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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO SUPPLY PELLET MILLS AND MIXERS
ABOUT FAIRTRADE AFRICA
Commerce Equitable Afrique whose trading name is Fairtrade Africa (FTA) is the independent non-profit umbrella organization representing all Fairtrade certified producers in Africa. FTA is owned by its members, who are African producer organizations certified against international Fairtrade standards producing traditional export commodities such as cocoa, coffee, bananas, flowers, wine, tea, cotton, mango and non-traditional commodities including shea butter, rooibos tea, herbs and spices. FTA represents over 600 Fairtrade certified producer organizations in Africa and the Middle East.
FTA works through regional networks which enables our members to have a strong vice in the government and management of the organization. FTA has four (4) regional networks – Western Africa Network (WAN); Southern Africa Network (SAN); Easter & Central Africa Network (ECAN); and the Middle East and North Africa Network (MENA).
Commerce Equitable Afrique is Implementing a “Sustainable dean energy solutions for Sugar producers in Malawi Project” in Chikwawa district targeting two Fairtrade Certified cane sugar producers, Namely Phata and Kasinthula.
To achieve one of the project’s objectives, FTA is inviting bids for the procurement of 2 pellet mills and 2 sawdust/sugar bagasse mixers to promote clean energy solutions at Phata and Kasinthula producer Organizations in Malawi.
SCOPE OF WORK
The selected supplier will be responsible for:
- Supplying 2 pellet mills and 2 sawdust/sugar bagasse mixers.
- Ensuring all pellet mills and sawdust/sugar bagasse mixers meet certification/approved standards and requirements.
- Delivering the pellet mills and sawdust/sugar bagasse mixers to the designated locations as per the delivery schedule.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
1. Sawdust/sugarcane bagasse pellet mill
a. General Description
The sawdust pellet mill is designed to compress sawdust and other biomass materials into uniform pellets, which can be used as a sustainable fuel source. This machine is suitable for small to medium-scale procluction and is ideal for Producer Organizations and youth groups involved in clean energy projects.
b. Capacity
- Production Capacity: Capable of producing 250-400 kg of pellets per hour, depending on the material’s moisture content and particle size.
- Feed Hopper: Equipped with a large feed hopper that can accommodate sawdust and other biomass materials with ease, ensuring continuous operation.
c. Operational Features
- Control Panel: Includes a user-friendly control panel for easy operation, with settings to adjust pellet size, speed, and temperature.
- Lubrication System: Integrated automatic lubrication system to ensure smooth operation of moving parts, reducing maintenance needs.
- Safety Features: Equipped with emergency stop buttons, overload protection, and safety guards to protect operators during use.
- Cooling System: The machine should have an integrated cooling system to prevent overheating during continuous operation.
d. Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Impact
- Energy Consumption: Designed to be energy-efficient, minimizing electricity usage while maximizing output.
- Noise Level: Operates at a low noise level, typically below 85 cB, ensuring a comfortable working environment.
- Dust Control: Fitted with a dust extraction system to minimize airborne particles and maintain a clean work area.
e. Compliance
The pellet mill should comply with international safety standards and environmental regulations for machinery used in biomass production.
f. Package Contents
- Sawdust Pellet Mill Unit
- Control Panel
- Feed Hopper
- Die and Roller Set (with customizable sizes)
- Lubrication System
- Cooling System
- Full Instruction Manual
g. Warranty
- A minimum of 1-year warranty on all parts and labor, with an option for extended warranty or service agreements.
h. Additional Options
- Pellet Cooler: Optional cooling unit to stabilize and harden pellets after production.
- Pellet Sieve: Optional sieve to filter out dust and fine particles from the final product.
2. Sawdust/Sugar bagasse Mixer
a. General Description
The sawdust mixer is designed to blend sawdust with other biomass materials and binders uniformly, ensuring consistent pellet quality during production. This machine is essential for preparing raw materials before pelletizing, making it suitable for small to medium-scale production facilities.
b. Capacity
- Mixing Capacity: Capable of mixing up to 1000 kg of sawdust and biomass materials per batch, depending on material density and moisture content.
- Mixing Time: Typically achieves uniform mixing in 3 to 5 minutes per batch, ensuring high productivity.
c. Operational Features
- Control Panel: Intuitive control panel for easy operation, allowing adjustment of mixing time, speed, and other parameters.
- Discharge Mechanism: Pneumatic or manually operated bottom discharge gate for quick and efficient unloading of mixed materials.
- Loading Mechanism: Equipped with a large feed
- Loading Mechanism: Equipped with a large feed inlet to facilitate easy loading of sawdust and
other biomass materials. - Cleaning and Maintenance: Designed with easy access points for cleaning and maintenance, including a removable mixing chamber cover and clean-out doors.
d. Compliance
The mixer should comply with international safety standards for industrial machinery and be certified for use in biomass processing applications.
e. Package Contents
- Sawdust Mixer Unit
- Control Panel
- Discharge Gate Mechanism
- Feed Inlet
- Full Instruction Manual
f. Warranty
A minimum of 1-year warranty on all parts and labor, with an option for extended warranty or service agreements.
g. Additional Options
- Variable Speed Drive (VSD): Optional VSD for enhanced control over mixing speed and energy efficiency.
- Dust Control System: Optional dust extraction
DELIVERY AT PLACE
The pellet mills and sawdust/sugar bagasse mixers will have to be delivered at Phata Sugarcane Outgrowers Cooperative and Kasinthula Cane Growers Cooperative in Chikwawa district, Malawi.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Compliance with technical specifications
- Cost-effectiveness
- Ability to deliver at place
- Past performance and references.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Bidders must submit their proposals by Friday, 1st November 2024. Proposals should include:
- Company profile
- Technical proposal
- Financial proposal
- Delivery plan
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants are requested to submit their proposals in electronic format by Friday, 1st November 2024, to procurementsouthernafrica@fairtradeafrica.net copy procurement@fairtradeafrica.net not later than 17:00 hours Malawian Time
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