tender documents; non-responsive tenders are eliminated.
MR: Mandatory Requirement: a pass/fail item in the evaluation table (MR1-MR23) that every tenderer must meet.
NCA: National Construction Authority, which registers contractors by class; class 7 and above (Water) is required here.
CR12: Company Registry return of directors and shareholders issued by the Business Registration Service.
JV: Joint venture: two or more firms bidding together under one tender.
PPRA: Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, which maintains the debarment list and handles complaints.
PN16: Pressure rating of HDPE pipe (16 bar), listed in the bill of works.
Pre-tender site visit certificate: A certificate signed by the client confirming the bidder visited the site, required as a mandatory requirement.
ITT: Instructions to Tenderers, the standard general rules in Section I of the tender document.

Construction of Muranga South Water Supply Project (MUSWASCO/KWASH/26-27/01) - physical bids to Kandara by 18 Nov 2026