Terms of Reference

1. Brief overview 

Pakistan’s mineral and mining sector represents one of the country’s most under-realised sources of long-term economic growth, export diversification, and balanced regional development. The country hosts significant reserves of copper, gold, lithium, rare earth elements, iron ore, chromite, and a wide range of industrial minerals, many of which are increasingly strategic inputs for the global energy transition, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing value chains. With rising global demand for critical minerals and renewed international investor interest in diversifying supply sources away from concentrated geographies, Pakistan faces a timely opportunity to position itself as a competitive upstream supplier in emerging green, digital, and battery-linked industries.

Despite this strong geological potential, Pakistan’s ability to translate mineral endowments into investable opportunities remains constrained by fundamental structural gaps. Chief among these is the limited national capacity for modern geological mapping, systematic data digitisation, and reliable resource quantification. As identified under the Investment Frameworks developed by the REMIT programme, much of Pakistan’s existing geological survey data is outdated, fragmented, or insufficiently accessible to investors. These limitations restrict the ability of public authorities and private operators to accurately assess mineral prospectivity, structure bankable mining projects, undertake transparent concession allocation, or attract responsible international exploration and mining firms. Strengthening geological mapping infrastructure, digital geodata systems, and technical survey capacity is therefore a critical precondition for reducing information asymmetry, lowering exploration risk, and enabling sustainable development of Pakistan’s mineral sector.

The Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) is the country’s principal public-sector institution mandated to undertake geological surveying, mineral resource assessment, and the generation of foundational geoscientific data that underpins mineral sector development, investment planning, and sustainable resource management. In recent years, GSP has initiated an accelerated geological mapping agenda aimed at improving the availability, quality, and national coverage of geodata in line with international standards. However, achieving this ambition requires parallel strengthening of institutional systems, human capital, and technical workflows to ensure that modern, digitally enabled geoscience methodologies are fully embedded and sustained over time.

Recognising the central role of foundational geoscience in unlocking private investment and supporting responsible mineral development, the British High Commission (BHC) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through the ASI-implemented REMIT programme, have identified Pakistan’s mineral sector as a priority area for support. A series of engagements between BHC, REMIT, GSP, and senior technical leadership have underscored the need for a shift away from isolated technical interventions towards structured training, institutional capacity building, and long-term knowledge transfer. These consultations highlighted that sustainable impact would depend on equipping GSP with the skills, systems, and standardised workflows required to independently plan, manage, and quality-assure modern geological mapping, airborne geophysical, and geochemical survey programmes.

Accordingly, this activity focuses on strengthening GSP’s role as the cornerstone institution supporting Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector and broader investment climate objectives. By enhancing institutional capacity, embedding international best practices, and enabling the production of high-quality, investor-relevant geoscience data, the assignment seeks to support Pakistan’s efforts to convert geological potential into credible, transparent, and investable mineral development opportunities.

2. Task Background

Pakistan’s mineral and mining sector holds substantial untapped potential; however, the country currently lacks the modern, high-resolution, and systematically documented geoscience data required to attract sustained international exploration and mining investment. In contemporary mineral economies, credible geological mapping, airborne geophysical surveys, and structured geochemical sampling constitute the foundational inputs for mineral prospectivity analysis, resource estimation, and the development of bankable mining projects. In the absence of such datasets, investors are unable to reliably assess mineral potential, geological risk, or commercial viability, resulting in subdued exploration activity and limited conversion of geological potential into investable opportunities.

At present, Pakistan’s national geoscience data landscape remains fragmented, inconsistent, and only partially digitised. Modern geological surveying workflows integrated digital data management systems, and internationally aligned quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes are not yet fully embedded across national institutions. Legacy data, many of which were generated using analogue or outdated methodologies are often poorly integrated, insufficiently validated, or difficult to access, significantly limiting their usefulness for contemporary exploration modelling, prospectivity analysis, and investment decision-making.

The GSP is mandated to serve as the national custodian of geological mapping, mineral resource assessment, and geoscientific data generation. While GSP plays a central role in underpinning mineral sector development and investment planning, it currently faces institutional and technical capacity constraints in designing, managing, and executing large-scale modern geoscience programmes. Specialised skills required for advanced digital geological mapping, airborne geophysics survey design and supervision, structured geochemical programme management, data modelling, and implementation of integrated digital geoscience systems are limited within government institutions and the wider domestic market. These constraints reduce Pakistan’s ability to independently plan, procure, supervise, and quality-assure modern geoscience programmes to international standards.

