Request For Proposal – GPSNR-RFP-C03-036-Review and support the development of a Central Repository
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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. Members of the platform include rubber products manufacturers, natural rubber suppliers and processors (PPTs), end users, smallholders, and civil society organisations.
The Manufacturer’s Subgroup (SG) consists of GPSNR members who are rubber product manufacturers only. Traditionally tracing each companies supply chain takes on an individualistic approach due to the sensitive nature of the data. However, to expedite the enhancement of traceability in view of EUDR, the SG has decided on a collaborative approach by developing a Central Repository.
The Central Repository functions as a database for storing polygons and supply chain information contributed by individual members. It will also link the smallholders, PPTs and manufacturers on a single platform while reducing duplicated mapping efforts between different manufacturers. The Repository should allow for easy extraction of information for GPSNR’s Due Diligence System and be integrated with the EU information system. Moreover, the repository should either integrate different Risk, Traceability and Deforestation mapping tools or have the data formatted in a way that allows for seamless input into the tools.
In addition, considering the sensitive nature of individual companies’ supply chain information, the platform must implement various layers of access control. This will ensure that each manufacturer can only access information pertaining to their own supply chain. Furthermore, the repository should have distinct tiers of users, including end users, manufacturers, PPTs, and smallholders, with each tier granted access privileges relevant to their role.
Objectives and Scope of Work/ Deliverables GPSNR expects the consultant to deliver the following:
Craft a database that stores polygon and supply chain information to the plantation level and allows for the upload of geo-mapping information.
The database should also have an online dashboard view of mapped / Mapping-in-progress farmlands, contract/seller invoice information – outstanding and shipped)
The Central Repository should allow data to flow to and from or store data in a way that is compatible for the uses below:
Risk assessment systems/tools (Eg – ASI Tool or Others as available etc)
Create levels of access authorizations for different accounts within the platform –
User accounts for uploading geo mapped data
Access to viewing the geo-mapped data linked to user accounts for the PPTs and Manufacturers
Users should only have access to information from within their own supply chains or information that they input to the repository
Users should be able to form links across different tiers. For example, users should be able to form links between smallholders and PPTs, PPTs and manufacturers.
When there are several members which require access to geo mapped data from one user, the platform should have the ability to extend access authorization to multiple users.
Extracting information from Due Diligence Systems and integrating it with the EU Information System (this should be limited to manufacturers only)
The platform should be compliant with applicable data privacy norms and regulations which include but are not limited to the GDPR and PDPA.
A fee structure including management of shared cost arising from overlapping access to geo mapped data.
Data protection and cyber security policies
Service Level Agreements including downtime, maintenance, customer support and service, updates.
Data Backup
Server location – Singapore (Preferred)
A timeline for development of the Central Repository (milestones with details)
Optional – Deforestation monitoring tool integrated with central repository and the applicable fee structures
Proposal Format and Contents The proposal should include the following:
A workplan that outlines all key activities of the deliverables (as outlined in Expected Deliverables above)
Timeline and key stages of operations (based on Project Timeline below)
Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower, logistics, and costs
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.
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.
Examples of previous relevant work should be provided as well.
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.
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, a cost breakdown, and daily rates and an estimated total number of days.
Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit 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 in order to get the most suitable consultant for each topic.
Project Timelines
RFP Published
4 Sep 2023
Proposal Submission Deadline
25 Sep 2023
Contract Awarded
9 Oct 2023
First consultation with Manufacturer’s Subgroup
23 Oct 2023
Bi-weekly progress updates
23 Oct – 18 Dec
Final Report + Deliverable submission
19 Dec 2023
Budget The Platform will review budget proposals from service providers and the budget will comprise an important part of awarding the contract.
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
40% on go-live
Balance 10% – 1 month after go-live
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.
The Global Platform for Sustainable Naural Rubber is an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative committed to improving the socioeconomics and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Development of the GPSNR was intiated 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.
The GPSNR aims to support the natural rubber sector to become more sustainable. Key element in achieving this is to ensure there is capacity among smallholders and industrial plantations to adopt best practices in NR production.
