No

Consultant’s Question(s)

Entity’s (MoWE) Response(s)

Added clarification to RFP/TOR-Annexes or Amended the RFP/TOR-Annexes (if amended the RFP/TOR-Annexes specify in where of document.)

1

We kindly request clarification regarding the scope of the Consultant's responsibilities under Section 59, "Completion and Handover," of the TOR.

Section 59 states that technical completion of the project requires, among other things, completion of the construction works and quality control tests; installation and operation of instrumentation; completion of testing and commissioning; fulfilment of reservoir-filling requirements; submission of as-built documentation and O&M manuals; and final inspection and formal acceptance by the Ministry.

These requirements appear to involve the Consultant in construction-phase activities, including technical supervision, geological and geotechnical control during construction, and preparation or review of as-built documentation.

Could you please confirm whether these construction, quality control, instrumentation, commissioning, reservoir-filling, as-built documentation and final acceptance activities are included in the Consultant's scope of services? If they are included, we would appreciate clarification of the Consultant's specific responsibilities, the scope of construction-phase supervision and geological control, the required personnel and service period, the expected deliverables, and the applicable payment arrangements.

Required  Department

(If it is only clarification. Please add):

Section 59, “Completion and Handover,” refers to activities associated with the construction phase of the project. Since the current assignment does not include the construction phase, these activities are not part of the Consultant’s scope of services at this stage.

No

Consultant’s Question(s)

Entity’s (MoWE) Response(s)

Added clarification to RFP/TOR-Annexes or Amended the RFP/TOR-Annexes (if amended the RFP/TOR-Annexes specify in where of document.)

1

The Ministry is described as a facilitator, while the consultancy contract will be signed with community representatives. Please identify the legal contracting and paying entity who will sign the contract and pay to the consultant.

Required Department

The legal document of payment will be provided to the contractor.

2

Please provide a payment schedule showing the percentage payable for each approved deliverable. Also, as the RFP states that advance payment is not applicable, please confirm whether an advance payment can be provided and amend the contract conditions accordingly.

Required Department

Confirm, no advance payment will be made, payment will be according to work progress.

3

Please add a Project Data Sheet to the TOR showing the dam location, purpose, height, reservoir capacity, catchment area and other main project data. Please also share any available feasibility studies, preliminary drawings and supporting reports that may be disclosed to bidders.

Required Department

A pre-feasibility study is attached with document.

4

The RFP refers to the TOR for the assignment duration, but the TOR gives no overall duration or dated milestones. Please clarify the total consultancy period and provide a deliverable table showing the schedule time for investigations, design submissions, review and approval, etc

Required Department

Working schedule is attached with document

5

The minimum geotechnical and geophysical quantities in TOR Section 56 appear high for the available project information. Please review and optimize them. Alternatively, please price these investigations as a common Provisional Sum, excluded from financial competition, and pay for actual approved quantities.

Required Department

The listed studies can be change due to site condition and testing. Approximately the 300m of drilling will be required, the contractor should considers there pricing base on it.  

6

There is a contradiction between ToR and RFP subject. The RFP subject is for consultancy services, but the TOR also assigns construction and commissioning duties to a Design-Build Contractor. Please confirm that this contract covers investigations, detailed design, drawings, specifications, BOQ and construction tender documents only, and ends when these deliverables are approved. Please remove construction, testing, commissioning and reservoir filling duties from the Consultant’s scope.

Required Department

Section 59, “Completion and Handover,” refers to activities associated with the construction phase of the project. Since the current assignment does not include the construction phase, these activities are not part of the Consultant’s scope of services at this stage.

7

The RFP does not clearly define the exact number of deliverables required under each phase, nor does it provide a detailed submission schedule. Kindly confirm the complete list and number of deliverables for Phases A and B, including the required submission timelines, review periods, and final submission milestones for each deliverable.

Required Department

Working schedule is attached with document

8

There appears to be an inconsistency in the RFP regarding the required technical disciplines. While one section identifies 14 disciplines, other sections refer to 17 disciplines. Furthermore, the disciplines listed in the financial schedules do not fully correspond with those specified in the personnel and staffing tables. Kindly clarify the definitive list of required disciplines and confirm which staffing structure and personnel categories shall govern the preparation of the technical and financial proposals. Additionally, as the minimum qualification and experience requirements for the proposed personnel have not been clearly specified, please provide the applicable qualification criteria, including minimum educational requirements and relevant professional experience for each position.

Required Department

attached with documents.

9

We would be grateful if the Employer could indicate the anticipated review period for each design submission and clarify whether a specific number of revision cycles is envisaged within the agreed consultancy fee.

Required Department

The Ministry's review periods and deliverable approval procedure will be schedule for each document separately but not more then 30 days for a report.

10

We respectfully request confirmation of the applicable contract pricing arrangement and the mechanism for valuing and paying for any instructed increases in investigation quantities or other changes to the agreed scope.

Required Department

The legal document of payment will be provided to the contractor.

