(CLOSED) Request for Proposal GPSNR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

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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 the GPSNR was initiated by the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) in 2018. Members of the platform include tire manufacturers, rubber suppliers and processors, vehicle makers, smallholder rubber growers, 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 will define GPSNR strategies and objectives.

Through a process led by the Policy Toolbox and Implementation Guidance Working Group (WG1), the General Assembly approved a Policy Framework in September 2020 that outlines the specific commitments to sustainable natural rubber that GPSNR company members must include in their public policies or other relevant documents.  GPSNR ordinary member companies are required to create new or update existing policies to align with the Policy Framework by March 2021 (companies will have a possibility to request an extension provided they can demonstrate progress in developing or updating their policies).

WG1 is finalizing Baseline Reporting Requirements (BRRs) for ordinary member companies to assess where they are in their sustainability journey.  Once WG1 finalizes the BRRs, it will send them to the GPSNR Executive Committee (EC) for review and approval.  Company members will be expected to provide the GPSNR Secretariat with their baseline reporting data in 2021 (date to be confirmed).

The next step is for GPSNR to develop the Implementation Guidance and future Reporting Requirements as they pertain to the specific commitments laid out in the GPSNR policy components.  The Implementation Guidance and Reporting Requirements will vary depending on where a member company sits within the natural rubber supply chain, so this work will be organized by the following stakeholder categories:  natural rubber producers/processors and traders, tire makers and other natural rubber product manufacturers, and auto makers and other end users. 

In order to achieve this, the Platform is seeking a fixed term consultancy to facilitate the development of the Implementation Guidance and Reporting Requirements for each of the 3 stakeholder categories.  While WG1 will provide oversight to this process, GPSNR will invite the creation of focus groups for each of the three stakeholder categories to enable broader participation of members from each of the stakeholder groups (although focus groups can also include members from other stakeholder categories).  The consultant first will facilitate the development of the Implementation Guidance for each of the 3 categories by reviewing guidance and requirements from other initiatives, such as the Accountability Framework, as well as certification schemes such as RSPO, FSC, PEFC, Cocoa Forests Initiative, and others to prepare draft guidance.  The consultant will gather input from the WG1 Co-chairs and the GPSNR Secretariat on the draft, and will then facilitate various rounds of discussion with the focus groups to finalize the guidance for each stakeholder category.   All comments will be recorded in a spreadsheet and the decision-making process for incorporating or rejecting comments will be clearly documented.  The Implementation Guidance will include a corresponding Action Plan template for companies to submit to GPSNR on an annual basis to indicate which activities they intend to focus on in the coming year.

Once the focus groups have agreed on the language for the Implementation Guidance and the Action Plan template, they will be submitted to the broader WG for approval.   Meanwhile, the Consultant will develop the Reporting Requirements for each stakeholder category.  The Reporting Requirements will build off of the BRRs and will align with the Implementation Guidance.  The consultant will also review other reporting schemes that members report into, such as ZSL Spott, Global Reporting Initiatives, CDP Forests, and Ecovadis to identify where GPSNR requirements are similar and to align wherever possible.  The Consultant will work with the appropriate focus groups to further design the Reporting Requirements for each stakeholder category.  Once approved by the focus groups, the Reporting Requirements will go to the broader WG1 for approval, and then on to the EC.

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 is not more than 6 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 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 5th February 2021 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to aidan@gpsnr.org and stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
  7. GPSNR anticipates shortlisting at least two individuals or firms with which to have more in-depth discussions, and will make an award to one of these short-listed individuals or firms.
  8. GPSNR reserves the right to amend the scope of this RFP in order to get the most suitable consultant.

RFP & Project Timelines

The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:

Proposal submitted by consultant to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org   05/02/2021
Selection of Top Bidders /
Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders   		12/02/2021
Contract Award /
Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders   		19/02/2021
Work to commence no later than 22/02/2021
Need-date for project completion 22/06/2021

Budget

The Platform is anticipating that a total budget of no more than 35,000 SGD be allocated to this engagement.