GPSNR, through the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup), is seeking proposals to disseminate coaching materials and implement coaching on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for smallholders in Indonesia.
Proposed coaching programmes should be implemented in line with GPSNR environmental and social commitments and values, based on the GPSNR Policy Framework[1].
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK
2.1 Context
There are approximately 2.25M smallholders in Indonesia, representing 83% of national natural rubber production (3.6 M tonnes). Smallholders cultivate less than 2 ha of land with an average yield of slightly below 1 ton/ha, as compared to state and private commercial plantations achieving 1.4 ton/ha and 1.5 ton/ha respectively.
Indonesia’s average rubber yield is significantly lower than neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia; such low yield is due to low-quality clones, limited knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and aging trees.
Most rubber trees in Indonesia were planted from 1978-1991 through several government schemes. Given that rubber trees only have a 25-year productive lifespan, with steeply declining yields thereafter, almost all rubber trees planted under these schemes have passed their peak production. Whilst there is no formal data available on tree aging in Indonesia, the Ministry of Agriculture estimates around 600,000 – 700,000 ha of natural rubber plantations need rejuvenation. Replanting should ideally occur on about 4% of plantations annually to ensure a stable output. Yet, it is estimated that between 2010 and 2017 replanting of only 1.3% was undertaken.
Diseases are a major threat to rubber trees, with 80 – 90% of farmers experiencing tree diseases in 2019 in West Kalimantan and South Sumatra, and 60% in Jambi. When disease (pink and white root rot) attacks trees, the trees should be cut down, leaving not even the stem in the ground, to minimise infection of other trees. A new rubber leaf fall disease is spreading in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This disease causes leaf fall more than twice a year and reduces annual yield by up to 40%. The treatment for this disease is expensive and is often not implemented by smallholders.
Land preparation for replanting is also an important factor for sustainability of production and can lead to lower rubber disease infection rates. Young trees are susceptible to numerous diseases and pests, which smallholders must be coached and financially supported to protect in years 1 – 3. The cost of land preparation and field protection is among the most expensive investments, besides the purchase costs of high yielding clones. Costs incurred during the tree replanting stages is around $2,600 per ha over a 5-year period. During the 6th year, the trees will become productive and operational costs will be $460 pa.
Using the right clone makes a tremendous difference in a rubber tree’s lifetime yields. The productivity of rubber clonal and seedling-derived plants is almost 3 x lower than for certified clones. Across the region, only 5% of farmers received their seedlings through a government programme. Certified nurseries are only located in provincial and district capital cities resulting in limited access to high-yielding planting materials for remote smallholders.
Additionally, poor tapping techniques are another major cause of low yields and can decrease the productive life of trees by up to 50%. It is estimated that an average smallholder with 1.5 ha of rubber will earn 57% less than the Indonesian minimum wage.
Smallholders’ rubber plots and jungle rubber, as opposed to large, monoculture commercial estates, demonstrate higher animal diversity and may be able to come closer to mimicking the diversity found in natural forest ecosystems. Yet, low yields and record low international prices are driving smallholders to clear their jungle rubber and convert to other land uses such as palm oil. Research indicates in some villages on average, smallholders now grow rubber on only 0.34 ha with another 2.17 ha devoted to oil palm, and 66% of natural rubber plantations had been converted to oil palm. Cultivating oil palm also has other benefits such as i) being less labour intensive and generally farmers do not need to hire external labour – although gross returns of rubber are higher, the lower labour requirement for oil palm makes it more profitable for smallholders; ii) palm oil farmers receive more support from the government and supply chain actors; iii) contract farming arrangements for palm oil enables farmers to get loans/credits and extensions services from companies; and iv) the longer start up time for new rubber trees compared to oil palm is another factor as farmers receive income earlier than when planting rubber.