11

We would sincerely appreciate the Employer's consideration of an extension to the proposal submission deadline.

Required Department

The extended deadline is 31/Oct/2026 , 10:00 A.M Kabul time.

1

Is the dam intended for water supply, irrigation, hydropower, or multiple purposes? Could you also share the preliminary dam height, reservoir capacity and proposed layout, if available?

Required Department

A pre-feasibility is attached with documents.

2

Could MEW provide the existing feasibility study, survey data, geological/geotechnical investigation reports and preliminary design documents referred to in the TOR?

Required Department

A pre-feasibility is attached with documents.

3

Would complete investigation and detailed design assignments for weirs of approximately 15–30 m height be considered similar project experience under the RFP?

Required Department

The submitted experience in investigation and detailed design of weirs approximately 15–30 m in height will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee in accordance with the RFP requirements. The Committee will review and discuss the relevance and suitability of the submitted projects.

4

Regarding TECH-2, we understand that the required similar assignments must be completed. May ongoing major dam design assignments be presented separately as supporting experience during technical evaluation?

Required Department

The submitted experience, including completed and ongoing dam design assignments, will be reviewed by the Evaluation Committee in accordance with the RFP requirements. The Committee will discuss and determine the eligibility and relevance of the submitted experience during the technical evaluation.

1

The  RFP  refers  to  the  TOR  for  the  assignment  duration,  payment  schedule,  reimbursable expenses and Key Expert inputs, but the TOR does not include them

Required Department

Document is attached the amended ToR

2

The  TOR  describes  the  work  as  a  Design-Build  contract,  including  construction  and commissioning, while the RFP invites consulting services under a lump-sum contract.

Required Department

Since the current assignment does not include the construction phase, these activities are not part of the Consultant’s scope of services at this stage.

3

The investigation quantities are given as minimums with no upper limit, which is difficult to price fairly as a fixed lump sum.

Required Department

The investigation quantities shall be clarified in the amended TOR. For proposal pricing and comparison, the quantities stated in Section 56 shall be used as the tender basis. Any additional investigation beyond the specified quantities shall require prior written approval by the Ministry and shall be handled in accordance with the Contract's variation provisions and applicable quoted unit rates, where permitted.

4

; ITC 15.1.1 AGICL will submit alone or JV. Please confirm that engaging specialist subcontractors for drilling, laboratory testing, geophysics and survey (ITC 13.9–13.10) is not treated as an "association" prohibited by Data Sheet 14.1.1, and needs no prior written approval under ITC 15.1.1.

Procurement Department

Since no Expression of Interest (EOI) process or shortlisting has been conducted for this project, and the RFP directly invites the Consultants to submit their Technical and Financial Proposals, ITC 15.1.1 regarding association with non-shortlisted or other shortlisted Consultants is not applicable to this procurement.

5

LOI; ITC 2.1 The Letter of Invitation does not list the shortlisted firms. Please confirm the shortlist

Procurement Department

No shortlist has been established for this procurement, as no Expression of Interest (EOI) process has been conducted

6

LOI para 1 Please define "similar contracts" (for example, dam investigation and detailed design for dams above a stated height or storage). Please also confirm the evidence required, such as completion certificates or client references.

Required Department

Similar contracts shall mean completed assignments involving dam-site geotechnical/geophysical investigations and/or detailed engineering design of dams or major hydraulic structures of comparable complexity. Relevant experience shall be demonstrated through signed contracts, completion/acceptance certificates, or client references identifying the scope and the Consultant's role. The detailed scoring criteria shall be applied as stated in the RFP.

7

LOI para 2; ITC 16.2(a) Please confirm whether the experience of AGICL's specialist subcontractors may be counted towards the "similar contracts" requirement and criterion (i), or whether only AGICL's own contracts count.

Required Department

The experience of the lead Consultant/firm shall be evaluated against the firm-experience criterion. Specialist subcontractors' experience may support the assessment of their specific proposed tasks but shall not replace the lead Consultant's own required similar-contract experience, unless expressly permitted by the RFP.

8

  LOI para 2 Turnover must be at least "the quoted price", but the Financial Proposal stays sealed until technical evaluation is complete. Please confirm at what stage and on what basis this criterion will be checked, and which documents are required (audited financial statements for which years).

Procurement Department

The turnover requirement shall be assessed in accordance with the criteria and requirements specified in the RFP. The Consultant shall submit the relevant audited financial statements for the financial years specified in the RFP as evidence of its financial capacity. The verification shall be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the RFP.

9

  ITC 18.3; TECH-1  Please confirm whether the Power of Attorney for AGICL's authorised signatory must be notarised or legalised, and whether a board resolution must accompany it.

Procurement Department

The Power of Attorney shall be submitted in accordance with the RFP requirements and applicable Afghan procurement regulations.

10

A7  DS 20.1 note  Please confirm whether foreign firms must hold an Afghan business licence at submission, or only at contract signing. Please also confirm whether a foreign representative of AGICL may enter the opening session with a passport instead of a Tazkira.

