(Closed) Request for Proposal – GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform (GPSNR-RFP-A02-016)

1. Introduction

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 producers and processors, vehicle makers, NGOs, and smallholder natural rubber producers. 

As of June 2022, GPSNR has 135 smallholder members from 10 countries. Smallholder members on the Platform have consistently advocated for the Platform to implement initiatives on agroforestry and were a catalyst for GPSNR’s commitment on agroforestry announced at COP26 in Glasgow^[1].

To advance engagement with smallholders on agroforestry, GPSNR is seeking to hire a consultant to develop coaching materials on rubber agroforestry systems, and to conduct a pilot series of “Introduction to Agroforestry” workshops for smallholders in two to three countries in 2022.

Proposed programmes should be implemented in line with GPSNR environmental and social commitments and values, based on the GPSNR Policy Framework^[2].

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[1] GPSNR Announcement on Agroforestry: https://t.co/9aXbZeZpeS
[2]GPSNR Policy Framework: https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/policy-framework/

2. Objectives and Deliverables     

Objectives

1. To collate and prepare global, country, and region-specific peer-reviewed evidence and best-practice materials on agroforestry for natural rubber systems
   1. Content on environmental, economic feasibility of rubber agroforestry systems
   2. Where feasible, collated material to be disseminated to GPSNR smallholder members and their communities even where workshops are not planned for in 2022 
   3. Materials would be translated by GPSNR under a separate budget
2. To conduct pilot workshops for GPSNR smallholder members and their communities, including active integration of women, youth, and minority representation, to introduce agroforestry concepts and practices, and provide guidance and answers for the following questions:
   1. What is possible to grow in your region or specific location, and how can this be achieved? Possible considerations include:
      1. Appropriate farm design
      2. Cultivation practices
      3. Cost estimation
   2. What is the market availability, demand, and potential economic/financial model and value chain of recommended crops, or of particular products, in your region?
   3. How can agroforestry investments benefit smallholders economically, environmentally, and socially? 

Deliverables

GPSNR has identified the following countries where materials, and workshops, should be prioritised in 2022:

1. Cambodia: strong enthusiasm from smallholders, NGOs, and other partners to organise and kickstart agroforestry in the country, where little to none have been implemented at present 
2. Indonesia: agroforestry possibilities and practices would vary widely across the country’s major rubber-producing regions; there is strong interest from smallholders as well; critical to blend or merge more traditional concepts such as jungle rubber with evidenced-based and structured forms of agroforestry
3. Thailand: a well-organised and budding agroforestry movement is taking root especially in southern Thailand (termed “sustainable natural rubber” by smallholders and the Rubber Authority of Thailand); workshops could further provide a boost to smallholders in the region and country
4. Next tier of countries: Cote d’Ivoire, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar 

The consultant may propose other priority countries in their proposal and justify their choice of countries based on metrics of their own construction.

The proposal should include key details such as the following:

• Methodology of content and curriculum development
• Proposed teaching or coaching pedagogy and approach for the workshops
• List of local partners or experts, if any, that could be engaged for the workshops
• Target number of smallholders in each country

Future Plans

In addition to the pilot series of workshops in 2022 in at least two countries, the consultant should present an outline to consider how the series of pilot “Introduction to Agroforestry Workshops” can be expanded (in terms of countries, content, level of engagement etc.) beyond 2022.

3. TENDER EVALUATION FACTORS

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:

1. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal
2. Relevant past performance/experience/accreditation of the bidder on agroforestry and agricultural production
3. Samples of work (e.g., previous training or coaching programmes in target countries)
4. Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff
5. Proposed timeline of operations

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.

4. Expected Timelines

The work shall begin by July 2022 and the various phases shall be completed in accordance with the approximate timeline below:

Activity	Due Date
RFP publication	3 June 2022
Submission deadline for proposals	1 July 2022
Contract Award	8 July 2022
First Workshops Conducted	September 2022
Second Workshops Conducted	October 2022
If Proposed: Third Workshops Conducted	November 2022
Final Review and Project Conclusion	December 2022

Consultants should detail a project timeline with milestones that are approximately in line with the above timeline.

Consultants will also provide fortnightly or monthly progress updates to the GPSNR Capacity Working Group, or on an as-needed basis.

5. Budget

The Platform is anticipating that the total budget of no more than 35,000 EUR be allocated to the project. The approximate expected breakdown for each Stage is as such:

Bidders should outline their expected budget expenditure in the proposal.

Payment terms shall be proposed by the bidder and discussed with GPSNR, in line with each Stage of the project.

6. Evaluation Factors

The proposal should include the following:

1. A workplan that outlines all key activities in line with the stated Objectives and Deliverables
2. Timeline and key stages of operations
3. Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower, logistics, and costs
4. Description of past work and proof of technical expertise on natural rubber agroforestry systems is highly critical for this RFP
5. A list of project team members with their roles in the project and associated qualifications

Introduction & Background

At GPSNR, we bring together companies, smallholders, academia and civil society to transform the natural rubber supply chain into a sustainable, equitable and fair one.

Even though it was launched just in 2018, more than 50% of the world’s natural rubber demand already finds membership in GPSNR. This is only a small reflection of the amount of work that has taken place over the last three years.

We are seeking a web design consultancy to design, code and publish a webpage style annual report for 2022, which can be easily downloaded as a PDF version. The content for the webpage will be provided by the GPSNR secretariat.

Key Requirements 

 

Working closely with the GPSNR secretariat, the consultant will:

• Create and finalise three web-page mockup (wireframes, prototypes, and corresponding user interface components like templates, stylesheets, scripts, images, etc) for the team to choose from.
• Once the mock up has been chosen by the team, the consultant will include four rounds of feedback from the GPSNR secretariat and key stakeholders in the development of the final page.
• Integrate components in the CMS to allow review and testing, and make corresponding adjustments based on feedback received.
  Liaise with GPSNR’s Communications Manager to ensure that the mockups are feasible for the GPSNR website.

Terms

The engagement will take place for a period of four weeks from 4 November to 9 November. Interim dates for wireframes and approvals will be mutually agreed upon after confirmation.

Necessary Competencies:

• Solid understanding of the concepts of user experience, user interface design principles and conceptual design.
• Expert knowledge in Wordpress CMS and Elementor
  Knowledge of Bootstrap, jQuery and AngularJS, HTML, and Elementor Shortcodes
  Knowledge of industry-standard design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Dreamweaver.
• Knowledge of Wordpress Content Management System, particularly with respect to page template design, will be considered an asset.
• Eye for design and attention to detail are essential.

Submission Guidelines & Requirements

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

• Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or firms with experience relevant to this project.
• Submissions must include 1) a portfolio of previous work 2) a paragraph describing how the consultant would approach such a project 3) a financial proposal with a breakdown of how much each competent of the work would cost.
• Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit to the bidder’s company.
• Proposals must be received by 31 October 2022 to be considered.
• Proposals should be submitted to bani.bains@gpsnr.org for consideration.

Project Timelines

Request for Proposal Issuance	20 October 2022
Proposal submitted by consultant to bani.bains@gpsnr.org	31 October 2022
Selection of consultant / Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders	2 November 2022
Completion of Phase 1: Preparatory Recommendations	4 November 2022

Budget

The Platform is anticipating a total budget of up to 4000 SGD for this project. 

Payment terms shall be:

• 20% at the signing of the contract
• 30% upon midpoint as mutually agreed
• 50% at the completion of the project

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:

• Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals
• Relevant past performance / experience and / or any samples of past work
• Cost, including an assessment of total cost of ownership
• Technical expertise/experience of bidder and the bidder’s staff

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.