REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR: Agency/Consultant for conducting feasibility assessment in Punjab to develop rice based Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) project

Date of Issue of RFP	18-12-2025
Last date for seeking clarifications	24-12-2025
Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)	29-12-2025
Last date for Submission of RFP	05-01-2026

INTRODUCTION

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in 76 countries and territories. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people communities and culture, and commitment to diversity we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results.

Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited (NCIS) is a Private Limited Company incorporated under The Companies Act, 2013. It is a subsidiary of The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest not-for-profit conservation organisations in the world. NCIS was incorporated with the objective of providing research, consulting, technical support, and advisory services to various stakeholders in and outside India relating to conservation of nature, environment, biodiversity, and climate change.

TNC launched PRANA (Promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture) initiative in 2021 to eliminate crop residue burning and advance regenerative agriculture systems. Today PRANA operates across 6,286 villages in 18 districts of Punjab.

To drive this transition, PRANA has expanded its scope to encompass Improved Rice Management (IRM), promoting climate-smart and water-efficient practices such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), along with in-situ crop residue management (CRM) to enhance soil health and water conservation in rice systems and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This year, the IRM approach is being implemented across 1,000 villages in 14 districts of Punjab, covering about 70,000 ha area under these practices.

NCIS proposes undertaking a feasibility assessment to understand the sustainable rice-based carbon credit generation with broader ecological and socio-economic benefits such as biodiversity conservation, water regulation, soil fertility, and livelihood support, its institutional setup and financial feasibility to be scaled as carbon project in the entire Punjab state. Duration for this feasibility study is from 15th January 2026 to 15th June 2026.

PURPOSE

NCIS invites proposals from qualified agencies or consultants to conduct a feasibility assessment on the profitability, social and environmental benefits of developing a VCM project through Improved Rice Management practices, including AWD, DSR, CRM, use of amendments like Methanotrophs, Biochar and use/management of Nitrogen Fertilizers. The findings of this assessment will guide strategic planning for developing VCM projects in Punjab and inform opportunities for scale-up across the state.

PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP

To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, Bidders must submit questions via email to ravi.gupta@tnc.org ; rajveer.singh@tnc.org , and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org by no later than 11:59pm IST, 24/12/2025. All the queries received through submitted questions will be addressed during scheduled pre-proposal meeting on 29/12/2025.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Last date for submission of proposal is 05/01/2026, by 11:59pm IST.

Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “Technical/Financial bid against RFP on Feasibility Assessment for VCM Project in Punjab" and will be shared at:

• Financial Bid: rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org
• Technical Bid: ravi.gupta@tnc.org; rajveer.singh@tnc.org

To download the full ToR, click here: RFP - Agency/Consultant for conducting feasibility assessment in Punjab to develop rice based Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) project

Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Livelihood Rural Development