Procurement Department

Foreign firms shall provide the registration documents required by the RFP and applicable laws. An authorized foreign representative may present a valid passport for identification, subject to the Ministry’s verification and entry requirements.

11

ITC 13.9; TOR Section 50 Please confirm that drilling, laboratory testing, geophysics and topographic survey maybe subcontracted to specialist firms, and whether those firms must be named in the Proposal.

Required Department

Yes. Specialist activities including drilling, laboratory testing, geophysical investigations and topographic surveys may be subcontracted to qualified specialist firms, subject to the RFP and prior approval where required by the Contract. Proposed subcontractors and their relevant qualifications/experience shall be identified in the Proposal.

12

DS 12.1  Please confirm whether the restriction on participating in more than one Proposal also applies to specialist subcontractors such as drilling contractors, given the limited number available in Khost.

Procurement Department

Since no Expression of Interest (EOI) process or shortlisting has been conducted for this project, and the RFP directly invites the Consultants to submit their Technical and Financial Proposals, ITC 15.1.1 regarding association with non-shortlisted or other shortlisted Consultants is not applicable to this procurement.

13

Cover; LOI paras 1–2  Please identify the "Representatives of the Beneficiary Community" who will sign the Contract: legal name, legal status, registration, authorised signatory and address.

Procurement Department

The matter is clearly specified in the RFP. Consultants are requested to refer to the relevant provisions of the RFP.

14

GCC 1.1; SCC 6.1  Please confirm who the "Entity" is under the Contract for notices, instructions, approvals and payment certification: the Community Representatives or MEW.

Required Department

The contracting party and signatory arrangements shall be clarified in the final Contract documents. The Ministry of Water and Energy shall act as the technical entity responsible for project coordination, review and approval of deliverables, in accordance with the Contract. The identity and legal authority of the contracting party shall be specified before contract signing.

15

TOR Section 52  The TOR assigns review and approval of deliverables to "the Ministry". As MEW is not a party to the Contract, please confirm how Ministry approvals become binding on the contracting party.

Required Department

The Ministry of Water and Energy shall review and approve technical deliverables as the designated technical authority. The Contract documents shall be aligned to identify the contracting party and make clear the process by which the Ministry's technical reviews and approvals are communicated and implemented under the Contract.

16

  LOI para 1  Please confirm that funds for the full Contract value are secured. Please state where they are held (for example, a designated bank account or escrow) and whether evidence of funds availability will be provided before signing.

Required Department

The availability and source of project funding, and any evidence required before contract signing, shall be confirmed by the competent procurement/finance authorities through the official procurement process. No representation on a designated account or escrow arrangement is made in this technical clarification.

17

GCC 42  Please confirm the payment route: the paying bank, payment by transfer in US Dollars to an account outside Afghanistan, and the number of days from invoice approval to payment.

Required Department

The payment route, currency, paying institution and payment-processing period shall be confirmed in the final RFP/Contract by the competent procurement and finance authorities. Payments shall be processed in accordance with the approved Contract and applicable Afghan financial regulations.

18

ITC 21.3, 31.1; Contract recital (c) Several clauses refer to a "Provider of Funds" and its no-objection. Please confirm whether any external financier is involved and whether any of its procurement or sanctions rules apply.

Procurement Department

The project is funded by the beneficiary community, as clearly specified in the RFP. No external financier is involved; therefore, no external financier’s procurement or sanctions rules apply.

19

The TOR describes a Design-Build "Contractor" responsible for construction, testing, commissioning and as-built documentation. Please confirm that the consulting Services end at approval of the Final Detailed Design Package (IFC drawings, technical specifications, BOQ and cost estimate), and that construction and commissioning are excluded. The TOR describes a Design-Build "Contractor" responsible for construction, testing, commissioning and as-built documentation. Please confirm that the consulting Services end at approval of the Final Detailed Design Package (IFC drawings, technical specifications, BOQ and cost estimate), and that construction and commissioning are excluded.

Required Department

Confirmed. The current assignment is limited to investigations, studies and preparation of the Final Detailed Design Package, including design reports, drawings suitable for construction (IFC), technical specifications, BOQ and cost estimate. Construction, construction supervision, testing and commissioning of completed works, reservoir filling, and construction-stage handover activities are excluded.

20

 TOR Section 35 Please confirm that instrumentation is limited to design, specifications, layout and monitoring manual, and that supply and installation are excluded.

Required Department

Confirmed. Instrumentation under this assignment is limited to design recommendations, layout, technical specifications and an instrumentation/monitoring plan or manual. Procurement, supply, installation, commissioning and operational monitoring of instruments are excluded from the Consultant's scope.

21

TOR Sections 41–44  Please confirm whether the QA/QC system, foundation acceptance and construction- stage geological control are design-stage documents only. If construction supervision is intended, please state its duration, required staffing and how it will be paid.

Required Department

Confirmed. QA/QC requirements, foundation acceptance criteria and construction-stage geological control procedures shall be prepared as design-stage documents/specifications only. Construction supervision, on-site foundation acceptance and construction-stage geological control are excluded from this assignment.

