(CLOSED) Request for Proposal – Grievance Mechanism Review

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The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber 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 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.

Through GPSNR’s Working Groups and the Executive Committee, the Platform is developing an Assurance Model that is intended to be credible and smoothly functioning. Underlying this Assurance Model, and to ensure its effective implementation, is the need for a mechanism by which Members and non-members may take grievances they have against a Member for non-conformance with the Platform’s requirements, which may arise from non-conformance with standards, the Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest Policy, or other requirements of Members and allow those complainants to have their grievance be heard and resolved (“Grievance Mechanism”).

Under its authority and duty to create a Compliance System for the Platform under Section 10.d. of the Platform’s statutes, the Executive Committee seeks recommendations on the organization and process for such a Grievance Mechanism that allows for the intake, an initial, professionally mediated resolution process, and, finally, the process by which it is submitted to a formal Complaints Panel for resolution in the case that mediation does not work. That recommendation would be in accordance with the engagement outline below and based on a comparative study of best practices in grievance mechanisms for similar multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Understanding that the Platform is in its early stages, and therefore has limited resources, the recommendation should strive for a lean model while maintaining consistency with the policies of the Platform (e.g., Conflict of Interest Policy). Although lean, the Platform also recognizes the need for a process that is accessible, impartial, timely, transparent, and affords protections, such as anonymity, to the complainant (where needed). Developing the Grievance Mechanism is expected to be an iterative process.

The consultant is to develop, in consultation with the GPSNR Executive Committee and Secretariat, a Grievance Mechanism in the form of a process flowchart and a set of rules governing the process for receiving, assessing, processing, and escalating grievances through a series of steps to find an agreeable and just solution. The consultant should adhere to the following phased, iterative approach:

  • Phase I – Comparative Review of Grievance Mechanisms for Similar Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives
  • Phase II – Process Flowchart/Outline
  • Phase III – Final Recommendation

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 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  6. Proposals must be received prior to the 13th of December to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
  7. 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.
  8. GPSNR reserves the right to amend the scope and budget of this RFP in order to get the most suitable consultant for each topic.

Download full Request for Proposal here

Attachement A -will be shared upon submission

Attachement B- will be shared upon submission

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(CLOSED) Request for Proposal – Study on Human Rights and Labour Rights’ risk mapping in the global Natural Rubber value chains

Through a process led by the Strategy and Objectives Working Group the Platform has developed stated goals with a strong focus on developing a framework that supports and sustains responsible supply chain . Important among the information needed to undergo these developments of is a better understanding of the social risks including (but not limiting to) Human Rights and Labour Rights in the Natural Rubber value chains, globally.

Each country has its own governance and social structure which contributes to different social risks from country to country. While these risks are associated to the wider population, there are specific characteristics of social risks that are particularly associated to agricultural production. For the countries where law enforcement is weak, there is a risk that the workers are exposed to poor work conditions without any access to a fair complaint mechanism.

Although the initial focus of this project is on human rights and labour rights (including migrant workers), the consultant is expected to elaborate how human and labour rights are associated to other social risks (i.e. land acquisition, community health, safety and security, etc.) in order to recommend risk mitigation methods to the Strategy and Objectives Working Group.

The consultant is expected to develop generic risk profile at a global level, and specific risk profile at a regional level. The tentative regions for specific risks study are proposed as following:

  • – Production Unit and Rubber Block Processing Unit- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam), Africa (Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana) and Latin America (Brazil, Guatemala);
  • – Tyre Manufacturing Unit – China, Southeast Asia, Europe and US.

The list of regions above is tentative and can be adjusted upon the discussion between the consultant and the Strategy and Objectives Working Group members. After the risk profiles are developed, the consultant is expected to come up with recommendations for risk mitigation strategies for each region.

The consultant will collect the information via desktop study, interviewing of GPSNR members, research institutes, social NGOs, governmental organizations, etc. A primary list of stakeholders will be provided by the Secretariat together with the Strategy and Objectives Working Group members. A complementary list will be developed by the consultant. Regular contact and updating to the Strategy and Objective Working Group together with the Secretariat will be required. It is estimated that there will be the need for a series of face to face meetings in South East Asia over the course of the project. Travel plans shall be made by the consultant

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 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  6. Proposals must be received prior to 10th January 2020 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
  7. 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

Download full Request for Proposal here

GPSNR Staff December 3, 2019
Tender

(Closed) Request for Proposal – GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform (GPSNR-RFP-A02-016)

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 2019. 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 define GPSNR strategy and objectives.