Five provinces contribute 66.5% of national production: South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Jambi, Riau, and West Kalimantan. South Sumatra province is Indonesia’s largest and most productive area. Its natural rubber area is almost 23% of the total national productive area and smallholders’ plantations take up 98.5% of this area. The productivity of smallholders in South Sumatra is the highest among smallholder areas in Indonesia, producing 1.3 ton/ha, and more likely to have received GAP training. In 2019 the government announced a replanting plan for 2019 – 2027, with a focus on South Sumatra (92,600 ha), South Kalimantan (76,550 ha) and Jambi (69,900 ha). However, this plan has no large-scale lending programme associated with it and is to be executed by local governments and has not yet been implemented. Demand for replanting is strongest in Jambi, where 40% of farmers are willing to undertake replanting. Demand is lowest in West Kalimantan, where only 1 farmer out of 79 was contemplating. Most likely the demand in Jambi is due to peak planting being undertaken in 1995 – 2005 and the majority of the trees are approaching their maximum productive age, and Jambi farmers are more aware of the importance of good quality clones and their impact on yield – they also have the highest rate of nursery clone purchase – and have suffered less from disease.
Source:
Financial Assessment of Smallholder Natural Rubber Production in Indonesia. July 2020. USAID Green Invest Asia, HeveaConnect, SNV and Financial Access. [2]
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
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.
3.1 Brief Justifications
The proposal should implement GPSNR’s proposed strategy for capacity building in Indonesia and provide brief justifications on the most suitable approach to conduct coaching for smallholders in any of five identified regions:
Northern Sumatra
Southern Sumatra
Central Sumatra
West Kalimantan
East Kalimantan
The GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup) may prioritise funding for coaching in regions based on relative productivity, coverage of existing coaching services, socio-economic needs, or other considerations.
3.2 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:
Coaching based on the train-the-trainers (ToT) model
Female and other minority inclusion and represention
Field coaching (or other approach) implementation plans
Integration of technology for data capture and ongoing engagement, and progress tracking (i.e. immediate and longer-term monitoring and evaluation)
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 be in line with local situations in Indonesia in order to build trust with smallholders and to optimize coaching outcomes, especially in terms of language, technical specificities, and local needs.
The GPSNR GAPs consist of the following four modules:
Rubber Plant Material
Establishment and Maintenance of Plantations
Latex Harvesting
Diseases and Pests
Service providers are also expected to operate in line with principles and values set forth in the GPSNR Policy Framework[3] such as commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, zero deforestation, community engagement and FPIC etc.
The selected service providermay also be expected to work closely with the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup) to fine-tuned or further augment the provided coaching materials.
3.3 Key Metrics
The proposal should elaborate on how the following key metrics can be achieved and measured:
Total number of smallholders coached
Total number of trainers or coaches coached
Year-by-year increases in smallholder productivity and smallholders engaged
Inclusitivity across gender, youth, geographic regions, and ethnicity (e.g., indigenous or other minority communities)
Monitoring and evaluation of coaching progress and outcomes
Propoals are also encouraged to include key metrics of importance not listed above.
PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENTS
The proposal should include the following:
A workplan that outlines all key activities of the deliverables (as outlined in Expected Deliverables above)
Timeline and key stages of operations (based on Expected Timeline below)
Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower, logistics, and costs expected to run coaching programmes for an initial two years, beginning in 2022 (based on 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 received prior to 15 January 2022 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted toyeo.siyuan@gpsnr.org for consideration. You may also reach out to this contact for any questions or clarifications
EXPECTED TIMELINE
The work shall begin by February 2022 and the various phases shall be completed in accordance with the dates outlined in the timeline below:
Activity
Due Date
RFP publication
10 Dec 2021
Submission deadline for proposals
15 Jan 2022
Evaluation and follow up
End Jan 2022
Contract Award
Feb 2022
Preparations and Implementation for 2022
Feb – Dec 2022
First Full Review
Dec 2022
Preparations and Implementation for 2023
Jan – Dec 2023
Second Full Review
Dec 2023
Consultants will also provide fortnightly or monthly progress updates to the GPSNR Capacity Working Group, or on an as-needed basis.
BUDGET
The Platform is anticipating that the total budget of no more than 150,000 USD be allocated to the engagement, depending on the proposed coaching approach.
