Request for Proposal (RFP)
Consultant for Plot-Based Data Collection to Assess Forest Carbon Sequestration in the Congo Basin.
SUMMARY OF PROCUREMENT
The World Resources Institute is seeking to award a fixed-price contract to an organization with relevant knowledge and expertise in forest inventory data collection based on plots and the calculation for forest carbon stocks in Congo basin. the data collection will be done in Cameroon and Democratic Republic of Congo/DRC. The duration of the contract is two months, non-renewable, and the deadline for submission of proposals is September 16, 2024.
The quoted budget in the RFP is 72,000.00 USD.
WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet their development goals while protecting and restore naturing; and to stabilize the climate and build resilient communities. We aim to fundamentally transform the way the world produces and uses food and energy and design cities to create a better future for all. Founded in 1982, WRI has nearly 1,800 staff around the world, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States and regional offices in Africa and Europe.
WRI’s recently launched 2023-2027 Strategic Plan | Getting the Transition Right for People, Nature & Climate which significantly shifts not only the impact that WRI aims to achieve but also demands increased collaboration across our distributed global network to deliver this impact. The strategy includes a strong argument for catalyzing financial flows to developing countries, to enable transitions in three Human-Centered systems: food, land, and water; energy; and cities.
The Congo Basin, encompassing the world's second-largest tropical rainforest, is a critical component of the global carbon cycle. It stores vast amounts of carbon and plays a vital role in mitigating climate change. Despite its significance, the region faces challenges in accurately monitoring forest carbon stocks and dynamics due to limited access to detailed, locally relevant, and spatially precise data. This project aims to address these challenges by integrating in situ forest inventory data with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches and techniques.
To carry out this study, WRI is seeking a nonprofit organization or research institution with relevant knowledge and expertise in forest inventory data collection based on plots and the calculation of forest carbon stocks for Central Africa. Specifically, they should be capable of collecting data from 65 sampling plots (10 plots in Cameroon and 55 plots in the Democratic Republic of Congo/DRC) that were established during the first forest inventory data collection in 2013-2014.
Under the supervision of the Data Lab lead for WRI Africa, two main deliverables are expected from the consultant are as follows:
The selected consultant will complete the assignment alongside the WRI team, especially the Data Lab Lead for Africa, Congo Basin Strategy and Engagement Lead, Country Managers and experts in the priority countries (Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon).
The contract period is for 02 months, start date October 15, 2024, end of contract: December 15, 2024.
The expected value of this contract is USD $72,000.00. WRI is strongly committed to attaining value for money in all aspects of our work.
Please submit your proposal by September 16, 2024. The top candidate will be selected and informed between September 20-30, 2024. The assignment is aimed to start by 15 October 2024.
Key Milestones & Dates:
Note: These milestones and dates are estimates and can be adjusted based on best practice and indicated in the proposal submitted by the Consultant.
15 October 2024
Kick-off call with project team members
End of October 2024
Inception note with detailed action plan and data collection methodology
Mid-November 2024
Field data collection report
15 December 2024
Submission of the field data database and final consultation report
Regular Check-Ins
In addition to the key milestones and dates above, the Consultant should propose a regular check-in with the project team to help guide the project. The Consultant is responsible for driving the agenda of these check-ins and key follow-up.
WRI aims to make its funding accessible to as many organizations and researcher as possible.
To be eligible for funding, organizations must:
• Be a non-profit entity, research institution. Individuals must apply through an institutional sponsor. Partnerships are strongly encouraged, but only the lead applicant will receive funds
• Have all necessary national or other approvals to conduct the proposed research.
• Be headquartered in or have a substantial partnership in the country or region where data will be collected.
• Experience working climate in the Congo Basin;