Date of Issue of RFP	07-11-2024
Last date for seeking clarifications	13-11-2024
Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)	20-11-2024
Last date for Submission of RFP	27-11-2024

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.

TNC has been advancing projects in India since 2017 to support India’s efforts to “develop without destruction”. We work closely with the Indian government, research institutions, other NGOs, private sector organizations and local communities to develop science-based, on-the-ground, scalable solutions for some of the country’s most pressing environmental challenges. Visit at www.tncindia.in to know more.

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.

BACKGROUND

Sundarbans across both India and Bangladesh are the largest continuous stretch of mangrove forest in the world and the only mangrove habitat that is inhabited by the Royal Bengal Tiger.

The Sundarbans is a high biodiverse area harbouring varied flora and fauna including diversity of mangrove species. These mangroves forming an effective coastal shield for many of the settlement villages just behind it in the non-protected areas of Indian Sundarbans. The mangrove ecosystem here provides regulatory ecosystem services to the local communities, facing the direct cyclonic wraths and associated tidal surges.

The parts of Sundarbans under the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve are well protected. However, Sundarbans mangroves in non-protected areas are highly threatened due to various anthropogenic factors, besides rising sea level due to climate change. Multiple factors are causing a decline in mangrove forest cover in the non-protected areas of Sundarbans.

The West Bengal Forest Departments and several other organizations have started conventional restoration/afforestation initiatives at some places in Sundarbans. NCIS has initiated a science-based restoration model which includes diversity rich human-assisted mangrove plantation which could result into almost restored multispecies mangrove habitat. This science-based restoration model has multiple co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation, generating livelihood for local communities, and helps in coastal resilience.

CONTRACT TYPE AND CONTRACT SERVICES

NCIS will entertain RFP Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) proposal under this RFP through a Grant Agreement

BIDS

NCIS invites bids from project proponents for successful completion of the activities as mentioned in ‘Key Objectives’, i.e., to undertake the ‘Restoring Mangroves in Non-protected Areas of Sundarbans, India’ in India. NCIS reserves the right to postpone or cancel the bidding process for one or more clusters with no prior notice.

PLACE FOR PERFORMANCE

Non-protected areas of Sundarbans in the West Bengal state of India.

PERIOD FOR PERFORMANCE

One year (01 December 2024 - 30 November 2025). The project may be extended further depending upon performance and availability of funds.

KEY OBJECTIVES

• Undertake ecological restoration of 100 ha shoreline mangrove habitat in non-protected shorelines of Indian Sundarbans from where the mangrove community has almost disappeared.
• Analyses of the restored sediments, changes in hydrological parameters, vegetational criteria like species composition, structure, density, secondary recruits via seedlings, functional microbiome and characteristic metabolites, and improvement in the major livelihood options of the local communities (availability of near-shore and riverine fishes, crabs, honey collection), will be carried out.
• Strengthening coastal community livelihood involving them in restoration activities, training them in sustainable aquaculture and sustainable harvesting of NTFP’s from Mangrove Forest.
• Ecological restoration of 100 ha of degraded mangrove habitats in non-protected areas of Indian Sundarbans.
• Benefits accrued to the local community in terms of protection and improved livelihood opportunities due to regained mangrove shields along the settlement area shorelines.
• Restores and protects multiple critically endangered plant species, restores habitat for native fishes, and improves the habitat for the royal Bengal tiger.

PROPOSED OUTCOMES

• Ecological restoration of 100 ha of degraded mangrove habitats in non-protected areas of Indian Sundarbans.
• Benefits accrued to the local community in terms of protection and improved livelihood opportunities due to regained mangrove shields along the settlement area shorelines.
• Restores and protects multiple critically endangered plant species, restores habitat for native fishes, and improves the habitat for the royal Bengal tiger.
• Strengthening coastal community livelihood involving them in restoration activities, training them in sustainable aquaculture and sustainable harvesting of NTFP’s from Mangrove Forest.

PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP

To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, project proponents must submit questions via email to raju.kasambe@tnc.org , and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to jayalakshmi.nair@tnc.org  by no later than 11:59pm IST, 13-11-2024 NCIS will make every effort to answer questions by 15-11-2024 before the scheduled pre-proposal meeting on 20-11-2024.   Answers to all questions will be shared with all project proponents.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Last date for submission of proposal is 27-11-2024 by 11:59pm IST.

Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “RFP for Sundarbans Mangroves Restoration Project” and will be shared at:

• Financial Bid: jayalakshmi.nair@tnc.org
• Technical Bid: raju.kasambe@tnc.org

Financial Bid must accompany with the following documents:

1. Copy of incorporation documents.
2. Copy of registration certificate under income tax.
3. Copy of last three years audited financial statements with audit report.
4. Copy of last three years income tax full return.
5. Copy of address proof.
6. List of similar projects executed with name of client, year of execution, and value.
7. In case the project proponent is registered with MHA, please also share FCRA Registration number and validity.
8. Total number of staff (full time, part time and volunteer)

Note: - You are requested to send all financial information in one go to avoid disqualification if any. Bids with incomplete financial and other information as requested in this RFP will be rejected summarily.

Submission of the proposal to any other individual will result in the disqualification of the proposal. A project proponent can submit only one bid. Submitting multiple bids under different name will result in automatic disqualification.

To download the full RFP, click here

Tags Environment and Sustainability Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Livelihood Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others