Consultancy for Beam Monolith Foundation Retrofit Solution

Opportunity Type:

Contractor / Consultant

Summary:

A type of “Contingent Worker” who provides expert advice and specialized skills to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) on a temporary basis and is typically associated with a "Professional Services Agreement".  “Consultants” are typically contracted to address specific challenges, improve processes, or implement strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Background 

The Philippines ranks first in global disaster risk, with approximately 5.8 million lower-income households requiring foundation retrofitting to withstand natural disasters. Market research in Cebu revealed that 36% of houses have no foundations at all, and 28% require urgent retrofitting. Beam Monolith is a foundation retrofit solution designed as a resilient, non-invasive, and affordable foundation solution (~$700 per 25sqm house). While pilot prototypes showed excellent structural performance during a 6.9 magnitude earthquake and major typhoons in 2025, scaling is currently hindered by limited design versatility and the persistence of substandard building practices. To protect an estimated 1.16 million high-risk families in the country, the Beam Monolith solution must transition from a specialized pilot into a versatile, market-ready product. The scope of work is critical in scaling Beam Monolith for wider adoption, specifically through the Local Government Unit pathway where the solution can be systematically integrated into the public sector resilience initiatives.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to transform the current Beam Monolith pilot into a scalable, market-ready foundation system through two integrated tracks:

1. Technical Diversification (Engineering): To update the existing Beam Monolith plan for diverse housing sizes, context, and dense urban environments.

2. Institutional Capability (Training): To institutionalize construction standards by developing a "Training of Trainers" (ToT) program and certification framework for local government staff and barangay-level workers.

Scope of Work

Workstream 1: Structural Engineering

The Structural Engineer/Firm shall provide complete working drawings, structural computations, and technical specifications for five (5) Beam Monolith variants designed to address common housing contexts and construction practices in the target market.

1. Alternative Wall Material Construction: 

Develop adaptive structural designs for Beam Monolith houses utilizing commonly available non-CHB wall materials identified such as fiber cement boards, plywood, and other light-material wall systems. Designs shall adopt conservative structural assumptions to ensure safety and compliance with relevant building standards.

2. Varied House Dimensions:

Develop a structural design guide and template for Beam Monolith houses with varying rectangular footprints up to a maximum dimension of 8m × 8m. The guide shall specify allowable spans, foundation requirements, and structural member sizing (e.g., reinforcement requirements, beam and column specifications) for different house dimensions and configurations, enabling adaptation beyond the standard design without requiring a full redesign.

3. Standard One-Storey Design: 

Develop a value-engineered structural design for a standard one-storey house, optimizing material use and cost while ensuring code compliance, safety, and durability. The design shall exclude the current provisions for future expansion and right-size the foundation and structural elements to the intended building requirements.

4. Sloped Terrains: Develop structural and foundation solutions for Beam Monolith houses constructed on sloping sites, including design parameters, allowable slope ranges, and recommended foundation systems to ensure structural stability and cost-effectiveness.

5. Limited Space/Urban Applications: Develop structural plans suitable for dense urban environments, including designs for narrow lots, zero- or minimal-setback conditions, and sites with limited construction access, while ensuring compliance with applicable codes and safety requirements.

• Incremental Construction Safety: All design variants shall incorporate value-engineered safety features and construction sequencing guidelines that preserve structural integrity during extended periods of owner-driven incremental construction.

• Structural Certification: The Structural Engineer/Firm shall provide complete structural computations, signed and sealed by a licensed professional, for all design variants. All outputs shall comply with the latest edition of the National Structural Code of the Philippines and other applicable building regulations.

Workstream 2: Training of Trainers (ToT) & Workforce Development

The firm will address the persistence of unsafe practices by creating a technical handover mechanism for LGU adoption.

1.Training Program Creation: Develop a simplified, hands-on training manual for DRRMO staff to master the construction practice and easily adapt and train barangay construction workers.

2.Capacity Building: Conduct a series of in-person training sessions for approximately twenty (20) selected trainers from Lapu-Lapu City, including practical field exercises. The consultant shall deliver a minimum 8 training sessions or as necessary to ensure participants achieve the required competencies and training outcomes.

3.Certification Framework: Design a rollout system where trained staff certify barangay construction workers, allowing them to offer certified Beam Monolith services to households.

Deliverables and Budget

This consultancy is expected to be completed within 57 weeks, and the maximum total fee is USD 15,000, inclusive of taxes, with the following deliverables:

A. Development of Beam Monolith Context-Adaptive Plans (Week 1- 16)

Deliverable 1: Development of 5 versions of Beam Monolith plans (allow for 3 revisions)

Deliverable 2: Finalization of the plans complete with structural computation for each plan. Alignment with Structural Code of the Philippines is a requirement. This should be submitted in softcopy (pdf) and hard copy, signed and sealed.

