Egyptian Environmental
Affairs Agency
EGYPT: STRENGTHENING PROTECTED AREA FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
(Project ID 00071131: 3668)
Terms of Reference for
Open Air Museum and Amenities, Maadi Petrified Forest Protectorate
Location :
Cairo, Egypt
Application Deadline :
25-Jan-17 (Midnight Cairo, Egypt)
Post Level :
National Firm
Languages Required :
English and Arabic
Expected Duration of Assignment :
8 months
Background
Strengthening Protected Area Financing and Management Systems Project (FS) works towards the
establishment of a sustainable protected area financing system, with associated management structures,
systems and capacities needed to ensure the effective use of generated revenues for priority biodiversity
conservation needs, as well as removing or significantly reducing a wide range of barriers to sustainable
financing. The project will provide the Nature Conservation Sector (NCS) of Ministry of Environment with
a powerful set of arguments for continuing long-term investment, financing and expansion of Egypt’s PA
system, mainly with self-generated revenues through successful realization of the following outcomes:
1)legal, policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks that facilitate revenue generation, revenue
retention and other aspects of sustainable PA financing and management are established and functional;
2) levels of financial resource mobilization are adequate to ensure effective conservation-oriented
management of Egypt’s PA system; 3) business planning and cost-effective management systems are
ensuring the effective allocation and management of mobilized resources.
The Maadi Petrified Forest Protectorate is the remnants of a forest that grew 35 million years ago during
a wetter period in Egypt. Great geological upheavals were taking place as the Red Sea was formed by
the separation of the African and Arabian tectonic plates. The park is moderately vegetated and among
the wildlife is Cape Hare and small rodents like the Cairo Spiny Mouse. Birds are generally those of the
Eastern Desert including Mourning Wheatear, and White-crowned Black Wheatear. Among reptiles is the
Pale Agama.
The project is intended to draw visitors to the area to provide the park system with sustainable income,
benefit the local community while protecting the natural assets. The work must meet international
standards for creativity and quality.
1
Objectives
The objective of this consultancy is establishment of the Open Air Museum and amenities including entry
facilities pathways, and signage at the Maadi Petrified Forest Protectorate. The project is seeking for a
qualified architect/builder firms for the design, engineering, and construction of the open-air museum
including exhibits and other facilities.
Scope of Services, Expected Outputs and Target Completion
A key requirement of this project is to minimise site impacts - especially in the core zone- and the visual
impression of the structures. The design is to consider the natural shapes of the landscape and be
sensitive to it while responding to local vernacular architecture, built heritage and ecological architecture
guidelines.
1) Design phase:
After signing the contract, the chosen architect/builder firm is to perform the design in close
collaboration with the project manager and the EEAA for all components which include the
following:
Item
QTY
Renovation of the park entry facilities (at German University side) including ticket
room, 2 offices, kitchen, toilets and establishment of Park Gate
-
Establishment of the first phase of the parking area with a capacity of 50 cars, 10
minibuses and 4 full sized buses.
-
Renovation of the park entry water closets with the following specs:
-
 All fixtures to be Ideal Standard or equivalent
 Water supply pipes to be polypropylene, Belinger BT brand or equivalent
 Drainage pipes to be Misr El Higaz or Kessel or equivalent
 Men’s WC to include 6 urinals, 2 wall mounted toilet combinations and 4 sinks
 Women’s WC to include 6 wall mounted toilet combinations and 4 sinks
Shaded areas 50 m²/ each for receiving visitors with benches
2
Interpretation signs (one in each shaded area) about the natural resources in the
PA
2
Small petrified tress identification signs in the Open Museum
27
Small directional signs to guide the visitors throughout the Park
30
Interpretation stations about 20 m² each (7 within the core area and 2 in the semi
primitive area) including the exhibit panels with text, photos and graphics
9
Establishment of protection zones and fence posts around select petrified tree
