CEFAS24-150 RFQ for ALDFG Services in Sri Lanka under the OCPP

Tender description

CEFAS24-150 Request for Quotation for services on Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Sri Lanka, under the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP). The Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) was announced in 2021 as a key bilateral aid programme under the £500m Blue Planet Fund. The UK is working with partner countries to deliver marine science technical assistance across the 3 core themes of marine pollution, biodiversity loss and supporting sustainable seafood. Between 2021-26, Cefas will lead delivery of the OCPP, working in partnership with experts from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). See our video An introduction to the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) to find out more about the Programme. The OCPP Marine Pollution strand will build on work in countries where Cefas and UK marine partnerships are already active, as well as forge new relationships in priority regions. The OCPP began by building on the successes of the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP), using established foundations to expand technical training and capacity building in Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries and foster collaboration internationally to tackle marine pollution, with a specific focus on marine plastics, including Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG). There is no single solution that will effectively resolve the issue of marine plastic pollution. The OCPP will work with partner countries to identify tailored support to tackle marine pollution challenges, recognising the need for holistic cross-sectorial action, involving both upstream and downstream interventions. Through building capacity and expertise, partner countries will be well equipped to develop robust and effective policies that address core marine environmental issues and empowers the local communities and economies that depend on the ocean. Cefas will work alongside international partners in government and society to collaborate on work packages to tackle marine litter, including raising awareness to encourage best practices in litter disposal. This includes collecting data to evaluate the status of particular forms of marine pollution such as Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), collecting data that could be beneficial to start conversations about solutions. This also includes an outreach programme on ALDFG to raise awareness of the possible impacts of ALDFG. The survey should be conducted either in person and/or by an online reporting survey. The method of outreach will be to conduct face to face presentations/workshops. The project is designed to be inclusive, and the questionnaire and any presentations/workshops must be delivered in three languages (English, Sinhala and Tamil) according to the target communities. The Supplier will also provide a report of activities, reach and engagement, and a copy of all data collected. Requirement: 1. Requirement 1: Fishing Gear Value Chain Data and Material Flow Analysis Cefas requires the Supplier to carry out value chain analysis, to utilize data on the importation, manufacture and recycling of gear; to provide an overview of the supply and demand of fishing gear, thus providing an alternative source of data on gear cost, replacement rates, etc. The Supplier will organise a data collection campaign to collect data on the detailed life cycle of fishing gear and the fishing gear value chain, obtaining sufficient detail on the life cycle of fishing gear to better valorise End-of-Life fishing gear and initiate the development of a more circular economy. Key data to be addressed include detailing gear manufacture in Sri Lanka (i.e., quantities, gear types, locations); identify major importers and exporters of gear; identify the types of gear that are being imported and exported; identify the major wholesalers and retailers etc; and most importantly what are the quantities and values involved. The Supplier will conduct a series of key informant interviews with identified actors within each of the key stages of the value chain, including net manufacturing companies, importers of fishing gear, wholesale and retail sellers, from identified locations. The method of interview is for the Supplier to determine based on what they believe will achieve the best engagement and outcomes, for example, in person, phone call, online video call etc. Economic data will also be required to enable value chain analysis, thereby not only enabling a triangulation of fishing gear and its life cycle, but also informing interventions to support the circular economy. The outcome should provide an overview of the supply and demand of fishing gear including data on aspects such as replacement rates, costs etc., that would strengthen the potential for any interventions on ALDFG. The Supplier will: 1. Work closely with the Cefas scientists to finalise a survey for the collection of seasonal data on ALDFG around Sri Lanka. 2. Organise and share a sampling campaign with a number of key informants. 3. Be responsible for the smooth running of the survey from beginning to end, including ensuring it is in line with Sri Lankan laws and cultural expectations. 