22

 TOR Sections 45–46  Please confirm that the reservoir filling plan, O&M manual and Emergency Action Plan are documents only, with no attendance during filling or operation.

Required Department

Confirmed. The reservoir filling plan, O&M manual and Emergency Action Plan shall be prepared as design-stage documents to the extent specified in the TOR. Attendance during reservoir filling, operation, commissioning or implementation of these plans is excluded.

23

  DS 22.1 (K-12, K-13) Please describe the expected role and input of the Construction Manager and QA/QC Manager during a design-only assignment.

Required Department

For this design-only assignment, the Construction Manager and QA/QC Manager shall contribute to constructability review, construction methodology/specifications, quality assurance requirements, inspection and test plans, and design-stage risk identification. They shall not undertake construction management or construction-stage QA/QC supervision.

24

TOR Sections 1, 22 Please share the approved project parameters: dam purpose (irrigation, water supply, flood control, hydropower), indicative dam height, storage, command area and any preferred dam type. Please confirm whether a dam-type options study is expected before the Design Basis Report.

Required Department

The final dam purpose, height, storage, command area and preferred dam type have not been established in this clarification. The Consultant shall review available project information, assess feasible alternatives where necessary, and establish/recommend the design basis for the Ministry's review and approval. A dam-type options assessment shall be included where required to support selection of the appropriate design solution. But its approximately 30m from river bed.

25

 TOR Sections 3B, 38 Please confirm whether a hydropower plant or powerhouse is in scope. If so, please state the installed capacity to be designed.

Required Department

A hydropower plant or powerhouse is not confirmed as part of the current assignment. The Consultant shall not assume hydropower generation facilities or an installed capacity unless these are expressly included in the amended TOR or confirmed in writing by the Ministry.

26

TOR Section 37 item 27 Please confirm whether an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Resettlement Action Plan or land acquisition survey is in scope or will be prepared by others.

Required Department

The Consultant shall identify and assess applicable environmental and social requirements and prepare the documents expressly listed in the final TOR. The scope of a full ESIA, Resettlement Action Plan and land-acquisition survey shall be clarified in the amended TOR; activities not expressly included shall be treated as outside the assignment.

27

 TOR Sections 3B, 38 Please state the length of access roads and the number and type of bridges and buildings (camp, O&M building, gate house) to be designed.

Required Department

The exact length of access roads and the number/type of bridges and buildings have not been finalized in this clarification. The Consultant shall assess the access and ancillary infrastructure requirements based on site investigations and the approved design basis.

28

 TOR Sections 39–40  Please confirm whether preparation of works bidding documents (instructions, conditions of contract, priced BOQ forms) is required, or only the BOQ, specifications and Engineer's estimate.

Procurement Department

The Consultant shall prepare and submit its Proposal in strict accordance with the requirements and provisions of the RFP and TOR.

29

TOR Section 20  Please confirm whether physical hydraulic model testing is required, or whether numerical (CFD or 1D/2D) modelling is sufficient.

Required Department

The Consultant shall undertake appropriate hydraulic analysis and numerical modelling as required by the design. Physical hydraulic model testing is not assumed to be mandatory at proposal stage; if the design review demonstrates that physical modelling is necessary for safety or performance verification, the requirement shall be subject to the Ministry's written approval and the agreed scope/contract provisions.

30

TOR Section 53  Please confirm who appoints and pays for any independent design check or dam safety panel, and the Consultant's expected input to it.

Required Department

Any independent design checker or dam safety panel, if required, shall be appointed by the Ministry/Employer separately unless otherwise stated in the Contract. The Consultant shall provide design reports, calculations and reasonable technical responses to review comments within the agreed scope.

31

DS 22.1(iv)  Criterion (iv) awards 5 points for transfer of knowledge, but the TOR has no training component. Please state the expected number of counterpart trainees, duration and topics.

Required Department

No Need for the training.

32

Cover; SCC 14.1  Please state the Assignment duration and any required milestone dates, which the RFP refers to the TOR but the TOR does not specify.

Required Department

Documents are attached for clarification.

33

 TOR Sections 4, 22, 36, 52 Please state the Ministry's review period for each deliverable, and confirm that a deliverable is deemed approved if no comments are received within that period.

Required Department

The Ministry's review periods and deliverable approval procedure will be schedule for each document separately but not more then 30 days for a report.

34

 TOR Section 16  Please state the minimum groundwater monitoring period required, and whether monitoring beyond the Contract period is expected.

Required Department

The Consultant shall propose a groundwater monitoring programme appropriate to site conditions.

35

TOR Sections 8, 14  Please confirm any seasonal restrictions on field work (winter access, river flows), and whether the field program must start by a particular date.

Required Department

Fieldwork shall be planned with due consideration of seasonal weather, river flows, access and local security conditions. The Consultant shall submit a fieldwork schedule at inception and coordinate the start date with the Ministry and relevant local authorities.

