IFPRI is seeking a Firm/Organization with an up to date legally licensed soil analysis laboratory and with experience in conducting and handling soil samples from a large scale household-plot survey This requisition is open to Firms/Organizations situated in Uganda only.
Background:
Services are being sought to conduct soil laboratory analysis on 3600 soil samples that will be provided by IFPRI after completing a Household-plot survey of 850 households, operating a total of 3600 plots. The soil samples will be obtained during the implementation of the survey by a team of enumerators across the four regions of Uganda, and the firm is expected to take on these samples and perform laboratory analysis on each sample of soil chemical properties and physical properties.
The selected firm/organization will handle and prepare the soil samples for analysis which will involve conducting laboratory analysis on each of the samples provided by the client from the field. The firm/organization will ensure that the soil samples are well marked and maintains the identification marks provided by the enumerators on the soil sample packages during analysis.
The soil analysis laboratory results will be used to support and feed into the detailed household and plot level gendered land degradation analysis and try to understand how men and women respond to soil health concerns over time. The laboratory soil sample parameter results will also be used in the computation of erosion levels based on the Universal Soil Loss equation , nutrient stocks for potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, and soil nutrient balances which are all indicators of soil health. Data on similar indicators are already available from the same households and same plots for the years 2003, and 2012 .
Statement of Work:
The firm/organization will be responsible for handling, preparing and analyzing the laboratory chemical and properties of each soil sample from the field survey. The firm/organization will report for each plot soil sample using the household and plot identifying codes that will be provided by IFPRI. The firm/organization will ensure that the soil samples analyzed are well matched to the households and plots. The firm/organization will provide analysis on Organic matter, PH, sand, clay, silt, exchangeable P, exchangeable K, exchangeable N, total N, total P, and total K. IFPRI will provide a template for reporting the soil analysis.
The expected activities of the FIRM/organization offering soil laboratory analysis services are detailed as follows:
1. To receive soil samples from the field
2. Prepare soil samples for analysis
3. Supervise all stages of laboratory analysis
4. Use IFPRI excel template and populate it with soil analysis results
5. Examine completeness of soil analysis parameters results for each soil sample
6. Examine quality and accuracy of laboratory measurements
7. Submit to IFPRI soil analysis results on all agreed parameters and for all soil samples received from the field
8. Ensure that the soil sample results match well with the IFPRI provided household codes and plot codes
9. Work with IFPRI researchers to generate erosion estimates based on laboratory soil analysis results and household survey data variables
10. Provide soil technical knowledge and context when needed to IFPRI researchers when interpreting trends and patterns in soil health parameters during research analysis stage and paper writing stage
Period of performance: July 15, 2024 to October 15, 2024.
Required Qualifications:
ยท Strong knowledge in soil chemistry, and experience in handling voluminous soil samples from large household surveys in Uganda within the past 5 years.
ยท Expert knowledge of Uganda local soils context, agricultural context, and land management context.
Preferred Qualifications:
ยท Academic works based on soil analysis, land degradation, land management in Uganda.
Application: Please upload a technical proposal detailing the firm/organizationโs experience with soil sample analysis as well as a list of previous clients and references, as well as the CVโs of the principal investigators.
Also submit a financial proposal to process laboratory soil analysis of up to 3600 soil samples, for organic matter, PH, sand, clay, silt (texture), exchangeable P, exchangeable K, exchangeable N, total N, total P, and total K.
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*We are unable to respond to every applicant individually; only selected applicants will be contacted*