Request for Proposal (RFP) – Developing Training Materials to Promote the Reduction of Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining, MTF 01 2016A

Introduction

AThe APEC Secretariatis seeking proposals for the provision of the Services described in RFP Schedule 1 – Statement of Requirement.

BEach Bidder to this RFPis expected to:

(i)fully inform themselves on all aspects of the work required to be performed;

(ii)submit its proposal on the template provided atRFP Schedule 2 –Proposal, including the signed Declaration by Bidder at the end of Schedule 2; and

(iii)submit itsproposal in accordance with RFP Schedule 1 – Statement of Requirementand with due note of RFP Schedule 5 – Evaluation Criteria.

CEach Bidder, by submitting its proposal, agrees that the proposal is subject to the RFP Schedule 4 – Standard Conditions of Proposal, and agrees to comply with those conditions. Acceptance of a proposal will occur only when a contract is executed. Any Contract will incorporate the APEC policies and guidelines identified in RFP Schedule 3 - Special Conditions of Proposal and the contract at RFP Schedule 6 - Standard Contract Conditions.

DBids from contractors based in non-member economies and bids from international organisations may be considered. However, priority is given to suitably qualified tenders from member economies.

Structure of the RFP

The RFP has six parts:

  • Schedule 1: Statement of Requirement
  • Schedule 2: Proposal Template
  • Schedule 3: Special Conditions of Project Proposal
  • Schedule 4: Standard Conditions of Request for Proposal
  • Schedule 5: Evaluation Criteria
  • Schedule 6: APEC Standard Contract Conditions

RFP Schedule 1 – Statement of Requirement

Key Dates and Details

Event / Dates
Closing Time for submission of Proposals / 22 November, 2016 at 23:00 Singapore time.
Method to Submit Proposal / Proposals must be submitted in both (A) electronic and (B) hard copy form, noting the project number: MTF 01 2016A.
For (A) electronic submission, the Bidder shall email the detailed Proposal (in PDF format) to:
Ms. Penelope HOWARTH
;
and copy to
Jane DENNISON

For (B) hard copy submission, the Bidder shall submit one original hard copy of its detailed Proposalto the following:
ATTENTION TO: Ms. Penelope HOWARTH,
Program Director, APEC Secretariat
35 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore 119616
by the closing time specified above.
Proposals lodged in any manner other than as detailed in this paragraph, or are submitted after the deadline shall be deemed to be invalid and may be excluded from consideration.
Number of Copies to be Submitted / The Bidder shall submit one electronic version (in PDF format) of its detailed Proposal to the APEC Secretariat and the Contact Officer and one original hard copy to the APEC Secretariat as per the above instructions.
Decisions will be taken on the basis of the original hard copy written Proposal. In the event of any discrepancy between the original and copy thereof, information contained in the original hard copy shall be accepted as correct and shall prevail over any statements contained in the copies.
Contact Officer / Jane Dennison, Mercury Program Officer
U.S. Department of State,
; 202-647-6880
Expected execution date of Contract / 17 December, 2016

The Services

The APEC Secretariat is seeking proposals for “Developing Training Materials to Promote the Reduction of Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining.”

  1. Background

Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and major public health hazard whose transboundary migration makes it a global concern. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is anticipated to enter into force in early 2017. Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is the largest global source of mercury pollution and specifically addressed in the Convention. Besides mercury pollution, the sector impacts the environment through deforestation, loss of biodiversity from habitat destruction, soil erosion and sedimentation of rivers.

Mercury-free gold processing techniques can be cost-effective and often even more profitable than using mercury, but miners must be comfortable incorporating the new techniques into their operations. This starts with proper training in several key areas, such as: basic concepts on milling and concentration, exploration and mine planning, formalization, legal requirements, personal financial management, business planning, and occupational safety. While there have been some initiatives to develop ASGM training centers and materials, they have generally been stand-alone.

A survey of existing and accessible curricula and training materials, and the process of performing this survey, will strengthen coordination among training initiatives and increase their efficiency and effectiveness. Further, the development of consistent indicators to measure learning outcomes and facilitate the comparison of the relative effectiveness of different training modalities will contribute tobenchmarks for ensuring Minamata Convention compliance. This project is intended to provide a framework, a set of common indicators and training recommendations to enhance coordination among ASGM education programs throughout the APEC region. Ultimately, the project will provide baseline knowledge to develop and critically review an APEC strategy for monitoring and evaluation systems in ASGM education.

This work addresses many of the points in the 22nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Declaration from Beijing, China, which specifically highlights sustainable development in mining and the Minamata Convention and the “pivotal role of women in the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.” In addition, this project aligns with the 10 APEC Mining Policy Principles, including, inter alia, to pursue policies that improve the economic and social wellbeing of our people, contribute to economic, environment and social development outcomes and promote information exchange and cooperation on technologies that are cost effective, efficient, economically sound, environmentally responsible and socially acceptable. It has a strong focus on two important concepts enshrined in the Principles, particularly sustainability and exchange between member economies. This project will contribute specifically to the capacity building activities planned for 2016 under the Mining Task Force Proposed Workplan task on “reducing mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining.”

