PHASE II. I. Background. free flow of. the AEC. a) b) BRICS countries. Outputs. Page 1 of 6

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1 ASEAN AUSTRALIA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PROGRAM (AADCP) PHASE II CONSULTING OPPORTUNITY FOR SCOPING STUDY OF OUTSOURCING IN ASEAN The ASEAN Secretariat invites applications for the above-referenced project under the ASEAN Australiaa Development Cooperation Program (AADCP) Phase II supported by Australian Aid. I. Background The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint identifies two key important objectives. These involve making ASEAN (i) a single market and production base by 2015, and (ii) a dynamic and strongerr segment of the global supply chain. Establishing ASEAN as a single market and production base, where there is free flow of goods, services, labour and capital across the ten Member States is important in the strategic positioning of the region in the global arena. As a business strategy, the concept of offshoring or outsourcing is highly relevant toward achieving the AEC objectives. It plays a critical role in the process of building a regional production network and in being a key player in the global supply chain. ASEAN has long recognised the potential benefits of this concept. It is important to understand the value that businessmen and investors attach to being competitive and what ASEAN as a region can offer in terms of the comparative and competitive advantages of its Member States. The ASEAN Framework Agreement for the Integration of Priority Sectors (signed in 2005) supports this through the following specific provisions:(a) for services, the promotion of joint ventures and cooperation, including third country markets; (b) for manufacturing, the establishment of network of free trade zones to facilitate outsourcing activities starting 2005; and (c) for investments, the promotion and facilitation of joint/cross border investments in manufacturing activities. II. Needs and Objectives The project will conduct an assessment of the ASEAN regional production network and ASEAN s role in the global supply chain. It will involve: a) b) a stock take and a characterisation of the offshoring/outsourcing activities in the region; and; an assessment of the trends and developments in outsourcing both in goods and services within and outside the region, particularly in developed countries as well as in the BRICS countries. This consulting opportunity is intended to support thesee activities with the overall goal of enhancing ASEAN s approach/strategy towards the creation of a single market and production area and a strong presence in the global supply chain, as well as increasing the role of small and medium enterprises in the regional production process. III. Outputs The project shall have the following outputs: Page 1 of 6

2 a) A Regional Report that contains the following elements: A conceptual framework of the regional production network, global supply chain and outsourcing as an economic activity and its impact to ASEAN. A characterisation of offshoring/outsourcing activities in the region, including in the context of: - manufacturing and services sectors; - large, medium and small companies; - outsourcing and captive outsourcing; - lower to high value tasks; and - impact on opportunities for women. Emerging trends and opportunities in outsourcing in developed countries, BRICS, and Asia, as a whole: - determining the trends as well as potential demand/future growth areas for offshoring/outsourcing; and - examining the characteristics and peculiarities where current opportunities abound for indications of future directions. A characterisation of the competitiveness of the region and a general assessment of the comparative and competitive advantages of ASEAN vis-à-vis other regional groupings and BRICS incorporating identification of: - factors that promote or hinder offshoring/outsourcing activities in the region as a whole, including legal and institutional framework, incentive mechanisms; and - niche markets for offshoring/outsourcing in the region and effective mechanisms to support offshoring/outsourcing/near sourcing across the AMS. An assessment of policy options and approaches to: - enhance the vertical linkages and outsourcing; and - create an enabling environment to strengthen outsourcing activities and the increasing participation of SMEs and women in the regional production network, and active engagement in the internationalisation of goods and services markets; and, A discussion on how ASEAN should strategically position itself in the global supply chain taking into account the emerging trends and growing competition with other groupings and countries outside the region. b) Short individual Country Papers (no more than 15 pages each) that discuss the comparative and competitive advantage and potentials of the country in offshoring/outsourcing activities, and provide recommendations to strengthen the policy, regulatory and institutional support to promote offshoring/outsourcing activities; and, c) A short Policy Paper highlighting key recommendations for ASEAN consideration. The initial draft of the two substantive reports (Regional Report and Country Papers) will be submitted and presented at a Regional Consultative Workshop. The consultant will submit: 1. Inception Report 2. Interim Report 3. Draft Reports (Regional Report and Country Papers) 4. Workshop Report, Revised Draft Reports and Draft Policy Paper 5. Final Report containing the two substantive reports and the Policy Paper 6. Project Completion Report Page 2 of 6

