WaterAid Ethiopia is inviting eligible and qualified vehicle rental service providers to participate in a prequalification process to be included in their preferred supplier list.

INVITATION TO BID (ITB)
Invitation to Participate in the Prequalification of Vehicle Rental Service Providers
Reference No.:
Closing Date and Time: July 22, 2026 @ 1:30 PM

1. Background

WaterAid is a global federation working to improve access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). As a leading WASH actor, WaterAid has played a key role in transforming the lives of poor and marginalised communities. In Ethiopia, WaterAid has been active in the WASH sector since 1991, driven by the vision that everyone, everywhere has access to sustainable WASH services. To ensure timely, safe, and cost-effective transportation services, WaterAid Ethiopia invites eligible and qualified vehicle rental service providers to participate in the prequalification process for the provision of vehicle rental services.

Successful bidders will be included in WaterAid Ethiopia's preferred supplier list and will be invited to sign a Framework Agreement for the provision of vehicle rental services on an as-needed basis. The Framework Agreement does not constitute a guarantee of any minimum volume of work.

2. Bid Participation and Submission Guidelines

Tender/specification document online Access: The Tender/specification document will be available to interested bidders who register on the WaterAid Ethiopia Website www.wateraid.org/et  between July 9 and July 22, 2026.

3. Objective

The objective of this Invitation to Bid is to identify and prequalify competent, experienced, and legally registered vehicle rental companies capable of providing safe, reliable, and well-maintained vehicles with qualified drivers for official travel within Addis Ababa and throughout Ethiopia.

4. Scope of Services

The selected service providers shall be capable of providing vehicle rental services for:

• Travel within Addis Ababa.
• Travel to all regions where WaterAid Ethiopia implements programmes.
• Airport transfers when required.
• Field visits.
• Project monitoring and supervision missions.
• Workshops, meetings, and training.
• Emergency and ad hoc transportation requirements.

Service providers should have the capacity to deploy vehicles on short notice when operationally required.

5. Vehicle Categories Required

Interested bidders should indicate the vehicle categories they can provide, including but not limited to:

• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Double Cabin Pick-up Vehicles
• Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Station Wagons/SUVs
• Standard SUVs
• Mid-size Sedans
• Economy Sedans
• Minibuses
• Coaster Buses
• Medium Buses
• Large Buses
• Cargo Vehicles (where applicable)

Vehicles offered should be roadworthy, regularly serviced, insured, and comply with Ethiopian transport regulations.

6. Eligibility Requirements

Interested companies shall submit the following documents:

• Valid Business License for Vehicle Rental Services.
• Valid Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• Valid VAT Registration Certificate (where applicable).
• Valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Certificate of Business Registration.
• Company Profile indicating years of experience.
• List of available vehicles, including model, year of manufacture, seating capacity, and ownership status.
• Copies of Vehicle Registration Certificates (Libre).
• Valid Comprehensive Insurance Certificates for vehicles.
• Copies of Driver's Licenses for proposed drivers,
• Evidence of previous experience in providing vehicle rental services to NGOs, development partners, UN agencies, government institutions, or private organizations,
• At least three references from previous or current clients,

7. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on, but not limited to:

• Legal eligibility.
• Relevant company experience.
• Fleet size and diversity,
• Vehicle condition and maintenance arrangements,
• Driver qualifications and experience.
• Service delivery capacity.
• Geographic coverage,
• Client references.
• Financial competitiveness.
• Compliance with WaterAid procurement requirements.

Only companies meeting the minimum technical requirements will be considered for inclusion in the preferred supplier list.

8. Framework Agreement

Successful service providers will enter into a Framework Agreement with WaterAid Ethiopia for a period of two (2) years, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and organisational requirements.

Selection under the Framework Agreement does not guarantee any minimum quantity or value of assignments. Vehicle rental services will be requested on an as-needed basis through individual Purchase Orders or Service Requests issued during the agreement period.

9. Bid Submission

Interested bidders are invited to submit one original Technical Proposal and one Financial Proposal in separate sealed envelopes clearly marked: Technical Proposal - Prequalification of Vehicle Rental Service Providers and Financial Proposal Vehicle Rental Services. Both envelopes should be enclosed in one outer sealed envelope clearly marked: "Bid for Prequalification of Vehicle Rental Service Providers - Reference No. WAE/ VEH/2026/00015"

Bids shall be delivered to:

WaterAid Ethiopia Procurement Unit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; submitted electronically to: 

ethiopia-procumentho@wateraid.org  before the deadline indicated above. Late submissions will not be considered.

10. Clarifications

Any request for clarification regarding this Invitation to Bid shall be submitted in writing to: Email: ethiopiaprocurementho@wateraid.org  not later than five (5) working days before the submission deadline.

11. WaterAid's Rights

WaterAid Ethiopia reserves the right to:

• Accept or reject any or all bids.
• Cancel or amend this procurement process at any stage.
• Request additional information from bidders.
• Conduct due diligence or verification of submitted information.
• Award Framework Agreements to one or multiple service providers.
• Negotiate with successful bidders where appropriate.

WaterAid Ethiopia is not bound to award a contract solely because a bidder has participated in this procurement process.

12. Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

WaterAid committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

Successful bidders shall comply with WaterAid's Global Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Bribery Policy, and any other re, applicable organizational policies throughout the duration of the Framework Agreement.

WaterAid Ethiopia
Procurement Unit

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-07-22
• Bid closing time: 13:30
• Bid opening: 2026-07-22 13:30
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: WaterAid Ethiopia
• Buyer address: Bole Medhanialem, Next to Edna Mall United Insurance Building, 3rd floor
• Published: Jul 08, 2026
• Posted at: 2026-07-08T09:05:31.000Z