Payment terms shall be:
30% at the signing of the contract
20% at the first round of coaching conducted
30% upon the First Full Review (Dec 2022)
20% upon the Second Full Review (Dec 2023)
EVALUATION FACTORS
GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:
Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal
Relevant past performance/experience of the consultant
Samples of work (e.g., previous training or coaching programmes in Indonesia)
Cost per farmer, and other aspects of the proposed coaching approach or programme
Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff
Proposed timeline of operations
Scale-up plan from 2022 to 2023, and outlook beyond 2023
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.
Deadline for submission has been updated to 8th July 2022
Note: awarding of the contract will be subject to securing of full funding
1. Introduction
The Global Platform for Sustainable Naural Rubber is an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative committed to improving the socioeconomics and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Development of the GPSNR was intiated 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.
The GPSNR aims to support the natural rubber sector to become more sustainable. Key element in achieving this is to ensure there is capacity among smallholders and industrial plantations to adopt best practices in NR production.
GPSNR, through the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup), is seeking to engage service providers to implement the following aspects of disease fighting for natural rubber trees in Indonesia:
On-site inspection for diseases across multiple regions
Pilot rapid response mechanism for disease fighting
Develop and distribute materials on disease fighting
Coaching smallholders on disease treatment and prevention
Proposed programmes should be implemented in line with GPSNR environmental and social commitments and values, based on the GPSNR Policy Framework1.
There are approximately 2.25M smallholders in Indonesia, representing 83% of national natural rubber production (3.6 M tonnes). Smallholders cultivate less than 2 ha of land with an average yield of slightly below 1 ton/ha, as compared to state and private commercial plantations achieving 1.4 ton/ha and 1.5 ton/ha respectively.
Diseases are a major threat to rubber trees, with 80 – 90% of farmers experiencing tree diseases in 2019 in West Kalimantan and South Sumatra, and 60% in Jambi. When disease (pink and white root rot) attacks trees, the trees should be cut down, leaving not even the stem in the ground, to minimise infection of other trees. A new rubber leaf fall disease is spreading in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This disease causes leaf fall more than twice a year and reduces annual yield by up to 40%. The treatment for this disease is expensive and is often not implemented by smallholders.
Five provinces contribute 66.5% of national production: South Sumatra, North Sumatra, Jambi, Riau, and West Kalimantan. South Sumatra province is Indonesia’s largest and most productive area. Its natural rubber area is almost 23% of the total national productive area and smallholders’ plantations take up 98.5% of this area. The productivity of smallholders in South Sumatra is the highest among smallholder areas in Indonesia, producing 1.3 ton/ha, and more likely to have received GAP training. In 2019 the government announced a replanting plan for 2019 – 2027, with a focus on South Sumatra (92,600 ha), South Kalimantan (76,550 ha) and Jambi (69,900 ha). However, this plan has no large-scale lending programme associated with it and is to be executed by local governments and has not yet been implemented. Demand for replanting is strongest in Jambi, where 40% of farmers are willing to undertake replanting. Demand is lowest in West Kalimantan, where only 1 farmer out of 79 was contemplating. Most likely the demand in Jambi is due to peak planting being undertaken in 1995 – 2005 and the majority of the trees are approaching their maximum productive age, and Jambi farmers are more aware of the importance of good quality clones and their impact on yield – they also have the highest rate of nursery clone purchase – and have suffered less from disease.
In line with the GPSNR Policy Framework, the GPSNR Secretariat has prepared guidance on the Policy Evaluation Procedure to support members in aligning their corporate policies with the GPSNR Policy Framework.
GPSNR Smallholders Policy Equivalent for Smallholder Members
As of March 2022, GPSNR currently has 112 smallholder members across 10 countries: Brazil, Cambodia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
While this represents a small percentage of the millions of smallholder producers globally, GPSNR is committed to developing the mechanisms, tools, and processes to support smallholders globally in adopting best practices for natural rubber production in terms of economic, environmental and social outcomes.