  1. Objectives of the project

The services requested under this RFP are part of an overall project on ASGM training “Developing Training Materials to Promote the Reduction of Mercury Use in Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining” (MTF 01 2016A). While training is widely recognized as a critical activity in the realization of Minamata Compliance, at present, the existence of standard training materials to accompany ASGM National Action Plan (NAP) implementation is limited. Though training materials do exist, they vary significantly in scope and structure; there is little standardization, and limited effort to align training materials with local accreditation bodies and practices. The development of standard training materials could greatly enhance the ability of APEC economies to develop and carry out ASGM NAPs.

The project componentto be carried out under this RFP will produce a business planning training module based on leading global practice in ASGM capacity development and designed to promote Minamata Convention compliance.To design training materials, the selected contractor will survey existing and accessible curricula and training modules for stakeholders within the ASGM sector, focusing on training that supports efforts to eliminate mercury use. Taking into account the results of the survey in order to avoid overlap, the contractor will develop a new training module (A), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders including private sector organizations. The module will focus on‘Business planning to increase capacity of the ASGM sector to engage with the private sector and facilitate investment’. This module aims to expand the ASGM communities’ ability to finance equipment needed for mercury-free processing. Miners need to be able to communicate with investors on how switching to mercury-free methods is expected to increase their gold recoveries.

A second training module(B) under the project will be developed in parallelby the Canadian International Resource and Development Institute (CIRDI) on Gender in the ASGM sector.

The selected contractor will coordinate with another complementary component of the overall project, to be carried out by CIRDI,which will develop key performance indicators for measuring learning outcomes (C). With inputs from the APEC Project Overseer (PO) and the contractor, CIRDI will design, develop, and train the selected contractor in the use of a performance measurement framework (PMF) to identify relevant indicators for the two training modules((A) and (B)) and benchmark the success of different training modalities targeted at reducing mercury use and enhancing the efficiency of economic, natural, and human resources.

The selected contractor under this RFP will deliverthe training developed under components (A) and (B) as benchmarking workshops using the PMF developed by CIRDI and in coordination with parallel efforts on miner training (e.g. CIRDI, USDOS, etc.). The Project Steering Committee will provide contacts and information to assist with the effective coordination with these parallel miner trainings. The selected contractor will measure learning outcomes from these workshops using the key performance indicators developed by CIRDI under (C), and will have the ability to consult with adult education experts. Economies under consideration where these workshops are expected to be held includePapua New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Peru. The contractor will also report on progress in the components of the project for which they are responsible with APEC economies at a workshop to be held on the margins of the 2017 Mining Task Force meeting (in Viet Nam, timing to be confirmed).

  1. Scope of Services

3.1 Description of Services

The survey is meant to inform stakeholders, including economies, local governments, development agencies, and others regarding what kind of training materials have been developed already regarding the ASGM sector, particularly on mercury-free technologies, health and safety, gender, and financial planning. To conduct the survey, the successful contractor will work with the Steering Committee to develop a list of entities to contact, including government agencies in key developing countries with prominent ASGM sectors, development agencies, multilateral development banks, educational institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. Special attention should be paid to ensure engagement of state-owned, small or medium scale enterprise (SMEs) and large-scale mining and exploration companieswho are engaged with, or operate in regions where ASGM in prevalent. In conducting the survey, the contractor will identify potential partners interested in working on professionalization of the ASGM sector and will also ask for access to training materials that may already have been developed, planned for future delivery or have interest in supporting through ongoing community engagement or benefit agreements, involving vocational training.

The contractor will work with the Steering Committee to develop the training module on business planning based on survey findings. The training module is expected to provide stimulating and appropriate information for an 8-hour training session that could be delivered at local sites where on-going ASGM projects are being conducted. The module is expected to align with international guidelines on ASGM, especially the Draft Guidance on developing National Action Plans, which can be found on the UN Environment Program Global Mercury Partnership website. Provisions under the Minamata convention related to private sector engagement and investment in the ASGM sector should be highlighted.

Once the training modules are developed, the contractor will work with the Steering Committee to coordinate with projects already being implemented as a way to find opportunities to field test the effectiveness of the training and measure results. Four economies (Peru, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and Indonesia) will be considered for this.

In coordination with the PO, CIRDI is working jointly on this project, in particular, by developing a complementary training module on Gender in ASGM, and indicators based on key learning outcomes which are appropriate to the ASGM context. The contractor will need to consult with and receive training from CIRDI on the desired protocol for outcomes based learning (OBL, see Attachment 1) and application of indicators defined in the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) developed to evaluate the success of its field training activities.

