The EBRD Carbon Neutrality Initiative - Development of a Carbon Foot Print Calculation Methodology and the Related Corporate Social Responsibility Basic Strategy

The EBRD Carbon Neutrality Initiative - Development of a Carbon Foot Print Calculation Methodology and the Related Corporate Social Responsibility Basic Strategy

Location:Regional

Business sector:Power and energy

Project number:76740

Funding source:Bank Funded

Contract type:Consultancy Services

Notice type:Invitation for expressions of interest (CSU)

Issue date:21 Dec 2018

Closing date:18 Jan 2019   at  17:00   London

Project Description:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ("EBRD" or the "Bank") has been off-setting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from its Annual Meeting and Business Forum since 2013. In July 2018, the Bank’s Management approved the off-setting the GHG emissions of EBRD’s operations, thus effectively transforming the Bank into a carbon neutral institution.

In such context, the Bank would like to develop a robust methodology for the calculation of the carbon footprint of EBRD’s operations, including its scope 3 emissions. The methodology will then be applied to the Bank’s 2018 operations for the purchase of the relevant amount of carbon credits.

The Bank will also prepare a brief strategy to reduce its environmental footprint as well as a communication strategy to share those achievements with the relevant stakeholders.

Assignment Description:

EBRD intends to select and contract a consulting company (the “Consultant”) to the Assignment.

The expected outcome of the Assignment is the development of i) a robust methodology for the abatement of the EBRD’s carbon emissions, ii) a strategy to minimise the Bank’s environmental footprint, and iii) a strategy to effectively communicate these achievements to stakeholders.

The selected Consultant is expected to provide the following services:

Ex-post Calculation of the Carbon footprint from EBRD Operations. On the basis of estimated data provided by the EBRD, the Consultant will prepare a preliminary tool and calculation of the carbon footprint, including Scope 3 emissions.

Retirement of the Adequate Volume of Emission Reductions. The Consultant will provide relevant proof to EBRD of the retirement of the amount of carbon credits required to declare the EBRD carbon neutral.

Strategy to Reduce Environmental Footprint. Based on best peer practices and the EBRD’s operational requirements, the Consultant will provide ideas for the reduction of the Bank’s environmental footprint, in the form of a simple strategy for the next five years.

Communication Strategy. The Consultant will propose to EBRD how best to communicate its carbon neutral initiative in the form of an internal and external communications strategy, which should include all the Bank’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and abate emissions (e.g. ISO 14,001 certification and corporate targets).

Full Terms of Reference for the Assignment can be found here.

Consultant Selection Procedure: Single stage open competitive selection. Interested firms or groups of firms are invited to submit a Technical and Financial Proposal.

Assignment Start Date and Duration: The Assignment is expected to start in February and has an estimated overall duration of 3 months.

Cost Estimate for the Assignment: GBP 20,000.00 (exclusive of VAT).

Funding Source: It is anticipated that the contract will be financed by the Bank.

Eligibility: There are no eligibility restrictions based on the consultant's country of origin.

Consultant Profile: Corporate services are required. The Consultant will be a firm or a group of firms preferably with previous project experience related to the development of carbon off-setting methodologies, social corporate responsibility and communications strategies.

The Consultant’s team will need to include the following Key Experts:
· Project Manager with preferably at least 8 years of relevant experience on Corporate Social Responsibility strategies;

· Carbon Market Expert with preferably at least 5 years of relevant experience and detailed knowledge and understanding of (voluntary) carbon markets and MRV methodologies for greenhouse gas accounting;

· Communication Specialist with relevant experience in CSR communication and marketing for impact investors.

Submission Requirements: The consultants are now invited to submit a completed Technical and Financial Proposal as per the standard templates and instructions available at this link. Interested Consultants should make themselves familiar with these Standard Templates, Standard Instructions and Conditions of Contract in preparation of their proposals.

1. The Technical Proposal shall be submitted in English electronically via eSelection not later than the Closing Date, as one single PDF file. The technical proposal should not exceed 15 pages excluding the Declaration Form and CVs (Form 1- TP 1 and Form 1 – TP 6).

2. The Financial Proposal (Form 2 – FP 1 and FP2) shall be submitted in English separately by email only to the Bank Contact Person. Consultants are reminded of the requirement to ensure the confidentiality of the Financial Proposals.

A Technical Proposal that contains elements of a financial proposal shall be declared non-responsive.

A Financial proposal submitted together with the technical proposals via e Selection shall be declared non-responsive.
Bank Contact Person:

Elena Kolodiy

Procurement Operations and Delivery Department
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
One Exchange Square
London EC2A 2JN
e-mail: kolodiyo@ebrd.com

For the avoidance of doubt, technical proposals should be sent through eSelection and NOT to this email address. Financial proposals should be sent to this email address and NOT through eSelection.

Deadline to Submit Clarification Questions: Via e-mail to the Bank Contact Person not later than two weeks prior to the Closing Date.

Selection Method and Evaluation Criteria:

1. Technical Proposal Evaluation Criteria

(a) Consultant's previous project experience in similar assignments (30%)

(b) Quality of the methodology proposed for the Assignment (30%)

(c) CVs of the Key Experts (40 %).

The minimum technical score (St) required to pass is 70.

 2. Opening of Financial Proposals

After the technical evaluation is completed, only the submissions which score 70 or above of the total marks available for the technical criteria will be eligible to have their financial proposals opened.

3. Combined Technical and Financial Evaluation

The lowest evaluated Financial Proposal (Fm) is given the maximum financial score (Sf) of 100. The formula for determining the financial scores (Sf) of all other Proposals is calculated as follows:

Sf = 100 x Fm/ F, in which “Sf” is the financial score, “Fm” is the lowest evaluated Financial Proposal, and “F” the price of the Proposal under consideration.

Proposals are then ranked according to their combined technical (St) and financial (Sf) scores using the weights (T = 80; F = 20) T + F = 100 as follows: S = St x T% + Sf x F%.

Important Notes:

1. The proposal validity period is 120 days from the deadline date for the receipt of submissions. During this period, the Consultant shall maintain its original Proposal without any change, including the availability of the Experts, the proposed rates and the total price.

2. The selection will be made from the Proposals received in response to this notification only, on the basis of the submission requirements and selection criteria set out in this Procurement Notice. The highest-ranked Consultant will be selected and invited to negotiate the contract, subject to availability of funding.

3. Any updates of and clarifications on this procurement notice shall be announced as updates on this notice, without any other notification. In the event of changes consultants will need to download the updated versions. Consultants are required to periodically check the notice for updates. Failure to take the updates into account while preparing the Proposal may result in disqualification or penalties to the scores in the evaluation.