Expression of Interest (EOI): Research and Landscape Assessments on Used Water Management in India

WASH Institute invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from reputed consulting agencies, individual consultants, NGOs, research organizations, and academic institutions to undertake a series of strategic research studies and landscape assessments aimed at advancing Used Water Management (UWM) in India. These studies are designed to bridge the gap between field-level data and policy-level insights, supporting national and state-level sanitation goals.

List of Proposed Research Studies

Applicants may express interest in any or all the following thematic studies:

1. Landscape Analysis of Onsite Treatment Technologies (0–80 KLD): A comprehensive review of technical configurations, lifecycle costs (LCC), and environmental footprints for onsite STPs serving bulk generators like housing colonies, hospitals, and hotels. – click here for detailed ToR
2. Strengthening Regulations for Onsite Wastewater Treatment: A review of national and international regulatory frameworks to develop model bylaws and incentive mechanisms for bulk generators in Indian cities. – click here for detailed ToR
3. Assessment of Sludge Treatment Technologies (LCA-based): Categorizing faecal and sewage sludge treatment modules and developing a state-usable decision framework based on pathogen risk and technoeconomic performance. – click here for detailed ToR
4. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) Frameworks for TUW Reuse: Development of Excel-based tools to quantify the economic, social, and environmental benefits of reusing treated used water across agriculture, industry, and urban sectors. – click here for detailed ToR

Submission Requirements

Interested entities must submit a comprehensive proposal that includes:

1.     Organizational Expertise, Credentials & Experience -

• Organization profile, incorporation details: Evidence of at least 10 years of experience (or as specified in the relevant ToR) in urban sanitation, environmental economics, or civil engineering. In case of individual, a detailed CV may be provided.

• Relevant Project Experience and specific expertise: A proven track record of conducting landscape assessments, economic studies, or policy reviews in the WASH sector. Please list up to 5 projects completed in the last 7 years that demonstrate expertise in urban sanitation, technology assessment, or environmental economics. For each, include:

• Project Title
• Client Name
• Brief Scope

2.     Team Strength

• Proposed Team Lead: (Name, Years of Experience, and Key Qualification).
• Core Team Composition: List the designations and key expertise of the primary team members who will be engaged in this assignment, with their background and role they shall perform.
• Experience with Stakeholder Engagement: Describe your experience interacting with ULBs, state parastatals, and private technology vendors in India.

3.     Understanding of ToR and Proposed Approach

(Note: If the applicant selected multiple studies, they should provide a brief response for each)

• Statement of Understanding: Briefly summarize your understanding of the specific objectives for the selected study/studies (Max 300 words per study).
• Proposed Methodology: Outline your proposed approach to data collection and analysis, including addressing the questions below:
  • For Study 1 & 4: How will you identify and validate vendor data and emerging technologies?
  • For Study 5: How will you select contextually suitable indicators for social and environmental benefits in India?
• Tentative Timeline: Can your organization commit to completing the assignment within the 6–9 month timeframe? (Yes/No)

4.     Financials

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown (with indicative costs) for the proposed activity, including unit rates (if applicable) and assumptions. At this stage, financials will not be considered for screening applications.

Application Process

Eligible organizations are requested to complete the official Google Form (link provided below) and upload all necessary supporting documentation.

Deadline for Submission: February 14, 2026

Selection Process: Shortlisted organizations will be invited for a technical presentation, followed by a formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the final selection phase.

Link to Google Form: https://forms.gle/TF2tU1euWC2McBb96

For detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for each study, please refer to the attached documents provided with this call.

For queries, please write to: pavan.kumar@washinstitute.org

Tags Environment and Sustainability Recycling and Waste Management Sanitation