Terms of Reference for Production, Supply and Distribution of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) Under Congo Nile Divide Climate Resilience Project – Rwanda

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Production, Supply and Distribution of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS)

Congo Nile Divide Climate Resilience Project – Rwanda
Tender Reference: ICS/CND

Publication Date: 26th August 2026

Re-advertisement Date: 9th October 2026

Submission Deadline: 19th October 2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PRODUCTION, SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION OF IMPROVED COOKING STOVES (ICS) UNDER CONGO NILE DIVIDE CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECT – RWANDA

1. About Cordaid 

Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organization, working in and on fragility. We stand with those who are hardest hit by poverty and conflict. We assist them in their struggle to move beyond survival and to fully participate in equitable and resilient societies.

Cordaid’s vision is a world where people live with dignity and peace and enjoy equal access to resources and opportunities that promote sustainable development. 

In Rwanda, Cordaid focuses on strengthening food security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development by collaborating with government institutions, local communities, and private sector actors. Interventions include supporting smallholder farmers through market system development, facilitating access to finance, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and integrating climate change adaptation strategies for building resilient communities. 

2. Background and context 

Cordaid Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) and other implementing partners, is implementing the project “Building Resilience of Vulnerable Communities to Climate Variability in Rwanda’s Congo Nile Divide Through Forest and Landscape Restoration (CND Project)”. The project is co‑financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Environment. The project is led by the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) as the executing entity. It aims to strengthening ecosystem services, reduce climate vulnerability, and enhance sustainable livelihoods in the region. and implemented in partnership with development partners including Cordaid. 

As part of efforts to reduce deforestation and enhance household energy efficiency, the project promotes the adoption of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS). These technologies reduce fuel consumption, lower indoor air pollution, and contribute to climate mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to assist the adoption of improved multi-fuel cooking technologies in districts of Rutsiro and Karongi. 

The selected supplier will manufacture 8,500 units of Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) model of Tier 3 and distribute 4000 units to selected vulnerable households on the poverty graduation list (poor women-headed households, youth, landless people, and people with disabilities) and 4500 units on a market based model to willing households in the selected districts supporting the development of a sustainable local market for clean cooking technologies at an affordable cost.

4. Scope of work and responsibilities

The supplier shall manufacture, supply and distribute Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) that comply with applicable Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) Tier 3 requirements to selected CND project beneficiaries in Rutsiro and Karongi Districts.

• Propose an ICS Tier 3 technologies compliant with RSB standards and regulatory guidelines from Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 
• Supply and facilitate the distribution of 4,000 Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) to identified vulnerable households in the project target districts, in accordance with the beneficiary lists
• Avail and distribute 4,500 Improved Cooking Stoves (ICS) available to the wider community through a market-based approach at a subsidized price. Beneficiary households under this approach shall purchase the ICS directly from the Supplier or access them through financing arrangements facilitated by Savings Groups and Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). 
• Train and employ at least 20 youth per district in the manufacture and servicing of the supplied ICS model to create local jobs, build technical capacity, and promote the sustainability of ICS services beyond the project period.
• deliver reports on the number of ICS supplied, validated and certified by an authorized representative at Cell or Sector level, with supporting beneficiary records.

Supply the ICS as a complete household package comprising the improved cooking stove, compatible stove adapter (Urugara) where applicable to preserve heat loss, stable wood stand/assist, one cooking pot.

deliver practical beneficiary training on safe and effective stove use, appropriate fuelwood dimensions and preparation, energy-efficient cooking practices, cleaning, routine maintenance, troubleshooting and basic repair.

deliver user information materials in Kinyarwanda, including an illustrated user manual and, where appropriate, audio-visual or demonstration materials for users with limited literacy.

In collaboration with Cordaid, local government and community structures, perform cooking demonstrations and public awareness activities highlighting health, fuel-efficiency, environmental and climate benefits of ICS adoption.

Establish an accessible after-sales service and complaints mechanism and deliver repair, replacement, maintenance and warranty assist throughout the agreed warranty period.

keep a traceable serial-number register linking each stove to its production batch, delivery location and beneficiary record.

5. Technical Specifications for ICS

All improved cooking stoves supplied must comply with the national standards published by the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Tier 3 model testified by the batch test report for all parameters.

The following table provides the minimum technical compliance requirements for Tier 3 Improved Cooking Stoves.

5.1 Prototype, Testing, Labelling and Traceability

The supplier shall submit a representative prototype, including the complete household package, before commencement of mass production. The prototype shall be assessed for technical compliance, safety, durability, portability, user-friendliness and suitability to local cooking practices.

The supplier shall deliver valid RSB certification and/or laboratory batch test report covering the applicable Tier 3 standard parameters for the proposed model.

