Capacity Strengthening for Private Water Operators (PWOs)

RFP Number: RFP26-066

Project Name: Capacity Strengthening for Private Water Operators (PWOs) 

Domain Name: Infrastructure (Water portfolio)

Application Closing Date: 5 pm (Phnom Penh Time), 15 July 2026

Assignment Duration: August 2026 – November 2026

1. Background

1.1. About CAPRED

The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience until 2027, with a possible three-year extension. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and implemented by Cowater International, CAPRED supports Cambodia in implementing a range of important economic reforms to support the country's economic transition. These interventions and reforms aim to encourage more productive and inclusive public and private investment, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy (RISE).

CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components, including Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and three Cross-Cutting components: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support.

2. Objective 

CAPRED seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm/consortium to deliver practical and contextually appropriate capacity strengthening for targeted Private Water Operators (PWOs) whose water supply stations received Viability Gap Funding Support from CAPRED. 

This aims to equip PWOs and their staff with the applied knowledge, skills, and tools needed to enhance the quality-of-service delivery, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

The program will be structured across core areas as follows:

1. Water quality management,
2. Operational Efficiency management, 
3. Business management, 
4. Customer service engagement, and 
5. Site visit

Given that PWOs predominantly operate as family businesses and SMEs, the program will prioritise hands-on, practical, practice-based knowledge that is immediately applicable in the field, using sector examples rather than theoretical frameworks. Suppliers are encouraged to collaborate with relevant market technology providers and/or service providers to enhance the practical delivery of the training, where appropriate.

3. Scope of Work

3.1. Key Activities 

The selected firm will be expected to undertake the following key activities:

Table 1: Key Activities

3.2. Key Modules 

The selected firm will deliver the following modules using an interactive and participatory approach with trainees.  The medium of instruction is in Khmer. 

Table 2: Key training modules

3.3. Expected Number of Trainees and Timeline 

• Number of trainees: Approximately 25—40 participants; there are 13 water supply stations)
• Composition: 2–3 participants per water supply station (there are a total of 13 stations)

3.4. Venue 

The training will be conducted in Phnom Penh. CAPRED will be responsible for procuring and providing a suitable venue equipped with the necessary facilities for training delivery.

3.5. Field site visit

The assignment includes a one-day site visit as part of the training program. The site visit will be conducted at a location in close proximity to Phnom Penh, such as Kandal, Takeo, or Kampong Speu, subject to CAPRED approval.

The firm will be responsible for:

• Arranging transportation for participants between Phnom Penh and the site
• Providing meals (including lunch) for participants during the visit
• Ensuring all necessary safety precautions and safeguard measures are in place to protect participants throughout the travel and site visit

4. Qualifications, knowledge, and experience required

Applications are open to Cambodian and international-based companies or consortiums, that meet the following criteria. Women-led companies and teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

Organisational Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering capacity development programs for utilities, PWOs, or SMEs. 
• Strong technical expertise in piped water supply operations, including water quality management and treatment. 
• Proven ability to deliver practical training and develop relevant assessment, reporting, and learning tools. 
• Experience working in Cambodia or similar contexts, with the ability to ensure quality delivery and mobilize within the assignment timeframe.

Key Personnel Requirements:

• Expertise in capacity development design, delivery, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Specialization in water quality and treatment, including jar-test, chlorination, chemical safety, testing, and recordkeeping.
• Experience in developing training materials and practical assessment tools.
• Khmer language capacity for delivery and engagement, with English for reporting.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience supporting PWOs or utility performance improvement.
• Demonstrated results in areas such as compliance, NRW reduction, recordkeeping, or financial controls.
• Experience integrating GEDSI and, where relevant, digital billing or recordkeeping tools into training and implementation. 

Other Qualifications:

• Demonstrating integrity and high ethical standards.
• Displaying sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age differences.
• Fulfilling obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
• Strictly comply with the DFAT Child Protection Code of Conduct and Policy. (https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/child-protection-policy.pdf )
• Teams with an appropriate gender balance are strongly encouraged to apply.

5. Evaluation

CAPRED will use an objective and reliable process to evaluate each application. The applications will be evaluated on the following criteria (in no particular order):

1. Compliance with this Request for Proposal.
2. Understanding and ability to meet the eligibility criteria.
3. The applicant’s business contributes to GEDSI (gender equality, disability, and social inclusion), sustainability, and/or the environment.
4. Expertise of individuals and overall team nominated to deliver the assignment. CAPRED reserves the right to reject any individual being proposed and to ask the supplier to provide an alternative.
5. Past performance relevant to this RFP (as determined by referee checks)
6. Relevance of previous work examples provided.
7. Proposed financial and technical plans for the services.

Note: Whilst price is a factor, it is more important that the applicant can demonstrate value for money. CAPRED reserves the right to contract more than one supplier for these services and may actively seek to contract more than one supplier to ensure the supply of technical services. CAPRED reserves the right to vary the contract terms, and to exercise any option period at its sole discretion.

Due diligence checks will be conducted on the organisation/s and individuals nominated in the RFP prior to awarding contract/s.

6. How to Apply

The proposals, including the Technical and Financial Response Forms, must be submitted no later than 5 pm (Phnom Penh time), 15 July 2026 by email to procurement@capred.org with “Capacity Strengthening Project for PWOs” in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered. 

The program will host a Q&A session  in both physical and online formats on 1 July 2026 at CAPRED Office at 2:00 PM (Phnom Penh Time).

Interested suppliers are kindly requested to register by emailing procurement@capred.org, no later than 30 June 2026, indicating whether they wish to attend in person or online.

CAPRED is available to answer questions or provide more details on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.org  with the subject line : “Capacity Strengthening Project for PWOs - Enquiry”, no later than 8 July 2026. 

Attachments:

• Technical Response Form
• Financial Response Form

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities, and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.