Reference: GPSNR-RFP-CR-SCOPE-2026

Date: 7 October 2026

Issued by: Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR)

Representative: Stefano Savi, CEO – stefano.savi@gpsnr.org – +65 9297 0636

Co-contact: Aidan – aidan@gpsnr.org

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 include rubber product manufacturers, natural rubber suppliers and processors (PPTs), end users, smallholders, and civil society organisations.

In September 2023, GPSNR issued RFP-C03-036 for a Central Repository intended to store polygon and supply chain data, support EUDR compliance, and reduce duplicated mapping effort across manufacturers. That process, led by the Manufacturer’s Subgroup, was discontinued in November 2023 after a group of tiremakers opted for a different solution outside the formal tender.

In 2026, the Secretariat restarted the initiative under a broader, multi-stakeholder approach, since the original manufacturer-led working group is no longer active. The concept has since been presented to the GPSNR membership and to Enterprise Singapore, which has indicated willingness to support the project.

Following that presentation, GPSNR member companies raised material questions that must be resolved before any funding or build decision is made, specifically regarding: (i) the long-term cost of setting up and maintaining such a system; (ii) the actual benefits and value proposition relative to existing member-run systems; and (iii) data sharing, data ownership, and cybersecurity concerns, given the commercially sensitive nature of individual companies’ supply chain data.

GPSNR members have provisionally agreed to jointly commission an independent consultant to conduct a scoping study that consults GPSNR members and relevant external experts, and produces a grounded assessment of scope, guardrails, and cost, together with a roadmap showing how the repository could evolve towards adjacent and downstream sustainability applications, ahead of any decision to proceed with development.

To keep the engagement lean, the GPSNR Secretariat will provide direct support to the consultant: scheduling and inviting member participants, handling logistics and communications, and co-facilitating or note-taking for a subset of member consultation sessions. The consultant remains responsible for consultation design, expert engagement, analysis, and the final deliverables.

Objectives and Scope of Work / Deliverables

GPSNR expects the consultant to deliver the following:

Member consultation

• Design structured consultations (interview guide and/or survey) covering a representative cross-section of GPSNR members: manufacturers, PPTs/traders, smallholder representatives, and civil society organisations.
• Lead the consultation sessions; the GPSNR Secretariat will handle scheduling, invitations, and logistics, and may co-facilitate or take notes for a subset of sessions to reduce consultant time on coordination.
• Capture views on perceived benefits, willingness to contribute data, red lines on data sharing, and preferred governance and access-control models.
• Identify areas of consensus and disagreement, and any conditions members attach to their participation.

Expert consultation

• Consult relevant technical and legal experts, including traceability/data platform providers (e.g. Koltiva, Agridence, TRST01, DIBIZ or equivalent), cybersecurity/data governance specialists, and legal counsel on competition law implications of inter-competitor data sharing.
• Benchmark comparable shared data infrastructure in other commodity sectors (e.g. palm oil, cocoa, soy) where relevant precedents exist.
• Consult downstream and adjacent players, such as banks and trade finance providers offering sustainability-linked financing, and carbon accounting, carbon project and registry actors, to assess how consolidated mapping data could evolve beyond EUDR compliance into applications such as sustainability-linked trade financing, carbon accounting and carbon projects.
• Identify what these applications would require of the data: coverage, granularity, verification and assurance, update frequency, and governance and consent arrangements.

Scope and guardrails

• Based on consultation findings, define 2–3 realistic scope options for the Central Repository (e.g. minimum viable shared layer vs. fuller-featured platform).
• Propose data governance guardrails: data ownership, access tiers, aggregation/anonymisation options, consent and opt-in/opt-out mechanisms, and security/compliance requirements (GDPR, PDPA, and competition law).
• For each scope option, indicate how it could be extended over time to support the adjacent and downstream applications identified in the expert consultation.

Cost assessment

• Estimate one-off set-up costs and recurring annual maintenance costs for each scope option, including hosting, licensing, integration, support, and governance overhead.
• Compare build vs. buy/partner options, including leveraging an existing vendor platform versus a bespoke build.
• Propose an indicative funding and fee model.