4. Establish the key actors within the fishing gear value chains (fishing gear manufacturers, importers, wholesale and retail sellers etc). 5. Conduct a series of interviews with those key actors to calculate the dimensional characteristics of fishing gears (weight, length, depth, etc). 6. Provide regular review reports to Cefas on progress as described below. 7. Provide a final report on all activities and impact, using the Cefas reporting template to include things such as engagement metrics (template will be shared with the Supplier during the inception meeting). Requirement 1 Deliverables: the following Deliverables are required: 1. The work needs to be delivered between 01 January 2025 and 14 March 2025. 2. An inception meeting must occur within 7 days of the Contract commencement. 3. Followed by a draft plan and implementation beginning, within 14 days of point 2. 4. An interim report, of what has been achieved, and what still needs to be achieved, at the halfway point of delivery period. 5. A draft final report must be provided 14 days before the final report, for approval by the Cefas representative. 6. A final report, including publication schedule and metrics, no later than 14 March 2025. The exact delivery dates of the draft plan, interim report and final report within the time frames mentioned at points 3, 4, 5 and 6 are to be agreed, in writing, between the Supplier and Cefas. 2. Requirement 2: Outreach – Stakeholder Engagement Cefas requires the Supplier to organise an outreach campaign to raise awareness on the effect of ALDFG and mismanagement of end-of-life fishing gear (EOLFG) on the marine environment. The Supplier will select the most appropriate form of outreach whether that be events such as face-to-face seminars, talks or workshops, or by use of posters, social media or traditional media to target coastal communities relying on fisheries or stakeholders (harbours, vessel crews) related to the fishery industry. Material required for the outreach (presentations, brochures etc.) will be prepared in English, Tamil and Sinhala and will be used during the events. Where possible and appropriate, these materials (e.g., slides) will be adapted to the audience. Cefas has some existing material which can be shared with the Supplier for use, but it is expected that some additional materials will need to be created. Before starting the interviews, the materials will be approved by Cefas. The events should be planned with the aim to cover as many different communities around Sri Lanka as possible. The Supplier is responsible for arranging all events and venues etc. that are required, and costs for this must all be included in the Total Fixed Price, as per RFQ Part 2 – Pricing. The Supplier will: 1. Work closely with the Cefas scientists to finalise the outreach material and the narrative to be used during the outreach activities. 2. Translate the material in both Tamil and Sinhala. 3. Organise face to face outreach events campaign with a number of targeted communities and stakeholders. 4. Be responsible for the smooth running of the events from beginning to end, including ensuring it is in line with Sri Lankan laws and cultural expectations. 5. Provide regular review reports to Cefas on progress as described below. 6. Provide a final report on all activities and impact, using the Cefas reporting template to include things such as engagement metrics (template will be shared with the Supplier during the inception meeting). Requirement 2 Deliverables: the following Deliverables are required: 1. The work needs to be delivered between 01 January 2025 and 14 March 2025. 2. An inception meeting must occur within 7 days of the Contract commencement. 3. Followed by a draft plan and implementation beginning, within 14 days of point 2.. 4. An interim report, of what has been achieved, and what still needs to be achieved, at the halfway point of delivery period. 5. A draft final report must be provided 14 days before the final report, for approval by the Cefas representative. 6. A final report, including publication schedule and metrics, no later than 14 March 2025. The exact delivery dates of the draft plan, interim report and final report within the time frames mentioned at points 3, 4, 5 and 6 are to be agreed, in writing, between the Supplier and Cefas. The Supplier will be responsible for obtaining any permits or other legal requirements needed to perform all the required work in Sri Lanka. All Travel and Subsistence required for the completion of the Contract Deliverables must be included in the Total Fixed Price, as per RFQ Part 2 – Pricing. Sustainability Suppliers should consider Sustainability and aim to minimise Carbon Footprint when carrying out the Deliverables of this Contract, including specifically in relation to travel of staff, any venue use including catering requirements (if applicable) etc. On completion of the Contract, Cefas require a Carbon Footprint statement – including details on mode of transportation, engine capacity, km travelled, and fuel used in the delivery of the Contract. This is to be used by the Cefas Environmental Team to contribute to calculation of Cefas’ environmental footprint. Location for services to be undertaken: In Sri Lanka, and remotely, as required.