The GPSNR Secretariat and the GPSNR Capacity Building Working Group, through the GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform Task Force, are jointly overseeing the development and eventual operations and maintenance of a digital GPSNR Knowledge Sharing Platform.

This digital platform is envisaged to be an easily accessible, multi-lingual and expandable knowledge platform for smallholders and other actors based on quality-controlled information. Besides providing technical information on the latest Good Agricultural Practices it will provide access to live market conditions on natural rubber such as prices on key exchanges, projected supply, and demand shifts, as well as overall global market developments. The digital platform will also incorporate communication functions such as live chat and forum with built-in translation tools to allow smallholders to share and communicate seamlessly across different countries. Another crucial aspect will be to safeguard data security and ownership.

Prior to embarking on the technical or IT development of the digital platform, GPSNR and the Capacity Building Working Group is seeking to conduct an Assessment of Status Quo and Evaluation

The consultant will collect the information via desktop study and information provided by the Working Group/Secretariat. The consultant would also be expected to conduct a number of stakeholder interviews (including but not limited to GPSNR member companies with relevant experience and digital tools, as well as smallholders within and beyond GPSNR) based on the criteria set out below. Regular contact and provision of updates to the Capacity Building Working Group and Knowledge Sharing Platform Task Force together with the Secretariat will be required.

It is estimated that there will be the need for at least one virtual meeting every two weeks over the course of the project.

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 proven 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 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 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.
  5. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorized to commit bidder’s company.
  6. Proposals must be received prior to 7 January 2022 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to yeo.siyuan@gpsnr.org for consideration. You may also reach out to this contact for any questions or clarifications.
  7. 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.

The submission should address, at minimum, the following:

Review of Existing Digital Applications

  • What are the existing apps/platforms on rubber (or other agricultural commodities) available and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each?
  • Are there existing platforms that could be expanded to incorporate the necessary functions or solutions to be used as template? (This could be specified with the consultant)

Assessing Smallholders’ Capacities and Needs

  • What are the technological constraints and capacities of smallholders?
  • What technology is best suited to address smallholders’ needs (smartphone technology)?
  • What functions or content of the Platform would smallholders prioritise?
  • What technical platform is meaningful (concerning the digital literacy of smallholders, and global application in diverse developing countries)?
  • How can we reach smallholders who are not familiar with digital technologies?

This should be conducted through a needs review comprising a representative set of stakeholders (including but not limited to smallholders, considering countries, farm size, gender, etc.)

GPSNR will facilitate virtual access and engagement with GPSNR smallholder members where applicable and requested by the consultant.

This RFP is also not limited in scope to smallholders or stakeholders in any specific geographical region, given that the eventual Knowledge Sharing Platform is expected to be globally used.

Project Timelines

The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:

Activity Due Date
Release of RFP 10 Dec 2021
Submission Deadline for Proposals 7 Jan 2022
Contract Award 21 Jan 2022
Implementation to Begin 28 Jan 2022
First Review March 2022
Second Review May 2022

The work shall begin by January 2022 and the various phases shall be completed in accordance with the dates outlined in the timeline below:

Budget

The Platform is anticipating that a total budget of up to 18,000 EUR (subject to change) be allocated to this engagement with an additional amount available to support planned and approved travel.

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

The allocation of the payment shall be based on the net amount after travel expenses are incurred and documented.

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors, incorporating the overall quality of the proposal and consultant:

  1. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this RFP;
  2. Relevant past performance and experience;
  3. Samples of work;
  4. Cost, including an assessment of total cost of ownership;
  5. Technical expertise/experience of bidder and bidder’s staff;
  6. The ability to collect information at the global and local level.

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.

Download RFP here

Contact Person: Yeo Siyuan  – yeo.siyuan@gpsnr.org

GPSNR Staff December 10, 2021

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