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].
[1] GPSNR Announcement on Agroforestry: https://t.co/9aXbZeZpeS
[2]GPSNR Policy Framework: https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/policy-framework/
2. Objectives and Deliverables
Objectives
- To collate and prepare global, country, and region-specific peer-reviewed evidence and best-practice materials on agroforestry for natural rubber systems
- Content on environmental, economic feasibility of rubber agroforestry systems
- Where feasible, collated material to be disseminated to GPSNR smallholder members and their communities even where workshops are not planned for in 2022
- Materials would be translated by GPSNR under a separate budget
- 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:
- What is possible to grow in your region or specific location, and how can this be achieved? Possible considerations include:
- Appropriate farm design
- Cultivation practices
- Cost estimation
- What is the market availability, demand, and potential economic/financial model and value chain of recommended crops, or of particular products, in your region?
- How can agroforestry investments benefit smallholders economically, environmentally, and socially?
- What is possible to grow in your region or specific location, and how can this be achieved? Possible considerations include:
Deliverables
GPSNR has identified the following countries where materials, and workshops, should be prioritised in 2022:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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:
- Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this Request for Proposal
- Relevant past performance/experience/accreditation of the bidder on agroforestry and agricultural production
- Samples of work (e.g., previous training or coaching programmes in target countries)
- 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.
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:
- A workplan that outlines all key activities in line with the stated Objectives and Deliverables
- Timeline and key stages of operations
- Budget, including detailed breakdown of expected manpower, logistics, and costs
- Description of past work and proof of technical expertise on natural rubber agroforestry systems is highly critical for this RFP
- A list of project team members with their roles in the project and associated qualifications