As a result, Pakistan continues to rely on incomplete or outdated geoscience information, constraining exploration activity, weakening investor confidence, and delaying the emergence of a competitive, transparent, and sustainable mining sector. Addressing these challenges requires more than isolated technical studies or one-off advisory inputs. Instead, it necessitates targeted institutional strengthening and structured capacity building that enable GSP to function as a self-sustaining, technically credible, and investor-relevant geoscience institution.

In this context, technical assistance through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)-funded ASI-implemented REMIT programme will play a critical role in building the institutional systems, technical competencies, and digital geoscience infrastructure required to modernise Pakistan’s geological data ecosystem. By strengthening GSP’s internal capacity to generate, manage, and disseminate high-quality geoscience data, the intervention seeks to reduce exploration risk, improve transparency, and support the conversion of Pakistan’s mineral endowment into credible, investment-ready opportunities. 

3. Objectives of the Assignment 

The objective of this assignment is to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) to independently plan, manage, and deliver foundational geoscience programmes aligned with international standards and investor expectations. The assignment focuses on building sustainable internal capabilities rather than reliance on ad hoc external support by equipping GSP staff with practical skills and applied knowledge in digital geological surveying, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling, supported by modern, digitally enabled workflows.

A key objective is the development and institutionalisation of standard operating procedures, technical specifications, and quality assurance protocols to ensure consistency, transparency, and reproducibility in large-scale geoscience programmes. Through sustained skills transfer and hands-on application, the assignment will enable GSP to produce high-quality, investment-relevant geodata that reduces exploration risk, strengthens investor confidence, and supports Pakistan’s transition from geological potential to tangible mineral sector development.The assignment also aims to institutionalise these capabilities within GSP through documented workflows, SOPs, and on-the-job application, ensuring continuity and sustainability beyond the life of the technical assistance.

Scope of Work

Under this assignment, the consultant team will provide structured training, hands-on technical support, and documentation to strengthen GSP’s capacity across digital geological surveying, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling. The scope of work will include the following components:

1. GIS and Digital Geological Surveying (DGS)

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on GIS 1 – ArcGIS Fundamentals for Survey Geoscientists, through onsite lectures and practical workshops, covering GIS concepts, spatial data management, map production, and application of GIS in geological surveying.

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on DGS 1 – Introduction to Digital Geological Surveying through an online workshop targeted at a broad GSP audience, introducing the principles, benefits, and workflows of digital geological mapping and data capture.

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on GIS 2 – Designing and Building Interpretation Spaces in ArcGIS, through onsite and/or online workshops, focusing on the development of structured interpretation environments, integration of multi-source datasets, and best practices for geological interpretation.

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on DGS 2 – Compiling Geological Models, through onsite workshops and on-the-job training, enabling participants to compile, visualise, and interpret geological models using digital tools and standardised workflows.

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on DGS 3 – Creating Forms for Digital Geological Mapping, targeted at advanced users, focusing on the design and deployment of digital data capture forms within the ArcGIS environment to support consistent and standardised field data collection.

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on DGS 4 & GIS 3 – Generating Geological Products, through onsite workshops and practical exercises, covering the production of final geological maps and outputs. This component will include the preparation of a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for final compilations and product generation.

B. Spectral Remote Sensing

• Prepare and deliver a workshop on SRS 1 – Spectral Remote Sensing through onsite workshops combined with on-the-job training, focusing on the use of satellite and spectral data for geological applications.

• Provide training on data sourcing, preprocessing, enhancement, interpretation, and integration of spectral remote sensing outputs using ArcGIS Pro and ENVI, with emphasis on practical application in geological mapping and mineral exploration.

C. Airborne Geophysics

• Deliver a comprehensive Airborne Geophysics Training Programme spanning ten full days over a two-week period.

• Training will cover an overview of airborne geophysical methods, survey platforms, and instrumentation, as well as survey design, costing, and operational considerations.

• Provide in-depth coverage of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), data processing, product generation, interpretation techniques, and quantitative methods.

• Introduce relevant software tools and approaches for data integration and interpretation.

• Support the preparation of draft technical specifications for an airborne geophysical survey in a selected area of Pakistan, suitable for procurement and implementation.

D. Geochemical Sampling Programmes

• Deliver a comprehensive Geochemical Sampling Programme Training spanning ten full days over a two-week period.

