Irrigation Manual

Module 12

Guidelines for the Preparation

of Tender Documents

Developed by

Andreas P. SAVVA
and
Karen FRENKEN

Water Resources Development and Management Officers

FAO Sub-Regional Office for East and Southern Africa

In collaboration with

Simon MADYIWA, Irrigation Engineer Consultant

Lee TIRIVAMWE, National Irrigation Engineer, Zimbabwe
Victor MTHAMO, Irrigation Engineer Consultant

Harare, 2002
ii – Module 12
 Contents
List of figures vi
List of tables vi
List of abbreviations vii
1. PREPARATION OF A TENDER DOCUMENT BY THE CLIENT 1
1.1. The tender document 1
1.2. Types of contracts for which a tender document can be prepared 1
1.2.1. Measurement contract 1
1.2.2. Fixed fee or lump sum contract 1
1.2.3. Cost reimbursable contract 1
1.2.4. All-in-all contract 2
1.3. Content of a tender document 2
1.4. Instructions to tenderers 2
1.5. Conditions of contract 2
1.5.1. General conditions of contract 2
1.5.2. Special conditions of contract 5
1.6. Technical specifications 7
1.7. Drawings 7
1.8. Bill of quantities 8
2. SUBMISSION OF A TENDER DOCUMENT BY THE TENDERER 9
2.1. Letter of submission 9
2.2. Form of tender 9
2.3. Certificate of site visit 9
2.4. Tender guarantee 9
2.5. Advance payment guarantee 9
2.6. Performance guarantee 9
2.7. Bank credit letter and affidavit 9
2.8. Programme/schedule of works 14
2.9. List of staff 14
2.10. List of equipment and machinery 14
2.11. Performance characteristics of all equipment to be installed in the project 14
2.12. List of sub-contractors 14
2.13. Variations to tender 14
2.14. Company profile 15
2.15. Sworn statement to client 15
3. AN EXAMPLE OF THE PREPARATION OF A TENDER DOCUMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF A SURFACE IRRIGATION SCHEME 17
3.1. Background and access to the scheme 17
3.2. Contract drawings 17
3.3. General irrigation scheme layout 17
3.4. Special conditions 24
3.4.1. Materials 24
3.4.2. Procurement, packing and delivery 24
3.4.3. Storage of materials and equipment on the site 24
3.4.4. Concrete 25
3.4.5. Fencing 25
3.4.6. Progress reports 25
3.4.7. Clearing the site upon completion of works 25

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3.5. Technical specifications 26

3.5.1. General 26
3.5.2. Earthworks 26
3.5.3. Concrete works 27
3.5.4. Land clearing and land preparation 28
3.6. Bill of quantities 29
4. AN EXAMPLE OF THE PREPARATION OF A TENDER DOCUMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF A DRAG-HOSE SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SCHEME FOR SMALLHOLDERS 31
4.1. Background and access to the scheme 31
4.2. Contract drawings 31
4.3. General irrigation scheme layout 31
4.4. Special conditions 37
4.4.1. Materials 37
4.4.2. Procurement, packing and delivery 37
4.4.3. Storage of materials and equipment on the site 37
4.4.4. Working drawings and As built or Record drawings 37
4.4.5. Trenching and back-filling 38
4.4.6. Pipe laying 38
4.4.7. Keeping pipelines clean 39
4.4.8. Flushing 39
4.4.9. Pressure testing 39
4.4.10. Timing/Scheduling of works 39
4.4.11. Workmanship 39
4.4.12. Variation order 39
4.4.13. Progress reports 39
4.4.14. Clearing the site upon completion of works 40
4.5. Technical specifications 40
4.5.1. General 40
4.5.2. Materials and equipment 40
4.5.3. Sprinklers 41
4.5.4. Gate valves 41
4.5.5. Spares and tools 41
4.5.6. Pressure gauges 41
4.5.7. Valve chambers 41
4.5.8. Valve keys 41
4.5.9. Pumping station 41
4.5.10. Concrete works 42
4.5.11. Nurseries 42
4.6. Bill of quantities 42
5. AN EXAMPLE OF THE PREPARATION OF A TENDER DOCUMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION
OF A DRIP IRRIGATION SCHEME FOR SMALLHOLDERS 45
5.1. Background and access to the scheme 45
5.2. Contract drawings 45
5.3. General irrigation scheme layout 45
5.4. Special conditions 45
5.4.1. Protection of existing services and structures 45
5.4.2. Sign board 48
5.4.3. First aid outfit 48
5.4.4. Materials 48
5.4.5. Procurement, packing and delivery 48
5.4.6. Storage of materials and equipment on site 48

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5.4.7. Working drawings and As built or Record drawings 49

5.4.8. Trenching and back-filling 49
5.4.9. Pipe laying and connection 49
5.4.10. Keeping pipelines clean 49
5.4.11. Flushing 49
5.4.12. Pressure testing 50
5.4.13. uPVC – dripline connections 50
5.4.14. Timing/Scheduling of works 50
5.4.15. Workmanship 50
5.4.16. Variation order 50
5.4.17. Progress reports 51
5.4.18. Clearing the site upon completion of works 51
5.5. Technical specifications 51
5.5.1. General 51
5.5.2. uPVC pipe work and fittings 51
5.5.3. Aluminum pipes 51
5.5.4. Galvanized Iron pipes 51
5.5.5. Driplines 52
5.5.6. Emitters 52
5.5.7. Gate valves 52
5.5.8. Ball valves 52
5.5.9. Air release valves and vacuum breakers 52
5.5.10. Pressure gauges 52
5.5.11. Pressure regulators 52
5.5.12. Sand filters 52
5.5.13. Disc filters 52
5.5.14. Fertilizer injectors 52
5.5.15. Water meters 52
5.5.16. Pumping station 53
5.6. Bill of quantities 53
REFERENCES 57

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 List of figures
1. Location map of Nabusenga surface irrigation scheme 18
2. Layout of Nabusenga surface irrigation scheme 19
3. Typical cross-section of a lined canal (NABU/8) 20
4. Diversion structure with sluice gates (NABU/11) 21
5. Saddle bridge (NABU/12) 22
6. Standard drop structure without stilling basin (NABU/15) 23
7. Location map of the Bonde drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme (BO/13) 32
8. Layout of Bonde drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme (partial) 33
9a. Connection of gate valves, 2 inch or less, to a lateral pipe (BO/15) 35
9b. Drain valve and manhole (BO/16) 35
9c. Brass garden tap connected to a galvanized riser and lateral pipe (BO/17) 35
9d. Sprinkler mounted on steel risers supported by tripods (BO/18) 35
10a. Twin gate valve assembly for CI valves (BO/19) 36
10b. CI gate valves, 3 inch and above, and valve chamber (BO/20) 36
10c. Section through a CI gate valve and chamber (BO/21) 36
10d. Position of gate valves controlling flow into lateral pipelines (BO/22) 36
11. Completed pump house at Bonde irrigation scheme 41
12. Completed pumping unit at Bonde irrigation scheme 41
13. Location map of Hama-Mahvaire drip irrigation scheme 46
14. Layout of Hama-Mahvaire drip irrigation scheme 47

List of tables
1. Example of international standard specifications 7
2. Bill of Quantities for concrete and form works operations for canal lining at Nabusenga 29
3. Bill of Quantities for land clearing and preparation at Nabusenga 29
4. Example of schedule for plant hire charges at Nabusenga 30
5. Bill of Quantities for the Bonde smallholder drag-hose sprinkler irrigation schemes 43
6. Bill of Quantities for the booster pump, filtration and establishment at Hama-Mahvaire 53
7. Bill of Quantities for the mainline at Hama-Mahvaire 53
8. Bill of Quantities for the infield works at Hama-Mahvaire 54
9. Bill of Quantities for the spare parts at Hama-Mahvaire 55

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 List of abbreviations
AC Asbestos Cement
AfDB African Development Bank
Agritex Department of Agricultural, Technical and Extension Services (Zimbabwe)
BOQ Bill of Quantities
BS British Standard
BSI British Standards Institution
CAS Central African Standard
CI Cast Iron
CIFZ Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe
c/w ratio cement/water ratio
GI Galvanized Iron
GL Ground Level
GS Galvanized Steel
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
ISO International Organization for Standardization
Kpa Kilopascal
kW Kilowatt
LDPE Low Density Polyethylene
NSR Night Storage Reservoir
OGL Original Ground Level
PC Portland Cement
PE Polyethylene
PVC Polyvinyl Chloride
SABS South African Bureau of Standards
SAZ Standards Association of Zimbabwe
uPVC unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride
WB World Bank
ZGCC4 Zimbabwe General Conditions of Contract - 4th edition, 1984
ZIE Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers
ZW$ Zimbabwe Dollar

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viii – Module 12
 Chapter 1
Preparation of a tender document by the client

This Chapter provides guidelines for engineers for the 1.2.1. Measurement contract
preparation of a tender document. It is not possible to Under a measurement contract, the contractor is paid for
cover all aspects in a subject so vast and where the standards the work done in accordance with the rates and prices they
of countries may vary from one to another. However, by provide beforehand and included in the contract itself. The
virtue of the fact that the principles of engineering are the Bill of quantities contract and the Schedule of rates contract are the
same, the aspects covered here should be common to many two most common types of measurement contracts.
countries. The definitions used are only a guide and should
be correctly interpreted for local conditions.
Bill of quantities contract

1.1. The tender document This contract is based upon a detailed bill of estimated
quantities prepared by the engineer. The contractor then
A tender document is a document that invites qualified enters a price against each item in the bill. The contract
contractors to submit quotations for the supply of price is the total of the quoted rates. During construction,
equipment, materials and services for the construction of a the actual quantity under each item is measured and valued
project, in this case an irrigation scheme. In order for the at the quoted rate. A provision is made for the valuation and
potential contractors to make proper submissions, the adjustment of rates for varied or additional work.
tender document should give a general description of the
works to be undertaken and more specific instructions Schedule of rates contract
relating to equipment, materials, earth-works, concrete
works, pipe-laying, land preparation and others. In this contract, a list of the components of the work the
client wants to be done is given to the contractor. No
Tender documents are prepared when the client, also quantities are given. The contractor provides the rates for
known as the initiator of the project, is satisfied with the the different items. They can be called upon to execute any
feasibility and design report prepared by the engineer and item(s) within the geographic area and therein stated time
gives a go-ahead for the tendering of the project. of that contract and will be paid based on the rates
provided.
1.2. Types of contracts for which a tender
document can be prepared 1.2.2. Fixed fee or lump sum contract
In preparing the tender document, it is important for the Where the cost can be accurately estimated and no price
engineer to know the types of contract under which the job variation is anticipated, a fixed fee or lump sum contract
can be classified. The tender document should reflect the can be entered into. This contract covers the overall cost of
type of contract. Contracts can be classified as follows: the project and is normally used for small projects. The
Y Measurement contract contractor is paid for the actual work done in accordance
with the rates and prices they provide at the tendering
Y Fixed fee or lump sum contract stage.
Y Cost reimbursable contract
1.2.3. Cost reimbursable contract
Y All-in-all contract, package contract or turnkey
contract This contract allows for the payment of the actual
expenditure on wages, plant and equipment plus overhead
Any combination of the types of contracts described below costs and profit. The profit is subject to negotiation or
can be built into one contract, depending on their competitive tendering and can be a fixed fee or a
suitability for the project concerned. percentage of costs.

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1.2.4. All-in-all contract legal framework and the general obligations of the
This type of contract, also called a package or turnkey contractor, the employing authority and their employees.
contract, covers everything from design to construction. It The Conditions of contract normally consist of two parts,
can be any of the above types of contract. general conditions and special conditions. Each country
usually has standard General conditions of contract, while the
Special conditions of contract are specifically prepared to suit
1.3. Content of a tender document the circumstances particular to the nature of project
A tender document consists of the documents that the works. General conditions are normally available to all
client provides to the tenderer. They may include all or contractors in a particular country. In Zimbabwe, for
some of the following information: example, these are available in the Zimbabwe General
Conditions of Contract 4th edition of 1984 (ZGCC4),
1. Instructions to tenderers
prepared by the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE)
2. Conditions of contract and the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe
3. Technical specifications (CIFZ). They do not necessarily have to be repeated in a
tender document, but should be constantly referred to.
4. Drawings Contractors are normally asked to obtain the document
5. Bill of Quantities (BOQ) from the relevant authorities at their own expense, if they
so wish. Some non-exhaustive highlights of General
6. List of documents to be completed and/or submitted conditions of contract from ZGCC4-1984 are given
by the tenderer: letter of submission, form of tender, below.
certificate of site visit, tender guarantee, advance
payment guarantee, performance guarantee, bank
1.5.1. General conditions of contract
credit letter and affidavit, programme/schedule of
works, list of staff, list of equipment and machinery, The document carrying the General conditions of contract is
performance characteristics of all equipment to be normally not supplied by the client. The contractors should
installed in the project, list of sub-contractors, obtain it, at their own expense, from the relevant
variations to tender, company profile, sworn statement authorities in the country where the works will be carried
to client. out. Following are excerpts of the General conditions of
contract:
The tenderer completes the tender document, prepares the
priced BOQ and submits both to the client, together with
Definitions and interpretations
the documents requested for submission with the tender.
Some of the important definitions used in the preparation
1.4. Instructions to tenderers of tender documents are:

This is usually the first section of bound volumes of a tender Client: Also called initiator, promoter or employer, is
document. The purpose of instructions is to ensure that all the one responsible for providing the funds for
the tenderers are properly informed about what to do and the project. Examples of clients in agricultural
what to submit during tendering. Although instructions projects in Eastern and Southern Africa include
may vary from one project to another, some of the more the Government of the country (through, for
important items included in the instructions are: example, the Department of Irrigation or the
Department of Water), the Food and Agriculture
Y Closing date and time of submission of the tender Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the
Y Place of submission International Fund for Agricultural Develop-
ment (IFAD), the World Bank (WB), the African
Y Number of copies of tender documents to be
Development Bank (AfDB).
submitted
Engineer: The person appointed by the client and notified
Y Date of site visit
in writing to the contractor as having the overall
Y Information to be submitted engineering responsibility for the design and
supervision of the construction of the project.
1.5. Conditions of contract Contract: The general conditions of contract, the special
The heart of any contract document is section on conditions of contract (if any), the technical
Conditions of contract. This section sets out the contract’s specifications, the drawings, the priced bill of

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quantities, the schedule of rates (if any), the Bonds

tender, the letter of acceptance, the contract Normally, tenderers are required to take out bonds at the
agreement and the deed of suretyship (if any). time of tendering and after the tender is accepted. Bonds
Contract price: The sum named in the tender, subject to are insurances that safeguard the client against financial loss
additions or deductions that may be made from if the contractor or tenderer fails to fulfil the commitment
time to time. undertaken. The contractor has to pay for the bonds and
the cost becomes part of the contract price. Some bonds
Special conditions: This refers to any additions to
normally taken out are as follows:
departures from or amendments of the General
conditions of contract, as set out in an annex or as Y Tender bond: This bond is some form of guarantee
attached to the Form of tender. supplied by the contractor during tendering, usually
from a recognized bank or insurance company. In
Language and law of the contract Zimbabwe, the value of this bond is set at 2% of the
tender value. The value of the tender bond should be
Usually the language of the contract is deemed to be the paid to the client to meet the expenses of obtaining
official language(s) of the country in which the agreement fresh quotations in the event that the contractor refuses
has been entered into. In Zimbabwe for example, the to accept a contract after tendering.
official language is English, so any contract in that country
has to be in that language. Y Performance bond: This bond is intended to compensate
the client for extra costs, should the contractor fail to
The law of the contract, which is the law that will be used complete the works as per the contract. This is
to interpret the contract, is usually the law of the country normally a substantial sum of money, usually 20% of
in which the work is to be carried out. the contract value in Zimbabwe.
Y Repayment of advance payment: Advance payment is only
Amendments by tenderer required when the contract indicates the need for an
Should the tenderer desire to make any departures from, or advance payment to assist in the mobilization of the
modifications to, the conditions of contract, specifications, contractor’s equipment and staff to site. The payment
bill of quantities or drawings, or desire to qualify their is normally made before the construction of any
tender in any way, they shall set out their proposals clearly permanent works commences. The bond is intended
in a covering letter attached to the tender. to provide for repayment, should the contractor default
at this stage.
Access to land and compensation
Insurance
The engineer shall arrange for access to all land required
for the works, including land required for borrow pit Any insurance taken out by the contractor in accordance
areas, quarries, housing and other items. The contractor with the General conditions of contract, or for any other reason
shall not be involved in any cost in respect to land in connection with the contract, shall be effected through a
acquisition or compensation, but shall be responsible for firm registered in the country in which the works shall be
the provision and cost of the means of physical access, carried out. This insurance is over and above the bonds
such as construction and maintenance of haul roads if discussed above. Usually, the contractor should take out
needed. four types of insurance and it is normal for the client to
approve the policies before the contractor starts work. The
Site visit four types of insurance the contractor takes out are as
follows:
A compulsory visit to the site will be organized for all
tenderers in order for them to acquaint themselves with Y The works against any damage due to accident
local conditions, the difficulties to be overcome and so on. Y The workforce (a contractor who does not insure their
Any questions on the part of tenderers will be clarified workforce is a risky one)
during the site visit. Tenderers should provide their own
Y Claims for third parties in case there is an accident to
transport and subsistence. After the visit, tenderers will be
other parties during construction
issued with a certificate of site visit and this will be one of
the documents to be submitted with the tender. Y Transport (normal motor insurance for any transport
vehicles provided by the contractor)

