Background

CLASP serves at the epicenter of collaborative, ambitious efforts to mitigate climate change and in the global movement for clean energy access, through appliance efficiency. Our mission is to improve the energy and environmental performance of the appliances & equipment we use every day, accelerating our transition to a more sustainable world. We work hand-in-hand with governments, experts, industry, consumers, donor organizations and others to propel policies and markets toward the highest quality, lowest resource-intensive appliances possible.

CLASP has worked in more than 100 countries since inception in 1999. CLASP is headquartered in Washington, DC, with teams in China, Europe and the United Kingdom, India, Indonesia, and Kenya. We are mission-driven and committed to a culture of diversity, transparency, collaboration, and impactful work. See our Team Page to learn more about us.

Introduction

In the past four years, CLASP has engaged with stakeholders and policy makers in Thailand and developed extensive knowledge of the air conditioner (AC) market and energy efficiency policy context. Based on CLASP’s 2019 AC Market Assessment, Thailand is the second largest global AC manufacturer, and 71% of the ACs sold in the country are labeled with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) No. 5 Label. Building on the assessment, CLASP has been supporting EGAT with enhancing the EGAT No.5 labeling policy for ACs, which is key in supporting purchasing decisions of 94% consumers based on the national survey we conducted in 2020. Consumers use the label to compare energy efficiency of appliances when making a purchase to have lower electricity costs. EGAT’s priority is not only for the label to drive appliance markets toward higher energy efficiency levels, but also to be a means for increasing consumers’ awareness of their sustainable choices. This includes understanding how and if circular economy (CE) could be communicated through the EGAT No.5 label.

As a result of the work with EGAT, CLASP investigated the potential to expand the scope of our intervention in Thailand beyond energy efficiency policy, to cover circular economy for appliances. CLASP conducted preliminary research of the status of circular economy in Thailand and consulted with organizations working on circular economy.  Through these consultations, we learned that circular economy is a priority for the Thai Government, yet the concept and its implementation are still surrounded by unclarity and a general lack of awareness. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) is developing an overarching circular economy framework called “Thai Bio Circular Economy Framework” which focuses on single use plastic, agriculture, and construction industry. The Pollution Control Department of the MNRE is leading the revision of the Waste of Electric and Electronic Equipment Act. However, no framework has been developed yet to assist the management of end-of-life of cooling appliances and how this might be integrated in and complement ongoing circular economy efforts. Also, no stakeholder network has been formed that allows for an integrated management of the end-of-life of ACs, which is prioritized by the draft WEEE Act.

Under this project, CLASP will develop of an end-of-life framework for ACs, in collaboration with Thai government agencies and other stakeholders. This project will complement existing efforts in CE and support the country to advance the transition towards inclusive and sustainable ACs policy and practices.

Scope of Work

For this effort, CLASP is looking for a Contractor with experience in area of CE, who supports Thailand’s efforts to transition to circular economy and will work hand-in-hand with CLASP to successfully implement this project.

The Contractor will support CLASP in collecting the necessary data to inform development of a framework for the end-of-life management of ACs in Thailand. In particular, the contractor will work closely with CLASP and be responsible for identifying key stakeholders engaged in AC end-of-life management in Thailand, prepare a stakeholder questionnaire in coordination with CLASP, and conduct interviews. The Contractor will conduct analysis and report on the main findings from the interviews on the effective management of the end-of-life of ACs in Thailand, conduct regulatory research and provide recommendations. This report will inform CLASP’s development of an end-of-life framework for ACs. Additionally, the Contractor will coordinate engagement with key stakeholders as necessary.

Task 1: Stakeholder mapping

Under this Task, the Contractor will map stakeholders relevant to the end-of-life management of ACs in Thailand in coordination with CLASP.

• By building on existing CLASP research, the Contractor will identify relevant stakeholders for this effort. Examples include non-governmental organizations, private sector stakeholders (e.g. manufacturers, collection, disposal, recycling entities and others), government agencies. Define their roles, relevance for this effort and if/how they are connected to each other (e.g. through existing schemes, networks, and others).

