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Procurement Notice
The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) invites proposals for upcoming projects. Detailed RFP documents for each project, including requirements, and submission guidelines are available below.
| Request for Proposal (RFP) | |
| Objective of the Request for Proposals |
Request for Proposal (RFP) Independent Evaluation of the APO Secretariat’s Performance, Management, and Compliance by a Third Party (Third Cycle: 2024–26) The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contractual agreement to conduct an independent evaluation of the APO Secretariat’s performance, management, and compliance over the two-year period of 2024 to 2026. The selected evaluator is expected to develop and present annual assessment reports as follows: Initial report on the APO Secretariat’s performance, management, and compliance consisting of findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the APO Governing Body (GBM) at its 67th Session in May 2025 in Bali, Indonesia. Second annual report as a continuation of the evaluation into the second year, which also includes detailing the outcomes from the entire two-year period. This report will submitted and presented to the 68th GBM in May/June 2026. The submission package for the RFP will be provided to applying vendors after signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with the APO Secretariat. All information and data provided by the APO Secretariat to applicant vendors and all other documents to which vendors’ employees have access during the preparation and submission of proposals shall be treated as confidential and dealt with in accordance with the signed NDAs. Any oral or written disclosure to unauthorized individuals is prohibited. |
| Qualifications | The evaluator must have proven experience in international public-sector performance management, HR management, and organizational governance management and assessment, with relevant accreditation (ISO 9001, ISO 31000 or equivalent, or other accreditation or certification in a relevant field). |
| Instructions to Bidders |
1. Language of the proposal and other documents The proposals prepared by bidders and all correspondence and documents relating to the proposals exchanged by bidders and the APO Secretariat shall be written in English. 2. Cost of proposals Bidders shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of proposals, including but not limited to the possible cost of discussing the proposal with the APO Secretariat, making presentations, negotiating a contract, and any related travel. The APO Secretariat will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the selection process. 3. Contents of proposals Each proposal should be prepared in two parts: a technical proposal including the details of the independent evaluation; and a financial quotation. Proposals must be accompanied by an Executive Summary of a maximum of two pages introducing proposed solutions and approach/methodology. Financial quotations must provide total prices and breakdowns per phase and per area of expertise in Japanese yen or US dollar amounts. 4. Selection criteria and notification of results The selected bidder will be awarded a contract with the APO for conducting the evaluation, based on the following selection criteria: 4.1. Technical qualifications 4.1.1. Independence 4.1.2. Proven experience in the field 4.1.3. Relevant accreditation 4.2. Additional qualifications 4.2.1. Capability 4.2.2. Resources 4.2.3. Methodology 4.2.4. Communication 4.2.5. Flexibility and responsiveness 4.2.6. Ability to grasp highlights |
| Submission of Proposals |
Bidders requiring any clarification of the document or the process itself should submit queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 25 December 2024. Kiyoshi Matsukawa (Mr.) Email: kmatsukawa@apo-tokyo.org A consolidated, anonymous list of all queries received, together with responses, will be shared with bidders who signed NDAs. Proposals must be submitted via email by the deadline of 25 December to the APO Secretariat. The APO Secretariat reserves the right to amend the RFP prior to the bid closing date. Accordingly, bidders should check the APO web page (https://www.apo-tokyo.org/procurement-notice/) periodically to ascertain whether any amendments or communications have been posted. |
| Right to Accept or Reject Proposals |
1. The APO reserves the right to annul the RFP or the bidder selection process, or to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or part at any time, without stating any reason and without incurring any liability to the affected bidders. 2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected agencies/companies/firms of the grounds for such decisions. 3. The APO also reserves the right to change the scope of work in case of need or depending upon changes in requirements before or during the implementation phase. However, if changes are made during the implementation phase, the APO will negotiate the costs for the additional work separately with the successful bidder. |
| Terms and Conditions |
1. The APO will not bear any costs related to research, planning, design, or any other such activity related to the preparation of proposals in response to this RFP by bidders for sending proposals to the APO. 2. The APO may, at its own discretion, extend the submission deadline by notifying all bidders of the extension in writing. Any proposal received after the deadline will be rejected. |
| Contact Information |
A prospective institution requiring any clarification of this document, or the process itself, should submit queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 25 December 2024: Kiyoshi Matsukawa (Mr.) |
| Request for Proposal (RFP) | |
| Objectives |