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:

  1. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals
  2. Relevant past performance/experience
  3. Samples of work
  4. Cost, including an assessment of total cost of ownership.
  5. 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.

View and download full RFP here

Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org and aidan@gpsnr.org for consideration

More To Explore

Request For Proposal – GPSNR-RFP-A02-032-Thailand GAP Coaching

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 2018. 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 will define strategy and objectives.

 

Thailand is the largest producer of natural rubber (NR) worldwide, contributing 36% to
total global production. Majority of the NR production in Thailand is conducted
by smallholder farmers owning land of 2-4 hectares. The NR value chain in Thailand has historically been supported by various governmental bodies, now functioning under the umbrella of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). This has led to exceptional performance by rubber farms, with an average yield exceeding 1.6 tons per hectare in 2019. However, the NR value chain in Thailand remains highly labour-intensive and currently
faces oversupply and low prices.

Thailand rubber has some specific particularities. It is grown in 4 main regions with different growing conditions: Traditional areas are in the South (the historical planting) and the East (Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces) while more recent developments were established in less climatically favourable areas: North and North-East (Esan). It has the particularity to be produced almost exclusively by smallholders, using higher tapping frequencies than other countries even in the neighbourhood, and to exploit rather low size farms (1.5ha or less). Share cropping among farmers and tappers is a common practice, beside family farming. Consequence of this is that although a good land productivity (kg/ha), labour productivity remains very low to date.

GPSNR, through the Smallholders Representative and Capacity Building Working Group (SCB WG) – Thailand National Subgroup, is currently inviting proposals for the dissemination of coaching materials and implementation of coaching on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for smallholders in two regions (North and North-East) of Thailand, with a focus on one province per region.

 

The proposed coaching programs should be implemented in accordance with the
GPSNR’s environmental and social commitments and values, as outlined in the GPSNR
Policy Framework[1], and in compliance with the relevant Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Agricultural Practices issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
of Thailand.

[1]
https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/policy-framework/

Objectives

 

The overall objectives of the GAP coaching programmes are to ensure the long-term sustainability of rubber livelihoods and ecosystems by increasing smallholders’ productivity, yields, and socio-economic resilience, whilst safeguarding nature and the environment. 

 

Expected Deliverables

 

Brief Justifications

The objective of the project is to update and disseminate the best Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) recommendations to farmers in Thailand. This aims to ensure that planters have access to relevant knowledge and resources to enhance their productivity,
motivation, and income, leading to an improved livelihood.

The proposal should implement GPSNR’s proposed strategy for capacity building in
Thailand and provide brief justifications on the most suitable approach to
conduct coaching for smallholders in two regions (North and North-East) of
Thailand, with a focus on one province per region.

The GPSNR SCB WG – Thailand National Subgroup may prioritize funding for coaching in
regions based on relative productivity, coverage of existing coaching services,
socio-economic needs, recommendations of RAOT, or other considerations.

Proposed Coaching Approach

Possible approaches for consideration include (non-exhaustive): mobile coaching at local
community centres; building physical training centres; on-farm coaching; hybrid
coaching approaches. The proposal should consider which approach represents the
best fit for community needs and dynamics.

The proposed coaching approach should consider, but is not limited to, the
following priorities:

a.    Coaching based on the train-the-trainers (ToT) model

b.   Female and other minority inclusion and representation

c.    Field coaching (or other approach) implementation plans

d.   Integration of technology for data capture and ongoing engagement, and progress tracking (i.e. immediate and longer-term monitoring and evaluation)

e.   Others (i.e. nuanced approaches to meet geographic/other needs; ongoing farmer community connectivity and interactions; engagement with local or regional officials

Service providers are to adapt the provided GPSNR GAP coaching approaches. The GPSNR GAPs are created to serve as general best practices and principles for global usage and are periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the sector’s latest understandings.

The service provider is expected to work with GPSNR to adapt the general GAPs to align with local situations in Thailand and comply with the relevant Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Agricultural Practices issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand. This will build trust with smallholders and optimize the coaching outcomes, particularly in terms of language, technical specificities, and local needs.

Service providers should also translate the relevant Thai Agricultural Standard: Good Agricultural Practices issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand from Thai to English.