3.2 Expected Outputs and Timelines

  1. Survey of existing accessible curricula and training materials pertinent to ASGM with particular focus on mercury use, but including health and safety aspects, exploration/prospecting, and gender. The survey will also include a survey of existing case studies of small/large scale mining collaboration or investment
  • Within two weeks of the award, a survey instrument to collect data on curricula and training materials in ASGM will be developed, with input from the Steering Committee. Final approval of the instrument must be obtained in writing from the PO.
  • In coordination with the Steering Committee and the APEC MTF members, the contractor will develop a list of at least 40 entities to be contacted for the survey, from at least 4 APEC economies. Completion within 4 weeksof signature of the contract.
  • The survey will be conducted as a desk-based exercise. Completion within: 2 monthsof signature of the contract.
  • Results will be compiled and submitted to the PO and Steering Committee. Any training materials offered by those entities surveyed will also be forwarded.
  • The contractor will analyze the results to determine knowledge, skills and other relevant gaps in training material and draft a report for the Steering Committee framing initial recommendations on priority learning outcomes for business planning in the ASGM sector. Contractor will include in the report a discussion of how these materials might be particularly suited for different modes of training delivery, including (i) centralized ASGM training centers, (ii) on-line distance training, (iii) mobile demonstration training plants, and (v) on-site pilot plants. Completion within: 3 monthsof signature of the contract.
  1. A training module for business planning to increase capacity of the ASGM sector will be developed, including curricula and training materials. Materials will be in English.
  • Contractor will consult with the Steering Committee regarding essential elements for the training module, including key learning outcomes to support harmonized indicator selection.
  • Contractor will draft the training module and submit to the Steering Committee for review. Completion: within 5 months (see Attachment 1 for further guidance.)
  • Contractor will revise training module to reflect Steering Committee comments and re-submit for approval.
  1. Field testing training modules in 4 economies.
  • Contractor will coordinate with pre-existing ASGM projects with assistance from the steering committee. Four economies are under consideration: Peru, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
  • Contractor will receive training on use of outcome based learning (OBL) and application of key indicators to maintain coherence with the performance monitoring framework (PMF) developed by CIRDI for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
  • Contractor will provide training using the two training modules (A and B) developed, in conjunction with on-going ASGM projects or in conjunction with ASGM training centers and using CIRDI indicators and PMF for monitoring and evaluation of training. Timeline will be dependent on coordination with in-country ASGM projects but should ideally be completed by April 30, 2017.
  • The contractor will be responsible for any costs arising from the hosting and delivery of the training modules.
  1. Workshop and report to present results of project.
  • Contractor will organize, facilitate, and present results at a workshop on the margins of the APEC Mining Task Force meeting in 2017 in Vietnam.
  • Contractor will prepare a report on the outcomes of the project for publication after clearance by MTF members and the APEC Secretariat. The report will include an executive summary, a summary of project activities and findings, and any recommendations for future work.

3.3 Expected Milestone Payments Schedule

# / Services / Format / Quantity / Means of Verification / Due Date / Payment Due
(in USD, inclusive of taxes)
1 / Develop survey instrument / Electronic in MS Word
/ One electronic copy / Written certification from the Project Overseer, endorsed by Project Steering Committee / By end December 2016 / 20% of contract value
(total payable for Services 1 and 2)
2 / Report on survey results and gap analysis / Electronic in MS Word / One / Written certificationfrom the Project Overseer, endorsed by Project Steering Committee / By end February 2017
4 / Develop business training module / MS Word, Powerpoint, etc. / One module / Written certificationfrom the Project Overseer, and acceptance by Project Steering Committee / By end April 2017 / 20% of contract value
5 / Field test training modules*:
1)Peru
2)Philippines
3)Papua New Guinea
4)Indonesia
(* payment will only be made for those economies where field testing is actually undertaken) / Trip Reports and results of application of PMF to the training: electronic MS Word / One per economy / Written certification from the Project Overseer / By end July 2017 / 10% of contract valueper economy
(to be claimed in one invoice)
6 / Conduct workshop and workshop report / Various media / One workshop / Written certificationfrom the Project Overseer / By end August 2017 / 20% of contract value
(total payable for Services 6 and 7)
7 / Final Report / Electronic in MS Word / One / Written certification from the Project Overseer, endorsement of MTF members and clearance of the APEC Secretariat / By endNovember 2017

3.4Qualifications of Bidder

The Bidder will need to supply evidence of abilityand experience to undertake the specified objectives/duties in this Request for Proposal, and explain their approach to the Services including:

  • evidence of a breadth and depth of knowledge of the Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining sector in at least two of the four economies (Peru, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Indonesia)
  • demonstrated experience and expertise on the Minamata Convention, such as participation in the intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, participation in National Action Plan development, participation in Minamata Initial Assessments;
  • demonstrated experience and expertise in undertaking similar consultancy services in the ASGM sector of APEC Member Economies;
  • evidence of the capacity to deliver high quality products on time and within budget;
  • proven ability to design and implement adult educational and capacity development programs in developing countries; and
  • proven analytical, research and plain English report writing skills.

3.5 Reports and Publications