specimens
10
Behavioural signage
5
Environmental friendly waste separation units
4
Establishment of one camping site including; marking the entire site, (3) unites
consists of bench & table each unit can host 6 visitors, (3) fire pits, and (2) waste
bins (3 separation units each)
1
Benches for (4) visitors at least
10
2
Prepare all necessary construction documents including the following:
A. Architectural
i. Choose the exact location of all components, demarcate and develop the site
plan (ANEX I).
ii. Detailed and dimensioned floor plans
iii. Detailed and dimensioned Elevations
iv. Detailed and dimensioned Sections
v. Detailed and dimensioned Roof plan
B. Structural and civil
i. Surveying
ii. Soil report including boreholes where needed.
iii. Calculation sheet
iv. Structural model produced by SAP or ETAB or SAFE
v. Foundation plan and slab on grade.
vi. Column and retaining wall structural details
vii. Roof floor and framing plan
viii. Foundation details
ix. Column and sheer wall details
C. Electrical
i. Exterior lighting
ii. Small power distribution
iii. Distribution board details
iv. Grounding system details
v. Electrical distribution network
vi. Fire alarm
D. Plumbing
i. Domestic water supply
ii. Domestic draining system
E. Quantities and specifications
All quantities and specifications for items A to D above
2) Construction phase
Construct the entire project in accordance with the approved drawings and specifications listed
above.
3) Interpretation phase
The interpretation work for the nine interpretation stations would include:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Deriving a theme for the exhibits.
Present the final concept for approval.
All text authoring for the exhibit content in Arabic and English.
All required high quality photography.
Graphic design of all exhibit and panels.
Fabrication and installation including hardware.
Design and install behavioral signage.
3
The service provider will also be expected to:
1. Visit the site and come to be familiarized with all aspects of the project (please contact Dr.
Shayma Taha, the Park Manager to arrange for the field visit, email: [email protected] ,
01014069709)
2. Use local craftsmen / builders where possible.
3. Select suitable local traditional materials for construction.
4. Ensure that the natural integrity of the site is maintained and that the site is properly restored
following completion of construction works. Minimal site impact related to construction is a
requirement (Annex 2).
5. Review the needed development signage based on the Petrified Forest Protectorate Master
Development Plan that can be found at ( www.epasp.org )
6. Review and follow local laws, rules and worldwide experience in designing eco-friendly signs at
protected areas.
7. Follow the international guidelines to fulfil the objectives of this assignment as following:
o “IUCN Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas 2002” especially “Chapter
5:
Sensitive
Development
of
Infrastructure
and
Services”
[http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/pag_008.pdf]
o “Guidelines for Producing Trail Signage: Direction, Interpretation and Management”,
Southern Australia Tourism Commission and Recreation Trails Signage and
Interpretation
Working
Group
2003
[http://www.southaustraliantrails.com/pdf/Trail%20Signs%20%20Draft%20Guideline1.pdf]
8. Change Orders: It is possible that unforeseen needs may be identified during the project. The
service provider will be expected to source the additional materials (obtaining competitive written
quotations where required to meet UNDP procurement rules) and supervise installation.
9. Advise the Project in a timely fashion on any actual or foreseen problems relating to the schedule.
Duration of the Work
The entire completion of the project to be performed within 8 months from signing the contract.
Competencies
The Selection will be based on the best technical offer and the least price. The weight of the selection will
be 70% for the technical offer and 30% for the financial offer
The technical offer will be evaluated as follows:
 Preliminary design of the entire project / concept
50%
 Proven experience and creative skills in the architectural, exhibit design and construction of
museums and vernacular structures in protected areas with a track record of delivering projects
within the planned time schedule and cost estimates
30%
 Familiarity with the site and its region including demonstrated access to scientific, photographic
and other contents relevant to the exhibits
20%
Required Skills and Experience