Source: Financial Assessment of Smallholder Natural Rubber Production in Indonesia. July 2020. USAID Green Invest Asia, HeveaConnect, SNV and Financial Access.2
GPSNR has outlined four project stages as part of the Comprehensive Disease Fighting Approach. Note: All available and collated information through this project will compiled, analysed and integrated with existing literature, to further contribute to developing a full inventory of natural rubber disease in Indonesia and globally.
Stage 1: On-site inspection for diseases on a regional basis
Expected length of time: 3-4 months
Objective: To carry out on-location inspections for presence of diseases in key rubber producing regions in Indonesia
The consultant should put forth recommendations
Key evaluation metrics:
Inspections should be carried out by accredited technical experts on rubber diseases in Indonesia
The proposal should clearly state intended regions for inspections and justify these selections. A minimum of four major natural rubber producing regions should be presented.
Inspections should define and document the following (non-exhaustive) list of key parameters and findings:
Regions and locations (GPS-data; statistically randomised sample of locations)
Affected area sizes and hectares inspected, as well as a map of healthy locations
Map of rubber growing regions; randomly sampled process of disease mapping and areas inspected
Number of smallholders affected
Photos (high quality) and other visual evidence of diseases
In general, all diseases reported by the interviewed farmers should be properly documented (location, phenomena, season of occurrence, photos …). Specific attention should be given to the occurrence/symptoms of the following diseases (Type of diseases, e.g.,):
White root disease (e.g., rigidoporus microporus fungus)
Leaf disease (Pestalotiopsis)
Fusarium
Tapping panel dryness (TPD)
Colletotrichum
Animal / insect / pest issues
All other forms of diseases / issues to be documented
Screen for emergent threats or new disease developments
History of site (e.g., past crop activities)
Clone types inspected
Interactions, if any, between natural rubber and other crops such as palm oil
Other details to be included by the bidder
Expected outputs
Documentation and public sharing
The overall findings of Stage 1 are expected to be documented in a formal report or detailed presentation. This will be shared with GPSNR and made publicly available, and also shared actively within the natural rubber eco-system in Indonesia (and other countries).
The inspection team could also be invited to share the results through a GPSNR members-only or public webinar
The formal report or detailed presentation is expected to serve as a living document that will be continuously open for updates and further inputs beyond the timeline of this project
Further Stages of this project
The overall findings of Stage 1 will also shape the subsequent Stages of this project, with more details outlined below.
Stage 2: Pilot Rapid Response Mechanism for Disease Fighting
Expected length of time: To begin development concurrently with Stage 1 (Inspection), and to be in operation within 3-4 months of project starting, until project end (November 2023)
Objective: To conceptualise and implement a pilot mechanism for smallholders to reach out to disease experts for technical advice on diseases, and to allow rapid response by experts if a situation warrants
Key evaluation metrics:
To establish pilot channels (such as call or digital “hotlines”) for smallholders to reach out to disease experts. This could be in any of the following (non-exhaustive) forms:
Telephone line
Whatsapp group
Facebook group
Any other possibilities
Outline operational and maintenance needs for the communication channel such as the following (non-exhaustive):
Manpower costs
Digital or infrastructural costs
Others
Mechanism of immediate follow-up on areas found to be vulnerable to diseases
Propose a long-term and sustainable model of the “hotline” mechanism, including overview of the stated costs above
Actual operationalising for the longer-term will depend on the effectiveness of the mechanism during the project pilot period
Expected outputs
“Hotline” Mechanism
The “hotline” mechanism, in a form proposed by the bidder, should be in operation within 3-4 months of the project starting, and be evaluated under the following criteria:
Uptake and usage by smallholders (to be documented on a regional basis)
Operational and maintenance costs
Effectiveness in addressing or responding to smallholder queries
Effectiveness in identifying vulnerable regions
Stage 3: Develop and Distribute Materials on Disease Fighting
Expected length of time: To begin development concurrently with Stage 1 (Inspection), and to be ready for distribution to smallholder communities within 3-4 months of project start
Objective: To develop and distribute disease fighting materials to smallholder communities, including information relating to the Rapid Response “hotline” mechanism to be developed in Stage 2
Key evaluation metrics:
Outline proposed content for the materials
Outline proposed format of the materials (e.g., video, leaflets, brochures, poster infographics etc.)