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Retention money individually detailed as their responsibility elsewhere in the

Retention money is payment that the client withholds from contract. This notwithstanding, the contractor shall at all
the contractor until certain conditions are fulfilled, such as times be free to carry out, at their own expense, any tests
maintenance of the works for a specified time. that they may wish as aid to the control of their operations.
In the event of any lack of agreement on test results, those
For example, this section of the General conditions of contract from the engineer shall be taken as ruling. Procedures and
may be worded as follows: “The retention money shall be test results shall at all times be open and available to the
ten percent (10%) of the total tendered costs, to be paid at contractor.
the end of the maintenance period and upon fulfillment of
the guarantee terms.” Based on the results obtained from the tests carried out, the
engineer will direct and advise on alterations in materials
and operations that may be necessary in order to meet the
Time schedule
specified quality of the works.
For their tender to be considered, the tenderer shall specify
the duration of the construction and state the time of Provisional quantities
initiation and completion of works. No conditional
statements with respect to the availability of material and All quantities shown in the BOQ are normally provisional,
equipment will be acceptable. At the time of tendering, the calculated in good faith and to the best information
tenderer shall provide the client with a schedule available. In cases where certain quantities of work cannot
/programme of implementation. be accurately determined until execution, these shall be
subject to variation. Such variation shall not justify an
If the construction of the project is urgent, it should be alteration in billed unit rates (see section on variation
explained under this heading that a shorter period of order).
construction would be considered as an advantage in the
analysis of the tender. Measurement
For the purpose of measuring the permanent work the
Revision of prices
Record drawings or As built drawings, prepared by the
In accordance with the General conditions of contract, the contractor, are used after verification, checking and
contract price shall be subject to adjustment in respect of approval by the engineer.
variations in the cost of labour, equipment or materials.
Any price changes are usually calculated using the Foreign currency
standard price adjustment formula that is available in the
General conditions of contract. In some cases the formula may The award of the contract shall not be regarded as
complicate matters. In those instances the client might justification for an application for an import permit. The
seek proof of any price change from the contractor once contractor is required to make an application for foreign
a claim is raised. exchange allocations through the normal channels and the
engineer cannot give assistance in the granting thereof.
Penalty
List of staff and personnel
Any delays in the completion of works will carry a penalty,
usually equivalent to a percentage of the value of the works, Tenderers are required to list, at the time of tender, the
as specified in the General conditions of contract. In Zimbabwe, staff and personnel who will be employed on the
it is set at one percent (1%) of the tendered sum per week, contract. If it is the intention to employ expatriate
which will be deducted from the retention money. Non- personnel, it will be the contractor’s sole responsibility to
availability of materials and equipment shall not be obtain the necessary Residence permits and Work permits.
accepted as reasons for exemption from penalties, should The client cannot provide any form of assistance in the
there be any delay in the completion of the tendered works. granting of these permits.

Quality control Guarantee of materials and equipment

The testing of material shall be the responsibility of the The contractor shall guarantee against all defects of
engineer. The contractor will only be required to carry out materials, equipment and workmanship provided, for a
such specific testing or control procedures as may be period of one year from the date of commissioning.

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Order of precedence of contract documents i. The gross remuneration of the workers actually
In the case where conflict may exist between different engaged
sections of the contract document, the following is the ii. The net cost of the materials actually used in the
order of precedence in interpretation, subject always to the completed work
specified amendments of exclusions:
These allowances will be held to cover all charges for the
Y General conditions of contract contractor’s and sub-contractor’s profits, time keeping,
Y Special conditions of contract clerical work, insurance, establishment, superintendence
other than allocated supervisor’s time, and the use of hand
Y Technical specifications
tools. If the contractor fails to fill in the percentage day-
Y Bill of Quantities work allowances in the appendix, those stated therein by
Y Drawings the client shall apply. The use of equipment shall be charged
out separately, on a time basis, at the rates tendered or
otherwise at rates to be agreed upon by the contractor and
Variation order
the engineer.
Any changes in construction, not envisaged in the design
stages or at the time of acceptance of the tender but If required by the engineer the contractor shall, before
necessary for the proper execution of the works and/or ordering materials, submit to the engineer quotations for
proper operation of the system, can be made upon the their approval and shall furnish them with such receipts or
written instruction of the client’s engineer. The contractor other vouchers, as may be necessary to prove the amount
should respond in writing, stating the cost of such changes. paid. In respect of all work executed on a day-work basis,
The contractor can only commence or continue with the the contractor shall, during the continuance of such work,
construction of the necessary works upon written approval deliver each day to the engineer an exact list in triplicate of
of the engineer. the occupation and time of all workers employed on such
work and a statement also in triplicate showing the
description and quantity of all materials and equipment
1.5.2. Special conditions of contract
used thereon or therefore (other than equipment that is
Any of the examples given under General conditions can included in the percentage addition in accordance with the
become Special conditions if the tender document provides schedule under which payment for day-work is made).
conditions different from the General. For example, if the Duplicate copies of each list and statement will, if correct
General conditions call for 10% retention and the client or when agreed upon, be signed by the engineer and
believes that raising it to 15% results in better service returned to the contractor.
during the maintenance period, this becomes a Special
condition. Special conditions of contract usually include At the end of each month the contractor shall deliver to the
information on day-works, material, site laboratory for engineer a priced statement of the labour, materials and
quality control, accommodation and contractor’s areas, equipment (except as aforesaid) used and they shall not be
hygiene and health, progress report and, completion of entitled to any payment unless such statement has been
works. The following is an example of Special conditions of fully and punctually rendered and supported by the
contract from tender documents floated in Zimbabwe. aforesaid counter-signed lists and statements, always
provided that, if the engineer shall consider that for any
reason the submission of such list or statement by the
Day-works
contractor in accordance with the foregoing provision was
If in their opinion it is necessary or desirable, the engineer impracticable, they shall nevertheless be entitled to
may order in writing that any additional or substituted work authorize payment for such work either as day-work (on
shall be executed on a day-work basis. The contractor shall being satisfied as to the time employed and equipment and
then be paid for such work under the conditions set out in materials used on such work) or at such value therefore as
the Day-work schedule, included in or attached to the bill of is considered fair and reasonable.
quantities and at the rates and prices affixed thereto by them
in their tender. In the absence of a day-work schedule, they Material
shall be paid the actual cost of the time expended and the
materials used in the additional or substituted work, plus the The contractor shall be responsible for the selection of
percentage allowances stated in the appendix to the Form of sources of suitable materials for use in the works and shall
tender in respect of: be entirely responsible for all risks arising from the selection
and working of such sources.

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The engineer shall approve the sources chosen by the Adequate cooking shelters shall be provided. These shall be
contractor before the contractor may use them. The roofed structures, three sides of which shall be protected to
contractor shall nevertheless be bound to give them up and a height of at least one (1) metre above ground level.
open new sources, should the material taken from the first
sources no longer be of acceptable quality. In the event of The contractor shall be responsible for the control of all
the contractor having to open up new sources, they shall their labour housing in the compound or elsewhere, and
have no claim to payment for the exploration and shall follow the instructions of the local authority in all
development of the new sources nor shall they be entitled relevant matters.
to any increases in their tendered unit rates or sums. On completion of the contract, all labour housing and
It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that only associated structures shall be demolished and the materials
suitable materials are taken from the approved sources. removed or disposed of to the satisfaction of the engineer.
Should the question of compensation arise in the case of
rock, earth or sand required for the works, the supervisor Hygiene and health
will negotiate with the owners and bear the cost thereof. The contractor shall be fully responsible for the proper
All soil, gravel, stone, wood or other material obtained in control of labour camps and their occupants and for the
the excavations, clearing and stripping on the site shall maintenance of such camps in a clean hygienic condition.
belong to the client and should normally not be removed One labourer shall be employed full-time on camp
from the site without the written consent of the engineer. sanitation duties and adequate measures shall be taken to
control vermin and insects and to maintain clean and
Site laboratory hygienic conditions through camps and work sites.
The provision and running of a site laboratory, including Regulations and by-laws of the local authority shall be
supply, all testing equipment necessary and personnel, shall observed and facilities shall be provided for inspection by
be the responsibility of the engineer. Procedures and test authorized persons.
results shall at all times be open and available to the
contractor. This notwithstanding, the contractor shall at all Progress reports
times be free to carry out any tests that they may wish as an During progress of the works, the contractor shall provide
aid to control their supervision of the construction of the the engineer with suitable progress reports, which shall be
works. In the event of any lack of agreement on test results, compiled and dispatched at the end of the month to cover
those results from the engineer shall be taken as ruling. progress during that period and the total works completed
From the results obtained from tests carried out, the to date.
engineer will direct and advise on alterations in materials The progress reports will indicate:
and operations that may be necessary in order to meet the
specified quality in the works. Y Planned progress to date
Y Actual progress to date
Accommodation and contractor’s areas Y Variance between planned progress and actual progress
The contractor may select areas for housing, offices, plant yards Y Reasons for variance in progress
and workshops within the general area of the works, but must
liaise with the engineer regarding their precise location. The Y Revised work plan/completion date
contractor will not be allowed temporary occupancy within the Y Important issues on which the engineer should be
area to be developed for irrigation nor any other place that the informed
engineer wishes to reserve for other uses.
Labour housing must be of a standard acceptable to the Completion of works
engineer, yet compatible with the duration and value of the When the contract works have been completed the
contract. Materials used for construction of walls and roofs contractor shall, at their own expense, remove all rubbish,
may be brick, concrete, asbestos sheeting, timber, or surplus materials and debris, unused material, temporary
corrugated or sheet steel. The rooms shall be large enough erections and equipment. The contractor shall make the
to afford each occupant at least four and a half (4.5) square site and adjoining ground perfectly clean and to the
metres of floor area and ten (10) cubic metres of air space satisfaction of the engineer.
and shall be well cross-ventilated (ZIE and CIFZ, 1997).

6– Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

1.6. Technical specifications Drawings should be accurate pictorial representations of

the proposed works. They set out the situation and
The technical specifications give a detailed engineering
constructional details of the works. The drawings included
description of the works, nature and quality of materials,
in the tender documents are diagrammatic. They should be
workmanship and in some cases the methods to be used,
sufficiently detailed to allow the contractor to price the bill
for example for excavation.
of quantities satisfactorily.
The variety of irrigation equipment in today’s international
On their part the contractor should verify these drawings
market makes the procurement process intricate and
according to the actual situation in the field and prepare
sometimes confusing. It is therefore necessary for the
Working drawings, with all the required details, to assist in
potential contractors or tenderers to know exactly what
implementing the works properly and accurately. The
they would like to purchase and to specify it in the tender
engineer should approve these drawings before
documents. Standards provide the means for specifying
implemention. The contractor should update the Working
what the buyer wants and guide the manufacturer to
drawings on a daily basis. These drawings, which show the
produce the equipment desired by the market. Therefore,
actual field situation and the system as it has been built, will
standards are a common language between buyers and
be the basis for the preparation of the As built or Record
sellers in the process of equipment and material
drawings. The drawings are submitted to the engineer in a
procurement. Generally, the more detailed the
reproducible form (tracing) for filing and future reference.
specifications, the less conflict there is between the buyer
and the seller, therefore less variable orders. It is recommended that a set of drawings should comply
with the following:
Depending on the irrigation system and equipment to be
used, some of the relevant international standard Y Be prepared to standard, for example British Standard
specifications are given in Table 1. (BS) 308 or any other standard applicable
Chapter 3 gives examples of technical specifications for a Y Be listed on a drawing schedule
surface irrigation system and Chapter 4 and 5 give Y Be of a standard size
examples of pressurized (drag-hose sprinkler and drip)
irrigation systems. Y Have a unique reference number
Y Have any amendments clearly indicated and dated
1.7. Drawings Y Have a title block with the name of the client, the
The elevations shown on all layout drawings should refer to engineer, the designer, the draughtsperson, as well as
the benchmarks located on the site and, while executing the the drawing scale and date
works, the contractor shall refer all works to the known Y Have a line scale to allow for the reduction of the
elevations. drawing

Table 1
Examples of international standard specifications

Standard Year Content

SABS 1976 Standards specifications for components of unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride
(uPVC) pressure pipes for potable water
International Standard 2548 1973 Centrifugal, mixed and axial pumps – Code of acceptance tests – Class C
International Standard 8026 1985 Irrigation equipment – Irrigation sprayers – General requirements and test
methods
International Standard 8224/1 1985 Traveler irrigation machines – Part 1: Laboratory and field test methods
International Standard 8224/2 1985 Traveler irrigation machines – Part 2: Softwall hose and couplings – Test
method
International Standard 7749/1 1986 Irrigation equipment – Rotating sprinklers – Part 1: Design and operation
requirements
International Standard 7749/2 1990 Irrigation equipment – Rotating sprinklers – Part 2: Uniformity of distribution
and test methods
International Standard 9260 1991 Agricultural Irrigation Equipment – Emitters – Specifications and test
methods

Module 12 – 7
Irrigation manual

Standard drawings can be used to represent some aspects of Y It can be used as reference for cases of adjudication
the work, but drawings for a particular project must be
specific to it. For details on technical drawings, the reader During construction, the actual quantity relating to each
is referred to Module 6. item is measured and entered into a blank bill, which is held
for measurement and payment purposes. The payment is at
the tender rate.
1.8. Bill of Quantities
The preamble to the BOQ in the tender documents should
The Bill of Quantities (BOQ) is a descriptive list of each
clearly indicate any particular obligations imposed by the
item of work, material or provision included in the project,
contract in order to allow tenderers to assess the financial
along with an estimate of the quantity required for each.
implications. As an example, the preamble to the BOQ
The quantities and the description of the works are derived
should:
from the drawings and specifications. Blank columns
should be provided in the table of the BOQ, for tenderers Y Direct tenderers to familiarize themselves with the
to fill in their unit prices (rates) against each item. The requirements and provisions of the contract
BOQ has the following advantages: documents
Y It provides equal opportunity for all tenderers to enter Y State the basis upon which the BOQ has been drawn
a unit price or rate against each item. By summing up up
the total cost for each item, along with the quantities Y State that the unit prices should be entered against each
entered by the engineer, the total tender sum is thus item, otherwise it is assumed to be covered elsewhere
derived on a basis common to all tenderers
Y It provides a basis for making progress payments, Examples of BOQs are given in Chapters 3, 4 and 5, which
deriving costs for additional work and evaluating refer to surface, sprinkler and localized irrigation schemes
deductions which could arise as a result of deletion of respectively.
some items from the contract

8– Module 12
 Chapter 2
Submission of a tender document by the tenderer

The tender document, prepared by the client as described 2.4. Tender guarantee
in Chapter 1, has to be completed and submitted by the
The Tender guarantee should be for the sum specified in the
tenderer on or before the closing date and time of the
instruction to tenderers and be summarized in the
tender. The documents to be included by the tenderer are
Appendix to the form of tender. It should be an irrevocable
those discussed below and are used for selection purposes.
bond from a reputable insurance company or bank.

2.1. Letter of submission

2.5. Advance payment guarantee
The Letter of submission is completed on the letterhead of the
The contractor may be given an advance payment upon
tenderer and should include:
award of the contract to start the works. At the tender stage
Y The full postal address the employer may request the tenderers to provide proof
Y Telephone numbers
that they are able, if their tender is accepted and are given
an advance payment, to provide a guarantee for the full
Y Fax and telex numbers amount of the advance payment. The advance payment
should be in the form of an irrevocable bond from a
A typical Letter of submission is shown in Example 1.
reputable insurance company or bank.