• Training will cover geochemical survey design, sampling strategies, and the role of geochemical data in mineral prospectivity and investment decision-making.

• Provide guidance on sample preparation, laboratory QA/QC procedures, statistical analysis, and map production.

• Cover specialised methodologies including heavy mineral concentrate sampling, field orientation survey design, and geochemical atlas preparation.

• Provide training on relevant software tools and the integration of legacy geochemical datasets.

• Include practical orientation on the use of laboratory instruments currently available at GSP, particularly ICP-MS, WD-XRF, XRD, and SEM, to strengthen end-to-end understanding of data generation and analysis.

E. Documentation, Evaluation, and Institutionalisation

• Provide comprehensive digital and printable training materials for all modules delivered under the assignment.

• Support supervision, evaluation, and documentation of training activities to assess learning outcomes and effectiveness.

• Prepare and document workflows, SOPs, and technical guidance notes to support institutionalisation of digital geological surveying, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling practices within GSP.

2. Functional Requirements

Timeline 

The firm is expected to deliver the assignment over a period of approximately 12–16 weeks through a modular and overlapping delivery approach. It will be implemented through interlinked workstreams, allowing early training needs assessment findings to be progressively incorporated into course design and delivery. This approach is intended to ensure technical realism, efficient use of time, and effective capacity transfer, while maintaining quality assurance and institutional ownership through milestone-based reviews and formal sign-off by REMIT and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP).

Workstream 1: Inception and Training Needs Assessment (Weeks 1–3)

Within the first three (3) weeks of contract commencement, the firm shall undertake a structured inception phase and comprehensive Training Needs Assessment (TNA) in close coordination with REMIT and the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP). This workstream will establish a shared understanding of institutional priorities, existing technical capacities, and implementation constraints.

The Training Needs Assessment will serve as a foundational input to the overall assignment and will directly inform the detailed design, sequencing, depth, and delivery modalities of all subsequent capacity-building modules. Rather than being treated as a standalone diagnostic exercise, the outcomes of the TNA will be progressively integrated into training delivery across all technical workstreams.

The TNA will include, inter alia:

• An assessment of GSP’s institutional, technical, and operational capacity gaps across digital geological surveying, GIS, spectral remote sensing, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling;

• Participant profiling to identify skill levels, functional roles, and training needs of different target groups;

• Prioritisation and sequencing of training modules based on institutional readiness and absorptive capacity; and

• Finalisation of a detailed, realistic training delivery plan aligned with the overall assignment timeline.

Deliverables under this workstream will be subject to formal review and endorsement by REMIT and GSP prior to full-scale training delivery.

Workstream 2: Digital Geological Surveying, GIS, and Spectral Remote Sensing (Weeks 3–12)

Delivery of capacity-building activities related to GIS, Digital Geological Surveying (DGS), and spectral remote sensing will commence from Week 3 onward and will be implemented in a staggered and iterative manner. This approach will allow sufficient time for the incorporation of Training Needs Assessment findings into course design, training materials, and delivery methods.

The workstream will focus on establishing strong foundational and applied capabilities in digital geological workflows, while allowing flexibility to refine content based on participant feedback and evolving institutional requirements. Training activities will be structured to balance theoretical understanding with hands-on application.

Key areas covered under this workstream will include:

• ArcGIS fundamentals and advanced applications for survey geoscientists;

• Design and use of digital data capture tools and forms for geological mapping;

• Development of interpretation environments and compilation of geological models;

• Application of spectral remote sensing techniques for geological mapping and mineral exploration; and

• Drafting and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for digital geological surveying workflows.

Workstream 3: Airborne Geophysics Capacity Building (Weeks 5–14)

Capacity building in airborne geophysics will be delivered in parallel with the digital geology workstream, without dependency on the completion of GIS or DGS modules. This parallel implementation approach reflects international best practice and optimises use of the overall assignment timeline.

The workstream will focus on building GSP’s capacity to plan, procure, manage, and technically evaluate airborne geophysical surveys. Training will combine conceptual instruction with practical guidance and applied exercises.

Coverage will include:

• Airborne geophysical survey design and operational planning;

• Survey costing, procurement considerations, and contractor oversight;

• Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols;

• Data processing, interpretation, and integration methodologies; and

• Preparation of draft technical specifications for an airborne geophysical survey in a selected area of Pakistan.

