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 Stru