2.2. Form of tender

2.6. Performance guarantee
The Form of tender is usually a single piece of paper
Tenderers may be required to provide proof that they are
summarizing the value of the tender and listing the
able, if their tender is accepted, to provide a Performance
currency in which payment is to be made. It also states the
guarantee, the value of which is specified in the instructions
period in which the tenderer proposes to complete the
to tenderers and in the form of tender. They are normally
works. It is prepared by the engineer and filled in by the
required to produce the Performance guarantee within 14 days
tenderer, committing the tenderer to do the job for the
of a written request. The Performance guarantee should be in
tendered amount and showing the sureties of the tenderer.
the form of an irrevocable bond from a reputable insurance
It normally contains an appendix that summarizes other
company or bank.
information that should accompany the submission.
Examples 2 and 3 show the typical layout of a Form of tender 2.7. Bank credit letter and affidavit
and the Appendix to the form of tender respectively.
Tenderers are required to provide a Bank credit letter from
a reputable commercial bank that is registered in the
2.3. Certificate of site visit country where the works shall be executed. The letter
For some tendered works a site visit is compulsory. The should show the name and address (both street and
engineer organizes a date for the site visit. Tenderers on postal) of the bank and be signed by a bank official. It
their part provide their own transport to the assembly point must clearly state, among other things, the name of the
and subsistence. Specific directions are given to the tenderer and that of the project. Attached to the letter
assembly point. During this visit, tenderers are provided should be an affidavit signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
with clarifications by the engineer, who will be prepared to The information required might differ from country to
answer their questions. country and may be dependent on the nature and/or size
of the contract.
After the visit tenderers are issued with a Certificate of site visit
which will be one of the documents to be submitted with
the tender. Example 4 shows the common format of
Certificate of site visit.

Module 12 – 9
Irrigation manual

Example 1

LETTER OF SUBMISSION

To: Director of Agritex

P O Box CY639, Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe

Dear Sir/Madam

1) Being duly authorized to represent and act on behalf of

........................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................................................

and having fully understood all of the drawings and specifications and information provided, the undersigned hereby
submit its Tender for the above works as one of the Tenderers for the following Contract package:

“NABUSENGA SURFACE IRRIGATION SCHEME – PUMPING AND INFIELD WORKS”

2) Attached to this letter please find the completed Tender Dossier.

3) The Directorate, through its authorized representatives is hereby authorized to conduct any inquiries and
investigations in order to verify the statements, documents and information submitted in the Tender Dossier, and to
seek clarification from our bankers, insurance agents/companies and clients regarding any financial and technical
aspects. This Letter of application is also to serve as authority to our bankers, insurance agents/companies and
clients to provide such information as requested by Agritex Directorate in order to validate our Tender, with regard to
resources, experience and competencies.

4) The Directorate and its authorized representative may contact the following person for further information concerning
the Applicant. The undersigned is fully authorized to act on behalf of the Tenderer.

Name: .....................................................................................................................................................................................

Title : .......................................................................................................................................................................................

Signature: ...............................................................................................................................................................................

5) The submission is made on the full understanding that:

i. The acceptance of a tender and any negotiations of a contract from a Tenderer will be subject to the verification
of all information submitted in the tender, at the time of Contract negotiations.
ii. The Directorate reserves the right to:
- Amend the scope and contract value bid under the project. In such an event, The Directorate may either re-
tender the bid, or the original tenderers will be asked to revise their bids.
- Reject or accept any tenders
- Cancel the tender process and reject all tenders and
iii. The Directorate shall not be liable for any such actions and shall be under no obligation to inform the tenderers
the grounds for them.

6) The undersigned declare that the statements made and the information provided in the duly completed tender are
complete, true and correct in every detail.

Signed: ..................................................................................................................................................................................

Name: .....................................................................................................................................................................................

For and on behalf of:

Applicant:................................................................................................................................................................................

Date: ..........................................................

10 – Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Example 2

TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION

NABUSENGA IRRIGATION SCHEME

FORM OF TENDER

To: Director of Agritex

P O Box CY639, Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe

Dear Sir/Madam

Having examined the drawings, conditions of contract, specifications and bill of quantities for the performance of the above
named work, we offer to perform the whole of the said Work in conformity with the said Drawings, Conditions of Contract,
Specifications and Bills of Quantities,

We,

( ..............................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................)

offer to perform the whole of the said works in conformity with the said drawings, conditions of contract, specifications and
bill of quantities, for the sum of

ZW$ ........................................................................................................................................................................................

in words: .................................................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................................................

or such other sum may be ascertained in accordance with the said conditions.

In the event of there being any error of extension or addition in the priced bill of quantities, we agree to it being corrected
with, however, the stated rate being taken as correct.

We undertake to complete and deliver the whole of the work comprised in the contract within the time stated by ourselves
in the “Appendix 1” to Form of Tender as attached.

If our tender is accepted we will, if required and within the time stated, provide two good and sufficient sureties or obtain
the guarantee of a Bank or Insurance or other Registered Company (to be approved in either case by you) to be jointly
and severally bound with us in a sum not exceeding ten percent (10%) of the above named sum for the due performance
of the contract under the terms and conditions of the Bond/Deed of Suretyship in the form annexed to the general
conditions of contract.

This tender shall remain valid for a period of 60 days (sixty days) from the date mentioned here below, and is covered by
attached irrevocable Tender Guarantee of 2% (two percent) of the bid price.

Unless and until a Formal Agreement is prepared and executed, this Tender, together with the written accept-ance thereof
by yourself or the Engineer, acting on your behalf shall constitute a binding contract between us.

Signature of tenderer:....................................................................

For and on behalf of: .................................................................................................................................

Address:.....................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

Date:..........................................................

Module 12 – 11
Irrigation manual

Example 3

TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION

NABUSENGA IRRIGATION SCHEME

FORM OF TENDER – APPENDIX 1

i) Tender guarantee Two percent (2%) of tender value

ii) Performance guarantee Ten percent (10%) to be provided within 14 days of

request

iii) Validity of performance guarantee Until completion certificate

iv) Minimum amount of Third Party Insurance ZW$150 000.00 (1US$ = 5 ZW$)

v) Work to be commenced Within fourteen (14) days of notification to proceed

vi) Date of completion of for all practical purposes ........................................................................................

vii) Advance payment Ten percent (10%) of contract price

viii) Minimum amount of monthly certificates Five percent (5%) of tendered sum

ix) Advance payment guarantee To cover full amount of advance payment and should ...
be irrevocable

x) Percentage retention Ten percent (10%) of contract price

xi) Price variation Fixed prices; for items to be imported, final value will be
the value according to customs rate of exchange on the
day of payment.

xii) Period of validity of tender Sixty (60) days from the date of closing

xiii) Penalty clause One percent (1%) per week of contract value

xiv) Time within which payment has to be made Thirty (30) days after the acceptance of the certificate
after receipt of the certificate by the employer

Signature of tenderer: ...............................................................................................................................

For and on behalf of: .................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

Address:.....................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................................

Date: ..........................................................

12 – Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Example 4

TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION

NABUSENGA IRRIGATION SCHEME

CERTIFICATE OF VISIT TO SITE

This is to certify that I ............................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................................................

For and on behalf of ...............................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................................................................

Visited the above named site on

.................................................................................(Date)

I carefully examined the site and had previously studied the Tender Document.

I have made myself familiar with all local conditions likely to influence the work and cost thereof.

I further certify that I am satisfied with the descrip-tion of the work and that I understand perfectly the work to be done as
specified and implied in the execution of the Work.

Signature of tenderer: .....................................................................................................................

For and on behalf of: .....................................................................................................................

Dated: ...............................................................................

I certify that the above mentioned visited the site on:

Dated: ...............................................................................

Signature of engineer: .....................................................................

(for and on behalf of the Employer)

Module 12 – 13
Irrigation manual

2.8. Programme/schedule of works include a project manager, site agent, engineers,

technicians, pipe fitters and skilled workers. In the
Tenderers are required to provide, as an attachment to the
evaluation of tenders, particular importance is given to the
tender, a programme of all activities and scheduled time of
proposed candidates for the position of project manager
starting and completing each activity until the system is in
and site agent.
commission. As an example, for a surface irrigation scheme
the activities could be broken down as follows:
2.10. List of equipment and machinery
Y Verification of the design drawings and preparation of
working drawings If the tender is successful, the contractor may be required
to provide a list of all the equipment and machinery owned
Y Clearing and stripping of pipeline, canal routes and
by the firm that will be used on the contract. For each piece
borrow pits
of listed equipment the contractor will need to provide the
Y Excavation of pipeline trench in original ground and of make and model, date of manufacture, its present location,
canals in both original ground and embankment general condition and future work assignments.
sections
A similar list of any equipment the contractor proposes to
Y Excavation and earthworks for night storage reservoir purchase or lease hire for the purposes of carrying out
Y Excavation of drains these works should also be attached.
Y Earthworks for roads
2.11. Performance characteristics of all
Y Excavations in borrow pit areas equipment to be installed in the project
Y Batching The contractor may be required to provide and attach to
Y Mixing their tender all the technical catalogues and data for all the
equipment to be installed in the project. This may include
Y Transporting
the characteristics curves for the pump and motor,
Y Curing manufacturer’s catalogues for pressure regulators, water
Y Canal lining meters, sprinklers, emitters, PVC pipes and fittings, air
relief valve and whatever else is used in the construction of
Y Installation of offtake structures the scheme.
Y Installation of pumping unit
Y Land preparation 2.12. List of sub-contractors
– Clear felling In the event that the contractor intends to use sub-
– Stacking and burning contractors for any part of the contract works, they should
– Ripping indicate such sub-contractors, giving full details and
– Secondary clearing justification for using the sub-contractor(s). These details
should include works to be carried out by each sub-
– Leveling of anthills
contractor, fax and telephone numbers and contact
– Land leveling person. The engineer must approve the sub-contractors.
– Ploughing Sub-contractors are not allowed on site without written
Y Fencing permission of the engineer. This permission may be
withdrawn if, in the opinion of the engineer, the
Y Testing
performance of the sub-contractor is below the accepted
Y Commissioning standards. In such cases the decision of the engineer is
final.
2.9. List of staff
The contractor is required to provide a list of all the staff 2.13. Variations to tender
to be allocated to the construction of a project. The details Should the tenderer desire to make any departures from,
of each staff member should indicate full name, highest and/or modifications to, the General conditions of contract,
qualification, date of birth, nationality, position to be held specifications, Bill of Quantities, drawings or desire to
on the project, number of years of experience, construction qualify their tender in any way, they shall summarize the
experience and major projects worked on. The staff should variant proposals clearly in the format shown in Example 5.

14 – Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Example 5
VARIATIONS TO TENDER, PROPOSED BY TENDERER

Page Number Clause Number Description

Signature: ……………………………………………………..

For and on behalf of: ………………………………………………………

Date: ………………………………………………………

Alternatively, the tenderer may state the variant proposals in and postal addresses, organization of business, a list of
a covering letter attached as part of the formal tender. partners in case of partnerships, limit of liability and
Should the tenderer fail to do either of the foregoing, this company experience in the last three years.
may cause the disqualification of the tender submission. If
there are no departures or modifications desired, the table 2.15. Sworn statement to client
in Example 5 should be marked ‘nil’ and signed by the
proposer. Finally, the tenderers fill in a Sworn statement to client,
committing themselves to the proposals presented to the
client. The sworn statement clearly states that they have
2.14. Company profile read and understood the technical specifications and
The tenderer must provide a Company profile. In the case of drawings of the said works and that the client has the sole
a Joint Venture, each participating firm must provide its right to verify the information provided. An official,
own profile individually. The company profile must include representing the tenderer and stating full name and
contractor’s identification and contacts, including street position, should sign the statement.

Module 12 – 15
Irrigation manual

16 – Module 12
 Chapter 3
An example of the preparation of a tender document for the
construction of a surface irrigation scheme

Nabusenga surface irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe will be Y NABU/8: Typical cross-section of lined canal
used here to illustrate how to write the Special conditions and (Figure 3)
Technical specifications for a surface irrigation scheme, for Y NABU/11: Diversion structure with sluice gates
inclusion in the tender document (Agritex, 1990). (Figure 4)
Y NABU/12: Saddle bridge (Figure 5)
3.1. Background and access to the scheme
Y NABU/15: Standard drop structure (Figure 6)
Nabusenga irrigation scheme is located 100 km east of
Binga centre in the Siabuwa communal lands of Binga
District of Matabeleland North Province. The scheme can 3.3. General irrigation scheme layout
be reached by road from Binga via Siabuwa to Gokwe and Figure 2 presents the layout of Nabusenga surface irrigation
Karoi (Figure 1). It is a 15 ha surface irrigation scheme for scheme. The 1.6 km long conveyance, or main supply
smallholder farmers and lies on the southern bank of pipeline, consists of AC pipes and steel piping for river and
Nabusenga River. Water supply to the scheme will be by gully crossing. It crosses Nabusenga River twice and a deep
gravity flow from the existing Nabusenga dam. Water from gully once. Air release valves shall be placed on all high
this dam is also used to irrigate an existing scheme nearby. points along the pipeline profile.
A 1.6 km pipeline will convey water, by gravity, from the The NSR, with a storage capacity of 2 000 m3, shall be
dam to a night storage reservoir (NSR) on the edge of the constructed at the highest point of the scheme. The
scheme. This pipeline will connect to an existing one that water is distributed within the scheme through two types
supplies water to the nearby existing scheme. The 15 ha of canal sections, being 350 and 250 mm base width, for
scheme is divided into two blocks, based on their location the larger Block 1 (12.8 ha) and one type of canal
in relation to the NSR. Block 2 (2.2 ha) is located section, of 250 mm base width, for the smaller Block 2
immediately below the NSR, while Block 1 (12.8 ha) is (2.2 ha) (NABU/8). There are five diversion structures
located a little further away from the NSR. (NABU/11). Drop structures will be installed where the
existing land slope exceeds the design canal gradient
3.2. Contract drawings (NABU/15). Drains will be constructed at the bottom
end of the irrigation fields. Infield roads and a perimeter
Some works are shown on the following contract drawings:
or access road will be constructed. One canal crosses a
Y NABU/1: Location map (Figure 1) field road and a culvert shall be constructed at that point.
Y NABU/2: Layout of the scheme (Figure 2) Where the field and perimeter roads cross the field
drains, saddle bridges shall be constructed (NABU/12).

Module 12 – 17
 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

18 –
07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

MATABELELAND N. PROVINCE Figure 1

80 80
72 Siabuwa G. L. 72
Irrigation manual

Module 12
NABUSENGA IRRIG. SCHEME
Location Map
Scale 1: 50 000

80 80
71 Irrigation scheme 71

80 80
70 70

80 80
69 69
Location map of Nabusenga surface irrigation scheme

80 80
68 68

80 80
67 67

80 80
66 66

6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
 0.25 ha
Figure 2

Anthill
a
Layout of Nabusenga surface irrigation scheme

Road
Road
r
ve
Ri
a
ng
se

Road
bu
Na

(A) DIVERSION STRUCTURE: See drawing NABU/11

LEGEND
Irrigation canal
Drainage channel (B) SADDLE BRIDGE: See drawing NABU/12
Plot boundary
Fence and gate (C) DROP STRUCTURE;See drawing NABU/15
Furrow direction and slope
Contour line
Road

Module 12 –
Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

19
20 –
Figure 3
Irrigation manual

Module 12
Typical cross-section of a lined canal (NABU/8)

Notes: Concrete mix is 1 : 2 : 3

Inside canal to be well fineshed to reduce roughness
Embankment and other fill to be well compacted with soil having correct soil moisture contents
Embankment to be planted with grass
 Drawing: NABU/11
Scale as shown
Figure 4
Diversion structure with sluice gates (NABU/11)

Concrete
Reinforced concrete

NOTES: All dimensions in metres unless otherwise stated.

Earthworks not shown. – All brickworks to be plastered on both sides
Concrete mix is 1 : 2 : 3 – Reinforcement steel bars 10 mm to be placed in 0.15 m grid
Mortor / plaster mix is 1 : 4 – Gates available from Metfeb (Pvt) Ltd in Bulawayo

Module 12 –
Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

21
22 –
Drawing: NABU/12
Scale as shown
Figure 5
Irrigation manual

Module 12
Saddle bridge (NABU/12)

Reinforced concrete
Compacted sand

NOTES: All dimensions in metres unless otherwise stated.

Earthworks not shown.
Concrete mix is 1 : 2 : 3.
Reinforced steel bars of ∅10 mm to be placed in 0.15 m grid
 Drawing: NABU/15
Scale as shown
Figure 6
Standard drop structure without stilling basin (NABU/15)

Reinforced concrete
NOTES: All dimensions in metres unless otherwise stated. – Concrete mix is 1 : 2 : 3. ∅ 8 mm steel bar in 0.15 mm grid
Earthworks and surrounding grounds not shown. – Mortor/plaster mix is 1 : 4.
Design based on standard drop structure – All brickwalls to be plastered on both sides.
implemented in Mushandike by hydraulics research.

