The Ministry of Public Health in Burundi is seeking qualified firms to conduct a full feasibility study for significant hospital expansion projects. The official announcement, made under the reference N° DNCMP/24/S/2026-2027, details an "Avis de demande des propositions Ouvert National," or Open National Request for Proposals. This initiative marks a key step in the country's efforts to upgrade its healthcare infrastructure. The market for this study is entirely funded by the Ordinary State Budget for the fiscal year 2026-2027, showing the government's strong commitment to enhancing public health services.
The core objective of the study is to assess the viability of extending constructions in height and upgrading the equipment of several District Hospitals. Specifically, the study will focus on hospitals in BUTAGANZWA, NYABIHANGA, NDAVA, BURAMBI, and KIREMBA, all strategically located within BUJUMBURA-BURUNDI. This ambitious project aims to support strategic healthcare development across these key locations, ensuring improved facilities and services for the local population.
Tender Details and Requirements
The deadline for the submission of proposals is set for September 23, 2026, with the offers scheduled to be opened on the same day. Prospective firms interested in participating in this significant tender can acquire the detailed tender document for a non-refundable sum of two hundred thousand Burundian francs (200,000 Fbu). This payment for the tender document must be meticulously deposited into sub-account number CC 10003 at the Banque de la République du Burundi (BRB), an account specifically designated for the Office Burundaise des Recettes (OBR). All submissions, including the technical and financial proposals themselves, are required to be presented exclusively in French, ensuring clarity and consistency in the evaluation process.
Consulting firms, officially referred to as "Bureau d’études," must meet stringent qualification criteria to be considered for this project. A fundamental requirement is to demonstrate a general experience in infrastructure construction studies spanning a minimum of eight (8) years. To attest to their specialized capabilities, the Bureau d’études must have successfully completed at least two studies involving multi-level buildings within the past three years. This specific requirement ensures that potential candidates possess recent and relevant expertise in vertical construction projects, which is a key component of the proposed hospital expansions.
The tender also meticulously specifies the composition and qualifications of the proposed project team, emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach. This team must be led by a Chief of Mission, who is required to be an architect or civil engineer holding a minimum of a BAC+3 degree and possessing at least eight years of professional experience in their field. An environmental and social specialist is also an essential member of the team, needing to hold either a Master's or Doctorate degree and possess five years of relevant experience, reflecting the project's commitment to sustainable and responsible development.
The engineering component of the team is strong, requiring two Civil Engineers or Architects, each with a BAC+4 degree and five years of experience. A Biomedical Engineer is key for assessing equipment needs and integration, and this role requires a Master's or BAC+4 degree coupled with eight years of experience. Technical support is provided by two Draftsmen, each with an A2 qualification and eight years of experience. Completing the specialized personnel requirements are one Electrical or Electromechanical Engineer with a minimum BAC+3 degree and eight years of experience, and one Surveyor with an A2 qualification and eight years of experience. This full team structure is designed to cover all technical aspects of the feasibility study, from architectural design to environmental impact and specialized medical equipment planning.
Applicants must also satisfy rigorous financial criteria to demonstrate their capacity and stability to undertake a project of this magnitude. Firms must show an average annual turnover of three hundred fifty million Burundian francs (350,000,000 BIF) over the last five years. This significant financial threshold is intended to ensure that the selected firm possesses the necessary financial robustness and operational capacity to effectively manage and complete the study without undue financial constraints.
Project Scope and Site Visits
The full feasibility study encompasses the expansion of construction, specifically including height extensions, and the equipping of several District Hospitals across two distinct lots. Lot 1 of the project focuses on the District Hospitals of BUTAGANZWA, NYABIHANGA, and NDAVA. These facilities are slated for detailed assessment regarding their potential for vertical expansion and the smooth integration of new, modern medical equipment.
Lot 2 of the study includes the District Hospitals of BURAMBI and KIREMBA. Similar to Lot 1, these hospitals will undergo a thorough examination to determine the viability of increasing their structural height and upgrading their medical outfitting to meet contemporary healthcare standards. The strategic division of the project into two distinct lots suggests a structured approach to managing the study's logistical and technical requirements. This segmentation could potentially allow for specialized teams to focus on specific geographic areas or for staggered timelines, optimizing the efficiency of the assessment process.
To facilitate a thorough understanding of the project sites and enable prospective firms to prepare full and accurate proposals, guided site visits have been meticulously scheduled. A site visit specifically for Lot 1, which covers the BUTAGANZWA, NYABIHANGA, and NDAVA District Hospitals, is planned for September 15, 2026. This visit will provide interested firms with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the existing infrastructure, specific operational needs, and unique challenges of these locations. A separate guided site visit for Lot 2, encompassing the BURAMBI and KIREMBA District Hospitals, is scheduled for the following day, September 16, 2026. These visits are deemed critical for firms to fully grasp the unique characteristics and requirements presented by each site, ensuring that their proposals are well-informed and tailored to the specific context. The Ministry of Public Health aims to provide all necessary information and access to facilitate a thorough assessment of the proposed expansions.
Funding and Timeline
The official call for proposals was formally published on September 3, 2026, initiating the tender process. Firms interested in participating in this key project must ensure their offers are submitted by September 23, 2026, at precisely 09:30 local time. The public opening of these offers is scheduled for the same day, September 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM, allowing for transparency in the procurement process. Once submitted, the offers will remain legally valid for a period of ninety (90) calendar days from the submission deadline, providing ample time for evaluation and selection. The selected firm will be expected to complete the full feasibility study within an execution deadline of six months from the date of contract award, ensuring a timely progression of the hospital expansion initiatives.