Deliverable:

• One preliminary stakeholder map including names, roles, interconnections, and relevance for the end-of-life management of ACs

Task 2: Interview planning, execution, and reporting

In coordination with CLASP, the Contractor will identify stakeholders for interviews, develop  questionnaires, plan and execute stakeholder interviews. Additionally, the Contractor will prepare a brief summary of regulatory framework and existing initiatives relevant for the end-of-life management of ACs, which will be included in the report.

• Identify stakeholder groups for the interviews together with CLASP
• Develop questionnaires to investigate stakeholder involvement in the end-of-life management of ACs and their views, priorities, and challenges. This will be done in collaboration with CLASP. Topics for investigation might cover existing policy frameworks, incentives schemes, communication efforts, engagement with the consumers, end-of-life treatment, etc.
• Schedule stakeholder interviews (Contractor to suggest the best approach).
• Conduct stakeholder interviews, and timely discuss any issues or concerns that might arise through implementation with the CLASP team.
• Conduct additional research on regulatory framework and initiatives as they relate to the end-of-life management of ACs and prepare a summary to be included in the report.
• Conduct analysis of gathered data and write up findings.

Deliverables:

• Draft interview methodology and questionnaires in English and in Thai.
• Final methodology and questionnaires in English and in Thai.
• Questionnaires with raw answer data in English.
• Draft report and ppt presentation with methodology and findings in English (the report will also include an updated stakeholder map based on the info collected from the interviews).
• Final Report in English and in Thai with executive summary upfront (no more than 600 words), methodology, stakeholder map, findings, priorities, challenges and recommendations for advancing the end-of-life management of ACs in Thailand (final outline to be discussed with CLASP at due time). The final report in English should be maximum 25 pages which should be translated into Thai.

Task 3: Support coordination with Thai government agencies and other relevant stakeholders

The Contractor will support CLASP communication and coordination with relevant Thai government agencies and other stakeholders as necessary outside survey effort. In doing this, the Contractor shall coordinate with CLASP, provide recommendations in terms of strategy and timing to engage stakeholders, while taking a positive and resilient approach in advancing circular economy in Thailand.

This coordination may include:

• Facilitating the ongoing engagement with key government agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support coordination and participation of relevant government agencies’ in the meeting to present the results of Task 2. 
• Assist in gathering key stakeholder feedback on the draft roadmap developed by CLASP. Key stakeholders will be determined together with Contractor under Task 2.
• Support key stakeholder participation in one virtual international meeting to present the overall project results, including the roadmap that CLASP will develop, organized by CLASP.

Key Milestones and Deliverables

• One preliminary stakeholder map including names, interconnections (if any), and relevance for the end-of-life management of ACs. 
• Final Report with methodology, updated stakeholder map, findings on priorities and challenges, and recommendations for advancing end-of-life management of ACs in Thailand in English (max 25 pages) and Thai. 
• Brief report documenting provided stakeholder engagement support.

General Project Requirements

• Provide regular project update emails and/or participate in check-in calls with CLASP through the duration of this contract.
• Provide data, guidance, and relevant resources via email.
• Provide timely and detailed responses to questions and comments from CLASP team.

Timeline

Contract Timeframe: February-September 2022

Task 1 on the stakeholder mapping and 2 on interviews and reporting shall be delivered by early May 2022.

Task 3 on coordination support will be executed as necessary throughout the project timeline from February to September. CLASP expects to deliver and present the end-of-life management framework to relevant stakeholders by September 2022.

Deadline for Application: 16 February 2022

Application includes registering as a Consulting Partner and submitting the technical and financial proposals per the instructions below.

Deadline for Questions: 15 February 2022

All questions must be addressed in English to Sara Demartini at sdemartini@clasp.ngo. We request all inquiries be made to this e-mail address and not by phone.