36

GCC 17, 19  Please confirm that the Consultant is entitled to an extension of time for delays caused by security incidents, restricted access, late approvals or late data from the Entity.

Procurement Department

The Consultant may request an extension of time in accordance with the Contract, applicable Afghan procurement regulations, and relevant contractual provisions, subject to approval by the competent authority.

37

The TOR quantities are "preliminary minimum" and the Ministry may require additional investigation, but the lump sum cannot be negotiated. Please confirm the lump sum may TOR Sections 8.1, 54, 56; ITC 29.8 be priced on a stated quantity basis, with additional quantities paid as a variation at unit rates quoted in the Financial Proposal.

Required Department

The stated TOR quantities shall form the basis of the lump-sum proposal. The Consultant shall clearly identify assumptions and unit rates for measurable additional work in the Financial Proposal. Additional quantities or scope shall not be undertaken without prior written instruction and shall be dealt with only through the variation mechanism allowed by the Contract and applicable procurement rules. Documents are attached for clarification.

38

 TOR Section 56  Please confirm whether bidders should price the lower or upper value of each range in Section 56, so that all Proposals are compared on the same basis.

Procurement Department

Determining appropriate rates within the ranges specified in TOR Section 56 is the Consultant’s responsibility.

39

TOR Section 8.1  Please confirm the core size (NQ, HQ or PQ), the share of inclined boreholes, and the maximum borehole depth expected.

Required Department

The final borehole core size, number/proportion of inclined boreholes and maximum depth can be change due to site and testing condition. But it may be mote then 300 m total boring.

40

TOR Sections 10, 13  Please state the number of in-situ rock-mass tests required (plate load, in-situ shear, deformability), and whether an exploratory adit or trench is expected.

Required Department

The Consultant shall recommend and undertake the in-situ rock-mass tests required to characterize foundation strength and deformability in accordance with the final investigation programme approved by the Ministry. The number and locations of plate-load, in-situ shear and deformability tests, and any exploratory adit/trench, shall be specified or approved before implementation; an exploratory adit is not assumed unless expressly required.

41

TOR Section 56  Please confirm the depth of the 30–45 trial pits, and whether they may be machine- excavated.

Required Department

Trial-pit depths shall be determined by the purpose of each pit, subsurface conditions and safe excavation requirements, consultant can use machine- excavated or Local hand excavation.

42

TOR Section 12  Please confirm whether samples may be exported for specialist testing abroad, and the approval process. Please also name any laboratories MEW has already approved.

Required Department

Samples may be sent to a specialist laboratory outside Afghanistan only with prior written approval from the Ministry and compliance with applicable export, customs and chain-of-custody requirements. The Consultant shall identify the proposed laboratory, test programme, accreditation and costs in advance. Any Ministry-approved laboratory list shall be provided if available; otherwise, laboratories shall be proposed for approval.

43

 TOR Section 9  Please confirm who provides core storage, and the place and condition for handing over cores at the end of the Assignment.

Required Department

The Consultant shall provide suitable labelled core boxes, core logging, photographs and an indexed core register as part of the investigation. The location, custodian and handover procedure for storage of core samples shall be agreed with the Ministry at inception and recorded in the investigation plan.

44

TOR Section 16  Please state the number of piezometers to be installed, and whether they will remain as permanent monitoring points.

Required Department

The required number and type of piezometers shall be proposed by the Consultant based on the groundwater investigation and monitoring objectives and approved by the Ministry. Installation and long-term monitoring is included

45

TOR Section 5  Please define the extent of the reservoir survey (up to what elevation above full supply level), the required scale and accuracy, and whether drone photogrammetry or LiDAR is acceptable.

Required Department

The reservoir survey shall cover the area and elevation range needed to establish the reservoir basin, capacity/elevation relationship and relevant shoreline/geological conditions. The precise upper elevation, scale and accuracy shall be confirmed in the amended TOR or approved survey plan. Drone photogrammetry or LiDAR may be proposed subject to required accuracy, ground control, safety and Ministry approval.

46

TOR Sections 11, 25  Please confirm that post-grouting verification holes are a construction-stage activity and are excluded from this Assignment.

Required Department

Confirmed. Post-grouting verification holes are construction-stage activities and are excluded from this investigation and detailed-design assignment. The Consultant shall specify the proposed verification requirements and acceptance criteria in the design documents where relevant.

47

 DS 2.4; TOR Section 4  The Data Sheet says no inputs are provided, yet the TOR lists earlier feasibility studies, surveys, borehole logs and hydrological studies. Please share these before the submission deadline, or confirm none exist.

Required Department

Document are attached.

48

TOR Section 19  Please confirm the availability of river-flow and rainfall records for the Zambar catchment, and whether any cost of obtaining them falls on the Consultant.

Required Department

The availability and completeness of rainfall and river-flow records shall be reviewed by the Consultant using records made available by the Ministry and relevant agencies. The Consultant shall identify missing data and propose appropriate methods to address gaps.

49

GCC 36, 37; Appendix E Please confirm the counterpart staff, office space, transport and other facilities the Entity will provide.