Deliverable 3: Provide Industry-standard editable files (.DWG) and others for all structural plans.

Deliverable 4: Create market ready and digestible Information, Education, and Communication materials for the construction of the existing version of Beam Monolith and the 5 new plans.

B. Training of Trainers (ToT) & Workforce Development Week (17-57)

Deliverable 5: Create a simplified training curriculum for trainers. The curriculum should create a systematic program around the learning of Beam Monolith existing plan, and the additional 5 versions.

Deliverable 6: Develop a multimedia package to supplement the training curriculum including a trainer’s guide and a suite of short-form instructional videos ready for immediate LGU deployment (allow for 3 revisions).

Deliverable 7: Provide a Trainer’s Toolkit for the trained staff to manage the program independently. This should include:

Standardized checklist
Behavioral troubleshooting
Certification rubric with clear benchmarks that a barangay construction worker must hit to become certified after the trainings, enabling them to offer their service commercially.

Deliverable 8: Provide at least eight (8) in-person training sessions for Lapu-Lapu City DRRMO staff, with field practicum as a completion requirement. Additional sessions may be conducted as necessary to achieve training objectives.

Deliverable 9: Coordinate with Lapu-Lapu DRRMO to identify (minimum of 10) houses for field practicum.

Deliverable 10: Develop rollout framework for Barangay-level worker certification. This should be done with the Lapu-Lapu DRRMO / government agency’s input (allow for 3 revisions).

Gender and Inclusion

All project outputs, including IEC materials, training manuals, and visual aids, shall apply gender-sensitive and inclusive communication principles, ensuring representation of women and men as builders, homeowners, and decision-makers.

Qualifications

1. Technical & Engineering Qualifications

• The firm must lead with a Licensed Structural Engineer (duly registered in the Philippines) to sign and seal all computations and plans.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in structural design, specifically focusing on foundation systems, retrofitting, and disaster-resilient housing.

• Demonstrated mastery of the National Structural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) and familiarity with local building permit requirements for socialized housing.

• Adept in optimizing designs for owner-driven construction, ensuring that structural safety is achieved at the lowest possible cost for low-income households.

• Capability in computer-aided designs and structural analysis software (e.g., STAAD.Pro or ETABS) to provide editable, industry-standard CAD files.

2. Training & Capacity Building Qualifications

Inhouse or partnered capability for:

• Training materials development for technical skills, preferably in the construction sector.

• Prior experience in implementing ToT programs where the goal is to create a self-sustaining pool of mentors (e.g., training government personnel to train community workers).

• Able to produce short-form instructional video content (scripting, filming, and editing) specifically for technical training.

3. Contextual & Institutional Experience

• Experience working with Local Government Units (LGUs) is highly preferred. The firm must understand the institutional pathways required to integrate a solution or a product into local government programs.

• Familiarity with the housing landscape in Region 7 (Cebu/Lapu-Lapu City) or similar dense urban/sloped rural environments in the Philippines.

• Ability to deliver training and materials in English and Cebuano to ensure maximum comprehension among trainees.

Submission Requirements

Interested individuals or firms are required to submit the following documents:

• Technical proposal outlining the proposed approach, methodology, work plan, and timeline for delivering the consultancy requirements.

• Company profile or portfolio highlighting relevant experience and a presentation or sample of recently completed projects of a similar nature and/or curriculum vitae of personnel who will be doing consultancy.

• Proof of professional qualifications, including relevant licenses, certifications, and registrations required to undertake the assignment.

• Financial Proposal indicating the proposed professional fees and cost breakdown, inclusive of all applicable taxes and expenses.

• Any additional supporting documents demonstrating experience in structural engineering, training and capacity building, and work with local government units.

Application and Selection Process

Qualified applicants shall submit their complete application package via email to vabino@habitat.org no later than September 30, 2026, with the subject line: Application: Beam Monolith Consultancy

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Habitat for Humanity International reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, to request clarifications from applicants, and to cancel or modify the procurement process at any time without obligation to award a contract.

Reporting and Communication

The consultant will report to the Terwilliger Center Intervention manager and participate in regular progress meetings.

Safeguarding and Data Protection

Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

Data Protection: The contractor will be required to abide by Habitat for Humanity International’s data protection and security policy during the assignment period.

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About Us:

Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, is a global, Christian-based nonprofit organization that grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.

At Habitat for Humanity International, we are compelled by our Koinonia roots to put God’s love for all into action and pursue housing equity and opportunity by bringing all people together to build community and drive impact. We strive to build a culture rooted in learning, accountability and trust, attracting and retaining mission-driven talent reflective of the global communities we serve.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, we realize our success depends on courageously committing to being a workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued, and building a workforce that reflects a variety of lived experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, in which every person experiences dignity and respect.