Module 12 –
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23
Irrigation manual

3.4. Special conditions Clean water should be used for the mixing of all concrete
and mortar. It should be from a source approved by the
3.4.1. Materials engineer. As a rule, water suitable for drinking is suitable to
be used for concrete.
Except where otherwise stated or if approved by the
engineer, all materials used in the works shall be of the best
quality of their respective kinds as specified or described in 3.4.2. Procurement, packing and delivery
the specifications and drawings. Wherever possible, the Procurement and transportation of all materials and
material shall comply with the current issue of the Standards equipment for the construction works shall be the
Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), the British Standard responsibility of the contractor. Cement should be
Institution (BSI) or other approved equivalent international delivered to the site of the works in properly-sealed bags
standard as noted herein or approved by the engineer. and, while being loaded, transported and unloaded, be
protected from the weather by effective waterproof
All material and equipment needed for the construction of
coverings. Cement shall be delivered to the site at regular
the irrigation system shall be new, without flaws or defects,
intervals in sufficient quantities to enable the work to
and of quality and performance as specified and shall meet
proceed without delay, but not in such large quantities that
with the requirements of the system. The contractor shall
would entail excessive storage at the site.
be responsible for the selection of the sources of suitable
materials for use in the works and shall be entirely The contractor shall take great care to avoid damage to
responsible for all risks arising from the selection and cement bags, AC pipes, fittings and specials during
working of such sources. The engineer shall approve the transportation. Pipes in transit shall be well secured and
sources chosen by the contractor before the contractor may supported over the entire length and shall not be allowed to
use them. The contractor shall nevertheless be bound to project over tailboard of the transporting vehicle. AC pipes
give them up and open new sources, should the material and fittings shall not be dropped or thrown to the ground
taken from the first sources no longer be of acceptable and impact with other pipes or solid objects shall be
quality. In the event of the contractor having to open up avoided.
new sources, they shall have no claim to payment for the
exploration and development of the new sources, nor shall 3.4.3. Storage of materials and equipment on the
they be entitled to any increase in the tendered unit rates or site
sums. It shall be the contractor’s responsibility to ensure
that only suitable materials are taken from the approved The contractor should erect perfectly dry, well-ventilated
sources. Should the question of compensation arise in the weather and water-proof sheds, large enough to store
case of rock, gravel, sand or clay required for the works, the sufficient cement to ensure continuity of work. The cement
engineer would negotiate with the owners and bear the cost should be used on a first-in-first-out basis. The contractor
thereof. shall take reasonable care to avoid any damage to the
cement bags, AC pipes and fittings during storage and
The cement used shall be obtained from approved subsequent handling. Storage areas or sheds for AC pipes
manufacturers and be less than three months old when and fittings shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s
used. The engineer may arrange for tests to certify that the recommendations and subject to the engineer’s approval.
cement has not deteriorated. They shall be level and clear of stones, with timber bearers
of uniform size placed under the bottom rows of the
All aggregates for the preparation of concrete should be stacked pipes at intervals of 800 mm. Particular care shall
obtained from sources approved by the engineer. The term be taken to ensure that no damage occurs to the ends of
‘fine aggregate’ (sand) is used to designate aggregates in pipes and fittings in order to avoid subsequent problems of
which the nominal maximum size of particle is 4.75 mm. jointing. AC pipe couplings shall be stored lying flat and
The sand particles should be smooth, rounded and hard precautions be taken to prevent damage to the sealing area.
and they should be obtained from natural deposits such as Rubber seal rings, gaskets and jointing materials for pipes
riverbanks. The term ‘coarse aggregate’ is used to designate and fittings shall be stored under cover, protected from
aggregates in which the nominal size ranges from 4.75 mm direct sunrays, and away from grease and oil.
to 40 mm. They should consist of hard, durable rock that
is rounded or chunky, and should be free from clay, organic The contractor shall be deemed responsible for the
matter, dust and other impurities. The stones should be deterioration of the materials and therefore for the
about the same size. replacement, if judged necessary.

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

3.4.4. Concrete 3.4.5. Fencing

Concrete shall be composed of cement, fine aggregate The scheme will be fenced. The fencing should consist of
(sand), coarse aggregate (crushed stone) and water, all well 1.20 m high pig netting (diamond mesh) and 4 strands
mixed and brought to the proper consistency. The (lines) of barbed wire, the top strand being 1.50 m above the
aggregates and cement should be measured by volume in ground level and the others placed at 100 mm intervals
suitable gauge boxes or buckets. It can be assumed that a 50 below it. Straining posts should be firmly embedded,
kg bag of cement is equivalent to 40 litres of loose volume anchored not more than 400 m apart and at all points of
and that the yield of the mix is 60% of the loose volume of change of direction of the fence line. Standards (w-shaped or
cement, sand and stone. rounded) should be fixed not more than 14 m apart, with
three droppers (twisted steel rods) equally spaced between
The concrete ingredients should be properly mixed in a every two standards. Holes are drilled in the straining posts
concrete mixer of the drum type for not less than one and and the standards for tying pig netting and to correspond to
a half minutes after they, except for the full amount of the required strand spacing and are drilled in the droppers to
water, are loaded into the mixer. The mixer should be correspond to the required strand spacing.
loaded in the following order:
Y Coarse aggregates and most of the water Standard gates, having a clear opening of at least 4.25 m,
should be erected where indicated by the engineer and
Y Cement should not be hung on straining posts. Gateposts should be
Y Fine aggregates and the rest of the water secured in a concrete block of not less than 400 mm by
300 mm deep, which should not protrude above ground
If mixing has to be done by hand, the aggregates and level.
cement first should be mixed thoroughly. The water should
be added gradually while continuing the mixing, after Measurements for the fencing should be per 100 m of fence
which the mixture should be turned over entirely at least and the rate given in the BOQs should include for the
three times. Care should be taken not to lose any liquid supply, delivery and installation of all fencing materials.
from the wet concrete. Measurements for the gates should be the number of gates
erected and payment should include for the supply, delivery
The concrete should be of such consistency that it could be and erection of gates and gateposts.
readily transported, placed and compacted without seg-
regation of the constituent materials. The resulting 3.4.6. Progress reports
concrete should be uniform and free from honeycombing
(formation of small air pockets). The concrete should be The contractor shall provide the engineer with progress
transported as quickly as possible so that the required reports every 15 days, covering the progress during that
workability is not affected and that it is not contaminated period and the total works completed to date. The progress
by, for example, dust or rain. It should be used within 30 report will indicate:
minutes of leaving the concrete mixer. Y Planned progress to date
Test cubes should be made and used by the engineer for Y Actual progress to date
strength tests. The samples should be taken from the Y Variance between planned progress and actual progress
mixers or at the place of deposit. From each sample at least
two cubes should be made for testing at 7 days and two for Y Reasons for variance in progress
testing at 28 days. Testing should be carried out to the Y Revised work/completion date
engineer’s satisfaction.
Y Important issues on which the engineer should be
Concrete should be protected from the harmful effects of informed
sunshine, wind and running water during the first stages of
hardening. The concrete should be covered with wet grain 3.4.7. Clearing the site upon completion of works
bags or other water-absorbing material as soon as the
concrete has set. The grain bags should always be kept wet. When the contract works have been completed, the
After 2-3 days the grain bags should be removed and the contractor shall at their own expense remove all rubbish,
canal stretch filled with water, which should stay there for surplus materials and debris, unused material, temporary
2-4 weeks. Since the freeboard of the canal is not covered erections and equipment. The contractor shall make the
by water it should be watered 3-5 times per day, depending site and adjoining ground perfectly clean and to the
on the weather. satisfaction of the engineer.

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Irrigation manual

3.5. Technical specifications Excavation of pipeline trench

The width of the trench at the depth equivalent to the
3.5.1. General crown of the pipe should be at least 30 cm greater than the
An existing 394 m AC pipeline delivers water from the dam nominal diameter of the pipe. The part of the trench above
to a nearby scheme. Water to the proposed 15 ha the crown should be of a convenient width. In areas where
Nabusenga scheme shall be conveyed by 1 617 m AC there is no road crossing, the minimum recommended
pipeline, leading from the existing pipe to the NSR. cover over the pipe should be at least 60 cm, while for areas
under roadways it should be at least 75 cm, in order to
Water from the NSR will be distributed within Block 1 avoid the anticipated load damaging the pipe.
through 980 m of canals of 350 mm base width and 725 m
of canals of 250 mm base width, and within Block 2 The farmers participating in the project shall do all the
through 600 m of canals of 250 mm base width. The canals excavation of trenches. The work shall be carried out under
shall have gradients of 1:500 and 1:1000 and side slopes of the strict supervision of the engineer. Involving the farmers
60°. There are three diversion structures for Block 1 and is intended to make them feel more responsible for their
two for Block 2. Drop structures shall be installed where own project and get familiar with the various components,
the existing land slope exceeds the canal gradient. Water- for better operation and maintenance of the scheme later.
measuring devices shall be installed immediately
downstream of the NSR and offtake structure for Block 1 Excavation and earthworks for night storage reservoir
and 2 respectively. One canal crosses the field road and a
The NSR shall have a capacity of 2 000 m3. It is square in
culvert shall be constructed at that point. The total length
shape and consists of a 168 m long earthen embankment.
of V-shaped drains is estimated to be 1 400 m. The length
Its depth is 1.5 m plus a freeboard of 0.5 m. The length and
of the 5 m wide access or perimeter road is 1 600 m. The
width at the bottom is 34 m. The work shall include the
total length of the 2.5 m wide field roads is 650 m. Saddle
stripping of the foundation, excavation of unsuitable
bridges will be constructed where the roads cross the
material and excavation of the cut-off trench up to a normal
drains.
depth of 1.50 m.
3.5.2. Earthworks The embankments, including the core trench, should be
properly compacted, as described under earthworks for
Specifications for earthworks for a surface irrigation
canals. Proper bonding of the embankment with the
scheme refer to:
foundation should be ensured. Embankments should be
Y Clearing and stripping of pipeline, canal routes and constructed at side slopes given on the design drawings.
borrow pits
Y Excavation of pipeline trench in original ground Earthworks for canals

Y Excavation and earthworks for night storage reservoir Fill material for the canal embankments should be placed in
horizontal layers not exceeding 200 mm loose thickness
Y Earthworks for canals
and compacted either manually or with equipment to
Y Excavation of drains achieve 95% of the maximum dry density of the material.
Y Earthworks for roads Regular control testing should be carried out to check the
compaction achieved. Proper compaction requires the
Y Excavations in borrow pit areas material to be of the correct moisture content. If the
moisture content of fill is above or below that required, the
Clearing and stripping fill should be allowed to dry out or be wetted, after which
The contractor should remove all scrub, stumps, roots, it should be re-compacted. Completed layers of fill material
bushes and trees from designated areas, such as the area for should be covered by the subsequent layer within 24 hours.
the night storage reservoir and the canal alignments. The Where necessary, excavations shall be made to alignments
total area that the contractor shall clear and strip is 20 ha. and gradients as shown on the design drawings or as
All materials collected should be dried and burned. directed by the engineer. To achieve this, steel templates
Removal of topsoil is necessary for the reservoir, but may shall be used to shape the canals. Excavations shall be made
not be necessary for the canals, unless the topsoil is in original ground or in previously placed earthfill
unsuitable, for example where it contains organic matter. embankments. If during excavations the canal embankment
The engineer should advise on the works to be carried out. is disturbed, it should be re-compacted.

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Where excess excavation shall occur, and not for reasons of The first number shall specify the normal weight of cement
bad ground, the contractor may opt to make up excavated in kg/m3 of finished concrete while the second number shall
profile to the specified payment line by hand-tamping specify the maximum size of the aggregate in mm. For
selected and moisture conditioned earthfill. The engineer example, concrete numbered as 300/20 class means
shall first approve the material, which should be of low to 300 kg/m3 of cement of finished concrete and maximum
medium plasticity. aggregate size of 20 mm. The ratio of cement:sand:stone
for concrete shall be 1:2:3 corresponding to Grade 15, which
The 980 m long 350 mm base wide canals in Block 1 have is recommended for lining canals (Cement and Concrete
a gradient of 0.1% or 0.001 or 1:1 000 (which is 1 m drop Institute, 1986). The cement to water ratio should relate to
every 1000 m length), while the 725 m long 250 mm base the one common for the required concrete, but could be
wide canals have a gradient of 0.2% or 0.002 or 1:500 determined by trial mixes in case of doubt or unsuitable
(which is 2 m drop for every 1000 m length or 1 m drop concrete. The ratio should be within a range of 10% from the
for every 500 m length). The canals in Block 2 have a required one. For Grade 15 concrete, the cement:water ratio
gradient of 0.2%, a base width of 250 mm and a length of should be 1.45:1.
600 m. As the existing land slope exceeds the proposed
canal gradients, a number of drop structures shall be
Canal lining
needed. The exact number of drop structures shall be
determined during construction based on the profiles. All the canals shall be concrete-lined to minimize seepage
losses. The thickness of the concrete lining shall be as
Excavation of drains shown on the design drawings or as directed by the
engineer. Where a completed section has a thickness less
Construction of V-shaped field drains with a minimum than that specified, it should be removed and replaced.
depth of 400 mm is required at the lower end of every Plastering, or other methods of building up the lining
field. The total length will be 1 400 m. They shall have side thickness should not be allowed.
slopes of 1:3. Saddle bridges will be constructed, which
allow farm implements, people and vehicles to cross the Concrete canal linings should be placed in panels of a
drains easily. The contractor should excavate the drains at maximum of 3 m long and be constructed in alternate bays,
almost the same gradients as for the canals. so that at least 24 hours elapse between the completion of
one panel and the start of lining of an adjacent panel. This
Earthworks of roads is in order to maintain uniform spacing for the joints that
will be introduced later on.
Construction of 2.5 m x 650 m field roads and 5 m x
1 600 m perimeter roads is required. Most of the material In forming the concrete (screeding operation) at least three
excavated during drain construction shall be used as fill for passes with a wooden plank, or any other method chosen
the roads. The contractor should construct roads with the by the contractor and approved by the engineer, are
correct materials, both hard and soft, and with the correct necessary in order to maintain the shape and the inside of
side slope to allow for drainage. the canal. After completing the required number of passes,
the concrete should immediately be floated (smoothening
Excavations in borrow pits of the surface with a wooden plank) and troweled to
produce the specified finish. Striking off, or removal of any
The contractor shall obtain materials required for concrete from the consolidated surface by means other
earthworks from approved borrow pits. Both the than those used in the construction, is not permitted.
contractor and the engineer shall agree on the sites. The
engineer shall test the material in the proposed borrow pits
Structures
and shall have the final say on the selected borrow pit.
Before opening any borrow pit the contractor shall remove Construction of the following structures is needed:
topsoil to a depth of 150 mm. Y Two measuring structures (cut-throat flumes)
Y One canal-road crossing
3.5.3. Concrete works
Y Five diversion structures, three in area 1 and two in
During the progress of the construction of concrete works,
area 2
the engineer shall from time to time determine the exact
proportions in which the different ingredients are to be Y Three saddle bridges or drain-road crossings
mixed. The concrete shall be divided into a number of Y Drop structures
classes, each designated with a compound reference number.