Required Department

No, the ministry cannot provide, contractor is fully responsible for it.

50

TOR Section 5  Please confirm whether the dam axis at N33°34'47.70", E69°52'27.44" is fixed, or whether axis selection is part of the Services.

Required Department

The coordinates provided in the TOR shall be treated as the preliminary/reference dam-axis location. The Consultant shall verify site conditions and assess whether adjustment or alternatives are technically necessary, presenting recommendations for Ministry approval. Any final axis selection shall be confirmed through the approved design basis.

51

 GCC 33, 34  Please confirm what the Entity will provide on security, coordination with provincial and district authorities, and community liaison for field teams in Sabari District.

Required Department

The Ministry will assist with official coordination with provincial and district authorities and facilitate introductions and community liaison where practicable. The Consultant remains responsible for its personnel, field planning and compliance with applicable security instructions. Site access and security arrangements shall be coordinated before mobilization.

52

 GCC 33  Please confirm the Entity's assistance with visas and work permits for foreign experts, and with customs clearance for temporarily imported drilling and testing equipment.

Required Department

The Ministry may provide reasonable official facilitation for coordination with relevant Afghan authorities regarding visas, work permits and temporary importation of equipment. The Consultant remains responsible for preparing complete applications and complying with applicable laws and procedures. Approval and customs clearance cannot be guaranteed by this clarification.

53

GCC 34  Please confirm that the Entity will secure land access for investigation sites, and will bear any compensation for crops or land disturbed.

Required Department

The Ministry will facilitate coordination for access to investigation sites. Site-specific land access, permissions and any compensation for crops or land disturbance shall be confirmed before fieldwork and managed in accordance with applicable law and the final Contract. The Consultant shall avoid unnecessary disturbance and document any required access arrangements.

54

 ITC 2.3  Please confirm whether a site visit can be arranged for shortlisted Consultants before the submission deadline.

Required Department

A site visit may be arranged for interested/shortlisted Consultants, subject to coordination with the Ministry, local authorities, site accessibility and security conditions. Details and timing shall be communicated through the official procurement channel.

55

 GCC 34  Please confirm whether the site has been surveyed for mines or unexploded ordnance, and who is responsible for any clearance needed before drilling.

Required Department

The Ministry cannot confirm through this clarification that the site has been fully surveyed or cleared for mines or unexploded ordnance. The Consultant shall not enter or commence intrusive fieldwork in an area until access and safety clearance requirements have been confirmed with the relevant competent authorities. Responsibility for any required clearance shall be clarified in the final Contract before mobilization.

56

DS 26.1; ITC 17.3; FIN- 1 DS 26.1 requires a price inclusive of all taxes, while ITC 17.3 and FIN-1 say local taxes are excluded and settled at negotiation. Please confirm which applies.

Procurement Department

Consultants shall include all applicable taxes and duties under the laws of Afghanistan in their Financial Proposals, in accordance with 26.1 of the RFP.

57

 ITC 17.3–17.5; SCC 40  Please list the taxes the Consultant must include, with rates: business receipts tax, withholding tax on payments to non-resident firms, income tax on non-resident experts, and customs duties. Please confirm whether the SCC 40 reimbursement of indirect taxes on foreign experts and imported equipment applies.

Procurement Department

The Consultant shall comply with applicable Afghan tax laws and the RFP requirements

58

SCC 42.2  Please provide the payment schedule, which the SCC refers to the TOR but the TOR does not contain. Otherwise, please confirm that Consultants may propose instalments linked to deliverables.

Required Department

The legal document of payment will be provided to the contractor.

59

SCC 42.2.1  Advance payment is "Not Applicable". As the field investigations need heavy early spending, please consider a mobilisation advance of 15% against an Advance Payment Guarantee (Appendix F).

Required Department

no advance payment will be made, payment will be according to work progress. The legal document of payment will be provided to the contractor.

60

SCC 43.1  Interest on delayed payment is "Not Applicable". Please consider applying interest to payments delayed beyond the period in GCC 43.1.

Procurement Department

Interest on delayed payments shall remain not applicable, as specified in the SCC.

61

 DS 17.1; FIN-4  Please confirm which reimbursable expenses, if any, must be shown separately, and whether any provisional sums are to be included.

Required Department

The reimbursable-expense requirements and treatment of provisional sums shall follow the Data Sheet and FIN forms. The Consultant shall itemize any expenses specifically requested by the RFP; no provisional sum should be assumed unless expressly identified in the amended RFP.

62

 DS 17.6; GCC 41  Please confirm that payment will be made in US Dollars, not converted into Afghani.

Required Department

The applicable payment currency shall be governed by the Data Sheet, Contract and Afghan financial regulations. The Ministry's technical department cannot independently confirm an overseas US-dollar payment route; the competent procurement/finance authorities shall clarify the applicable currency and payment arrangements in the final RFP/Contract.

63

 DS 17.2  No price adjustment applies. If the duration exceeds 12 months, please consider price adjustment for any extension not caused by the Consultant.