Outline intended manner of distribution to smallholders and their communities, including specific locations and local partners who could help with distribution (if any)
Note: as technical experts on diseases and experts on smallholder interactions in Indonesia, the selected bidder is expected to be in-charge of the content and distribution of the materials
GPSNR may separately tender for a graphic designer to work with the bidder to format content into visually effective materials
Expected outputs
Materials to be shared in physical or communal venues where smallholders convene on a regular basis
Stage 4: Disease Fighting Coaching
Expected length of time: To begin after Stage 1 (Inspection) is completed, and to be planned based on the findings of Stage 1 (Inspection) and tailored toward ongoing inputs received through Stage 2 (Rapid Response “hotline”)
Objective: To conduct on-site training for smallholders on disease treatment and prevention
Key evaluation metrics:
Outline coaching plans for the following scenarios, based on the results of Stage 1 (Inspection) and Stage 2 (Rapid Response “hotline”)
Scenario A: coaching plan for high evidence of disease outbreak in one or more regions
Scenario B: coaching plan for low-to-no evidence of disease outbreak in one or more regions
Outline intended number of train-the-trainer sessions depending on Scenarios A and B
Outline plan for demonstration plots based on location-specific diseases, or case-studies
Outline plan to provide, safeguard, and instruct smallholders on using approved materials, tools (e.g., approved agrichemicals; reference sources to procure such materials) for prevention and treatment purposes
Outline number of smallholders to be coached within the given timeframe
Expected outputs
Smallholder coaching sessions to be conducted based on the findings of Stage 1 (Inspection) and feedback received in Stage 2 (Rapid Response “hotline”)
Overall Metrics
Submitted proposals should provide justifications and details on the costs, timeline, and rationales for each of the Stages above, with a focus on the following rubber-producing regions:
Northern Sumatra
Southern Sumatra
Central Sumatra
West Kalimantan
East Kalimantan
The GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup) may prioritise funding for specific regions based on relative productivity, coverage of existing coaching services, socio-economic needs, or other considerations.
Service providers are also expected to operate in line with principles and values set forth in the GPSNR Policy Framework3such as commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, zero deforestation, community engagement and FPIC etc.
The selected service providermay also be expected to work closely with the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group (Indonesia National Subgroup) to fine-tuned or further augment the clone selection and delivery timelines.
A workplan that outlines all key activities of the deliverables (as outlined in 3. Expected Deliverables above)
Timeline and key stages of operations (based on 5. Expected Timeline below)
Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower, logistics, and costs (based on 6. Budget below)
Description of past work and proof of technical expertise on natural rubber disease is highly critical for this RFP
Description of disease identification and methodologies
A list of project team members with their roles in the project and associated qualifications
5. Expected Timelines
The work shall begin by July 2022 and the various phases shall be completed in accordance with the approximate timeline below:
RFP publication
25 May 2022
Submission deadline for proposals
8 July 2022
Contract Award
July 2022
First Full Review
November 2022
Second Full Review
February 2023
Third Full Review
May 2023
Fourth Review
August 2023
Final Review and Project Conclusion
November 2023
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.
6. Budget
The Platform is anticipating that the total budget of no more than 220,000 EUR be allocated to the Four Stages of the project. The approximate expected breakdown for each Stage is as such:
Stage 1 and 2: 120,000 EUR
Stage 3: 50,000 EUR (sum inclusive of graphic designing of visuals for smallholder communities)
Stage 4: 50,000 EUR
Bidders should propose budget allocations for each Stage as they deem suitable.
Payment terms shall be proposed by the bidder and discussed with GPSNR, in line with each Stage of the project.
7. Evaluation Factors
GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:
Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal
Relevant past performance/experience/accreditation of the bidder
Samples of work (e.g., previous training or coaching programmes in Indonesia)
Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff
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.