The GPSNR GAPs consist of the following four modules:

1.     Rubber Plant Material

2. Establishment and Maintenance of Plantations

3.    Latex Harvesting

4.   Diseases and Pests

Service providers are also expected to operate in line with principles and values set forth in the GPSNR Policy Framework such as commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, zero deforestation, community engagement and FPIC etc.

The selected service provider may also be expected to work closely with the GPSNR SCB WG – Thailand National Subgroup to fine-tuned or further augment the provided coaching materials. 

 

Key Metrics

To prevent risk of false correlations, it is essential to collect baseline data on participating smallholders before the GAP coaching begins. The impact assessment should compare the participating smallholders’ data after the GAP coaching to accurately measure their improvement.

It is also important to collect control group date of smallholders who did not participate in the GAP coaching programmes to ensure any changes observed are due to the GAP coaching and not other factors. Additionally, being aware of external factors such as weather and market prices can help to better assess the results.

 The proposal should elaborate on how the following key metrics can be achieved and measured:

1.      Total number of smallholders coached

2.     Total number of trainers or coaches coached

3.     Year-by-year increase in smallholder productivity and smallholders engaged

4.    Inclusivity across gender, youth, geographic regions, and ethnicity (e.g., indigenous, or other minority communities)

5.     Monitoring and evaluation of coaching progress and outcomes

 The proposal should also identify other key metrics of importance not listed above and describe how they will be achieved and measured.

 

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.    A technical proposal must be provided that is not more than 4 pages. This technical proposal must provide:

•      A workplan that outlines all key activities of the deliverables
(refers to Expected Deliverables above)

•      Timeline and key stages of operations (refers to Project
Timelines below)

•      Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower,
logistics, and costs expected to run coaching programmes for an initial three
years, beginning in 2023 (refers to Budget below)

•      Description of past work and technical expertise that is relevant
to this RFP

•      A list of project team members with their roles in the project and
associated qualifications

•      Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to
commit bidder’s company.

3.    Proposals must be received prior to the 30 June 2023 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to cheewei@gpsnr.org for consideration.

GPSNR reserves the right to amend the scope and budget of this RFP to get the most suitable consultant for each topic.

 

Project Timelines

 

RFP Publication

4 May 2023

Submission deadline for proposals

30 June 2023

Evaluation of proposals and follow up

21 July 2023

Contract Award

July 2023

Preparations and Implementation for 1st year

 

August 2023 – July 2024

First Full Review

August 2024

Preparations and Implementation for 2nd year

 

August 2024 – July 2025

Second Full Review

August 2025

Preparations and Implementation for 3rd year

 

August 2025 – July 2026

Third Full Review

August 2026

Service provider will also provide fortnightly or monthly progress updates to the GPSNR SCB WG, or on an as-needed basis.

Budget

 

The Platform is anticipating that a total budget of no more than 216,000 USD be allocated to this engagement, depending on the proposed coaching approach.

Payment terms shall be:
• 20% at the signing of the contract
• 20% at the first round of coaching conducted
• 20% upon First Full Review (August 2024)
• 20% upon Second Full Review (August 2025)
• 20% upon Third Full Review (August 2026)

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
3. Samples of work
4. Cost per farmer, and other aspects of the proposed coaching approach of programme
5. Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff
6. 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.

gulation consolidated text 20-12-22

 


View RFP Document here

Bani Bains May 4, 2023
Tender

(CLOSED) Request for Proposal – Traceability and Transparency Tools Comparison

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 the GPSNR was initiated by the CEOs of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) in November 2017. 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 will define GPSNR strategy and objectives.

GPSNR has created three core working groups to help advance the platform’s mission to reduce social and environmental risks throughout the natural rubber supply chain.  Working Group 3 (WG3) is dedicated to Traceability and Transparency, with the objective to recommend tools to trace, assess the risk and achieve transparency of any given natural rubber product buyer’s supply chain.

To achieve the WG3 objective, we are requesting proposals for projects that will assess supply chain risks, achieve supply chain traceability and achieve supply chain transparency. 

