Date of Issue: 25th March 2026

Country: Malawi

1. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is the lead implementing agency of a six-year Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Programme. TRADE is a successor Programme of the Rural Livelihoods and Economic Enhancement Programme (RLEEP) and it is being co-funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The goal of TRADE is to improve the sustainable livelihoods of rural people in Malawi.

2. TRADE Programme is being implemented through three components, of which Enabling Infrastructure is a sub-component under the Enabling Environment for Smallholder Commercialisation Component which was designed to enhance efforts in promoting value chain development in the targeted agricultural commodities through the provision of infrastructural interventions. Most infrastructural bottlenecks currently being experienced by smallholder producers in the value chain paths include lack of bulking, packaging and storage building facilities, poor roads and bridges, lack of water supply points for animals and people, and animal health dipping facilities. The intention is to give mileage to rural beneficiaries and relevant key players in the value chain enhancement by complementing other efforts aimed at bettering the environment for competitive operations of economic activities.

3. Following the general procurement notice that appeared on the IFAD website and the United Nations Development Business (UNDB) website on 17th March,2022, and the Daily Times, Nation newspaper, 17th March, 2022, TRADE intends to apply part of the proceeds for the 2025/26 financial year for procurement of works for which this Invitation for Bids is issued.

4. TRADE Programme now invites sealed bids from eligible contractors registered with CIRA in the relevant categories for the procurement of the following:

5. The use of any IFAD financing shall be subject to IFAD's approval, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement, as well as IFAD's rules, policies and procedures. IFAD and its officials, agents and employees shall be held harmless from and against all suits, proceedings, claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature brought by any party in connection with Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Programme.

6. Bidding will be conducted in accordance with National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures under IFAD procurement Handbook and the Malawi Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Act 2025. It is the responsibility of each bidder to ensure that bids are submitted in accordance with instructions to bidders in the bidding documents as non-compliance to the instructions will lead to disqualification and rejection of the bid.

7. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information, request for clarification and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given in paragraph 12 (b) below from 08:00 to 12:00 hours and 13:00 to 16:30 hours from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The deadline for clarification and inspection of bid will be on 8th April 2026.

8. A complete set of Bidding Document in English may be purchased by interested bidders on request at the address in 12(a) below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of K20,000.00. The method of payment will be Cash.

9. Mandatory site visits will be held as indicated below, Contractors should arrange and meet their own transport costs to the site.

10. Pre-Bid Conference shall be held on Friday, 3 April 2026, from 10:00 a.m. at Thyolo District Council, floor No.4 Conference.

11. Bids clearly labelled must be deposited in the Tender Box at the address in paragraph 12(b) below at or before 10:00 hours (local time) on Thursday, 23 April 2026. Late bids shall be rejected. Bidders are expected to sign an appropriate bid submission sheet at the reception area before depositing their tender.

12. Bids shall be opened in the presence of contractors and/or representatives who choose to attend the opening of the bids at the address below 12(c) below on Thursday, 23 April 2026 at 10:00 Hours. The addresses referred to above are:

a. Purchase of Bidding Documents

The Finance Office
Thyolo District Council
Private Bag 5
Thyolo

b. Submission of Bids

The IPDC Chairperson
Thyolo District Council
Private Bag 5
Thyolo

c. Opening of Bids

The IPDC Chairperson
Thyolo District Council
Floor No. 4 Conference Room
Private Bag 5
Thyolo