Request for Proposal (RFP) Development of Demonstration Companies (DMP) Project on Productivity Enhancement through Resource Efficiency in the Printing and Packing Industry The project aims to assist the National Productivity Organization (NPO), Pakistan in establishing demonstration companies on productivity enhancement through resource efficiency in the printing and packaging industry; showcasing benefits of productivity tools in optimizing the resources and improving overall performance; and using the results as benchmarks for other APO members to adopt similar productivity practices. For more details, please see the PIP and Implementation Procedures. |
| Background |
The printing and packaging industry in Pakistan is crucial, serving as a backbone supplier to key sectors like food, textiles, etc. It is also the second largest employment-providing industry in the country, contributing approximately 1.84% to the GDP. However, with moderate domestic production, the industry relies heavily on imported raw materials and equipment. This not only exposes it to fluctuating international prices and supply chain disruptions but also limits its ability to adopt more efficient, localized alternatives, ultimately constraining productivity growth and innovation. Resource efficiency, by optimizing material and energy use, offers a solution to reduce waste, lower costs, and enhance productivity. This is vital for staying competitive in a global market focused on sustainability. This DMP will help six companies under the Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphic Arts Industry (PAPGAI) identify productivity challenges and improve resource efficiency for sustainable growth and resilience. |
| Purpose | The APO will select a team of individuals or a research institution with extensive expertise on related productivity tools, including lean, kaizen, 5S, Six Sigma, as well as practical experience in providing training and consultation on both resource efficiency and waste and cost reduction for manufacturing companies |
| Scope of Work | Preparing and proposing the project methodology, approach, scope, etc. through close consultation with the APO Secretariat, NPO Pakistan, and demonstration companies; undertaking all necessary duties to achieve the intended output(s) as per the agreed arrangement; monitoring and evaluating the performance and progress of the productivity enhancement activities of the demonstration companies; assisting the NPO Pakistan in developing dissemination materials and organizing a dissemination event, etc. as per the agreed methodology and project timeline; submitting the report to the APO Secretariat by the deadline; assisting the demonstration companies in acting as role models; and preparing a publication documenting the productivity journey of the demonstration companies. |
| Proposals Should Include the Following Information |
1. Cover letter of interest (Annex 1). 2. Basic individual or institutional resource person details (Annex 2). 3. Profile of individual or institutional resource persons (maximum 1 A4-sized page). 4. Experience in conducting similar projects (Annex 3). 5. Financial proposal to indicate the cost of services. 6. Total costs and breakdowns for conducting the project should be given only in US dollar amounts. 7. All national taxes and levies applicable should be stated and included in the total costs. The APO will consider the inclusive costs as the final quoted prices when evaluating proposals. 8. All rates and costs quoted in financial proposals should be written in both numeric and alphabetic forms, e.g., USD3,500.00 (three thousand five hundred US dollars). Download: Annexes. |
| Submission of Proposals |
1. Proposals with all required information specified should only be sent via email in password-protected PDF file attachments signed by authorized representatives no later than 17:00 (Japan Standard Time), 10 January 2025 to sphan@apo-tokyo.org and skozuka@apo-tokyo.org. 2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Development of Demonstration Companies (DMP) Project on Productivity Enhancement through Resource Efficiency in the Printing and Packaging Industry by <Institution name>. |
| Institution Selection Criteria and Notification of Results |
1. The selected individual or institutional resource person(s) will be awarded a project contract with the APO for conducting the project, based on the following selection criteria: a. Qualifications: meeting requirements outlined in Annex 1 of this RFP b. Methodology c. Prior experience in conducting similar projects d. Quality of output from similar projects e. Project quotation 2. Only the selected individual/institution will be notified via email within 1 month of the submission deadline of the acceptance of its proposal. |
| Right to Accept or Reject Proposals |
1. The APO reserves the right to annul the RFP or the vendor selection process, or to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or part at any time without stating any reason and without incurring any liability to the affected individual/institution(s). 2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected individual/institution(s) of the grounds for its decisions. 3. The APO also reserves the right to change the scope of work in case of need or depending upon changes in requirements before or during the implementation phase. However, if changes are made during the implementation phase, the APO will negotiate the costs for the additional work separately with the selected individual/institution. |
| Terms and Conditions |
1. The APO will not bear any costs related to research, planning, design, or any other such activity related to the preparation of proposals in response to this RFP by individual or institutional resource persons for sending proposals to the APO. 2. The APO may, at its own discretion, extend the submission deadline by notifying all bidders of the extension in writing. Any proposal received after the deadline will be rejected. |
| Contact Information |
A prospective individual/institution requiring any clarification of this document, or the process itself, should submit queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 10 January 2025: In-country Program Division |
| Request for Proposal (RFP) | |
| Objectives |