Recommendations and reporting

• Recommend a preferred option (or phased pathway) with a rationale tied directly to consultation findings and cost analysis.
• Develop an indicative roadmap with key milestones and timeframes, taking into account industry readiness, to show how long the project may require. As a minimum, the roadmap should set out:

when the mapping data is expected to be consolidated and validated for broader use;

• • whether, and at what stage, integration with the EU Information System is expected; and
  •  when additional industry participation could be integrated to enable adjacent and downstream applications
  •  Outline key risks and mitigations, and a proposed decision-making and governance process for the GPSNR General Assembly.
  • Present findings to the GPSNR Executive Committee, membership, and Enterprise Singapore.

Deliverables Summary

• Inception report and detailed workplan (within 1 week of contract award)
• Member and expert consultation summary report
•  Scope and guardrails options paper
• Cost model covering set-up and multi-year maintenance costs, by option
• Final report with recommendations and an indicative roadmap with key milestones
•  Presentation of findings to GPSNR governance bodies and Enterprise Singapore

Proposal Format and Contents

The proposal should include the following:

• A workplan outlining all key activities against the deliverables above
•  Timeline and key stages of the engagement
• Budget, including a breakdown of days by activity/team member, and any expenses (e.g. travel for in-person consultations)
•  Description of past work and technical expertise relevant to this RFP (e.g. multi-stakeholder consultation, data governance, agri-commodity traceability, cost/business-case modelling)
•  A list of project team members with roles and qualifications

Submission Guidelines & Requirements

• Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or firms with experience relevant to this project.
• Examples of previous relevant work should be provided.
•  A technical proposal of no more than 4 pages, covering the proposed approach, team resumes, and a proposed schedule with milestones.
•  A price proposal of no more than 1 page, indicating the overall fixed price, a cost breakdown, and daily rates with estimated number of days.
• Proposals must be signed by a representative authorised to commit the bidder’s company.
• – Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org and aidan@gpsnr.org for consideration.
• GPSNR reserves the right to amend the scope and budget of this RFP to secure the most suitable consultant.

Project Timeline

The schedule below allows two additional weeks versus a compressed timeline, and builds in a pause over the December holiday period, when member and expert availability drops sharply. Final delivery falls in January 2027.

Budget & Payment Terms

GPSNR will review budget proposals jointly; cost and value for money are important factors in the award decision. Given Secretariat support with member consultation logistics (see above), GPSNR expects proposals in the indicative range of SGD 20,000–30,000. Bidders should scope their approach and days accordingly, and may propose a leaner or more extensive approach with rationale. Bidders should show separately the days allocated to the downstream applications assessment and the roadmap.

GPSNR will invite at least three qualified consultants to submit quotations, to allow a competitive comparison by GPSNR.

Proposed payment terms:

• 30% at signing of contract
• 40% on submission of the draft report and cost model
• 30% on delivery of the final report and presentation

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:

• Responsiveness to the requirements set out in this RFP
• Relevant past performance and experience, particularly in multi-stakeholder consultation and data governance/cost modelling for shared digital infrastructure
• Samples of comparable work
• Cost, including an assessment of total cost of ownership of the proposed approach
• – Technical expertise and experience of the bidder’s team, including independence and ability to engage objectively with commercially sensitive member concerns

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

FEBRUARY 2026 

ISSUED BY 
Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber 

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. 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.

The GPSNR Assurance System, designed by Assurance Services International (ASI) and for GPSNR members, is a risk-based framework that supports credible and independent assurance processes. It enables companies to identify and mitigate human rights and environmental risks within their supply chains, undergo third-party verification, and report transparently on their progress through credible claims.

As part of its Assurance System, GPSNR operates an oversight mechanism to ensure that approved Assurance Service Providers (ASPs) deliver assessment and assurance services in conformity with GPSNR requirements. This oversight function is a critical component of maintaining the credibility, consistency, and integrity of the GPSNR Assurance System.

