National Consulting Firm for the Development of Sustainability Plans

Agency: UNDP | Reference: UNDP-BTN-00157 | Type: Request for proposal UNDP Bhutan is seeking proposals from the qualified and eligible national (Bhutanese) consulting firms for theDevelopment of Sustainability Plans for Selected Ecotourism Events in Bhutan, BIOFIN Phase II. While preparing your submission, kindly review the ToR in detail and its requirements.A brief scope and objectives of the assignment as follows:The Objectives of the assignment will be as follows:UNDP BIOFIN, in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) through the DoT, is seeking to recruit a nationalfirm to develop practical, implementable and context-specific Sustainability Plans for three ecotourism events. The events will be prioritized in consultation with the Innovation and Strategy Division, Department of Tourism during the onboarding of the firm.The plans shall integrate environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability, with a strong emphasis on ploughback of event revenues into conservationpurposes through a sustainability fund model to maintain the biodiversity on which the events depend. The assignment also includes a strengthened Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework with baselines, community-validated targets and an annual reporting template.Specific objectivesThefirm shall:Assess the current planning, governance, financing, and management practices of each event as well as biodiversity resourcesand visitor numbers and profiles (domestic and international).Identify key financial and environment sustainability challenges, opportunities and risks, including dependence on public funding and options for its phased reduction.Develop sustainability strategies and action plans tailored to each event, integrating social and gender inclusion, and biodiversity conservation and nature-positive tourism practices, businesses, and products.Design asustainability fund model and by-law for each event, aligned with BIOFIN result areas, and build the consultation, advocacy and validation process needed to put it into effect, including private sector participation and engagement.Refine the M&E matrix and strengthen knowledge management: improve indicators, determine baselines, set targets with communities and stakeholders, define means of verification, andidentify responsible reporting focal/institutions, and develop an annual reporting template.3.    Scope of workUnder the overall direction of the UNDP CO (BIOFIN) and the DoT, thefirm will develop the Sustainability Plans including the sustainability fund model and by-laws for the three prioritized ecotourism events, and the M&E framework. The firm will reference the 13thFive-Year Plan 2024-2029, Bhutan’s 21st Century Economic Roadmap, Bhutan Integrated Tourism Master Plan 2025-2034, BIOFIN 2024 workbook, the 5th NBSAP and the KMGBF, relevant forest, nature conservation, environment and local government regulations, public financial management rules, and other relevant sectoral frameworks and strategies. The work should be supported by data collected by the firm as part of this assignment.4.    Key Tasks:Thefirm shall produce:(i)three event-specific Sustainability Plans including a sustainability fund model and by-laws, supported by advocacy and validation process; and(ii)a refined M&E matrix with baselines, targets, means of verification, annual reporting template, and identified reporting focals.Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. This will enable the system to send notifications in case of amendments of the tender requirements. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate using the messaging functionality in the system. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link:http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.orgusing the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website:https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders.Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.Search for the specific tender using search filters and subscribe to the tender in order to get notifications in case of amendments of the tender document. If you need support with the online system, you can contact the contact details of this tender as indicated in the solicitation document.[UNDP OFFICE BHUTANPROCUREMENT UNIT] CONTACT: • Email: procurement.bt@undp.org