(CLOSED) Request for Proposal – Study on Human Rights and Labour Rights’ risk mapping in the global Natural Rubber value chains
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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:
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 as well as hourly 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 10th January 2020 to be considered. Proposals should be submitted to stefano.savi@gpsnr.org for consideration.
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 Global Platform for Sustainable Natural 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 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.
The GPSNR Statutes mandate the creation of an independent Compliance Panel to review and ensure that Members meet GPSNR membership requirements in conformance with Statutes, Code of Conduct, decisions, standards and processes, and make recommendations to GPSNR Executive Committee. The Compliance Panel will administer decisions in line with relevant GPSNR procedures. The panel shall be composed of three external experts and will operate independently from the membership and Secretariat.
GPSNR is seeking a consultant to help define procedures and guidelines required for the transparent and impartial operations and activities of GPSNR Compliance Panel.
PHASE I: OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK
Objectives: To review GPSNR Statutes and relevant procedures, and develop recommendations and propose options available for the structure, operations and verification protocols of the Compliance Panel.
The current GPSNR membership statutes document stipulates the following:
10. Compliance System and Compliance Panel. The Executive Committee shall establish a Compliance System to ensure that Members meet Platform membership requirements in conformance with the Platform’s Statutes, Code of Conduct, decisions, standards and processes. The operating procedures of the Compliance System shall be defined in terms of reference to be adopted by the Executive Committee, consistent with the following core provisions:
a. The Compliance System shall be administered by the Secretariat.
b. Recommendations and decisions under the Compliance System shall be made by a Compliance Panel.
c. The Compliance Panel’s functions shall include the review of whether a Member (in the period after its admission) meets the requirements for membership.
d. The Compliance Panel shall operate independently from the Executive Committee and General Assembly.
e. The Compliance Panel shall be composed of an independent body of three external experts that meet on a regular basis.
f. Experts shall be nominated by an Ordinary Member and elected by a decision of the General Assembly to serve a 3-year term.
g. A Member of the Compliance Panel may be removed by a consensus decision of the Executive Committee with a clear justification available to members upon request.
h. Members of the Compliance Panel shall be subject to a conflict of interest policy, as adopted by the Executive Committee.
i. The Compliance System shall ensure that Members are afforded an opportunity to be heard and an opportunity to cure any findings of non-compliance, alleged by either the Compliance System or Grievance Mechanism.
The consultant is expected to provide an outline of relevant existing compliance models, a comparison of options that GPSNR could consider, and justified recommendations based on:
Review of other existing membership and/or compliance panel models
Review of GPSNR Statutes and other relevant GPSNR documents
Interviews with GPSNR members and relevant external stakeholders
Other relevant expert advice and guidance
Scope of Work:
GPSNR is seeking a consultant to recommend operational procedures and guidance for the GPSNR Compliance Panel, to include:
Proposed roles and responsibilities of GPSNR Compliance Panel
Suggested scope of the CP’s activities
Recommended qualification requirements and selection protocols for Compliance Panel members; covering necessary relevant expertise, how to avoid conflict of interests, and procedures for the appointment and removal of Panel members
Options for the structure of decision-making within the panel
Proposed verification procedures by the panel to assess ongoing compliance of GPSNR members with membership requirements
Procedure for issuing appropriate recommendations to ensure compliance of GPSNR members, based on the submitted results of the verification process.
Options for GPSNR to deal with situations where members cannot demonstrate compliance with relevant membership requirements, including steps towards potential suspension or termination in cases of major or persistent noncompliance
Suggestions for appeal procedures related to the decisions/recommendations of the GPSNR CP
Procedure for recording and reporting of Compliance Panel decisions/recommendations
PROPOSAL FORMAT AND CONTENTS
Description of past work that is relevant to this RFP.
A workplan that outlines all key activities of the pilot study, cost for each and timeline for completion.
A description of deliverables and indication of accessibility to GPSNR members and/or the public.
A list of project team members with their roles in the project and associated qualifications.
TERMS
The work shall begin by 21 May 2021 and the various phases shall be completed in accordance with the dates outlined in the timeline below:
Activity
Due Date
Submission deadline for proposals
7 May 2021
Contract Award
14 May 2021
Work begins
By 21 May 2021
Presentation of first draft to GPSNR Policy Toolbox WG (WG1)
2 June 2021 (adjustable)
Review of draft based on WG1 feedback
3-10 June 2021
Submission of final recommendations
11 June 2021
BUDGET
The Platform is anticipating that the total budget of no more than 10,000 SGD be allocated to the engagement.
Payment terms shall be:
20% at the signing of the contract
30% at the presentation of the first draft
50% upon delivery of the final recommendations.
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 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 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.