GPSNR is therefore seeking proposals from qualified and experienced individuals or organizations to provide GPSNR Oversight Assessor services in accordance with GPSNR oversight procedures and requirements.

The Engagement 

The GPSNR Secretariat is seeking one or more qualified Oversight Assessors to support GPSNR in planning, conducting, and reporting on oversight assessments of Assurance Service Providers. The selected provider(s) will support GPSNR in ensuring that ASPs continue to meet approval requirements and effectively implement GPSNR assurance procedures.

Scope of Work

The Oversight Assessor(s) shall perform oversight activities in line with the GPSNR Oversight Procedure. The scope of work may include, but is not limited to, the following activities:

Oversight Assessment Activities

• Conduct 5-10 desk reviews of applicant or approved Assurance Service Providers, including review of documented procedures and records.
• Conduct 5-10 office assessments (remote or on-site, as required) to evaluate conformity with GPSNR requirements and the effectiveness of ASP management systems.
• Conduct 5-10 witness assessments by observing ASP assessors or assessor teams during GPSNR field assessments.
• Apply appropriate oversight assessment techniques, including document review, interviews, and witnessing of audit activities.

Assessment Preparation and Planning

• Support GPSNR Secretariat in defining the scope, type, and objectives of oversight assessments.
• Prepare assessment agendas and support logistical planning as required.
• Review background documentation prior to assessments, including previous oversight reports and ASP records.

Reporting and Follow-up

• Identify, document, and grade nonconformities in accordance with GPSNR procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and well-justified oversight assessment reports.
• Participate in opening and closing meetings with Assurance Service Providers.
• Submit assessment reports to the GPSNR Secretariat for technical review within agreed timelines.
• Support clarification or revision of reports where requested following technical review.

Professional and Ethical Requirements

• Act in accordance with GPSNR assessment principles, including ethical conduct, impartiality, confidentiality, and due professional care.
• Declare and manage conflicts of interest in line with GPSNR requirements.
• Comply with all applicable health, safety, and confidentiality requirements during oversight activities.

Assessor Qualification and Competence Requirements

Proposals must demonstrate that the proposed Oversight Assessor(s) meet the following minimum requirements:

• Relevant tertiary academic qualification in agriculture, environmental management, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated professional experience.
• At least three (3) years of professional experience in the management and/or delivery of certification or accreditation services.
• Successful completion of a five-day ISO lead auditor training course based on ISO 19011.
• Qualification as a lead auditor for the GPSNR programme or a comparable certification scheme in a related industry.
• Successful completion (or commitment to complete) GPSNR-specific training on assurance procedures, assessment requirements, and relevant templates and tools.
• Familiarity with GPSNR and the natural rubber industry

Submission Guidelines & Requirements

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

1. Proposals will only be accepted from individuals or organisations 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 include understanding of the assignment and proposed approach, indicative schedule and availability as well as resumes of all key personnel performing the work.
4. A price proposal must be provided that is not more than 1 pages. This price proposal should indicate daily or hourly rates and an estimated number of days by activity.
5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
6. Proposals must be received prior to the 20th of February to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to natalie.low@gpsnr.org for consideration.
7. GPSNR reserves the right to amend the scope of this RFP in order to get the most suitable consultant.
8. Bidders must ensure that all external personnel involved in preparing and executing this proposal are under exclusive agreements specific to this RFP. These agreements must obligate the external personnel to exclusively dedicate their services to the bidder’s proposal, prohibiting their engagement in any other proposals for the same RFP. This measure is to maintain the integrity of the bidding process and prevent conflicts of interest.

Project Timelines

Budget

The Platform invites consultants to submit a competitive price proposal, and the proposed budget will be factored into selection of the consultant. The total contract value shall be calculated based on the daily rate and actual number of days worked per month. Invoicing shall be submitted on a monthly basis and must include a breakdown of days worked and activities performed for the relevant period.

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. Cost and overall value for money
4. Technical expertise/experience of bidder/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.

Note: The award of this contract will only be considered complete upon completion of the contract signing.