Workstream 4: Geochemical Sampling Programme (Weeks 6–15)

Geochemical sampling capacity building will be delivered as an independent but technically integrated workstream, aligned where relevant with outputs from digital geology and airborne geophysics activities. This workstream will focus on strengthening GSP’s capability to design, implement, and interpret modern geochemical sampling programmes.

Key components will include:

• Geochemical survey design and sampling methodologies;

• Laboratory QA/QC procedures and chain-of-custody protocols;

• Statistical analysis, geochemical mapping, and prospectivity interpretation;

• Development of a framework for a national geochemical atlas; and

• Integration of legacy geochemical datasets with contemporary laboratory and data management workflows.

Workstream 5: Consolidation and Institutionalisation (Weeks 14–16)

In the final phase of the assignment, the firm will consolidate all outputs and support the institutionalisation of acquired capabilities within GSP to ensure sustainability beyond the contract period. This workstream will focus on embedding systems, processes, and knowledge within existing institutional structures.

Deliverables will include:

• Consolidated training materials and workshop documentation;

• Finalised SOPs, workflows, and technical guidance notes;

• Draft technical specifications developed under the assignment; and

• Practical recommendations for optimising and institutionalising digital geological surveying, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling functions within GSP.

A Consolidated Final Report will be submitted at the conclusion of this workstream, subject to formal sign-off by REMIT and GSP.

Pakistan License, Clearance and Approvals

The prospective vendors will include in the timeline any time needed to obtain any licenses, clearances, and/or approvals required under local legal requirements to produce or deliver the products and/or services described in the Scope of Work.

Qualifications and Experience 

Firms should have demonstrated experience in the following:

1. Proven track record in delivering institutional capacity building and structured technical training programmes for public-sector or national geoscience / geological survey institutions, including delivery through a blend of classroom training, practical workshops, and on-the-job mentoring.

2. Demonstrated expertise in GIS-enabled geological mapping and Digital Geological Surveying (DGS), including modern field-data acquisition workflows, ArcGIS-based mapping, interpretation environments, geological model compilation, and production of standardised geological map outputs.

3. Experience in designing and delivering training on digital data capture systems and form-based field workflows, including establishing consistent and standardised approaches to field data collection, validation, and integration into enterprise geodata systems.

4. Demonstrated expertise in spectral remote sensing for geological applications, including data sourcing, preprocessing, enhancement, interpretation, and integration of remote sensing outputs into GIS workflows (e.g., use of ArcGIS Pro and relevant spectral analysis tools such as ENVI or equivalent).

5. Proven experience in airborne geophysics programme design and capacity building, including survey planning and specification development, operational considerations, QA/QC, contractor oversight, validation of processing workflows, and interpretation of airborne magnetic, radiometric, and electromagnetic datasets for large regional-scale surveys (greater than 1.5 million line kilometres).

6. Demonstrated capability in preparing draft technical specifications for airborne geophysical surveys, suitable for procurement and implementation, including definition of scope, acquisition parameters, deliverables, QA/QC standards, and reporting requirements for large national surveys (greater than 1.5 million line kilometres).

7. Proven experience in designing and delivering geochemical sampling programme training, including sampling strategies, chain-of-custody systems, laboratory QA/QC protocols, multi-element analytical approaches, statistical analysis, and geochemical anomaly modelling for prospectivity mapping.

8. Familiarity with end-to-end laboratory workflows and analytical techniques relevant to geochemical programmes, including practical understanding of instruments commonly used for geochemical analysis (e.g., ICP-MS, WD-XRF, XRD, SEM) and how these support data quality and interpretation.

9. Demonstrated experience in developing and institutionalising Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical guidance notes, and QA/QC protocols to ensure consistency, transparency, and reproducibility of geological, geophysical, and geochemical programme outputs.

10. Understanding and practical application of relevant international standards and good practices.

11. Strong project management capability with evidence of delivering multi-module programmes in phased timelines, coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams, managing dependencies across training streams, and ensuring timely completion of agreed deliverables.

12. Ability to provide high-quality training materials and documentation, including digital and printable training resources, workshop reports, course completion reports, and consolidated final reporting suitable for institutional retention and reuse.

13. Designation of a single focal person/team lead responsible for overall coordination with the REMIT Programme and relevant Government counterparts, ensuring responsiveness, quality assurance, and smooth delivery.

