(Closed) Request For Proposal – GPSNR-RFP-A02-026-GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform: Digital Platform Development

Share This Post

Introduction & Background

The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) is an international multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative seeking to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Development of GPSNR was initiated by the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) in 2019. Members of the platform include tire manufacturers, rubber suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and NGOs. Representatives from each of these stakeholder groups have contributed to the development of the Singapore-based platform and the wide-reaching set of priorities that define GPSNR strategy and objectives.

The GPSNR Secretariat and the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group, through the GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform Task Force, are jointly overseeing the development and eventual operations and maintenance of a digital GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform.

This digital platform is envisaged to be an easily accessible, multi-lingual and expandable knowledge platform for smallholders and other actors based on quality-controlled information. Besides providing technical information on the latest sustainability best practices and Good Agricultural Practices, it will provide access to live market conditions on natural rubber such as prices on key exchanges, projected supply, and demand shifts, as well as overall global market developments. The digital platform will also incorporate communication functions such as live chat and forum with built-in translation tools to allow smallholders to share and communicate seamlessly across different countries. Another crucial aspect will be to safeguard data security and ownership.

GPSNR is seeking proposals to build the above digital platform in mobile application form, and to maintain the application for GPSNR for a trial period of 3-6 months. Details are provided below. 

Key Requirements for the Digital Platform

GPSNR has completed an initial Assessment of Status Quo and Evaluation of Knowledge Sharing Platforms for Rubber Smallholders. This included an extensive needs review of smallholders and other key players in the natural rubber value chain with regard to digital applications. Interested bidders can approach the GPSNR Secretariat for a copy of the Report.

The main target user of the platform are natural rubber smallholders and other players in the natural rubber value chain globally.

GPSNR is open to proposals based on the following:

  • Adopting and adapting an existing platform that is already on the market and accessible to natural rubber smallholders in whatever capacity
    • In this option, the service provider of the existing platform should provide a template that can be adaptable to suit GPSNR’s stated requirements
  • Developing a customised platform specifically for GPSNR and its requirements
    • The custom solution can be hosted and operated either on GPSNR’s IT infrastructure or by the app provider (i.e., delivered as a Software as a Service).

Based on the initial Status Quo Assessment Report, the Platform should have the following key characteristics:

  1. Be an (expandable)multi-lingual open information exchange platform with the following language options:
    • Minimum from the start: Bahasa Indonesia, English
    • Ideally including: French, Thai
    • Expandable in the future: Khmer, Vietnamese, Sinhalese, Burmese, Spanish, Portuguese, Tamil
  2. Host quality-controlled technical information on natural rubber issues that will be first reviewed and endorsed by GPSNR members
  3. Be free-to-use and respecting users’ data privacy
  4. Allow for easy access by smallholders using simple or commonly available tools such as smartphones
  5. Data security and privacy to be safeguarded at all times
  6.  The platform should be built such that it can be expanded or further customisable to incorporate more features in the future
  7. System architecture and infrastructure: it should be possible to use the app via the iOS and Android app system

Building on the above, the Platform should be able to host, at minimum, the following content and functions (multi-lingual):

  1. Daily natural rubber prices, automated to reflect live updates based on local, regional and global prices
  2. Information on local or global sustainability best practices, in the most accessible digital formats (pdf, video, ppt, text, etc.)
  3. Information on Good Agricultural Practices, in the most accessible digital formats (pdf, video, ppt, text, etc.)
  4. Marketplace (for natural rubber products / agricultural products)
  5. Forum / chat / helpline for smallholders to discuss news or other issues and exchange experiences and best practices

Platform developers are welcomed to recommend other essential features or functions based on their technical and user experience expertise.

Deliverables

By the end of the project, the consultant should have completed the following:

Phase 1: Preparatory Recommendations

  1. Recommend detailed technical requirements for the digital platform or application, including requirements for data security, ownership, back-office administration, documentation, support, maintenance and performance criteria
  2. Prepare screen designs prior to software development
  3. Engage with preliminary pilot calls with smallholders to gather further feedback and inputs
  4. The above to be reviewed in discussions with the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group

Phase 2: Software Development

  1. Build the digital platform in line with the stated requirements, either by adopting an existing digital platform, or developing a customised platform or application for GPSNR

  2. Continuous review with the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group

Minimum viable product (MVP)

  • A final graphic design and user interface is apparent.
  • The core functions can be used and demonstrated.
  • Initial content has been input.

Beta version of the app

  • Final graphic design and user interface have been applied.
  • All functions can be used.
  • All content has been input.

Phase 3: Platform Pilot Period

  1. Maintain the platform for a trial period of 3-6 months
    • exact costs and timeframe to be proposed, considering manpower, technical, licensing etc. needs
  2. Work with GPSNR to engage in continuous user and quality assurance tests and feedback to further refine the digital platform or application as required

Submission Guidelines & Requirements

The following submission guidelines & requirements apply to this Request for Proposal:

  1. A detailed technical proposal must be provided. This technical proposal must provide an overview of the proposed methodology for the three Phases of the project. In addition, the technical proposal should provide a proposed schedule and milestones, as applicable.         
  2. A detailed price proposal must be provided. This price proposal should indicate the overall fixed price or expected price range for each Phase of the project, including daily rates and an estimated total number of days for each Phase of the project.        
  3. Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or firms with experience relevant to this project. Examples of previous relevant work should be provided, as well as resumes of all key personnel performing the work.
  4. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorised to commit the bidder’s company.

