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Procurement and Deployment of Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors (LCS) in Kilifi, Kajiado, and Kiambu Counties

About Cities Program

African cities are growing rapidly: The continent’s urban population will double by 2050, reaching 1.5 billion people. But urban infrastructure and services are not meeting demand.

Most growth is happening in informal settlements, where people do not have reliable, safe or affordable access to essential everyday services. About 51% of city residents in sub-Saharan Africa live in places that exceed safe limits for air pollution. Many cities are located along coasts and major rivers, exposing citizens to dangerous floods. Globally, urban areas produce 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing escalating climate impacts like heatwaves and droughts.

This puts Africa’s cities at a key inflection point. More than three-quarters of the infrastructure that will exist in African cities by mid-century is yet to be built, offering immense opportunity to improve urban planning as cities expand. It is essential that this development is not only low-carbon and climate-resilient, but also enhances access to crucial services such as running water and sanitation, electricity, decent housing, transport, and dignified, healthy urban jobs.

Our goal is to transition Africa’s urban systems to provide a better quality of life and health through equitable access to jobs and core services for all residents — especially the underserved. At the same time, we’re working to make cities more resilient to climate change and help them achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

WRI works to ensure the future of African cities by helping city administrations, private and public investors and donors make informed decisions on city planning and policy. Our approach in all cities is to:

• Develop liveable neighborhoods. We work closely with city agencies and other decision-makers to reduce air pollution; restore urban forests and watersheds; develop safe and reliable transportation; and ensure all residents can access sanitation, clean water, parks and other services.
• Build resilient water systems. We aid cities in overcoming water challenges and reducing exposure to floods by advancing nature-based solutions for flood mitigation.

About the Kenya —Small Vehicles E-Mobility

The project, “Kenya —Small Vehicles E-Mobility” has the overall goal of accelerating the transition towards e-mobility to achieve reductions in transport sector emissions, as well as create green jobs and industrial growth in the assembly and manufacturing of e-vehicles. The project will focus on increasing the uptake of electric two wheelers (boda bodas) and three wheelers (tuk tuks) in peri-urban and rural areas of Kenya. The project anticipates propelling the market to reach critical mass that will result in market driven initiatives to further transformation of the transport sector.

Objectives of this Assignment

The main objective of this assignment is to procure, deploy, and operationalize a network of low-cost air quality sensors (LCS) in Kilifi, Kajiado, and Kiambu Counties to enhance spatial coverage, data access, and evidence-based air quality management. Specifically, the assignment aims to:

• Expand Monitoring Coverage: Establish a network of reliable, calibrated low-cost sensors to complement reference-grade stations and fill existing monitoring gaps in the selected counties.
• Generate Hyperlocal Air Quality Data: Provide data to identify pollution hotspots, analyze trends, and inform county-level air quality management and mitigation measures.
• Support Evidence-Based Policy and Planning: Enable County governments and WRI partners to use air quality data for policy formulation, enforcement of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Air Quality) Regulations, 2024, and development of county clean air action plans.
• Enhance Community and Institutional Engagement: Increase public awareness and participation in air quality management through deployment in institutions such as schools, hospitals, and local government offices.
• Strengthen Technical Capacity and Data Systems: Build local capacity in sensor installation, calibration, data interpretation, and maintenance; and ensure integration with an online data platform for visualization and public access.

Scope of Work

The vendor will be responsible for the procurement, deployment, and operationalization of approximately 20 low-cost air quality sensors (LCS) across Kiambu, Kajiado, and Kilifi Counties, under the guidance of the WRI Air Quality Team and in close collaboration with county governments and other knowledge

1. Procurement and Technical Demonstration

• Supply approximately 20 calibrated and warranty-backed low-cost air quality sensors within a hardware budget ceiling of USD 10,000.
• The final number and distribution of sensors may vary based on findings from preliminary site visits and assessments.
• Each sensor should include measurement capability for PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, temperature, and humidity.
• Demonstrate technical capability in manufacturing, calibration, and quality assurance, including co-location or certification data.
• Provide a detailed specification sheet, warranty terms, and a plan for sensor maintenance and reliability assurance.

2. Site Selection and Deployment

• Conduct preliminary scoping to understand urban, peri-urban, and rural dynamics in each county.
• Identify emission hotspots (e.g., transport corridors, industrial zones, waste burning sites, densely populated estates).
• Apply agreed site selection criteria, emphasizing:
  • Population exposure and pollution source proximity.
  • Representativeness of contrasting contexts (urban core, peri-urban, rural).
  • Security, accessibility, and availability of stable power and connectivity.
  • Institutional readiness of hosting partners (schools, health facilities, local offices).
• Work with WRI and county partners to validate and finalize monitoring locations.

3. Installation and Operationalization

• Oversee installation, ensuring all devices are properly mounted, powered, and transmitting data to the central platform.
• Configure sensors for real-time data transfer, with backup storage capability.
• Provide maps and reports of all deployed sites, including GPS coordinates, justification for each site, and photos.
• Integrate the network into an existing or vendor-provided cloud-based dashboard compatible with WRI data systems.

4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Develop and deliver training for county officials and technical staff on sensor operation, calibration, maintenance, and data interpretation.
• Prepare user manuals, quick guides, and maintenance protocols.
• Facilitate awareness sessions with local institutions and communities to strengthen ownership and understanding of air quality data applications.

5. After-Sales Support and Maintenance

• Provide a comprehensive maintenance and warranty plan covering calibration checks, firmware updates, and replacement of faulty units.
• Offer remote and on-site technical support throughout the project duration (2025–2029).
• Ensure data reliability through periodic audits and quality-control mechanisms.

4. Deliverables

5. Qualifications of Vendor

- Demonstrated experience in manufacturing and deploying low-cost air quality sensors.
- Proven track record in site selection and deployment in Kenya/ Region.
- Ability to work with subnational governments and communities.
- Capacity to provide technical support and training within Kenya.

6. Duration

The assignment will run for six months, covering procurement, site selection, installation, training, and handover.

7. Evaluation Criteria

1. Technical competence in LCS manufacture and deployment – 40%
2. Site selection methodology and justification – 30%
3. Capacity to provide training and after-sales support – 10%
4. Capacity to deliver long term Maintenance-5%
5. Financial Proposal & value for Money
   
   

9. Proposal Submission Requirements

1. All proposals should be submitted via mail to Lilian Nyangweso at Lilian.nyangweso@wri.org and cc Reynolds @ Reynolds.kihura@wri.org by COD 17th October 2025.Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Any queries about this RFP should be sent via email by latest 15th October to reynolds.kihura@wri.org with a cc to Lilian.nyangweso@wri.org