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:
- 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 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.
- 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.
- Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposals
- Relevant past performance/experience
- Samples of 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.
View and download full RFP here
Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org and aidan@gpsnr.org for consideration