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Irrigation manual

Construction of the structures shall be according to details The objective of these activities is to clear the land and to
shown on the design drawings and/or as directed by the prepare a level field ready for planting with crops.
engineer. The contractor shall ensure that no stagnant pools
of water exist at the completed structure, as these are The costs shall be given on a per hectare basis. The
breeding places of mosquitoes and aquatic snails. As an exception might be the leveling of anthills, which would be
example, details of the cut-throat flume are given below. done on day-works basis. A list of equipment to be used for
these activities should be provided by the contractors.
Cut-throat flumes shall be installed at the head of the field
canals, immediately downstream of the NSR for Block 1 and Clear felling
downstream of the diversion structure for Block 2. The
flume will function as a dual measuring and control The ground within the scheme area should be cleared of all
structure of the water flow in the canals. The flume shall trees, stumps, roots, shrubs and other objectionable
have a length of 2 m and a throat width of 0.16 m and 0.13 material, as instructed by the engineer, to permit
m for Block 1 and 2 respectively. The upstream depths shall satisfactory performance of the works. The Nabusenga
be 0.40 m and 0.26 m and the downstream depths 0.30 m project area is 15 ha net, it has sparse vegetation as the area
and 0.20 m for Block 1 and 2 respectively. The contractor is presently utilized for dryland cropping. Therefore, the
shall take notice of the importance of the throat width and clear felling operation is considered to be relatively light.
a steel angle shall be embedded in concrete at this section to The clearing shall be done within the boundary lines
fix the width. More details are given in the design drawing. specified by the engineer, no trees shall be cut outside the
designated area.
Conveyance pipeline
Stacking and burning
The conveyance line supplying water to the irrigation
scheme consists of an existing and a proposed pipeline. The After felling, all woody plant material, scrub, brushwood,
existing pipeline consists of 394 m AC pipes, 225 mm stumps and roots shall be gathered into piles or windrows
diameter Class 18, leading from the dam. The proposed for burning. The contractor shall be responsible for the
pipeline consists of 917 m AC pipes, 250 mm diameter burning of all vegetative matter so stacked. The
Class 6, and 700 m AC pipes, 200 mm diameter Class 6, construction of windrows or stacks shall be carried out in
connecting to the existing pipeline. A GI reducer and such a manner as to minimize burning areas. All unburned
related short collar joints shall be needed for the plant material and other material shall be removed from the
connection. The pipeline crosses the Nabusenga River delineated clearing area and deposited outside the
twice. One crossing is 100 m wide, while the other is 25 m perimeter line, in selected places and in a manner approved
wide. Galvanized Iron (GI) pipes of 250 mm and 200 mm by the engineer. Alternatively, farmers may opt to save the
diameter shall be used to cross the river. The 15 m wide wood for home use. In this case, they should collect the
gully crossing shall be of 200 mm diameter GI pipes. The wood from the specified area within a set time mutually
GI pipes shall be embedded in concrete on either side of agreed upon by the contractor and the engineer, in order to
both the river and the gully. GI short collar joints shall be avoid disruptions to the contractor.
used to connect the GI to AC pipes. Furthermore, two
offtake structures will be constructed and five 250 mm Ripping and secondary clearing
sluice valves and two air valves shall be installed. After the land has been cleared of all bush, the area should
be ripped to a depth of not less than 350 mm. The
3.5.4. Land clearing and land preparation objective should be to remove and bring to the surface all
The land clearing and land preparation activities to be stumps and roots that were not removed by the felling
carried out by the contractor comprise some or all of the process. During the secondary cleaning, all uprooted plant
following activities: material should be gathered and burnt or removed from the
project site.
Y Clear felling
Y Stacking and burning Anthill removal
Y Ripping and secondary clearing Anthills should be demolished before land levelling and the
Y Removal of anthills work should be carried out on a day-works basis. The
anthills should be reduced to the surrounding ground level
Y Land leveling and all material spread evenly around the original site or
Y Ploughing deposited in nearby depressions.

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Land levelling Ploughing

After the removal of anthills, all land should be levelled in The cleared area of 15 ha net should be ploughed to a depth
sections delineated by the canals or other boundaries. The of not less than 250 mm with a disc plough. The resultant
‘Plane method’ was used to calculate the cut and fill. tilth should be that of seedbed ready for planting.
Generally, more cut than fill shall be required, as disturbed
soil has reduced density that will settle in time to below the 3.6. Bill of Quantities
calculated fill elevations. The total volumes of cut and fill
are approximately 7 195 m3 and 5 736 m3 respectively. The Tables 2 and 3 are BOQs prepared for the Nabusenga
resultant furrow gradient shall be 0.5% and the direction of surface irrigation scheme.
furrows as indicated on the design drawings. Land levelling The tenderer should also provide a schedule for equipment
operations shall be carried out using a motorized grader, hire charges for day-works, including the type of equipment
and finally with a land plane. Removal of soil should be and hire rate. An example is given in Table 4.
limited to not more than 100 mm of topsoil per cut.

Table 2
Bill of Quantities for concrete and form works operations for canal lining

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
1 Blinding concrete under structure slabs, etc., as ordered, 10 m3
class 300/20
2 Outlet pipe encasement concrete, class 330/20 20 m3
3 Canal lining concrete, class 330/20, including compaction:
a. unreinforced 475 m3
b. reinforced 25 m3
4 Screeding and finishing canal 9 500 m2
5 Miscellaneous concrete class 330/20 for structures:
a. Less than 1 m3 10 m3
b. Greater than 1 m3 45 m3
6 Addition to or deduction from all concrete rates for increase or 100 10 kg/m3
decrease in cement content per m3
7 Manufacturing and placing precast concrete 360/20, including 50 m3
all form work
8 Cutting out sample section and replacing with concrete 10 No.

Total Part 2: Concrete and form work operations to be carried forward to summary

Table 3
Bill of Quantities for land clearing and preparation

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
1 Clear felling area 15 ha
2 Stacking and burning 15 ha
3 Secondary clearing 15 ha
4 Ripping 15 ha
5 Land levelling 15 ha
6 Ploughing 15 ha
7 Removal of anthills with D6 or equivalent 20 hrs

Total Part 1: Land clearing and preparation to be carried forward to summary

Module 12 – 29
Irrigation manual

Table 4
Example of schedule for equipment hire charges

Description Type, size or mark number Hire rate (ZW$) Unit

Dozer per kW per hour
Grader per kW per hour
Scraper per kW per hour
Front end loader per kW per hour
Excavator per kW per hour
Water bowser per m3 per hour
Tipper per m3 per hour
Compactor per T per hour
Tractor per hp per hour
Compressor per cfm per hour
Concrete mixer per 1 per hour

30 – Module 12
 Chapter 4
An example of the preparation of a tender document for
the construction of a drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme
for smallholders
This chapter provides an example of Special conditions and Y BO.02: Layout of the sub-block A1 (Figure 8)
Technical specifications that were prepared for the Y BO.15: Connection of gate valves, 2 inch or less,
construction of a drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme for to a lateral pipeline (Figure 9a)
smallholders in Zimbabwe, called “Bonde (Block A)
smallholder irrigation scheme”. Y BO.16: Drain valve and manhole (Figure 9b)
Y BO.17: Brass garden tap connected to a galvanized
4.1. Background and access to the scheme riser and lateral pipe (Figure 9c)
The project lies on the right bank of Bonde river in Y BO.18: Sprinkler mounted on steel risers
Chamutsa Ward, Buhera District, Manicaland Province, as supported by tripods (Figure 9d)
shown on BO.01 (Figure 7). The scheme is approximately Y BO.19: Twin gate valve assembly for CI valves
14 km from Birchenough Bridge. It is a smallholder (Figure 10a)
irrigation scheme of 600 hectares, to be developed in
phases. The second phase is the construction of Block A Y BO.20: CI gate valve, 3 inch and above, and valve
(160 ha), for which this tender document was prepared. chamber (Figure 10b)

The water supply for the proposed irrigation scheme will be Y BO.21: Section through a CI gate valve and
released from Ruti Dam and abstracted at an existing pick- chamber (Figure 10c)
up weir on the Deure river, from where it will be pumped Y BO.22: Position of gate valves controlling flow
uphill through a 3.6 km pressure main to a high point. into lateral pipelines (Figure 10d)
From there the water is conveyed by a 6.1 km canal, partly
becoming a siphon feeding Block B of the irrigation 4.3. General irrigation scheme layout
scheme, and ending in a night storage reservoir (NSR),
which is sited on the right bank of the Bonde river below The scheme consists of four sub-blocks, each made up of
which Block A is situated. 40 fields of one hectare each. Each sub-block is served by a
separate pumping station. The four pumping stations are
A feeder pipeline for Blocks A, C1 and C2 starts from the served by one supply line (suction) from the NSR and
NSR. A pipeline feeding Block A branches off before pump into four separate main lines serving their respective
crossing the Deure river. The feeder pipeline for Blocks C1 sub-blocks.
and C2 branches at the distribution box into the pipelines
for the two respective blocks. From each of the four main pipelines, secondary pipelines
of various sizes and lengths supply the lateral pipelines
This document covers the works to be implemented after through valve assemblies shown in drawing BO.15 (Figure
the valve outlets of the supply line to Block A, which is the 9a). At 12 m intervals, Galvanized Iron (GI) riser pipes
second phase of construction. bearing garden taps are installed, as shown in drawing
BO.17 (Figure 9c).
4.2. Contract drawings From the garden taps water will be supplied to the
Part of the works are shown on the following contract sprinklers through 20 mm hoses, seven bar pressure rated.
drawings (Agritex, 1993): The sprinklers are mounted on GI riser pipes supported by
Y BO.01: Location map (Figure 7) tripods, as shown in drawing BO.18 (Figure 9d).

Module 12 – 31
 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

32 –
MANICALAND PROVINCE
Save G. L. Figure 7
Irrigation manual

Module 12
BONDE IRRIG. SCHEME
78 78
04 Location Map 04
Scale 1: 50 000

Irrigation scheme

78 78
03 03

78 78
02 02

Bu
he
ra

78 78
01 01

78 78
00 00
Location map of the Bonde drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme (BO/13)

77 77
99 99

77 77
98 98

Bi
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

rch
nne
ou
gh
See seperate page
Irrigation manual

34 – Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Figure 9
Drawings BO.15, BO.16, BO.17 and BO.18 indexed in the tender document as part of the drag-hose
irrigation scheme tender specifications

Module 12 – 35
Irrigation manual

Figure 10
Drawings BO.19, BO.20, BO.21 and BO.22 indexed in the tender document as part of the drag-hose
irrigation scheme tender specifications

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

4.4. Special conditions The contractor shall take all care to avoid damage to pipes,
fittings and specials during transportation to the site of the
4.4.1. Materials works. Pipes in transit shall be well secured and supported
over their entire length and not allowed to project over the
The scheme shall be constructed using Asbestos Cement
tailboard of the transporting vehicle. Pipes shall not be
(AC) and uPVC pipes, 6 inch (150 mm), 4 inch (100 mm)
dropped or thrown to the ground and impact with other
and 3 inch (75 mm), Cast Iron (CI) gate valves, 3 inch,
pipes or solid objects shall be avoided. uPVC pipes of any
2 inch and 1½ inch brass gate valves, AC and uPVC
diameter and AC pipes of up to 100 mm nominal bore
fittings, sprinklers, and other fittings. The pipes and
may be lifted by hand using skids. AC pipes of 150 mm
fittings shall be of the type specified, as included in the
and over shall be lifted using skids and ropes. All fittings
BOQ or shown on the drawings.
shall be handled with care to avoid damage. They shall not
Except where otherwise stated or approved by the be thrown, dropped or subjected to impact with other
engineer, all materials used in the works shall be of the best objects.
quality of their respective kinds, as specified or described in
the specifications, and the drawings and shall comply 4.4.3. Storage of materials and equipment on the site
wherever possible with the current issue of the appropriate
The contractor shall take all reasonable care to avoid any
standards of the Standard Association of Zimbabwe, the
damage to the pipes, fittings and specials during storage and
British Standard Institution ISO or other approved
subsequent handling, laying and jointing and the
equivalent international standard as noted herein or
manufacturer’s instruction in this regard shall be strictly
approved by the engineer.
adhered to. Particular care should be taken to ensure that
All materials and equipment needed for the system shall be no damage occurs to the ends of pipes and fittings to avoid
new, without flaws or defects and of quality and subsequent problems of joining.
performance as specified and shall meet the requirements
Storage areas or sheds shall be in accordance with the
of the system.
manufacturer’s recommendations and subject to the
Whenever any material is specified by name or number approval by the engineer. They shall be level and clear of
thereof, such specification shall be deemed to be used for stones. Timber bearers of uniform size shall be placed
the purpose of facilitating a description and establishing under the bottom rows of pipes in a stack at intervals of
quality of the material and shall be deemed and 800 mm. No stack of uPVC pipes shall be more than 2.5 m
construed to be followed by the words ‘or approved high. All storage areas shall be secure from pilfering or
equivalent’. theft. Shade covers shall be provided for stacks of uPVC
pipes and fittings to prevent their exposure to the direct
All materials and equipment included in the works of the rays of the sun at all times. AC pipe couplings shall be
irrigation scheme shall be guaranteed by the tenderer stored lying flat and precautions taken to prevent damage to
against all defects of materials, equipment and the sealing ring area. Rubber seal rings for AC pipes,
workmanship for a period of one year from the date of gaskets, jointing materials for pipes and fittings shall be
acceptance of the irrigation system. stored under cover, protected from direct rays of the sun
and away from grease and oil.
4.4.2. Procurement, packing and delivery
The contractor shall be deemed responsible for any
The uPVC pipes shall be provided to the contractors by the deterioration of the materials and therefore for the
client, all other materials and equipment shall be provided replacement thereof.
by the contractor unless otherwise stated herein.
Transportation of all materials and equipment for the 4.4.4. Working drawings and As built or Record
construction of the irrigation scheme to the project site drawings
shall be the responsibility of the contractor. The uPVC The design drawings included in the tender documents
pipes shall be collected from the client’s stores as and are diagrammatic. The contractor should verify these as
when advised by the engineer. Once the materials and per actual field situation and should prepare Working
equipment have been offloaded at the project site, careful drawings with all required details to assist in implementing
examination of the materials and equipment for damage, the works properly and accurately. The engineer will
etc., shall be done by both the contractor and the engineer approve such working drawings before being
or their representative staff. implemented.

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Irrigation manual

The contractor will update the working drawings on a daily then be made by sliding the spigot end into the previously
basis as per the actual situation in the field. The engineer laid pipe with the aid of timber battens and crowbars.
should approve any modifications, big or small. These Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring that the pipe
drawings, which show the actual field situation and the is supported at all times along its barrel and that at no stage
system as it is built, will be the basis for preparing the As built it is supported on the joint coupling.
drawings or Record drawings. The contractor will submit two
copies on a reproducible form (tracing) of the As built drawings uPVC pipes
to the engineer, within a month of commissioning the system.
No pipes shall be laid until the engineer’s approval to do so
has been obtained for the section or the works. The uPVC
4.4.5. Trenching and back-filling
pipes shall be laid strictly in accordance with the
Casual workers and the farmers participating in the project manufacturer’s instructions. Before laying each pipe or
shall carry out the excavation of trenches, under strict fitting, it shall be inspected to ensure that no damaged item
supervision from personnel designated by the client. be installed in the line. Any item found to be damaged shall
Placement of all AC and uPVC pipes along the trenches shall be put aside for possible repair and later use, in the case of
be done after completion of trench excavations. Casual a pipe, as a make up piece. Any burrs and sharp ends shall
workers and the farmers participating in the project shall do be smoothened with a rasp to facilitate jointing.
the back-filling work.
When laying is about to commence, both ends to be joined
In addition to the trenching and back-filling works, the shall be cleaned to remove dirt, soil, grit, oil or grease. The
client shall provide the contractor with a number of farmers inside of the socket and the outside of the spigot shall be
to be used during the construction on the site as unskilled lightly sand-papered. The uPVC shall be cut with a handsaw
labourers. The involvement of the farmers is intended to or other equivalent means in such a manner as to ensure a
make the farmers feel more responsible for their own square (straight) cut. Burrs at the ends shall be removed
project. The contractor shall specify the number of prior to installation so that a smooth unobstructed flow will
unskilled labourers required. be obtained.
All uPVC to metal joints shall be made with adapters of the
4.4.6. Pipe laying
same basic materials as the uPVC pipes, wherever possible.
The solvent recommended by manufacturer shall be used.
AC pipes
The solvent-weld joints shall be made in the following
No pipes shall be laid without the engineer’s approval to do manner:
so for that section of works. The AC pipes shall be laid in
a) Thoroughly clean the mating pipe
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Before
laying each pipe and coupling, it shall be inspected to b) Apply a uniform coat of solvent to the outside of the pipe
ensure that no damaged item be laid in the line. Pipes with c) Apply solvent to the fitting in a similar manner
chipped ends shall be carefully examined for hair cracks by
moistening the damaged end of the pipe with paraffin and d) Reapply a light coat of solvent to the pipe and quickly
by visual inspection. Any damaged item shall be put aside insert it into the fitting
for possible repair and later use. e) Give the pipe or fitting a quarter turn to ensure even
distribution of the solvent and make sure that the pipe
When laying is about to commence, the sealer rings shall be
is inserted to full depth of the fitting socket
fitted into the joint couplings. The grooves in the couplings
are to be thoroughly cleaned and the rings inserted with the f) Hold in position for 15 seconds
cavities facing towards the centre of the joint. The inside of g) Wipe off excess solvent that appears at the outer
the pipe shall then be checked for cleanliness and any dirt shoulder of the fitting
or debris removed. The coupling shall be fitted by sliding it
into the spigot end of the pipe until it is stopped by the Care should be taken not to use excess amounts of solvent.
centre rubber. This may be done by hand or by placing a The joints should be allowed to set for at least 24 hours
timber batten across the coupling face and using a crowbar before pressure is applied to the system.
in such a way as to avoid damaging the coupling or pipe.
Pipes shall be laid true to the lines, with the socket facing
After the joint has been assembled, the pipe shall be in the direction of lay. The joint with the adjacent pipe shall
lowered into the trench with the attached coupling facing in then be made by sliding the spigot end into the previously
the direction of lay. The joint with the adjacent pipe shall laid pipe.