Scope of Work and Objective

1: Take stock of the traceability and transparency requirements

Understand the requirements of the traceability and transparency tools through discussions and interviews with various members and EC of GPSNR. This includes

  • What level of traceability and transparency (T&T) different stakeholders desire while meeting the criteria and policy?
  • What level of T&T is needed in high risk areas and in low risk areas?
  • How they define high risk and low risk areas?
  • How they plan to identify high and low risk areas?
  • What data in the supply chain (based on the draft GPSNR sustainability criteria) are different stakeholders (particularly downstream rubber industry) agreeable to sharing and with what entities (such as GPSNR, NGOs, competitors, and suppliers), and on what conditions?
  • What data is absolutely confidential that can’t be shared (even with an entity like GPSNR on a strictly confidential basis)?
  • What costs they are willing to pay/ton for T&T in different risk profile areas?

2: Assess Methodologies and Effectiveness of Traceability and Transparency Tools

The following request for proposal asks for a study of the functionalities of traceability/transparency tools being used by the natural rubber and other similar industry sectors: 

  1. Supply chain and product tracking
  2. Supply chain mapping
  3. Satellite and remote sensing (incl. Artificial Intelligence opportunities)

The study should look at each tool’s methodology for identifying origin and collecting information and make recommendations for which tools work best (and which do not) regarding the following key areas:

  • The process of data collection and types of data that can be collected
  •  The ability of the tool to identify risk and/or contribute to a risk assessment in the following categories[1]:
  • Social: Protecting internationally recognized human rights and labor rights (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ILO Core Conventions), securing Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Recognizing rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, provision of community livelihoods, etc.
  • Environmental: Deforestation, protection of High Conservation Values (HCVs) and rare, threatened and endangered species, water quantity and quality, soil protection, protecting peat lands, etc.
  • Legality: Applicable local, national and international laws on human rights, labour, land use and the environment.
  • Analyze the usability of results delivered – functionality (is it user friendly – pragmatic – “ready to go”)
  • Analyze the types of data that are accessible by each tool for:
  • Social: Protecting internationally recognized human rights and labor rights (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ILO Core Conventions), securing Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Recognizing rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, provision of community livelihoods, etc.
  • Environmental: Deforestation, protection of High Conservation Values (HCVs) and rare, threatened and endangered species, water quantity and quality, soil protection, protecting peat lands, etc.
  • Legality: Applicable local, national and international laws on human rights, labour, land use and the environment.
  • Explore challenges with data sharing considering confidentiality and data ownership (within each tool), but also consider feasibility and the possibility of sharing information between tools.
  • Understand the reliability of data and the auditability of data (verify).  Consider each tools ability to be audited to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd party methods.  Consider the differences between tools that collect data via voluntary declaration of the suppliers vs onsite data collection by a 2nd or 3rd party.
  • Understand cost– what are other costs that need to be considered:
    • Set-up/prerequisite
    • Maintenance
    • Deployment
  • Understand the scalability of each tool.  At what geographic level can each tool perform and within what timeframes.
  • Adaptability of tool for use by GPSNR members to meet commitments and reporting requirements.

[1] Note: this bullet point is not asking the assessor to conduct a risk assessment themselves.  It is asking the assessor to identify which tools provide valuable data to evaluate and identify risk regarding specific environmental, social and legality factors.

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. A technical proposal must be provided that is not more than 4 pages. This technical proposal must provide an overview of the proposed tools for analysis as well as resumes of all key personnel performing the work. In addition, the technical proposal should provide a description of previous relevant work, and a proposed schedule.
  3. 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.
  4. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  5. Proposals must be received prior to 19th August 2020 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
  6. 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.

Budget

The Platform is anticipating a total budget of no more than 30,000 Euros for the study. 

Payment terms shall be:

  • 50% at the signing of the contract
  • 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:

  • Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal;
  • Relevant past performance/experience;
  • Samples of work;
  • Cost, including an assessment of total cost of ownership;
  • Technical expertise/experience of bidder and 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.

Please submit your application to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org by 19 August 2020.

GPSNR Staff August 14, 2020

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