As of October 2022, GPSNR has 157 smallholder members from 10 countries.
HCSA
Established in 2014, the HCSA sets the standard approach for implementing no deforestation commitments on the ground for any commercial crop grown in moist tropical forest landscapes (for example, of palm oil, wood pulp or cocoa). It is underpinned not only by a commitment to no deforestation, but also by a commitment to respect the rights and livelihoods of local people.
To this end, the HCSA has developed a Toolkit that provides practical guidance to help companies, local communities, and other stakeholders to agree on which lands should be used for commercial agriculture or forestry, what activities will take place on community lands, which areas of forests should be conserved, and how lands should be managed and monitored.
HCVN
The Network is a member-based organization that promotes the High Conservation Value (HCV) Approach, a three-step methodology to identify and protect ecosystems, biodiversity, and the needs of local communities and indigenous groups where development takes place.
Over several years the HCV Network has developed smallholder adapted HCV procedures, tailored to certification schemes, including for RSPO, Better Cotton Initiative and Fairtrade. More recently, The HCV Network have developed Nature Positive Farming, a tool to scale up engagement with smallholder producers who are not certified, and support them transition towards no-conversion and HCV protection production.
Project Summary
GPSNR is working with a Partnerships for Forest (P4F) grant to create mechanisms and systems to support and sustain long-term participation of smallholder members on the platform.
Under the P4F grant, a collaborative effort between GPSNR and HCSA was proposed due to the timely development of the HCSA Smallholder Approach which required further trials towards the development of a global, cross commodity framework and practical guidance for smallholders.
A joint Task Force comprising of GPSNR and HCSA members is seeking proposals to conduct field trials for the HCSA Smallholder Approach for natural rubber smallholders in Indonesia.
Depending on logistical and cost efficiencies proposed by bidders, the project could also include concurrent field trials for the High Conservation Value (HCVN) Nature Positive Farming programme for natural rubber smallholders.
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Proposals should include a timeline and budget for either project option:
Option 1
Field trials only for the HCSA Smallholder Approach
Option 2
Concurrent field trials for the HCSA Smallholder Approach and the HCVN Nature Positive Farming Programme
Key Project Details
Smallholder farms utilise approximately 12% of global agricultural land and smallholder farms are estimated to support a population of more than 2 billion people directly and indirectly[1]. Smallholder farms therefore play a critical role in food security, poverty reduction and sustainable development for a very large proportion of rural populations, globally. This being said, it is also important to identify the role of smallholder farmers in sustainable commodities production and trade.
HCSA Smallholder Approach
The HCSA Smallholder Approach is being developed with the aim to provide a framework and practical guidance for smallholder groups to identify and manage forests and other conservation values in their administrative areas. It is designed to provide simple, clear steps to formulate and implement an initial plan to manage these forests and other conservation values sustainably. The HCSA Smallholder Approach was developed and tested in the Indonesian context and for smallholder farmers that produce palm oil in mixed production landscapes, i.e., in combination with other commodities including rubber, agroforestry systems, home gardens, and that manage forest areas as part of shifting cultivation regimes or as customary forests.
Upon Request:
The project Task Force will provide interested bidders with the HCS Smallholder Approach toolkit to allow bidders to build their proposals in line with the requirements put forth in this tender.
HCVN Nature Positive Farming
The Nature Positive Farming programme is an early engagement programme for companies and landscape initiatives to support non-certified smallholder farmers protect High Conservation Values and natural ecosystems as part of responsible sourcing commitments.
It is built around facilitated, structured dialogue with smallholders and their communities. It aims for conservation and support agreements between smallholders and project partners, for maintaining and enhancing environmental and social conservation values on and around their farms. The first field trial was conducted with smallholder producer communities in the Siak Pelalawan Landscape, Riau, Indonesia.
Upon Request:
The project Task Force will provide interested bidders with the HCVN Nature Positive Farming toolkit to allow bidders to build their proposals in line with the requirements put forth in this tender.
Proposals should provide a timeline and plan that covers the four project phases set out below.