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4.4.7. Keeping pipelines clean engineer may direct. Should such failure be the result of an
Every reasonable precaution shall be taken to prevent entry error in the engineer’s design, the cost of such remedial
of any foreign matter and water into the pipes. At the end work shall be borne by the client. Otherwise it shall be at
of each day’s work, or at any time when work is suspended contractor’s own expense.
for a significant period, the last laid section of each pipeline
shall be plugged, capped or otherwise tightly closed with a 4.4.10. Timing/Scheduling of works
cloth or plastic sheet until laying recommences. The contractor shall present in their tender a schedule of all
activities for completing the scheme. Among other things,
4.4.8. Flushing the contractor will state the delivery time of all the
After all pipes, gate valves and lateral pipelines are in materials to site. The contractor shall be penalized for
position and connected to a given section and all necessary failure to complete the tendered works as stated under the
division work has been completed, but prior to the general conditions.
connection of the sprinklers to the system, all valves should Upon the testing and acceptance of the system, and within
be opened and the full head of water should be used to the warranty period of 12 months, the contractor shall
flush out the system. repair any reported faulty equipment and breakages within
three (3) days. If the contractor does not respond within
4.4.9. Pressure testing the specified time, the client carries out the repairs, the cost
After the completion of the installation of the sprinkler of which is deducted from the 10% retention.
system and after flushing, the whole system shall be
pressure-tested for up to twelve hours and in the presence 4.4.11. Workmanship
of the engineer. All joints of pipes and fittings shall remain All workmanship shall be of the best quality appropriate to
uncovered during the testing. Any major breakdown, each category of work.
requiring shutdown, shall cause the test to be repeated.
The procedure to be followed for testing the mainline is as 4.4.12. Variation order
follows: Changes in construction, which were not envisaged in the
a) Back-fill partially the pipes to be tested, leaving the design stages or at the time of acceptance of the tender but
sockets uncovered; all joints and connection points to are necessary for the proper operation of the system, can be
be left uncovered for leakage inspection made upon the instruction of the engineer in writing.
There has to be a written response from the contractor,
b) Flush the mainline with water in order to get rid of soil
stating the costs of such changes. Upon approval by the
and other dirt
engineer, the contractor can commence or continue with
c) Open the valves to remove any entrapped air construction of the necessary works.
d) Pump pressurize the line to normal operating pressure
4.4.13. Progress reports
e) Leave the system pressurized for up to 12 hours
The contractor shall provide the engineer with progress
f) Check for leakages; any drop of pressure, even of small reports every 15 days, covering the progress during that
value, is the result of a leakage period and the total works completed to date. The progress
g) Repair the leakage and leave the system for 24 hours if report will indicate:
solvent-welding was used for repairs Y Planned progress to date
h) Repeat the pressure test Y Actual progress to date
During the testing, the contractor shall set the pressure in Y Variance between planned progress and actual progress
the system by adjusting the gate valves at the head of the
secondary pipelines so that optimum sprinkler pressure is Y Reasons for variance in progress
achieved. The wheel of the setting valve shall be removed Y Revised work/completion date
after setting optimum pressure. Should any pipeline fail to
Y Important issues on which the engineer should be
operate within the specified operating range, the contractor
informed
shall investigate the causes of such failure, report the results
to the engineer and undertake such remedial work as the

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Irrigation manual

4.4.14. Clearing the site upon completion of works uPVC pipes and fittings
When the contract works have been completed, the All uPVC pipes and fittings shall be polyvinyl chloride semi-
contractor shall at their own expense remove all rubbish, rigid. The sizes and working pressure ratings shall be as
surplus materials and debris, unused material, temporary shown on the tender drawings. All pipes shall be solvent-
erections and equipment. The contractor shall make the weld and will be supplied by the client in the length of 6 m
site and adjoining ground perfectly clean and to the and at appropriate sizes and pressure ratings. uPVC pipes
satisfaction of the engineer. and fittings exposed to the sun should be painted with
suitable sunray protection material.
4.5. Technical specifications Each length of pipe shall bear markings identifying the size,
type and pressure rating. The pipes shall be smooth finished
4.5.1. General
both inside and outside and bear no evidence of interior
The four sub-blocks are served by four separate mainlines: scratches, grooves, or any other manufacturing or handling
Y The main pipeline serving sub-block A1 consists of 130 damage. The inside shall show no evidence of blisters,
m of 300 mm AC (12) pipe, reducing to a 250 mm AC grooves or other extrusion marks. All uPVC fittings shall be
(12) pipe over the remaining 512 m of the same basic material of the uPVC. Thrust blocks have
to be placed at all points where the pipeline changes
Y The main pipeline serving sub-block A2 consists of 156 direction (elbows, tees, etc.).
m of 300 mm AC (12) pipe, reducing to a 250 mm AC
(12) pipe for the remaining 296 m Water (garden) taps on risers
Y The main pipeline serving sub-block A3 consists of 326 Water (garden) taps shall be brass and ¾ inch in diameter
m of 300 mm AC (12) pipe, reducing to a 250 mm AC and equipped with ¾ inch brass hose adapters. These will
(12) pipe for the remaining 296 m be connected to a 1.0 m GI riser through a GI elbow, as
Y The main pipeline serving sub-block A4 consists of 566 shown in drawing BO.17 (Figure 9c.) The contractor shall
m of 300 mm AC (12) pipe, reducing to a 250 mm AC provide all the water taps.
(12) pipe for the remaining 288 m
Hoses
From the four main pipelines serving the four sub-blocks,
are secondary pipelines of various sizes and lengths of AC The hoses to be used for this irrigation system shall be 32 m
and uPVC branch. These secondary pipelines supply the long, 20 mm in diameter, reinforced and seven bar pressure
lateral pipelines through valve assemblies. At 12 m intervals rated. Joining of two or more hoses to form a 32 m length
GI risers bearing ¾ inch brass garden taps are installed, as shall not be acceptable. The client shall provide all hoses.
shown in drawing BO.17 (Figure 9c.)
Risers and tripods
Water will be supplied through 32 m long hoses, 20 mm in
diameter and seven bar pressure rated, to sprinklers which The risers shall be ½ inch in diameter of galvanized steel
are mounted on GI risers supported by tripods, as shown in (GS) pipe provided in two sections of one metre, each
drawing BO.18 (Figure 9d.) connected through a ½ inch GS socket. At 60-80 mm
below the socket, three steel plates of about 2.5 mm wide
shall be bent and welded to the riser. Holes at the end of
4.5.2. Materials and equipment
each bent plate shall allow the use of bolts and nuts to
connect the three legs with which to construct the tripod.
Pipe work and fittings
A solid steel cross can be used instead of the bent plates.
AC pipes and fittings Each leg shall be made of a GS rod of 15 mm diameter. At
about 65 mm from the top, a hole shall be drilled to each
Each length of pipe shall bear markings identifying the size, leg for connection to the place by bolt and nut, to make
type and pressure rating of the pipe. Each 4 m length shall arrangement allowing opening, closing and adjustment of
be fitted with two rubber sealing rings installed as specified the tripod.
by the manufacturer. Both the pipes and joints shall show
no manufacturing defects or transport damage. All AC Each leg shall be bent at the end so that when it is firmly
pipes and fittings shall be provided by the contractor and be pushed in the ground the elbow, at the bottom of the riser,
fitted as shown on tender drawings. shall rest on the ground. All parts of the tripod and riser
shall be galvanized, as shown in drawing BO.18 (Figure 9d).

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

The 20 mm hose shall be connected to the riser of the pressures ranging from 0-10 bars. Portable pressure gauges
tripod through a 20 mm brass hose adapter and clip. The shall be provided with male adapters and shall register
contractor shall supply the riser and tripods. pressure ranging from 0-5 bars.

4.5.3. Sprinklers 4.5.7. Valve chambers

All sprinklers shall be mounted on risers, supported by Manholes or valve chambers for 3 inch and 4 inch gate
tripods as shown in drawing BO.18 (Figure 9d). The full valves shall be built to the detail shown in drawing BO.20
circle impact sprinklers shall be capable of covering a (Figure 10b) and BO.21 (Figure 10c) respectively. The
wetted diameter of at least 24.0 m with a discharge of 0.63- drain valve chambers are required at each end of a
0.68 m3/hr at 3.0 bar (300 kPa) through a 3-3.2 mm secondary pipeline.
diameter nozzle. All sprinklers shall be of the same speed of
revolution. A maximum deviation of 5% from the mean The walls of the manholes and drain valve chambers shall be
speed of revolution can be accepted. The contractor shall constructed using bricks and mortar of approved quality.
supply the sprinklers. The sprinkler performance table The bricks shall be well soaked in water immediately before
should be submitted with the tender. being laid and the course of the bricks laid shall be well
wetted before fresh bricks are laid upon it. The manhole
and the drain valve chambers shall be 1.5 m2 and 1.2 m
4.5.4. Gate valves
deep, leaving 0.2 m extending above ground level. The
The position of each gate valve required is shown on the chamber shall have a 0.8 m2 removable slab on top.
design map. All gate valves are 3 inch in diameter and above Exposed external faces of brickwork shall be rendered with
(except for the drain valves) and shall be of cast iron body a 10 mm thick (1 part cement to 3 parts sand) plaster to
and flanged. Gate valves up to 3 inch in diameter (including 150 mm below ground level. Mortar for brickwork and
3 inch drain valves) shall be of brass body with a hand wheel plaster shall be composed of one part of ordinary Portland
double disc parallel seat and bronze ring stem. The internal cement (PC 15) to three parts of sand as specified herein.
parts of the gate valve shall be removable without
disconnecting the body from the pipe system. All gate valves The design calls for drain valves in chambers at the end of
shall be installed underground. All gate valves connected to all the secondary pipelines serving the four sub-blocks A1,
the lateral pipelines shall be positioned on the field site, as A2, A3 and A4. Bricks for manholes (chambers) shall be
shown in drawing BO.22 (Figure 10d). burnt-clay building bricks to CAS 221 and all building
materials shall be provided by the contractor. The valve
chambers for the 1 ½ inch brass gate valves controlling the
4.5.5. Spares and tools
supply to the laterals should be made of one metre long
The contractor is required to provide the following spares PVC pipe, 110 mm in diameter and Class 4.
and tools:
Y 160 sprinklers 4.5.8. Valve keys

Y 4 sets of tools for repairing sprinklers In order to operate the gate valves installed underground,
four valve keys shall be required for each of the valve sizes
Y 8 extra gate valves of each size fitted on the system installed in the system. Each valve key shall have a stem of
Y 160 water taps with hose adapters 1.5 m length made of GI pipe with a diameter of 25 mm
and a 0.5 m long handle of the same size connected to the
Y 160 hose adapters
stem in T-form. The lower end of the stem should form a
Y 2 hand saws and 20 blades two-prong fork, which fits on the gate valve.
Y 160 hose clips
4.5.9. Pumping station
Y 2 sets each of the following: screwdrivers, pipe ranges,
spanners necessary for the sizes used during fitting of Of the four pump houses required, two have already been
the system constructed. Therefore the tenderers are required to quote
for two houses, as specified in drawing BO.23. The
4.5.6. Pressure gauges contractor is also required to construct the foundation of
each pumping unit, as specified in drawing BO.24.
The contractor shall provide glycerin-filled pressure gauges
of 2.5 inch face diameter. Those installed on the pipe The reader is referred to Figure 11 ans 12 showing the
network will have an installation adapter and will register constructed pump house and pumping unit respectively.

Module 12 – 41
Irrigation manual

electrical wiring and controls. The panel will also include,

Figure 11 in addition to the starter and reset button, a voltmeter,
Completed pump house at Bonde irrigation ammeter, low pressure cut-out switch, earthing and
scheme
protection against lightning and steel roof for weather
protection. The contractor will verify with the national
electricity authority company the capacity of the existing
transformer and its ability to take the load of the required
pumping unit. The contractor should perform all
connections and installations of the cable from the
transformer to the pumping unit.

4.5.10. Concrete works

The cement used throughout the works shall be normal
Portland Cement 15, obtained from approved manu-
facturers, and shall comply with the Central African
Standard No. A. 46:1972 “Portland Cement”. All the
aggregates for use in concrete shall conform in all respects
Figure 12 with the requirements of the Central African Standard
Completed pumping unit at Bonde irrigation No. 223:1978 “Aggregates from natural sources for
scheme concrete”. The sand for concrete, mortar or plaster shall
be clean and free from clay, silt, chemical salts and organic
matter. The sand for use in mortar and plastering shall
conform in all respects with the British Standards
BS1198-1200 “Building standards for natural sources”.
Clean fresh water shall be used for mixing all concrete and
mortar.
In all works that involve the use of concrete, the concrete
shall be protected during the first stage of hardening from
harmful effects of sunshine, drying winds and running
water. A layer of absorbent material covering the concrete
shall be kept constantly moist by spraying it with water, as
necessary, for two weeks, or such periods as may be
All four pump houses need to be fully equipped with five recommended by the engineer.
pumping units and motors each. All electrical works,
including the panels, the power correction units as well as 4.5.11. Nurseries
the connection to the National Supply lines, should be
included in the tenderer’s offer. The foundation The design calls for the establishment of six nursery areas
requirements of each of the pumps are specified in drawing to be irrigated using a 50 m3 water tank for each nursery
BO.24. The layout of the pumps and motors in each pump area connected to the water taps by uPVC buried pipes. For
house is specified in drawing BO.23. each nursery area, one hose per lateral pipeline shall be
required and shall be provided by the contractor. The
Each pumping unit should be provided with isolation contractor will construct the 50 m3 water tanks and
valves, both at the suction and delivery points, air valve, provide the risers and water taps as well as the fittings. The
non-return valve and glycerin-filled pressure gauge at employer will provide uPVC pipes, uPVC fittings and
delivery. Each unit should be capable of delivering 75 m3/hr garden hoses.
at a head of 39 m with the highest possible efficiency.
Quality and performance of the pump should conform to a
4.6. Bill of Quantities
national or international standard, such as ISO 5548-1973.
Table 5 is the BOQ for the Bonde smallholder drag-hose
The pump will be directly driven by an electric motor. The sprinkler irrigation scheme.
electric panel should have an enclosure containing all

42 – Module 12
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Table 5
Bill of Quantities for the Bonde smallholder drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme

Item Quantity Unit Unit cost Total cost

1. PVC and AC piping
1.1. PVC pipe, 50 mm class 6 756 m
1.2. PVC pipe, 40 mm class 6 1 824 m
1.3. AC pipe, 300 mm class 12 1 120 m
1.4. AC pipe, 250 mm class 12 2 576 m
1.5. AC pipe, 225 mm class 12 512 m
1.6. AC pipe, 200 mm class 12 1 088 m
1.7. AC pipe, 175 mm class 12 652 m
1.8. AC pipe, 150 mm class 12 1 036
2. Fittings
2.1. Cast iron elbow 90°, 300 mm diameter 2 each
2.1. Steel elbow 90°, 250 mm diameter P1 x 6 inch F2 3 each
2.2. Cast iron elbow 90°, 250 mm diameter 2 each
2.3. Cast iron elbow 90°, 150 mm diameter 2 each
2.4. Steel elbow 90°, 150 mm diameter P x 3 inch F 1 each
2.5. Short collar joints, 300 mm diameter 10 each
2.6. Short collar joints, 250 mm diameter 41 each
2.7. Short collar joints, 225 mm diameter 17 each
2.8. Short collar joints, 200 mm diameter 28 each
2.9. Short collar joints, 175 mm diameter 18 each
2.10. Short collar joints, 150 mm diameter 20 each
2.11. Steel tee, 300 mm diameter P x 6 inch F x 6 inch 4 each
2.12. Steel tee, 300 mm diameter P x 6 inch F x 250 mm P 1 each
2.13. Steel tee, 250 mm diameter P x 1.5 inch T3 x 250 mm P 2 each
2.14. Steel tee, 250 mm diameter P x 1.5 inch T x 200 mm P 1 each
2.15. Steel tee, 200 mm diameter P x 1.5 inch T x 200 mm P 1 each
2.16. Steel tee, 200 mm diameter P x 6 inch F x 4 inch F 1 each
2.17. Steel tee, 225 mm diameter P x 4 inch F x 150 mm P 1 each
2.18. Steel tee, 225 mm diameter P x 2 inch F x 200 mm P 1 each
2.19. Steel tee, 150 mm diameter P x 1.5 inch T x 4 inch F 3 each
2.20. Steel tee, 150 mm diameter P x 1.5 inch T x 150 mm P 1 each
2.21. Steel cross, 250 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 250 mm P x 1.5 inch T 6 each
2.22. Steel cross, 250 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 225 mm P x 1.5 inch T 4 each
2.23. Steel cross, 250 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T 2 each
2.24. Steel cross, 225 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 225 mm P x 1.5 inch T 3 each
2.25. Steel cross, 225 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T 3 each
2.26. Steel cross, 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T 8 each
2.27. Steel cross, 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 175 mm P x 1.5 inch T 5 each
2.28. Steel cross, 200 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T 1 each
2.29. Steel cross, 175 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 175 mm P x 1.5 inch T 4 each
2.30. Steel cross, 175 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T 1 each
2.31. Steel cross, 175 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 4 inch F x 1.5 inch T 4 each
2.32. Steel cross, 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T 3 each
2.33. Steel cross, 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 4 inch F x 1.5 inch T 2 each
2.34. Steel cross, 150 mm P x 1.5 inch T x 5 inch F x 1.5 inch T 2 each
2.35. Steel reducer, 300 mm P x 6 inch F 1 each
2.36. Steel reducer, 250 mm P x 6 inch F 10 each
2.37. Steel reducer, 150 mm P x 4 inch F 1 each
2.38. Steel reducer, 150 mm P x 3 inch F 1 each
2.39. Cast iron flange adapter, 150 mm x 6 inch F 1 each
2.40. Cast iron gate valves, 6 inch 15 each
2.41. Cast iron gate valves, 4 inch 1 each