Required Department

No price adjustment applies under the current RFP. Any change to this provision would require a formal amendment by the competent procurement authority; bidders shall prepare their proposals in accordance with the issued RFP.

64

DS 31.3; SCC 20.7  For the 5% performance security, please confirm whether a guarantee or standby letter of credit from an international bank, confirmed through an Afghan correspondent bank, is acceptable. Please also confirm the release conditions.

Procurement Department

A guarantee issued by an international bank and confirmed by an Afghan correspondent bank is acceptable.

65

 GCC 42  Please confirm that no retention will be deducted from payments.

Procurement Department

No retention money shall be deducted.

66

DS 18  Please confirm that no bid security or proposal-securing declaration is required.

Procurement Department

Bid security is not required; however, a Proposal-Securing Declaration is required.

67

 ITC 15.1.2  Please disclose either the estimated Key Expert time input or the estimated total cost of the Assignment, as ITC 15.1.2 allows.

Required Department

The estimated Key Expert input and/or estimated assignment cost shall be disclosed only if approved for release by the competent procurement authority. The Technical Proposal shall provide the proposed expert inputs and work schedule in accordance with the RFP requirements. Document are attached.

68

 FIN-3; FIN-4  Please confirm the level of breakdown required in FIN-3 and FIN-4 for a lump-sum contract, and that these breakdowns will not be used to adjust the lump sum.

Required Department

The Consultant shall complete FIN-3 and FIN-4 using the breakdown and format required by the RFP, with costs consistent with the total lump-sum price. The breakdown is for evaluation and contract administration and shall not change the lump-sum amount except as permitted under the Contract.

69

SCC 23.1  Please state the multiplier for the limitation of the Consultant's liability. We propose one times the Contract value.

Procurement Department

The limitation of the Consultant’s liability shall be determined in accordance with the Contract conditions and the applicable existing procurement laws and procedures.

70

SCC 24.1  Please confirm that professional liability insurance from an internationally rated insurer outside Afghanistan is acceptable, and that standard war and terrorism exclusions are accepted.

Procurement Department

The matter shall be governed by the applicable existing financial and other laws and regulations of Afghanistan, as well as the terms and conditions of the Contract.

71

SCC 45, 46; contract- law articles The SCC cites contract-law articles that refer to a lease ("Lessor" and "Lessee") and to resolution by the competent court. Please confirm these articles are included in error, and consider international arbitration (UNCITRAL Rules, with a neutral seat) for disputes.

Procurement Department

 The resolution of disputes shall be governed by the Contract conditions and the applicable existing laws and regulations of Afghanistan.

72

SCC (contract-law Art. 29) Please clarify how compensation "in accordance with the principles of Sharia" relates to the limitation of liability in SCC 23.1.

Procurement Department

The compensation shall be determined in accordance with the applicable existing laws of Afghanistan.

73

 GCC 17  Please confirm that security incidents, civil disturbance, government restrictions and banking restrictions on international transfers count as Force Majeure.

Procurement Department

Force Majeure shall be determined in accordance with the Contract conditions and the applicable existing laws of Afghanistan.

74

 GCC 19  Please confirm payment for Services performed and demobilisation costs if the Contract is terminated for reasons not attributable to the Consultant.

Procurement Department

Payment shall be made in accordance with the Contract conditions and the applicable existing laws of Afghanistan.

75

TOR Sections 52, 60  Please confirm that the Consultant's design obligation is to exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence, and is not an absolute guarantee or fitness-for-purpose obligation.

Required Department

Confirmed. The Consultant shall perform its services with the reasonable skill, care and diligence expected of a qualified professional consultant experienced in comparable dam investigations and design. The scope of professional responsibility and any limitation of liability shall be governed by the final Contract and applicable law.

76

SCC 28.1; TOR Section 47Please confirm that the Consultant's pre-existing know-how and commercial software licenses stay with the Consultant. The Entity would receive the project models, data and calculation files.

Required Department

The Consultant retains ownership of its pre-existing know-how, methodologies and commercial software licences, subject to the Contract. The Ministry shall receive the project-specific data, models, calculations, reports and deliverables required under the TOR, with rights of use as stated in the Contract. Third-party software licences remain subject to their licence terms.

77

GCC 4  Please confirm that the English version of the Contract prevails over any Dari or Pashto translation.

Procurement Department

The English version of the Contract shall prevail in the event of any inconsistency between the English version and its Dari or Pashto translations.

78

GCC 31  Please confirm that a Key Expert may be replaced, without penalty, for security, health or visa reasons beyond the Consultant's control.

Procurement Department

Replacement of Key Experts shall be subject to the Contract conditions and the applicable existing Procurement laws and regulations of Afghanistan.

79

Appendix B  Please confirm the working week and public holidays to be used for planning, given that one month equals 22 working days.

Procurement Department

Working days and public holidays shall follow Afghanistan’s applicable laws and regulations.

