REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP): ENGAGEMENT OF SERVICE PROVIDER FOR ESG MARKET INTELLIGENCE, PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT & DEMAND STIMULATION


INTRODUCTION

Swisscontact, Swiss Foundation for Technical Cooperation, is headquartered in Zurich and was founded in 1959 by leading figures from the Swiss private sector and Swiss universities. It is exclusively involved in international cooperation and, since 1961, has carried out its own and mandated projects. A part of the organisation, Swisscontact Bangladesh, is registered as an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) under the NGO Affairs Bureau, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, carrying out diverse projects across sectors such as Ready-Made Garments (RMG), Agriculture, Health, Water and Sanitation, Light Engineering, and Financial Inclusion.

Swisscontact implements the Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector through Skills (PROGRESS) project with funding from the Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh. This project empowers Ready-Made Garments (RMG) factories to navigate the green transition, enhancing both their environmental resilience and global competitiveness.

Based on the learning of the PROGRESS project, Technology for Responsible Accountability in Corporate ESG (TRACE) has been introduced which supports the development and operationalisation of a digital platform for better clarity, coordination, and harmonisation of ESG reporting among the key RMG stakeholders. The objective is to enable the factories in RMG supply chain to streamline ESG data management in line with regulations such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), emerging carbon pricing mechanisms, etc. The platform also has potential to support other export-oriented sectors like Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU), Real Estate, etc., empowering them to stay competitive in a global market that now demands strict ESG accountability.

To support the successful implementation, market positioning, and uptake of ESG service, Swisscontact seeks to engage a qualified firm/individual to provide technical, market, and communication support across four key areas:

  • ESG market intelligence  and user analysis
  • Demand stimulation and pipeline development 
  • Strategic communication and digital engagement 
  • Collaboration and coalition development 

The Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the key tasks to be undertaken as part of the assessment.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) refers to the Terms of Reference (TOR) for “Engagement of Service Provider for ESG Market Intelligence, Pipeline Development& Demand Stimulation”. The ToR is attached here in this document. Please find the below link.

Find the ToR here

The ToR is also available in the Swisscontact Bangladesh website. Please click the link:

https://www.swisscontact.org/en/countries/bangladesh/requests-for-proposal

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT
All interested firms/individuals must submit the following documents:  

  1. A technical proposal (Aptos 10.5 point, single spacing, no more than 15 pages) outlining in detail: understanding of the the assignment, proposed methodology, team composition, and work plan.
  2. The financial proposal shall be submitted in Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) and must indicate the quantity, unit rate, and total amount. The proposal shall clearly specify the applicable Value Added Tax (VAT). For clarity, Swisscontact expects appropriate budget notes to be provided for each of the corresponding line items. 
  3. Summary of the individual/firm’s previous experience, particularly in ESG advisory, market research, private sector engagement (with a focus on RMG, AFOLU, Real Estate), communications, marketing and digital campaigns.
  4. Relevant documents and evidence of services provided in related areas.
  5. CVs of the key personnel who will be involved in the assignment. 
  6. A list of the existing clientele of the organisation.
  7. It is mandatory for the bidding organisations to submit documentary evidence demonstrating their legal, taxation, and financial status. This includes:
    1. A certificate of incorporation (for individual companies, a trade license), Registration-related document (trade licence, registration with any government entities/NGO bureau registration)
    2. An organisational organogram of key personnel, inclusive of the names of such personnel
    3. Tax Identification Number (TIN).
    4. Business identification number (BIN)
    5. Latest PSR (Proof of Submission of Return)

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested applicants must submit their technical and financial proposals (separately), including all supporting documents via email to bgd.trace@swisscontact.org by 10 May 2026. The email subject line must state: “Engagement of Service Provider for ESG Market Intelligence, Pipeline Development & Demand Stimulation”.

For any clarification or questions regarding this assignment or the Terms of Reference (ToR), interested applicants may contact Swisscontact via email at tonmoy.hassan@swisscontact.org. Responses to queries will be shared with all interested applicants, if deemed necessary, to ensure transparency and equal access to information.
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Swisscontact reserves the right to accept or reject any application, in part or full, or cancel the entire procurement process without assigning any reason whatsoever. Submission of an application does not guarantee the award of the contract.