Proposals should include a timeline and budget for either project option:
Option 1 Field trials only for the HCSA Smallholder Approach
Option 2 Concurrent field trials for the HCSA Smallholder Approach and the HCVN Nature Positive Farming Programme
Phase 1: Project Preparations
a. Dialogue with key Task Force members, including understanding GPSNR’s (in-development) risk assessment approach
b. Assessment and proposal of suitable field trial locations for natural rubber smallholders in the following regions in Indonesia:
a. North Sumatra, and/or
b. Jambi, and/or
c. South Sumatra
d. Bidders may also propose other regions with reasons and justifications
c. Initial networking with key actors on-site in Indonesia
Phase 2: Outreach and Training
a. Develop training systems and materials for implementing actors for the HCSA (and HCVN) toolkits, including training sessions for field staff
b. Plan for actively involving locally embedded actors in pilot activities and engagement with smallholders
Phase 3: Field Trials
a. Plan to implement 1-2 field trials for the HCSA (and HCVN) toolkits with natural rubber smallholders, communities, or cooperatives in the proposed locations of Jambi and/or South Sumatra
b. Plan should include:
§ Target total number of smallholders or farms involved in the trials
§ Level of actor engaged (e.g., village; cooperatives; individual smallholders) engaged for the field trials
§ Targets such as gender, minority, and youth representation
§ Description of the proposed relevant Areas(s) of Interest (ideally village-level trials, but project is open to trials with independent smallholder cooperatives)
o In case areas under control by cooperatives or individual farmers deviate (significantly) from official village administrative areas, an outlook on how this will be considered during field trials and post-trial review
§ Description of field trial methods including an outlook whether different methods are going to be tested during field trials (in relation to verification of maps, assessment of vegetation strata, land use zoning, etc.)
Noting ideal requirements for smallholder representatives or community-leads: adequate level of reading and writing ability
The consultants would be responsible as well for providing technical guidance to smallholders throughout the trials
Phase 4: Post-Trial Review
a. Analyse strengths and weaknesses of each toolkit from the perspective of natural rubber smallholders
b. Provide recommendations (e.g. contexts on when/how to use the tools, areas of toolkit improvement, how the toolkits support delivering on the GPSNR systems i.e. risk assessment, risk mitigation, assurance framework, reporting framework and shared responsibility mechanism)
c. Contribute to developing a strategy to upscale pilot activities in the project areas, or to other project areas
Intended project outputs and outcomes
Through the field trials, the Task Force aims to develop a strong understanding of the feasibility of the HCSA (and HCVN) toolkits for the following:
1. Mapping: Areas for development / conservation areas / mixed, multi-layered production areas, e.g., community use areas including shifting cultivation, agroforestry, home gardens, others as applicable
2. Conservation: Toolkit that can be passed on to GPSNR smallholder communities to effectively map and manage areas for conservation; to understand their land and land-use plans; showcase their commitment to no-deforestation
3. Integration with GPSNR Risk-based Approach: Toolkits as a risk mitigation tool that GPSNR member companies can use to identify and address land-use risks, and to channel funding and other related commitments accordingly
i. Analysing the extent to which the toolkits can be a mitigation tool for specific/multiple policy commitments in the GPSNR Policy Framework and other systems
Submission Guidelines & Requirements
The following submission guidelines & requirements apply to this Request for Proposal:
1. A detailed technical proposal must be provided. This technical proposal must provide an overview of the proposed methodology for the three Phases of the project. In addition, the technical proposal should provide a proposed schedule and milestones, as applicable.
2. A detailed price proposal must be provided. This price proposal should indicate the overall fixed price or expected price range for each Phase of the project, including daily rates and an estimated total number of days for each Phase of the project.
3. 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 as resumes of all key personnel performing the work.
4. Proposals must be signed by a representative that is authorised to commit the bidder’s company.
Project Timelines
The Request for Proposal timeline is as follows:
Request for Proposal Issuance
31 October 2022
Proposal submitted by consultant to yeo.siyuan@gpsnr.org
28 November 2022
Selection of consultant / Notification to Unsuccessful Bidders
5 December 2022
Completion of Phase 1: Project Preparations
January 2022
Completion of Phase 2: Outreach and Training
To be proposed by the bidder
Completion of Phase 3: Field Trials
To be proposed by the bidder
Completion of Phase 4: Post-Trials Review
To be proposed by the bidder; latest May 2023.
The overall project should conclude no later than May 2023.
The above timeline may be further adjusted by GPSNR, or based on discussions with the consultant and GPSNR’s ongoing key milestones.
Budget
The Platform is anticipating a total budget of up to 92,000 GBP for the project.
Payment terms shall be:
· 30% at the signing of the contract
· 10% upon completion of Phase 1: Project Preparations
· 10% upon completion of Phase 2: Outreach and Training
· 20% upon completion of Phase 3: Field Trials and Analysis
· 30% upon completion of the entire project
Evaluation Factors
GPSNR will rate proposals based on the following factors:
Responsiveness to the requirements set forth in this RFP
Methodology for completing all three Phases of the project
Costs and expected timeline for all three Phases of the project
Technical expertise/experience, including team composition, past performance/experience
When evaluating bids, GPSNR may request for more information as part of a full due diligence to understand bidders’ technical and commercial background, assess potential conflicts of interests and independence vis-à-vis natural rubber smallholders and the wider agricultural sector, and level of competence for the project.
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.