80

ITC 16.2; DS 11.1  The ITC refers to forms TECH-7 and TECH-8, while the Data Sheet lists TECH-1 to TECH- 6. Please confirm the forms required, and that the bar-chart work schedule belongs under TECH-5.

Required Department

The Consultant shall submit the forms listed in the Data Sheet and any forms expressly required by the ITC. The discrepancy between references to TECH-7/TECH-8 and the Data Sheet shall be corrected by formal clarification/addendum. The bar-chart work schedule shall be submitted under the form designated for the work programme in the amended RFP; bidders should not rely on an inconsistent form reference.

71

 DS 22.1(i)  Please explain how criterion (i), specific experience of the firm, will be scored: the number of projects and the dam size thresholds.

Required Department

Specific experience shall be scored strictly in accordance with the published evaluation criteria. The Ministry will clarify the number of projects, dam size thresholds and scoring bands in an addendum if these are not already stated unambiguously in the RFP. Only evidence submitted in the Proposal and meeting the stated criteria will be evaluated.

82

DS 22.1(iii)  Please state the minimum qualifications (degree, total years, years in similar roles) expected for each Key Expert position, K-1 to K-14.

Required Department

Documents are attached.

83

 DS 22.1(iii)  Please confirm whether experience in neighbouring countries with similar geology and conditions (for example, Pakistan and Central Asia) counts as "relevant experience in the region".

Required Department

Yes. Relevant experience in neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Central Asia, may be considered where it is demonstrably relevant to dam engineering and comparable geological, seismic, hydrological and climatic conditions, subject to the published evaluation criteria.

84

TOR Section 49 items 15–17Please confirm that the Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer and Environmental/Social Specialist are Non-Key Experts, and whether their CVs are required.

Required Department

Documents are attached.

85

 DS 22.1(iii)  Please confirm whether one expert may hold two related positions, for example K-3 and K-9.

Required Department

One expert may be proposed for two related positions only where the RFP permits it and the expert demonstrably meets the qualifications and experience requirements for both roles. The Proposal must explain the allocation of time and demonstrate that the combined responsibilities can be fulfilled without conflict or reduced quality.

86

TECH-6  Please confirm that scanned signatures of Key Experts on CVs are acceptable.

Procurement Department

Scanned signatures of Key Experts on CVs are acceptable; however, the Ministry reserves the right to request clarification regarding the relevant personnel.

87

ITC 16.2(c)  Please confirm any page limit or formatting requirement for TECH-4.

Procurement Department

The TECH-4 form shall comply with the requirements specified in the RFP

88

 DS 18  Please confirm the number of copies (only one original Technical Proposal and one CD are listed), and the file format required on the CD.

Procurement Department

The number of copies and the CD file format shall be as specified in the RFP.

89

DS 18.10  Please confirm that the Proposal may be delivered by an authorised local representative or courier on behalf of AGICL.

Procurement Department

The Proposal should be submitted by an authorized representative in accordance with the RFP.

90

TOR Sections 37, 58  Please state the number of hard copies and electronic formats required for each deliverable, and whether translation into Dari or Pashto is required.

Procurement Department

The number of hard copies, electronic formats, and translation requirements specified in the TOR and RFP.

91

 TOR Section 51  Please confirm the order of precedence among Afghan, USACE, USBR and ICOLD standards where they conflict.

Required Department

The Consultant shall apply applicable Afghan laws and mandatory national standards first. Where Afghan standards do not provide sufficient technical guidance, internationally recognized USACE, USBR and ICOLD guidance may be applied as appropriate to the design, with the selected standards and any differences documented in the Design Basis Report and submitted for Ministry approval. Any conflict with mandatory Afghan requirements shall be referred to the Ministry for a decision.

92

TOR Section 19  Please confirm who decides the dam hazard classification that sets the design flood and seismic criteria, and when.

Required Department

The Consultant shall assess and recommend the appropriate dam hazard/risk classification based on the potential consequences of failure and applicable Afghan requirements and recognized dam-safety guidance. The proposed classification, design flood and seismic criteria shall be documented in the Design Basis Report for Ministry review and approval before detailed design is finalized.

93

 TOR Section 57  Please confirm whether stages 20 to 24 of the submission schedule (construction methodology, testing and commissioning, reservoir filling, O&M manual and final completion report) are documents prepared during design, with no site attendance.

Required Department

Confirmed. For this design-only assignment, construction methodology, testing and commissioning requirements, reservoir filling plan, O&M manual and final completion-related documents shall be prepared as design-stage plans/specifications only to the extent stated in the TOR. Construction attendance, commissioning, reservoir filling, operation and construction completion reporting based on actual works are excluded.

94

 ITC 14.1.2; DS 18.10  Please extend the proposal submission and opening date by three to four weeks, from 21 October 2026 to 11 November 2026, or preferably 18 November 2026, at 10:00 Kabul time. If the addendum is issued later than 28 October 2026, please allow at least 21 days between the addendum and the new deadline.

Procurement Department

The proposal submission deadline has already been extended; therefore, no further extension will be granted.