Project Timelines

Request for Proposal Issuance29 August 2022
Proposal submitted by consultant to yeo.siyuan@gpsnr.org26 September 2022
Selection of consultant / Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders7 October 2022
Completion of Phase 1: Preparatory RecommendationsNovember 2022
Completion of Phase 2: Software DevelopmentTo be proposed by the bidder
Completion of Phase 3: Platform PilotTo be proposed by the bidder
 
Pilot period should conclude no later than June 2023
The above timeline is open to further adjustments based on discussions with the consultant and GPSNR’s ongoing key milestones.

Budget

The Platform is anticipating a total budget of up to 140,000 EUR for all three Phases of the project.

This figure could be adjusted based on bidders’ expert recommendations on costs and timeline, and reviewed based on the outcomes put forth following each Phase of the project.

Payment terms shall be:

  • 60% at the signing of the contract
  • 5% upon completion of Phase 1: Preparatory Recommendations
  • 20% upon completion of Phase 2: Software Development
  • 15% upon completion of Phase 3: Platform Pilot

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:

  1. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this RFP
  2. Methodology for completing all three Phases of the project
  3. Costs and expected timeline for all three Phases of the project
  4. Technical expertise/experience, including team composition, past performance/experience

When evaluating bids, GPSNR may request for more information as part of a full due diligence to understand bidders’ technical and commercial background, assess potential conflicts of interests and independence vis-à-vis natural rubber smallholders and the wider agricultural sector, and level of competence for the project.

GPSNR reserves the right to award to the bidder that presents the best value to GPSNR as determined solely by GPSNR in its absolute discretion.

Digital Guidelines and Considerations

The consultant should commit to follow the guidelines specified in the Principles for Digital Development.

The principles of data protection legislation must be taken into account when processing personal data:

  • The data must be processed lawfully (lawfulness)
  • Data must only be processed if this is required and reasonable (fairness).
  • The data must be processed transparently (transparency).
  • The data must be processed for defined (time-limited), clear and legitimate purposes (earmarking).
  • Only as much data as is required may be processed (data minimisation).
  • Accuracy and currency must be ensured (data accuracy).
  • The principle of integrity and confidentiality must be guaranteed through an appropriate level of protection (data security).

View RFP Document here

More To Explore

(CLOSED) Request for Proposal – Study on Human Rights and Labour Rights’ risk mapping in the global Natural Rubber value chains

Through a process led by the Strategy and Objectives Working Group the Platform has developed stated goals with a strong focus on developing a framework that supports and sustains responsible supply chain . Important among the information needed to undergo these developments of is a better understanding of the social risks including (but not limiting to) Human Rights and Labour Rights in the Natural Rubber value chains, globally.

Each country has its own governance and social structure which contributes to different social risks from country to country. While these risks are associated to the wider population, there are specific characteristics of social risks that are particularly associated to agricultural production. For the countries where law enforcement is weak, there is a risk that the workers are exposed to poor work conditions without any access to a fair complaint mechanism.

Although the initial focus of this project is on human rights and labour rights (including migrant workers), the consultant is expected to elaborate how human and labour rights are associated to other social risks (i.e. land acquisition, community health, safety and security, etc.) in order to recommend risk mitigation methods to the Strategy and Objectives Working Group.

The consultant is expected to develop generic risk profile at a global level, and specific risk profile at a regional level. The tentative regions for specific risks study are proposed as following:

  • – Production Unit and Rubber Block Processing Unit- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam), Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana) and Latin America (Brazil, Guatemala);
  • – Tyre Manufacturing Unit – China, Southeast Asia, Europe and US.

The list of regions above is tentative and can be adjusted upon the discussion between the consultant and the Strategy and Objectives Working Group members. After the risk profiles are developed, the consultant is expected to come up with recommendations for risk mitigation strategies for each region.

The consultant will collect the information via desktop study, interviewing of GPSNR members, research institutes, social NGOs, governmental organizations, etc. A primary list of stakeholders will be provided by the Secretariat together with the Strategy and Objectives Working Group members. A complementary list will be developed by the consultant. Regular contact and updating to the Strategy and Objective Working Group together with the Secretariat will be required. It is estimated that there will be the need for a series of face to face meetings in South East Asia over the course of the project. Travel plans shall be made by the consultant

The following submission guidelines & requirements apply to this Request for Proposal:

  1. Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or firms with experience relevant to this project.
  2. Examples of previous relevant work should be provided as well.
  3. A technical proposal must be provided that is not more than 4 pages. This technical proposal must provide an overview of the proposed solution as well as resumes of all key personnel performing the work. In addition, the technical proposal should provide a proposed schedule and milestones, as applicable.
  4. A price proposal must be provided that is not more than 1 pages. This price proposal should indicate the overall fixed price for the project as well as hourly rates and an estimated total number of days.
  5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  6. Proposals must be received prior to 10th January 2020 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
  7. GPSNR anticipates shortlisting at least two individuals or firms to have more in-depth discussions with, and will make an award to one of these “down-selected” individuals or firms

