Request for Proposal (RFP) – SME 02 2017

Request for Proposal (RFP) – SME 02 2017:

Riding the Wave of the e-Commerce Trend:

Emerging and Expanding Business Options for MSMEs

 

Introduction

 

The APEC Secretariat is seeking proposals for the provision of the Works described in RFP Schedule 1 – Statement of Requirement.

 

• Each Bidder to this RFP is expected to:
• fully inform themselves on all aspects of the work required to be performed;
• submit its proposal on the template provided at RFP Schedule 2 – Proposal, including the signed Declaration by Bidder at the end of Schedule 2; and
• submit its proposal in accordance with RFP Schedule 1 – Statement of Requirement and with due note of RFP Schedule 5 – Evaluation Criteria.
• Each 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.
• Bids 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	27 November 2017
Method to Submit Proposal	Proposals must be submitted to: 1.Attention: Ms. Nipawis Ritthironk SMEs Policy Analyst Multilateral Cooperation Division International Cooperation Department Office of SMEs Promotion of Thailand 21 TST Tower, 23rd Floor, Vipavadee-Rangsit Road, Chompon, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900 Email: nipawis@sme.go.th PROPOSAL: SME 02 2017 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 original hard copy and one electronic version (in PDF format) of its detailed Proposal.   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	Nipawis Ritthironk SMEs Policy Analyst 6 International Cooperation Department Office of SMEs Promotion of Thailand Email: nipawis@sme.go.th Telephone: +662-298-3233
Expected execution date of Contract	January 2018
Date Works are to be completed	The Works are required to be completed on or before September 2018

　

The Services

 

The APEC Secretariat is seeking proposals to provide contracted services to support the APEC-funded project: Riding the wave of the e-Commerce trend: Emerging and expanding business options for MSMEs.

• Background

 

E-commerce growth continues to outpace traditional business, and with MSMEs making up more than 90% of enterprises in APEC, encouraging more MSMEs to build their customers base online is a priority. The opportunities are greater than ever for MSMEs to grow their business prospects by migrating to online operations: utilizing the mass, global audience and low entrance barriers offered by third party e-commerce platforms and social media; benefiting from developments in distribution, particularly last-mile delivery; and more trusted payment mechanisms. Procter and Gamble report that 72% of internet users on social media, and 71% accessing from a mobile device, therefore practices of online selling through familiar platforms (e.g. Facebook) or built on concepts people inherently understand (e.g. sharing economy principle) have challenged traditional perceptions of e-commerce models, whilst "trust" concerns are being addressed through improved online experiences. Furthermore e-commerce based business redefine where a business needs to operate, and buyer-seller engagement, offering a more inclusive operating environment for MSME owners, particularly benefiting for youth and women-led business growth.

 

The APEC project SME02 2017 Riding the wave of the e-commerce trend: Emerging and expanding business options for MSMEs will support the business environment, market access, and internationalization priority areas by identifying what MSMEs need to better access the digital economy and increase participation in global markets, and developing recommendations and best practices for use by APEC member economies in developing policies to support MSMEs. The project aims to bring together some 70 MSME owners, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to learn from and network with speakers including successful e-commerce entrepreneurs, logistics and e-commerce payment experts, third-party platform providers, and government representatives through a two-day seminar in Bangkok in March 2018.

 

The first day of the seminar will provide a series of presentations on moderated panel discussion focused on discussing the current environment for e-commerce opportunities for the MSME sector, and identifying policy actions that can be taken enhance MSME e-commerce accessibility. The second day will expose participants to a more applied perspective of how MSMEs are using e-commerce to advance business operations, with leading MSME entrepreneurs from APEC economies sharing real experiences, and site visits with two successful e-commerce driven MSMEs. Following the conclusion of the seminar, a list of recommendations on policy actions which can support SMMEs in e-commerce will be made available to all member economies.

 

The seminar will support the SMEWG Digital Economy Action Plan: Connecting MSMEs to Global and Regional Markets and will respond to priorities identified from the 2016 APEC SME Ministerial Statement, increasing participation of MSMEs in e-commerce, confronting MSME’s readiness, capability, and resilience by working through the most significant factors that prevent MSMEs from moving into online business operations.