Key Qualifications

• Experience engaging with various stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector and NGOs on sustainability topics. Desirable experience in circular economy specifically.
• Demonstrated ability to develop questionnaires and to conduct interviews with different stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to learn about a new topic and discuss it with a variegated audience that might be favorable, non-familiar, or contrary to the topic in question. 
• Understanding of the Thai energy efficiency and circular economy context.

Expected Budget

CLASP foresees a maximum budget for this engagement of $40,000.

Evaluation Procedure

A committee appointed by CLASP will evaluate proposals received. Selection of qualified companies or organizations will be based upon the following criteria:

• Technical Evaluation Factors
• Financial Evaluation Factors

All bids will be evaluated and ranked using Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), with 80 percent of the score accorded to the technical proposal, and 20 percent to the financial proposal. The detailed evaluation criteria can be found in Annex A.

Submittal

Register as a Consulting Partner

Interested parties must register as a CLASP Consulting Partner.

Fill Out Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)

All candidates must fill out the PQQ. The PQQ is a thorough due diligence screening aimed at gathering legal and financial information on prospective partners/vendors. If questions are not applicable, please type “N/A” and go to the next question. While the form can be saved, we recommend completing it in one sitting to avoid potential complications. We will be notified once you submit the PQQ.

Organizations that have already completed the PQQ do not need to complete it again unless the structure of the business has changed. If you are unsure, please email Andrea Testa (atesta@clasp.ngo) to determine next steps.

Submit Technical and Financial Proposals

Interested parties should submit separate technical and financial proposals electronically, in English, via this form link (preferably in PDF format). The files should be named as per the following example:

[CONTRACTOR_NAME] _Technical Proposal_ RFP 2021-12-17 [CONTRACTOR_NAME] _Financial Proposal_ RFP 2021-12-17

The length of the technical proposal should not exceed 20 pages and should include:

• Detailed approach and methodology for the design, implementation, and management of the project
• Detailed timeline for all project activities, tasks, milestones, and deliverables for the project within the time frame indicated above
• Background and experience of conducting similar activities
• A summary of qualifications and experience of key personnel that will execute the project
• Examples of presentations and reports written in English drafted by key personnel that will execute the project.

The financial proposal (in USD) should include a detailed budget with all direct and indirect cost estimates for executing the project, including a breakdown (in days) of the level of effort and costs associated with each team member that will be engaged in the project.

CVs and related summaries of experience and qualifications of proposed project team staff should be included in an Annex and should not exceed 10 pages.

CLASP looks forward to reviewing your responses and would like to thank you in advance for your participation in this Request for Proposals. CLASP will notify all respondents who submit proposals when a decision has been made.

ANNEX A: EVALUATION CRITERIA

Technical Approach (35 points): The technical approach described in the proposals will be evaluated on:

• The demonstrated understanding of the overall project context (15).
• The detailed work plan and approach clearly defining the target objectives and the strategy to achieve the objectives as outlined in the scope of work (20).

Management Structure and Staff Qualification (25 points): The proposed management structure and staff will be evaluated on:

• The professional qualifications and the extent to which the requisite expertise and experience of the key personnel will directly contribute to the completion of the tasks (25).

Past Performance and Corporate Experience (20 points): The experience and capacities of the contractor will be evaluated based on:

• The past performance, familiarity, and experience in understanding policies and program related to standards and labelling (10).
• Extent of local expertise including experience, qualifications, and track record in implementation of similar programs (10).

Cost Evaluation Factors (20 points): While the overall Technical Evaluation is the key factor in reviewing the proposal, the cost evaluation will be an essential factor in determining the final contract award and ability to remain in the competitive range and will be evaluated for feasibility, completeness, and practicality.

CLASP is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. CLASP’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. CLASP complies with all federal, state and local employment law in the countries we operate and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, credit information or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law.

Each person is evaluated based on personal skill and merit. CLASP’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, working conditions, scheduling, benefits, wage and salary administration, disciplinary action, termination, and social, educational and recreational programs.