Download full Request for Proposal here

GPSNR Staff December 3, 2019

Request For Proposal – GPSNR-RFP-A02-018 Study On Economic Impacts, And Risks, In The Global Natural Rubber Value Chains

*GPSNR has been approached by a number of organizations supporting the importance of the task but saying that a longer preparation period would be required to prepare proposals that adequately reflect the complexity of the issues to be addressed, and hence the organization has decided to extend the timelines of this project

Introduction & Background

The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) is an international multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative seeking to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Members of the platform include tire manufacturers, rubber suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and NGOs. 

To fully inform the development of GPSNR, the Platform needs a better understanding of social, environmental, and economic risks and their causes, in the Natural Rubber Value chain, in order to be able to minimise and manage those risks. The Platform has already commissioned a social and environmental risk assessment; this call for proposals is for the provision of a parallel process covering economic risks in the value chain.

The study should identify potential areas of economic risk in the natural rubber value chain, particularly at the production end of the value chain, and consider the effectiveness of how these potential risks are managed through regulation, policies and practices. The study should also report on the areas of opportunity to address these economic risks in the natural rubber value chain. The areas of study should be consistent with the relevant GPSNR themes in the GPSNR Policy Framework.

Based on the analysis of how well current processes deliver the “Desired State” for rubber landscapes, the study should develop recommendations as to how GPSNR could most effectively support the avoidance and mitigation of potential economic impacts and risks. This should include identifying the possibility of metrication for such risks, which will then be used to inform the development of GPSNR’s Risk Matrix.

The consultant is expected to develop generic impact and risk profiles at a global level, and specific risk profile at a regional and/or national level.  Areas of interest for GPSNR are Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Papua New Guinea, India and Sri Lanka), West Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia and Nigeria), and South America (Brazil and Guatemala).

The consultant should reference the existing Social and Environmental risk studies (available here as 003 and 010) and GPSNR’s Theory of Change when conducting this study on economic risks. Key linkages should be identified in the report (i.e. how economic risks affect social and environmental risk, and vice versa).

The consultant will collect the information via desktop study, interviews with, inter alia, GPSNR members, research and other academic institutes, NGOs, and governmental organizations.  A primary list of stakeholders should be identified and proposed by the consultant.  A complementary list will be provided by the Secretariat together with the Strategy and Objectives Working Group members.  Regular contact and updating to the Strategy and Objective Working Group together with the Secretariat will be required. 

Submission Guidelines & Requirements

The following submission guidelines & requirements apply to this Request for Proposal:

  1. Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or firms with experience relevant to this project.
  2. Examples of previous relevant work should be provided as well.
  3. A technical proposal must be provided that should be around 6 pages in length. This technical proposal must provide an overview of the proposed methodology as well as resumes of all key personnel performing the work. In addition, the technical proposal should provide a proposed schedule and milestones, as applicable.
  4. A price proposal must be provided that is not more than 1 page. This price proposal should indicate the overall fixed price for the project as well as daily rates and an estimated total number of days.
  5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  6. Proposals must be received prior to 18 Mar 2022 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org and aidan@gpsnr.org for consideration.

  • GPSNR anticipates shortlisting at least two individuals or firms to have more in-depth discussions with and will make an award to one of these “down-selected” individuals or firms.


Project Timelines

The updated Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:

Request for Proposal Issuance (extended) 18 Mar 2022
Proposal submitted by consultant to aidan@gpsnr.org and stefano.savi@gpsnr.org 15 Apr 2022
Selection of Top Bidders /
Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders		 29 Apr 2022
Contract Award 4 May 2022
Work to commence no later than   27 May 2022
Specific work-plan, including geographic focus, methodology and indicative contents, agreed with Strategy & Objective Working Group 1 Jun 2022
The first draft report submitted to the Strategy and Objective Working Group for comments 22 Jul 2022
Meeting with Strategy & Objectives WG by 28 Jul 2022
The final report submitted to the Strategy and Objective Working Group 19 Aug 2022

Budget

The Platform is anticipating that a total budget of no more than 25,000 Euros. If the consultant deems that travel plans are required to execute this project, these should be included in the proposal (along with any additional budgetary requirements).

Payment terms shall be:

●       20% at the signing of the contract
●       30% at the midpoint date to be agreed upon and memorialized in the contract based on the submitted work plan
●       50% on delivery of the final report

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors, with cost being the most important factor:

  1. Cost
  2. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals
  3. Relevant past performance/experience
  4. Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff
  5. The ability to collect relevant information at the global and local level

GPSNR reserves the right to award to the bidder that presents the best value to GPSNR as determined solely by GPSNR in its absolute discretion.

View RFP Document here

GPSNR Staff February 25, 2022

© 2022 All rights reserved

Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber

Scroll to Top