Monthly Progress Report: A-E Services to Support Infrastructure Related Programming in Solomon Islands

The purpose of the SCALE-A&E contract is to acquire qualified architectural and engineering services in support of SCALE, particularly objective b, which is to strengthen and expand the agribusiness sector. Interventions under SCALE will support the following objectives: enabling environment for trade and investment improved, agribusiness sector strengthened and expanded, and improved natural resource governance with a focus on the forestry sector. The SCALE-A&E contract is focused on completing analyses, feasibility studies, design, and construction oversight of small-scale infrastructure at approximately 10-20 sites. Task 1 involves providing sectoral analyses, planning, and draft design standards, with deliverables including 5 reports and appendices submitted to USAID on June 27th, 2021. Task 2 involves completing concept and pre-feasibility studies for NTC and related infrastructure, including outreach to SI National and Provincial Government, evaluation of stakeholder concepts, and preparation of concept notes for prioritized projects. Task 3 involves providing concept study reviews for small-scale agribusiness and transaction advisory services for host country infrastructure development, including NTC and related infrastructure. Task 4 involves completing planning, feasibility studies, cost estimates, and preliminary designs for small-scale agribusiness infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads, processing centers, warehouses, water and energy supply, and wharves. Task 5 involves completing designs and tender documents and supporting procurement for small-scale infrastructure. Task 6 involves managing construction contractors to adhere to designs and specifications. Technical monitoring is ongoing, with no updates reported. Construction status and critical issues are summarized in Table 1, which includes information on small-scale non-mechanical processing projects, small-scale mechanical processing projects, and Malaita Outer Islands and non-Malaita projects. Other activities include preparing sub-leases for Winrock and Nathan Associates, working with Clear Outcomes to modify contract for targeted GESI work, and preparing a Concept Note regarding an analysis of the funding mechanisms available for constructing, operating and maintaining agricultural processing centers on the island of Malaita. Planned activities include assisting with a Bi-Annual or 'All-SCALE' meeting by providing meeting quarters and rental of audio-visual equipment in Auki in Malaita Province, collaborating with Malaita Provincial Infrastructure Advisory Committee members to collect more information on land ownership related to large-scale and small-scale projects, and securing temporary work quarters in Auki. Challenges to implementation include delays in formalizing the Letter of Agreement between the U.S. government and SIG, work permit applications being delayed, and Covid-19 precautions in the islands preventing passenger flights from arriving.