Consultancy Services for the Research and design of a Standard and Certification Programme for the phasing out of Single-use Plastics in Pacific Tourism Sector

March 11, 2024

Request for Tenders – Consultancy Services for the Research and design of a Standard and Certification Programme for the phasing out of Single-use Plastics in Pacific Tourism Sector

Background

- The Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) is an intergovernmental organisation based in Suva Fiji mandated to market and develop tourism in the Pacific. Its vision is for the Pacific Islands empowered and benefitting from sustainable tourism.
- With a membership of 20 Pacific Island Country members, SPTO’s work focuses on three (3) key priority areas which include robust Research and Statistics, Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development and Marketing. For more information, see southpacificislands.travel
- As a key economic sector for the region, tourism benefits from a cleaner environment and ocean ecosystem. However, it also puts pressure on these resources through unsustainable practices including the use of single-use plastics that potentially end up in the ocean. SPTO has partnered with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to implement Outcome three of the Pacific Oceans Litter Project with the goal of reducing single-use plastics across the tourism industry. This collaboration focuses on the research, design, development and implementation of a dedicated Standards and Certification Programme for phasing out single-use plastics and identifying alternative products for tourism businesses.

Specifications

- SPTO invites tenders from qualified and experienced consultants who can offer their services to research and design a Standard and Certification Programme for the phasing out of single-use plastics in Pacific Island Countries Tourism Industry.
- The successful applicant will need to submit the final deliverable in line with the agreed contractual arrangements and Deliverables & Indicative Timelines as per the Terms of Reference.
- Please click here to view the Terms of Reference as set out in Annex I.

Conditions: Information for consultants

- To be considered for this tender, interested consultants must meet all the requirements in the Terms of Reference as well as the conditions below:

- - Interested consultant(s) must be registered on the SPTO Jobslink
  - Provide examples of relevant past work outputs to support how you meet each of the evaluation criteria.
  - Provide three professional references relevant to this tender submission, including the most relevant recent work completed (Optional).
  - Complete the Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability (please note you are required to complete all areas in full as requested on the form, particularly the Statements to demonstrate you meet the selection criteria – DO NOT refer us to your CV or your Technical Proposal. Failure to do this will result in the application not being considered).

Submission instructions

- Tender documentation should demonstrate that the interested consultant satisfies the conditions stated above and is capable of meeting the specifications and timeframes and provide supporting examples to address the evaluation criteria.

- Tender documentation should outline the interested consultant’s complete proposal:

- - CV of proposed personnel highlighting relevant experience
  - A Technical Proposal which should outline the interested consultant’s Methodology or approach including timelines to achieve the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference. Please click here to view
  - A Financial Proposal which clearly outlines the fees component of the consultancy. Please click here to view.
  - A Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability. Please click here to view.
- Tenderers must insist on an acknowledgement of receipt of tenders/proposals.

Tender Clarification

- Any clarification questions from applicants must be submitted by email to procurement@spto.org before 12:00pm 15^th March 2024 (Fiji Time & Date). A summary of all questions received with an associated response will be posted on the SPTO website www.southpacificislands.travel by 4:00pm 19^th March 2024 (Fiji Time and Date)

Evaluation Criteria

SPTO will select the preferred consultant based on SPTO’s evaluation of the extent to which their tender documentation demonstrates that they offer the best value for money, and that they satisfy the criteria listed in this document and in ANNEX I and summarized below.

Technical Evaluation Criteria, Competency Requirements		Score Weight (%)
Criteria 1:	Qualification: § Tertiary Qualification in a field related to environmental and or natural resource management preferably around waste management and plastic pollution;	20
Criteria 2:	Technical experience: § Minimum 5 years experience in the design and implementation of international environmental standards and certification programmes particularly in the area of single=-use plastics. § Extensive understanding of the commercial production and consumption processes and patterns as it relates to single-use plastic products used by the tourism industry. § Sound understanding of the challenges faced by the Pacific tourism industry in meeting customer expectations, accessing alternatives for single use plastics and waste management. § Demonstrated experience of having successfully worked with government, private sector, academic and research institutions and communities in the Pacific Region.	30
Criteria 3	General Experience in Key Areas: · Professionalism: Ability to review and develop a guideline document; have the gravitas and credibility to engage with key Pacific stakeholders (Government officials, private sector, civil society, etc.); ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. · Leadership: Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. · Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; exhibits interest in consultative approaches; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. · Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve goals. · Planning and Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority actions and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocated appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and action, as necessary.	20
Criteria 4	Relevance of Approach/Methodology to assignment · Provide a clear and well-thought-out Methodology for meeting the requirements of the Scope of Services and specific deliverables expected throughout the assignment; · Sound and practical approach that allows for the inclusive engagement of stakeholders noting the remote delivery of outputs and diversity of issues and competing stakeholder interests; · Clear and realistic timeframe including confirmation of availability.	30
Total Score		100
Qualification Score		70

Deadline

- The due date for submission of the tender is 12:00pm (Fiji Time & Date) 2^nd April
- Late submissions will NOT be considered.
- PLEASE SEND ALL TENDERS VIA EMAIL with Subject: ‘TENDER 24/001: CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME FOR THE PHASING OUT OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS IN THE PACIFIC TOURISM SECTOR to: procurement@spto.org

SPTO reserves the right to reject any or all tenders and the lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

SPTO Tender – Consultancy Services_Standards and Certification Programme for Single-Use Plastics_Final