Module 12 – 43
Irrigation manual

Item Quantity Unit Unit cost Total cost

2.42. Cast iron gate valves, 3 inch 2 each
2.43. Brass gate valves, 3 inch 10 each
2.44. Brass gate valves, 2 inch 3 each
3. Laterals, sprinklers
3.1. Brass gate valves, 1.5 inch 160 each
3.2. Galvanized iron (GI) reducing bushes, 2 x 0.75 inch 258 each
3.3. GI reducing bushes, 1.5 inch x 0.75 inch 1 200 each
3.4. GI reducing bushes, 1.25 inch x 0.75 inch 462 each
3.5. GI risers, 1 m x 0.75 inch 1 920 each
3.6. GI elbows, 0.75 inch 1 920 each
3.7. Garden taps with brass hose adapters, 0.75 inch 1 920 each
3.8. GI tripods with 2 m (2x1m lengths), 0.5 inch riser 1 920 each
3.9. GI sockets, 0.5 inch 1 920 each
3.10. GI reducing bushes 1 920 each
3.11. GI elbows, male and female threaded, 0.75 inch 1 920 each
3.12. Brass hose adapters, 0.75 inch 1 920 each
3.13. Sprinkler, 3.0 mm nozzle on tripod and 2 m 0.5 inch riser 1 920 each
3.14. Hoses, 20 mm rated at 7 bar, 32 m each 1 920 each
3.15. Hose clips 3 840 each
4. Trenching, back-filling
Unskilled labour 810 workday
5. Setting out
5.1. Skilled labour 11 workday
5.2. Semi-skilled labour 11 workday
5.3. Unskilled labour 55 workday
6. Pipe laying
6.1. Skilled labour 11 workday
6.2. Unskilled labour 22 workday
7. Access roads and drains 112 mach.hr
8. Fencing, 1 800 m
8.1. Barbed wire, 4 lines 1 800 m
8.2. Corner posts 4 each
8.3. Gate, large 4.25 m 4 each
8.4. Skilled labour 14 workday
8.5. Unskilled labour 140 workday
9. Pumping plant
9.1. Pumphouse 2 lump sum
9.2. Suction pipe, complete with screen, non-return valve 2 each
9.3. Pressure gauge, flow meter, etc. 2 each
9.4. Centrifugal pump (Q = 75 m3/hr, h = 39 m, Eff. = 60%) 2 each
9.5. 18 kW motor (Eff. = 88%) 2 each
9.6. Skilled labour - lump sum
9.7. Unskilled labour - lump sum
10. Toilet, storage structures, etc. lump sum
SUB-TOTAL
CONTINGENCIES 10%
TOTAL

Note: P = Plain; F = Flanged; T = Threaded

44 – Module 12
 Chapter 5
An example of the preparation of a tender document for the
construction of a drip irrigation scheme for smallholders
This chapter provides an example of Special conditions and Y Field 10 is made of two blocks of 36 m x 36 m for each
Technical specifications that were prepared for the block
construction of a drip irrigation scheme for smallholders in Y Between each field there is a pathway of 3 m
Zimbabwe, called “Hama-Mavhaire drip irrigation
scheme”. There will be only one pumping unit at the dam with a
floating suction pipe and strainer. The pumping unit will be
5.1. Background and access to the scheme on a movable base with wheels. The major components on
the main line are the filtering unit and the connection
The scheme is located in Mvuma District in the Midlands offtakes to each farm. There are 10 such offtakes, one for
Province. The area can be accessed by a dust road that each farm, and each includes a fertilizer injector, pressure
branches to the right at the 267.5 km peg on the Harare- regulator, filter, etc., as shown on the details of the drawing.
Masvingo road. It is about 20 km from the main road and Each field is subdivided into six plots and each plot will be
the turn-off to the scheme is only 30 km from Masvingo 12 m wide and 72 m long. Within each field there will be
town. It is located next to an existing 92 ha drag-hose 6 valve assemblies serving the six identical irrigation plots
sprinkler irrigation scheme. through manifolds in the middle of the field (except for
The scheme will be a drip irrigation scheme of a total area fields 8 and 9 in which the manifolds are along the
of 5 hectares, shared by 10 farmers with a holding of 0.5 ha boundary). The driplines, which are connected to the
each. The water for the proposed irrigation scheme will be manifolds, serve both sides of the plot and are 36 m in
pumped from the existing Hama-Mavhaire dam, which also length. It is expected to have 8 beds at each side of the
supplies water to the existing sprinkler irrigation scheme. A manifold and hence 8 driplines of 36 m length. Thus each
separate pumping unit has to be installed for the drip plot will have 16 beds (8 at each side) with one 36 m
system. dripline per bed. Some differences exist in fields 8 and 9,
where the shape of each of the six irrigation plots is 24 m
This document covers all the works for installing a x 36 m. However, each plot still has 16 driplines of 36 m
pumping unit, connection to the electricity, filtering length. The flow in each irrigation plot is estimated to be
system, a pipe line for conveying and distributing the about 3 m3/hr.
water to the farms and all the farm piping, equipment,
driplines etc., as described in the tender documents and 5.4. Special conditions
shown in the drawings.
5.4.1. Protection of existing services and structures
5.2. Contract drawings
Before commencing the works, the contractor shall obtain
The works are shown on the contract drawings included in at their own cost any necessary licence and full information
the tender documents amongst which are the following: from respective authorities with regard to the position of all
Y Location map (Figure 13) existing services and structures. The contractor has to
exercise utmost care when working in the area. Before
Y Layout of the scheme (Figure 14) commencing the works they should forward a notice to the
responsible authority outlining their intentions to work
5.3. General irrigation scheme layout near the services or structures. The contractor should
obtain written approval and must proceed in accordance to
The scheme consists of 10 fields of about 0.5 ha each
the requirements of the responsible authority. Any damages
(Figure 14). The field sizes are as follows:
caused by the contractor to the services or structures due
Y Fields 1 - 7 are 72 m x 72 m to their own negligence should be reported immediately to
Y Fields 8 and 9 are 36 m x 144 m the responsible authority. The contractor will carry out the
repairs at their own expense.

Module 12 – 45
 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

46 –
MASVINGO PROVINCE
Chirumanzu C. L.
Figure 13
Irrigation manual

Module 12
HAMA MAVHAIRE PROPOSED DRIP IRRIG. SCHEME
78
11 Location Map 78
11
Scale 1: 50 000

Irrigation scheme

78
10 78
10

78
09 78
09

78
08
Location map of Hama-Mahvaire drip irrigation scheme

78
08

78
07 78
07

78
06 78
06

78
05 78
05

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56
 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Figure 14
Layout of Hama-Mavhaire drip irrigation scheme

0.25 ha

Module 12 – 47
Irrigation manual

The contractor should take care of the existing supply line All materials and equipment included in the works of the
to the drag-hose sprinkler irrigation scheme. This line irrigation scheme shall be guaranteed by the tenderer
passes through the area of the drip irrigation scheme and against all defects, workmanship, for a period of one year
the contractor will be held responsible for any damages and from the date of acceptance of the irrigation system.
be asked to repair them to the full satisfaction of the
engineer. 5.4.5. Procurement, packing and delivery
All uPVC pipes, materials and equipment required for this
5.4.2. Sign board
scheme shall be provided by the contractor unless
The contractor shall supply and erect, at an approved site, otherwise stated herein.
a sign board which shall, regarding size, painting, decorating
and details, comply with the requirements for the Standard Transportation of all materials and equipment for the
Board recommended by the Zimbabwe Association of construction of the irrigation scheme to the project site
Consulting Engineers. The description of the project and shall be the responsibility of the contractor. Once the
the names of employer, engineer, contractor and sub- materials and equipment have been offloaded at the project
contractors to be painted on the board shall be as shown on site, careful examination of the materials and equipment for
the drawing supplied to the successful tenderer. damage, etc., shall be carried out by both the contractor
and the engineer or their representative staff.
5.4.3. First aid outfit The contractor shall take all due care to avoid damage to
The contractor shall provide on the site of the works an pipes, fittings and specials during transportation to the site of
adequate and easily accessible first aid outfit, as required in the works. The pipes in transit shall be well secured and
terms of the Workmen’s Compensation Act of Zimbabwe, supported over their entire length and not be allowed to
Chapter 269, or any amendments thereto. project over the tailboard of the transporting vehicle. Pipes
shall not be dropped or thrown to the ground and impact
with other pipes or solid objects shall be avoided. uPVC pipes
5.4.4. Materials
of any diameter may be lifted by hand. All fittings shall be
The scheme shall be constructed using uPVC pipes and handled with care to avoid damage. They shall not be thrown,
fittings. Only the first portion of the mainline of about 48 dropped or subjected to impact with other objects.
m length (between the pump and the connection to the
uPVC main) will be 3 inch diameter aluminium pipe. The 5.4.6. Storage of materials and equipment on site
pipes and fittings shall be of the type specified in the BOQ
or shown on the drawings. The contractor shall take all reasonable care to avoid any
damage to the pipes, fittings and specials during storage and
Except where otherwise stated or approved by the subsequent handling, laying and jointing. The
engineer, all materials used in the works shall be of the manufacturer’s instructions in this regard shall be strictly
best quality of their respective kinds, as specified or adhered to. Particular care should be taken to ensure that
described in the specifications and the drawing, and shall no damage occurs to the ends of pipes and fittings to avoid
comply wherever possible with the current issue of the subsequent problems of joining.
appropriate Standard Association of Zimbabwe, the
British Standard Institution or other approved equivalent Storage areas or sheds shall be in accordance with the
international standard as noted herein or approved by the manufacturer’s recommendations and subject to the
engineer. approval by the engineer. Storage areas shall be level and
clear of stones. Timber bearers of uniform size shall be
All materials and equipment needed for the system shall be placed under the bottom rows of stacked pipes at intervals
new, without flaws or defects and of the quality and of 800 mm. No stack of uPVC pipes shall be more than 2.5
performance as specified and shall meet the requirements m high. All storage areas shall be secure from pilfering or
of the system. theft. Shade covers shall be provided for stacks of uPVC
pipes and fittings to prevent their exposure to the direct
Whenever any material is specified by name or number, rays of the sun at all times.
such specification shall be deemed to be used for the
purpose of facilitating a description and establishing quality In addition to the above, contractor shall be deemed
of the material and shall be deemed and construed to be responsible for any deterioration of the materials and
followed by the words “or approved equivalent”. therefore for the replacement.

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5.4.7. Working drawings and As built or Record prior to installation so that a smooth unobstructed flow will
drawings be obtained.
The design drawings included in the tender documents are All uPVC to metal joints shall be made with adapters of the
diagrammatic. The contractor should verify these as per same basic materials as the uPVC pipes wherever possible.
actual field situation and should prepare Working drawings The solvent recommended by manufacturer shall be used.
with all required details to assist in implementing the works The solvent-weld joints shall be made in the following
properly and accurately. The engineer will approve such manner:
working drawings before implementation.
a) Thoroughly clean the mating pipe
The contractor will update the working drawings on a daily
basis as per the actual situation in the field. The engineer b) Apply a uniform coat of solvent to the outside of the pipe
should approve any modifications, big or small. These c) Apply solvent to the fitting in a similar manner
drawings, which show the actual field situation and the
d) Reapply a light coat of solvent to the pipe and quickly
system as it is built, will be the basis for preparing the As
insert it into the fitting
built drawings or Record drawings. The contractor will submit
two copies on a reproducible form (tracing) of the As built e) Give the pipe or fitting a quarter turn to ensure even
drawings to the engineer, within a month of commissioning distribution of the solvent and make sure that the pipe
the system. is inserted to full depth of the fitting socket
f) Hold in position for 15 seconds
5.4.8. Trenching and back-filling
g) Wipe off excess solvent that appears at the outer
The farmers participating in the project shall do all the shoulder of the fitting
excavation of trenches. The work shall be carried out under
strict supervision of personnel designated by the client. Care should be taken not to use excess amounts of solvent.
Placement of all uPVC pipes along the trenches shall be The joints should be allowed to set for at least 24 hours
done after completion of trench excavations. before pressure is applied to the system.

The farmers participating in the project shall do back-filling Pipes shall be laid true to the lines, with the socket facing
work. In the addition to the excavation and back-filling in the direction of lay. The joint with the adjacent pipe shall
works, the client shall provide the contractor with a then be made by sliding the spigot end into the previously
number of unskilled labourers to be used during the laid pipe.
construction on the site. The involvement of the farmers is
intended to make the farmers feel more responsible for 5.4.10. Keeping pipelines clean
their own project. The contractor shall specify the number Every reasonable precaution shall be taken to prevent entry
of unskilled labourers required. of any foreign matter and water into the pipes. At the end
of each day’s work, or at any time when work is suspended
5.4.9. Pipe laying and connection for a significant period, the last laid section of each pipeline
No pipes shall be laid until the engineer’s approval has been shall be plugged, capped, or otherwise tightly closed with a
obtained for the section of the works. uPVC pipes shall be cloth or plastic sheet until laying recommences. If the pipe
laid strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s end is left open, and rain comes during the night, soil and
instructions. Before laying each pipe or fitting, it shall be dirt will enter the line and may not be easy to flush out.
inspected to ensure that no damaged item be installed in Furthermore, small animals such as rats may enter the line
the line. Any item found to be damaged should be put aside if it is left open.
for possible repair and later use, in the case of a pipe, as a
make up piece. Any burrs and sharp ends shall be 5.4.11. Flushing
smoothened with a rasp to facilitate jointing. Flushing the system will be done in three stages:
When laying is about to commence, both ends to be joined Stage 1 : After installing the mains and offtake valves for
shall be cleaned to remove dirt, soil, grit, oil or grease. The each farm (before installing the field filters), a full head
inside of the socket and the outside of the spigot shall be of water should be used to flush out the line. At first
lightly sand-papered. The uPVC shall be cut with a handsaw only the flushing point of the main is left open so the
or other equivalent means in such a manner as to ensure a water will flush out with high speed any soil trapped in
square (straight) cut. Burrs at the ends shall be removed the line. Then the flushing point of the main is closed