Proven experience of minimum 15 years in the architectural design and construction of museums
and vernacular structures in protected areas,

Proven creative design skills for designing, producing and installing exhibits and displays in
protected areas.
4

Demonstration of knowledge and familiarity with the site and its region.

Demonstrated access to scientific, photographic and other contents relevant to the exhibits.

Extensive experience in the design and construction of projects in situ, which utilize local labour
skills and traditional knowledge of locally available materials.

A proven record of delivering projects within the planned time schedule and cost estimates.
The application should include:
Interested companies are required to submit the following information in two separate envelopes one
including the technical offer and one including the financial offer as follows:
1. Technical offer:
a) Preliminary design that define its concept and background information demonstrating the firm
understanding of the project’s, existing condition and the relational for their proposal design
b) Documents to include the following:
1.
Rough and general outline of quantities and specifications to list building materials and
their specifications. This list should include the following items:
 Grading and excavation works
 Foundations
 Wall construction and finishing materials
 Moisture insulation
 Roofs
 Ceilings finishing materials
 Floor materials
 Mechanical works
 Exhibit panels
 Behavioural signage
 Any additional ideas that could improve the quality of the project
c) Builder/architect firm profile to include written history of the builder/architect firm and previous
experience in designing and supervising similar operations. This will include qualifications of the
builder/architect firm’s team members that will be part of the project.
2. Financial offer:
This project must be quoted on a lump sum basis. Specify the lump sum cost of components that the
builder/architect firm includes in the computation of the contract price in reference with the general
outline of quantities and specifications as noted above.
To Apply
Offers must be submitted in English, in 2 sealed envelopes (financial and technical offers) to the
following address: 4 Ali el Kordy Street, Khan el Maadi Building, 10th floor, apartment # 101,
Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
5
ANNEX 1
6
ANNE X 2
General Guidelines
 Signs should be located where they can easily be seen by trail users and should present
information in a format that is easy to understand by all users. The text should be limited to
what is necessary and should be supplemented by graphics that are universally understood.
 Signs may be constructed using different types of materials, which may vary depending on the
type of sign being produced. Sign faces that are constructed from metal or synthetic materials
can be painted or colored to match the environment. Factors to consider when choosing
materials include budget, aesthetics, durability, maintenance costs, and replacement cost due to
vandalism or theft.
 The designs will quest to incorporate locally available building materials (wood, stone..etc) and,
where appropriate, utilize local and indigenous knowledge, vernacular architectural styles and
motifs, including historical architecture.
 An effectively designed sign face is clear, concise, simple, and legible with well-spaced
typography and plenty of space in the margin. Text for signs should be left-justified and use both
capital and small-case lettering (except for wooden directional signs, which use all capital
lettering). Universal symbols should be used when possible.
 Standard colors are white lettering on a brown background. Paint should be high-quality (two
part epoxy will not fade) and compatible with the surface it is used on, as well as compatible
with any preservatives used on wooden surfaces.
 Signs needing their own support should be installed using one or two 4”x4” posts eight feet long
placed approximately 24” into the ground with a theft-resistant anchor bolt. Posts of brown or
grey recycled composite material are best for more developed areas (dark brown is suggested as
the standard). A single wooden signpost may be used in primitive areas (cedar is best).
Postholes should be filled with either concrete or rocks and covered with compressed soil. The
sign should be attached to the post using theft-resistant, corrosion-resistant hardware such that
the top of the sign is level and even with the tops of the signposts.
 The following recreation symbols should be used on trailhead signs, at trail junctions and road
crossings, and on maps to indicate permitted uses of the trail. In addition, trail difficulty rating
symbols can be used on mountain bike and cross country ski trails that have been rated for level
of difficulty. Except for difficulty rating symbols, colors can be modified to coordinate with trail
markings.
Signs should:
 be attractive and informative with interesting text and graphics;
 be easy to follow and understand;
 be weatherproof and vandal resistant; and
 blend sympathetically with the environment.
7