Request for Proposal (RFP) Development of Demonstration Companies (DMP) Project on Enhancing Productivity for Halal Certification in Lao PDR The project aims to assist the Lao National Productivity Organization (LNPO) in establishing demonstration companies leveraging productivity tools, methodologies, and technologies for halal certification, specifically for salt and coffee products in Lao PDR; showcasing the benefits of productivity in optimizing the certification process and improving business performance and product quality; and using the results as benchmarks for other APO members to adopt similar productivity practices. For more details, please see the PIP and Implementation Procedures. |
| Background |
The global halal market is expanding rapidly, projected to exceed USD3 trillion by 2026, driven by increasing consumer demand in sectors including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Halal certification has become a global standard for quality, hygiene, and ethical practices, with rising demand in international markets. In Lao PDR, the growing tourism industry and strategies to diversify exports are driving demand for halal products. There is significant potential for exporting halal-certified salt and coffee products due to its abundant natural resources and agricultural capacity. However, complex regulatory requirements and high certification costs challenge local businesses, limiting their global competitiveness. This project helps two salt production companies and one coffee production company in Lao PDR adopt halal standards and improve compliance and business efficiency through productivity tools and methodologies. |
| Purpose | With a focus on productivity enhancement, food safety, and halal standards and certification, the APO will select a team of individuals or an institution with extensive expertise and experience in food manufacturing or agriculture to provide training and consultation for this project. |
| Scope of Work | Preparing and proposing the project methodology, approach, scope, etc. through close consultation with the APO Secretariat, LNPO, and demonstration companies; undertaking all necessary duties to achieve the intended output(s) as per the agreed arrangement; monitoring and evaluating the performance and progress of the productivity enhancement activities of the demonstration companies; assisting the LNPO in developing dissemination materials, organizing a dissemination event, etc. as per the agreed methodology and project timeline; submitting the report to the APO Secretariat by the deadline; assisting the demonstration companies in acting as role models; and preparing a publication documenting the productivity journey of the demonstration companies. |
| Proposals Should Include the Following Information |
1. Cover letter of interest (Annex 2). 2. Basic individual or institutional resource person details (Annex 3). 3. Profile of individual or institutional resource persons (maximum 1 A4-sized page). 4. Experience in conducting similar projects (Annex 4). 5. Financial proposal to indicate the cost of services. 6. Total costs and breakdowns for conducting the project should be given only in US dollar amounts. 7. All national taxes and levies applicable should be stated and included in the total costs. The APO will consider the inclusive costs as the final quoted prices when evaluating proposals. 8. All rates and costs quoted in financial proposals should be written in both numeric and alphabetic forms, e.g., USD3,500.00 (three thousand five hundred US dollars). Download: Annexes. |
| Submission of Proposals |
1. Proposals with all required information specified should only be sent via email in password-protected PDF file attachments signed by authorized representatives no later than 17:00 (Japan Standard Time), 10 January 2025 to sphan@apo-tokyo.org and skozuka@apo-tokyo.org. 2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Development of Demonstration Companies (DMP) Project on Enhancing Productivity for Halal Certification in Lao PDR by <Institution name>. |
| Institution Selection Criteria and Notification of Results |
1. The selected individual or institutional resource person(s) will be awarded a project contract with the APO for conducting the project, based on the following selection criteria: a. Qualifications: meeting requirements outlined in Annex 1 of this RFP b. Methodology c. Prior experience in conducting similar projects d. Quality of output from similar projects e. Project quotation 2. Only the selected individual/institution will be notified via email within 1 month of the submission deadline of the acceptance of its proposal. |
| Right to Accept or Reject Proposals |
1. The APO reserves the right to annul the RFP or the vendor selection process, or to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or part at any time without stating any reason and without incurring any liability to the affected individual/institution(s). 2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected individual/institution(s) of the grounds for its decisions. 3. The APO also reserves the right to change the scope of work in case of need or depending upon changes in requirements before or during the implementation phase. However, if changes are made during the implementation phase, the APO will negotiate the costs for the additional work separately with the selected individual/institution. |
| Terms and Conditions |
1. The APO will not bear any costs related to research, planning, design, or any other such activity related to the preparation of proposals in response to this RFP by individual or institutional resource persons for sending proposals to the APO. 2. The APO may, at its own discretion, extend the submission deadline by notifying all bidders of the extension in writing. Any proposal received after the deadline will be rejected. |
| Contact Information |
A prospective individual/institution requiring any clarification of this document, or the process itself, should submit queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 10 January 2025: In-country Program Division |