Module 12 – 49
Irrigation manual

and the offtake valves to each field are opened all Should such failure be the result of an error in the
together. engineer’s design, the cost of such remedial work shall be
Stage 2 : After completing the installation of the sub-mains borne by the client. Otherwise it shall be at contractor’s
and the manifolds in each field, including the grommet own expense.
connection with a piece of blank polyethylene dripline
(before connecting to the driplines), flush the lines. At 5.4.13. uPVC – dripline connections
the beginning the flushing point of each sub-main is The contractor will connect the driplines to uPVC by using
opened (one by one). When the soil and other dirt grommets. Drilling holes on the uPVC manifold for
have been flushed away, the flushing point is closed and installing the grommets should be done with great care.
valves for each manifold are opened. The diameter of the drilled hole should be such that the
Stage 3 : A final flushing is done after the installation of the rubber ring is tightly fixed in order to avoid water leakage.
driplines. The end of the driplines for each manifold is Holes with irregular shape and blisters should be avoided.
left open. Water is allowed to go to one manifold at a A piece of blank PE dripline of 1-2 m length and about 1
time in order to have better flushing. mm wall thickness should be used after the grommet
connection. A connector with a lock-in plastic attachment
5.4.12. Pressure testing is always left at the end of blank PE line in order to connect
After the installation of the mainline, the lines, including the dripline carrying the emitter.
the sub-main line, are pressure tested. The pressure test The engineer reserves the right to instruct the contractor to
may be done by using a hand pump. The pipe length to be remove any uPVC manifold if the grommet connections
tested at any time should not exceed 300 m. The pressure (due to bad drilling of holes, use of low quality rubber or
test should be done at 7 bar. The duration of the test should due to unsuitable grommets) are not satisfactory. Such
be 12 hours. removal and replacement will be at no cost to the client.
The procedure to be followed for testing the mainline is as
follows: 5.4.14. Timing/Scheduling of works
a) Partially back-fill the pipes to be tested, leaving the The contractor shall present in their tender a schedule of all
sockets uncovered; all joints and connection points to their activities for completing the scheme. Among others,
be left open for leakage inspection the contractor will state the delivery time of all the
materials to site. The contractor shall be penalized for
b) Flush the mainline with water to get rid of the soil and
failure to complete the tendered works as stated under the
other dirt
general conditions.
c) Refill the mainline with water
Upon the testing and acceptance of the system, and within
d) Open the valves to remove any entrapped air the warranty period of 12 months, the contractor shall
e) Using a hand pump pressurize the line to the required repair any reported faulty equipment and breakages within
operating pressure three (3) days. If the contractor does not respond within
the specified time, the client carries out the repairs, the cost
f) Leave the system pressurized for up to 12 hours
of which is deducted from the 10% retention.
g) Check for leakages; any drop of pressure, even of small
value, is the result of a leakage 5.4.15. Workmanship
h) Repair the leakage and leave the system for 24 hours if All workmanship shall be of the best quality appropriate to
solvent-welding was used for repairs each category of work.
i) Repeat the pressure test after filling the line with water;
if the pressure does not drop from the original set 5.4.16. Variation order
value, within 12 hours then the test is considered a
Changes in construction, which have not been envisaged in
success
the design stages or at the time of acceptance of the tender
Should any pipeline fail to operate within the specified but which are necessary for the proper operation of the
operating range, the contractor shall investigate the causes system, can be made upon the instruction of the engineer
of such failure, report the results to the engineer and in writing. There has to be a written response from the
undertake such remedial work as the engineer may direct. contractor, stating the costs of such changes. Upon approval

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

by the engineer, the contractor can commence or continue The 40 mm sub-mains cross the middle of each field,
with construction of the necessary works. except for long fields 8 and 9, and supply water to the
six irrigation valve assemblies (irrigation plots) in each
5.4.17. Progress reports field. Each irrigation valve supplies a PVC manifold of 40
mm 6 bar, on which the driplines are connected via
The contractor shall provide the engineer with progress grommets.
reports every 15 days covering the progress during that
period and the total works completed to date. The progress The following will be used for the sub-mains and manifolds:
report, will indicate:
Y 80 m uPVC pipe of 50 mm diameter (Class 6)
Y Planned progress to date
Y 1 628 m uPVC pipe of 40 mm diameter (Class 6)
Y Actual progress to date
A total number of 60 irrigation valve assemblies will be
Y Variance between planned progress and actual progress needed for the ten fields and about 34 600 m of dripline
Y Reasons for variance in progress with emitters will be installed.
Y Revised work/completion date
5.5.2. uPVC pipe work and fittings
Y Important issues on which the engineer should be
informed All uPVC pipes and fittings shall be polyvinyl chloride semi-
rigid. The sizes and working pressure ratings shall be as
shown in the BOQ. All uPVC pipes shall be solvent-weld
5.4.18. Clearing the site upon completion of works
for pipes less than 63 mm diameter in the length of 6 m,
When the contract works have been completed, the and of appropriate sizes and pressure ratings. PVC pipes
contractor shall, at their own expense, remove all rubbish, and fittings exposed to the sun should be painted with
surplus materials and debris, unused material, temporary sunrays protection material.
erections and equipment. The contractor shall make the
site and adjoining ground perfectly clean and to the Each length of pipe shall bear markings identifying the size,
satisfaction of the engineer. type and pressure rating. The pipes shall be smooth finished
both inside and outside and shall show no evidence of
interior scratches, grooves, or any other manufacturing or
5.5. Technical specifications handling damage. The inside shall show no evidence of
blisters, grooves or other extrusion marks. All uPVC fittings
5.5.1. General shall be of the same basic material of the uPVC. Thrust
The mainline consists of: blocks have to be placed at all points where the pipeline
changes direction (elbows, tees, etc.).
Y 48 m portable aluminium pipe of 3 inch diameter
Y 200 m uPVC pipe of 110 mm diameter (Class 6) 5.5.3. Aluminium pipes
Y 320 m uPVC pipe of 110 mm diameter (Class 4) Aluminium pipes should be of the extruded type, with
Y 245 m uPVC pipe of 75 mm diameter (Class 6) hardness T/6, as supplied by Almin Industries with the
following specifications:
Y 278 m uPVC pipe of 63 mm diameter (Class 6)
Y Outside Diameter (OD) = 76.2 mm (3 inch)
Y 365 m uPVC pipe of 50 mm diameter (Class 6)
Y Wall thickness = 1.28 mm
From the mainline there will be connection to sub-mains
for each field through an offtake of 40 mm. There are 10 Y Weight = 0.817 kg/m
such offtake connections consisting of:
5.5.4. Galvanized Iron pipes
Y Ball valve 1 inch (opening or closing the water)
GI pipes should be of medium steel, class B, conforming
Y Gate Valve 1 inch to SAZ or equivalent for GI pipes. No GI pipe shall be
Y Fertilizer injector used downstream of the head of the system.
Y Filter 1 inch, 130 micron, disc filter
Y Pressure regulator ¾ inch spring type

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Irrigation manual

5.5.5. Driplines 5.5.12. Sand filters

Driplines must be made of low-density polyethylene Sand filter vessels should be made of steel, epoxy coated,
(LDPE) and should be of a hose of nominal 16 mm and capable of withstanding an 8 bar pressure. The filtering
diameter. The wall thickness of the tube should not be less media should be crushed graded basalt, granite or washed
than 0.6 mm. Technical specifications should be submitted river sand.
with the tender.
There should be four identical units, each capable of
filtering 15 m3/hr with a pressure drop of less than 1 m.
5.5.6. Emitters
The four units should be pre-assembled on a rigid steel
Emitters should be in-line, non-pressure compensating and frame, made either of pressed steel or channel iron.
with approximate flow of 2 litres/hr at 1 bar pressure, Backwash valves shall be of the hydraulic type, with manual
spaced at 0.4 m interval. This will correspond to 5 litres/hr control for backwashing each filter separately. All
per running metre of dripline. Flow versus pressure charts connecting PVC pipe work, if used, should be class 16.
of the dripline should be submitted. Each vessel will be equipped with an air release valve.
Pressure gauges will be installed at the inlet and outlet
5.5.7. Gate valves headers. The whole unit should be on a concrete base of
20 cm thickness. The concrete should be Grade 25.
Gate valves of 3 inch diameter and above shall be made of
cast iron, double flanged, parallel double disc seat, with
5.5.13. Disc filters
non-rising stem. Gate valves of less than 3 inch diameter
will be of brass body with the ability to remove the Disc filters (there is one for each sand filter) should be of
internal parts without disconnecting the body from the multi-grooved type and having a filtering capacity of
pipe system. 15 m3/hr for each unit with a drop of pressure of less than
2 m. The disc should be 130 micron. The filters are
5.5.8. Ball valves installed after the sand filtering unit. Isolation ball valves
should be installed for allowing individual washing of each
Ball valves should be of quarter turn, made from nickel- filter without interrupting the irrigation. Pressure gauges
plated brass and Teflon type. should be installed before and after for monitoring the
clogging conditions and need for cleaning. A water tap and
5.5.9. Air release valves and vacuum breakers hose should be provided for cleaning the filters. Infield
Air release valves and vacuum breakers can be of cast iron, filters should have a flow capacity of 4 m3/hr and be of 130
plastic or aluminium bodies with plastic valve mechanism. micron.
The range of operating pressure is to be 0.5 to 8.0 bar.
Contractors should indicate in the BOQ the type of 5.5.14. Fertilizer injectors
material for which they are pricing. The fertilizer injector should be a closed tank with a bladder
inside. The tank may be made of steel, capable of
5.5.10. Pressure gauges withstanding 8 bar pressure and of 10 litres capacity. It
The contractor shall provide glycerin-filled pressure gauges should allow the injection of fertilizer based on the
of 2.5 inch face diameter. Those installed on the pipe differential pressure. The fertilizer solution being in the
network will have an installation adapter and will register bladder does not get mixed with water coming into the tank
pressures ranging from 0-10 bars. Portable pressure gauges and hence the outgoing solution will have a constant
shall be provided with male adapters and shall register concentration.
pressure ranging from 0-2.5 bars.
5.5.15. Water meters
5.5.11. Pressure regulators The water meters shall be made of a cast iron body with
The pressure regulators shall be single spring (11 m spring) brass movable internal parts, a strong glass cover for the
fitted, enabling a constant downstream pressure regardless measuring unit and a second cast iron cover for the class for
of the upstream pressure. The regulators should be durable the protection of the meter from external damage. The
and robust. meter should be capable of measuring a continuous flow of
35 m3/hr with an accuracy of ± 2% and a head loss of less
than 0.5 m. Head loss charts for the water meter should be
submitted with the tender. The meter should be capable of

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

registering the total quantity of water passed and the needle roof for weather protection. The pumping unit will have a
turning around recording 1000 litres each round. flexible rubber suction hose, a suction screen with deflector
(cover to allow suction from down and aside) and a float to
5.5.16. Pumping station allow floating suction from about 1 m below the water level.
The pump will also be equipped with a priming hand
The pumping unit will be portable and mounted on a trailer pump. The contractor should do all the connections and
with wheels. It will consist of an end-suction centrifugal installation of the cable from the transformer to the
pump capable of delivering 35 m3/hr at 55 m head at the pumping unit.
highest possible efficiency. The pump will be directly driven
by an electric motor. The electric panel should have an
enclosure containing all electrical wiring and controls. The 5.6. Bill of Quantities
panel will also include, in addition to the starter and reset Tables 6-9 give the BOQs for the Hama-Mavhaire drip
button, a voltmeter, an ammeter, low pressure cut-out irrigation scheme.
switch, earthing and protection against lightning and steel

Table 6
Bill of Quantities for the booster pump, filtration and establishment

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
Supply, installation, testing and commissioning
1 Portable pumpset 35 m3/h to 55 m c/w starter 1 No.
2 Suction and delivery fittings 1 No.
3 Electrical connection from transformer DB to pump 1 No.
4 Sand and disc filtration unit for 35 m3/h (4x20 inch units) 1 No.
with connection piping, pressure gauges etc as per
specifications and drawings
5 3 inch flow meter 1 No.
6 Establishment cost 1 Lump sum
Total part 1: booster pump, filtration and establishment

Table 7
Bill of Quantities for the mainline

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
Supply, installation, testing and commissioning
1 Aluminium pipe 3 inch x 6 m 48 m
2 PVC pipe 110 mm, Class 16 2 m
3 PVC pipe 110 mm, Class 6 200 m
4 PVC pipe 110 mm, Class 4 320 m
5 PVC pipe 75 mm, Class 6 245 m
6 PVC pipe 63 mm, Class 6 278 m
7 PVC pipe 50 mm, Class 6 365 m
8 3 inch TD flange x 4 inch TD flange S bend x 1m 1 No.
9 3 inch Wafer type return valve 1 No.
10 3 inch TD flange x hook & band assembly x 1m 1 No.
11 110 BP90 degree bend 4 No.
12 110 BP45 degree long bend 2 No.
13 110 TCPTBRP PVC flange adapter 3 No.
14 110 x 1 inch Saddle 2 No.
15 1 inch GI stub x 1 m 2 No.
16 1 inch Gate valve 2 No.
17 1 inch Dual purpose air valve 2 No.

Module 12 – 53
Irrigation manual

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
18 110 TIV equal tee 1 No.
19 75 TIV equal tee 1 No.
20 63 TIV equal tee 3 No.
21 110 x 75 DIVP reducing bush 2 No.
22 75 x 63 DIVP reducing bush 3 No.
23 63 x 50 DIVP reducing bush 6 No.
24 75 BP90 degree long bend 2 No.
25 63 BP90 degree long bend 1 No.
26 63 BP90 degree long bend 1 No.
27 50 BP90 degree long bend 1 No.
28 50 BP90 degree long bend 7 No.
29 50 VSP threaded male adapter 6 No.
30 1½ inch PVC female threaded end cap 6 No.
31 PVC solvent cement 500 ml 8 No.
32 4 inch Bolt and gasket sets 4 No.
33 3 inch Bolt and gasket sets 2 No.
34 Concrete for filter bases and thrust blocks – Lump sum
Total part 2: mainline

Table 8
Bill of Quantities for the infield works

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
Supply, installation, testing and commissioning
1 PVC pipe 32 mm Class 16 153 m
2 PVC pipe 40 mm Class 16 24 m
3 PVC pipe 40 mm Class 6 1 628 m
4 PVC pipe 50 mm Class 6 80 m
5 75 TIV 90 degree tee 3 No.
6 63 TIV 90 degree tee 1 No.
7 50 TIV 90 degree tee 8 No.
8 40 TIV 90 degree tee 31 No.
9 40 VSP threaded male adapter 71 No.
10 32 GIV 90 degree elbow 72 No.
11 40 GIV 90 degree elbow 120 No.
12 32 PVC unions 70 No.
13 75 x 63 DIVP reducing bush 3 No.
14 63 x 50 DIVP reducing bush 4 No.
15 ¾ inch Reinforced hose 40 m
16 ¾ inch Hose clips 70 No.
17 ¾ inch Poly and male thread adapter 20 No.
18 ¾ inch Disc filter 10 No.
19 PTFE Tape 50 No.
20 Start connector with grommet 960 No.
21 14 mm ID polypipe 1 440 m
22 Poly x drip insert connector 960 No.
23 Drip x drip insert connector 200 No.
24 End closure of dripline 960 No.
25 Steel support peg x 1.5 m 82 No.
26 Dripline 0.6 mm wall thickness, max 5 l/h/m 34 560 m
Total part 3: infield works

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 Module 12: Guidelines for the preparation of tender documents

Table 9
Bill of Quantities for the spare parts

Item Description Number or Unit Unit rate Total

no. quantity or price amount
Supply (ONLY) to AGRITEX stores
1 PVC pipe 32 mm, Class 16 12 m
5 40 BP45 degree long bend 4 No.
6 40 VSP threaded male adapter 4 No.
8 1 inch Parallel socket 1 No.
23 Drip x drip insert connector 100 No.
26 Dripline 0.6 mm wall thickness, max 5 l/h/m 2 000 m
Total part 4: spare parts

Module 12 – 55
Irrigation manual

56 – Module 12
 References

Agritex. 1990. Nabusenga irrigation scheme: feasibility and design report. Unpublished.
Agritex. 1993. Bonde (Block A) smallholder irrigation scheme: feasibility study. Unpublished.
Cement and Concrete Institute. 1986. Concrete construction. A handbook. Harare.
Council of South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). 1976. Standards specifications for components of Unplasticized polyvinyl
chloride (uPVC) pressure pipes for potable water. Pretoria. 55 p.
International Standard 2548. 1973. Centrifugal, mixed and axial pumps – Code of acceptance tests – Class C.
International Standard 8026. 1985. Irrigation equipment – Irrigation sprayers – General requirements and test methods.
International Standard 8224/1. 1985. Traveller irrigation machines Part 1. Laboratory and field test methods.
International Standard 8224/2. 1985. Traveller irrigation machines Part 2. Softwall hose and couplings - Test methods.
International Standard 7749/1. 1986. Irrigation equipment – Rotating sprinklers – Part 1: Design and operation requirements.
International Standard 7749/2. 1990. Irrigation equipment – Rotating sprinklers – Part 2: Uniformity of distribution and test methods.
International Standard 9260. 1991. Agricultural irrigation equipment – Emitters – Specifications and test methods.
Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) and the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFZ). 1995. Project
management course handbook. Harare.
Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) in association with the Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFZ).
1997. Construction site management course handbook. Harare. 62 p.
Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers (ZIE) and the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors of Zimbabwe Association of
Consulting Engineers. 1984. Zimbabwe General conditions of contract (ZGCC). Fourth edition. Harare. 31 p.

Module 12 – 57
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58 – Module 12