Every supplied stove shall carry a unique serial number. The stove and/or its packaging shall indicate, at minimum, the manufacturer/supplier, serial number and warranty period, together with project branding/visibility information as instructed by Cordaid.

Cordaid may require random batch samples to be tested by RSB or another laboratory. Any non-compliant products shall not be accepted or paid for and shall be replaced or rectified by the supplier at its own cost.

The supplier shall keep production, inspection, batch, serial-number and corrective-action records and make them available to Cordaid upon request.

6. Required qualifications

The bidder must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

6.1. Key Personnel

In addition to the requirement of the consultancy firm, the team shall demonstrate the following expertise as a minimum:

7. Deliverables and Reporting

• Inception Report: methodology, production approach, prototype plan, distribution plan, training and awareness approach, risk management and environmental/social safeguards.
• Production and Batch Records: quantities produced, serial numbers, inspection results, non-conformities and corrective actions.
• Beneficiary Delivery Database:gender-disaggregated beneficiary list linked to stove serial numbers and delivery locations.
• Training Materials: final Kinyarwanda user manual and English version, facilitator materials and practical demonstration materials.
• Training and Awareness Reports: locations, activities, participants disaggregated by sex and age where feasible, key messages and outcomes.
• After-sales and Warranty Reports: complaints, repairs, replacements, spare parts, response times and unresolved cases.
• Final Completion Report: overall production and distribution, training, youth engagement, environmental/social performance, lessons learned and sustainability recommendations.

1. Financial Proposal 

The Bidder shall deliver a detailed financial proposal showing the unit price per ICS and total cost for the 8,500 ICS, clearly distinguishing between the 4,000 ICS for direct distribution to vulnerable households and the 4,500 ICS for market-based access. 

The price shall cover all costs associated with manufacture, distribution, youth training and employment, servicing, after-sales assist, monitoring and reporting, and other services specified in these ToRs. No additional costs shall be charged beyond the agreed contract price.

All prices shall be quoted inRwandan Francs (RWF) and shall be inclusive of all applicable taxes and statutory charges.

9. Submission details 

The bidder should submit the following documents as part of the Technical Proposal:

9. Warranty, Performance Security and Final Payment

The supplier shall deliver a minimum twelve (12)-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and reasonable repair or replacement of defective stoves supplied under the assignment.

The supplier shall deliver a Performance Security in the form, amount and validity period specified in the procurement and contract documents.

The supplier shall establish a complaint-resolution mechanism accessible to beneficiaries and project staff and shall keep records of complaints, response times, repairs, replacements and closure.

Where provided for in the final contract, a retention/final instalment may be withheld until satisfactory completion of the warranty obligations and submission and approval of the required complaint-resolution and repair/replacement reports.

10. Implementation Timeline

The supplier will execute the ICS production and distribution program according to the following timeline.

11. Evaluation Criteria

Bids will be evaluated based on technical quality, supplier experience, financial capacity, proposed approach for youth employment, and environmental performance.

Total Score: 100 points (Minimum technical threshold: 70 points).

11.1. Quality, Environmental and Social Performance

The supplier shall keep documented quality assurance and quality-control procedures throughout production, packaging, storage and distribution.

The supplier shall oversee production waste, scrap metal, clay and other materials responsibly and minimize environmental impacts associated with manufacturing and distribution.

The supplier shall comply with applicable occupational health and safety requirements for workers involved in manufacturing, transport, distribution, installation and servicing.

The supplier shall not use child labour or forced labour and shall comply with applicable labour laws and Cordaid safeguarding and code-of-perform requirements.

The supplier shall detect key environmental and social risks and corresponding mitigation measures in the implementation work plan.

12. Ethical Considerations

The consultant must comply with Cordaid’s safeguarding, code of perform, integrity, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, child protection, environmental responsibility, and data protection policies throughout the assignment.

13. Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights

All deliverables, including the developed solutions, will become the property of Cordaid and its partners. The service provider must keep strict confidentiality regarding any proprietary or sensitive information obtained during the assignment.

14. Right to Cease Advertisement

Cordaid reserves the right to withdraw or cease the advertisement for this consultancy at any time prior to the signing of a contract. This decision may be made at Cordaid's discretion and without obligation to deliver reasons for such withdrawal. All interested parties will be promptly notified if the advertisement is cancelled. 

Applications should be submitted via email torwanda.procurement@cordaid.org by 19th October 2026. Please use the subject line: “Production, Supply and Distribution of Improved Cooking Stoves."

Note: There will be an organized online Q&A session on 14th October 2026 for interested prospective bidders. For participation, please send your email by 13th October 2026 viarwanda.procurement@cordaid.org with subject line “ICS online Q&A session”. 

15. Additional Information

For further information regarding the opportunity, please contactrwanda.procurement@cordaid.org

Done in Kigali, on 9th /October/ 2026 

Approved by:

Patrick BIRASA 

Country Manager