14. Availability of appropriate technical resources (Short-Term Technical Assistance (STTA) profiles) as required, including specialists across DGS/GIS, spectral remote sensing, airborne geophysics, and geochemical sampling, with demonstrated ability to mobilise for onsite and online delivery.

15. Provision of references from previous clients confirming satisfactory delivery of similar assignments, preferably involving geological survey organisations, government institutions, or comparable capacity-building interventions.

3. Instructions to Bidders

Bidders should examine all Instructions, Terms and Conditions as given in the RFP. Failure to furnish information required in the RFP or submission of Bids not substantially responsive or viable in every respect will be at the Bidder’s risk and may result in rejection of the bids. Bidders should strictly submit the Bid as specified in the RFP, failing which the bids will be held as non-responsive and will be rejected. 

Bids shall compromise a single package containing two folders: 

1. Technical Proposal  

2. Financial Proposal 

Bidders should send soft copies of the Technical and Financial Proposal to the following address: 

Soft copies to be sent to: [email protected]

Proposal Weightings 

1. Technical Proposal 

2. Financial Proposal 

Prospective firms must be legally registered under the laws of the country in which they are organized and possess all licenses, permits and government approvals necessary for performance of the work. 

4. Proposal Terms

1. Prospective Firms’ Understanding of the Solicitation

Prospective contractors are responsible for understanding the solicitation in its entirety and each of its elements and should make inquiries to ASI as necessary to ensure such understanding. ASI reserves the right to disqualify any prospective vendor that it determines, at its sole discretion, does not understand the solicitation or any of its elements. Such disqualification shall be at no fault, cost, or liability whatsoever to ASI.

2. Information from ASI

All information provided by ASI in this solicitation is subject to change at any time. ASI makes no certification as to the accuracy of any item and is not responsible or liable for any use of or reliance on the information or for any claims asserted therefrom.

3. Communication

All communications related to the RFP must be in writing to the above-mentioned point of contact. Verbal communication shall not be effective unless formally confirmed in writing by the procurement official listed in a sealed envelope to our designated location in Lahore.

1. Formal Communications shall include, but are not limited to the following:

• Questions concerning this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the contact person mentioned above. 

• Errors and omissions in this solicitation, as well as enhancements. Prospective firms should notify ASI of any discrepancies, errors, or omissions that may exist within this solicitation. Prospective vendors should recommend to ASI any enhancements to the work described in the solicitation which might be in ASI’ best interests.

• Inquiries about technical interpretations must be directly asked from contact person (Alex Harris).

2. Addenda: ASI will make a good-faith effort to provide a written response to the questions or requests for clarifications in the form of written responses or addenda in accordance with the Schedule of Events.

3. Posting Online: Copy of this solicitation, will be available online at:  www.BrightSpyre.com.

4. Non-Disclosure Agreement

ASI reserves the right to require the prospective firms to enter into a non-disclosure agreement.

5. No Collusion

Collusion is strictly prohibited. Collusion is defined as an agreement or compact, written or oral, between two or more parties with the goal of limiting fair and open competition by deceiving, misleading, or defrauding a third party.

6. Companies Owned or Controlled by Government

The prospective vendor must disclose in writing with its Response if a government, its agents, or agencies, have an ownership or managerial interest in the company. Failure to disclose a government ownership of managerial interest in the company will result in the prospective contractor’s offer being removed from consideration.

7. Subcontracting

The prospective contractor must disclose in writing with its Response any subcontracting that will take place under an award. Failure to disclose subcontracting relationships will result in the prospective contractor’s offer being removed from consideration. (if permitted by the solicitation)

8. Costs

The solicitation does not obligate ASI to pay for any costs, of any kind whatsoever, which may be incurred by a prospective contractor/vendor or third parties, in connection with the Response.

9. Intellectual Property

Prospective vendors may not use any intellectual property of ASI including, but not limited to, all logos, trademarks, or trade names of ASI, at any time without the prior written approval of ASI.

10.  Prospective Contractors’ Responses

All accepted Responses shall become the property of ASI and will not be returned.

11.  Partial Awarding

ASI reserves the right to accept all or part of the Response when awarding a contract.

12.  No Liability

ASI reserves the right to accept or reject any Response or to stop the procurement process at any time, without assigning any reason or liability. ASI shall not be liable to any prospective contractor, person, or entity for any losses, expenses, costs, claims, or damages of any kind.