3 IV. Tasks/Activities The following activities will need to be undertaken to achieve the project s outcomes. The bidder should provide details on its approach to each activity in its bid and is free to recommend additional activities. These will be expanded as part of the contracting and project inception processes. STAGE ACTIVITIES Indicative Duration for Each Activity Inception Development of overall approach to the project including: a) analytical framework to be utilised; b) workplan; c) staffing plan; d) budget 1 week Inception Meeting Presentation of the draft Inception Report to stakeholders to agree on scope, approach, methodology and project implementation arrangements Inception Report Submission of final Inception Report submission Analytical Study Conduct the analytical part of the project including: 1) extensive literature review (leveraging on available sources); and 2) collection and analysis of primary and secondary data for all AMS; including consultations/interviews with key public agencies/officials and business associations/chambers and key business persons, if necessary 16 weeks Interim Report Draft Reports Regional Consultative Workshop (to be organized and facilitated by the Consultant with overall guidance from SID) Revised Draft Reports and Draft Policy Paper Preparation and submission of the Interim Report which includes a discussion of progress to date, summary transcript of the interviews highlighting key insights and where possible provides an indicative content and substance of the analytical reports (i.e., the Regional Report and Country Papers) to follow Preparation and submission of the draft Regional Report and Country Papers Consultation with key stakeholders to review the results and recommendation of the draft reports and provide recommendations for changes. Submission of the Workshop Report. Submission of the revised reports incorporating comments, corrections and recommendations as well as the draft Policy Paper. Presentation of key policy issues/policy Paper to SOEM/CCI 2 weeks 1 week 3 weeks Page 3 of 6

4 Consultation with SID prior to finalisation of the reports Final Report Submission of the Final and Project Completion Reports 2 weeks Project Completion Report The timing of the tasks/activities is indicative and can be adjusted when the contractor s work plan is developed, subject to mutual agreement. V. Reporting The consultant is expected to complete the study within eight (8) calendar months. The key outputs should be submitted based on the following schedule: Milestone Output Target Delivery Date (based on project work plan) 1 Inception Report Month 1 (within 2 weeks after 2 Interim Report Draft reports (regional and country reports) Consultative Workshop Report 3 Revised draft reports Draft Policy Paper 4 Final Report Project Completion Report contract signing) Month 5 Month 7 Month 8 All reports will be submitted, using AADCP II Report Guidelines, to the Services and Investment Division (SID), a unit within ASEC, with copy to AADCP II project team in ASEC. The consultant will also provide bi-weekly summations of activities undertaken and issues that have arisen. These will be submitted to SID with copy to AADCP II via . Financial reports will be submitted at invoicing in line with a payment schedule to be specified in the consulting agreement. VI. Work Management The SID will manage and will act as the ASEC key focal point for the project. It will: oversee project implementation and together with AADCP II team, monitor progress of the consultancy work ; provide technical supervision to the project as well as coordinate the consolidation of inputs to project outputs; and provide over-all guidance on the organisation and conduct of the regional consultative workshop. The Program Planning and Monitoring Support Unit (PPMSU) of AADCP II will provide technical support to SID for the implementation of this project, as required. Page 4 of 6

5 VII. Scope of Services The study will be completed over the course of eight calendar months. Professional services through this consultancy are required for six (6) person-months. Such services include research, analysis and presentation, report writing/preparation, consultation with stakeholders, and technical support to meetings and workshops. VIII. Qualifications The bidder must demonstrate the following qualifications: Thorough understanding and in-depth knowledge of production networks, supply chain and outsourcing concepts, and has done extensive research work in these areas; In-depth knowledge of economic, trade, investment and regional integration issues, especially within ASEAN; Proven track record of experience in economic and industry research; Thorough understanding of ASEAN and its work on economic community building; Adequate knowledge of and balanced exposure to ASEAN economies; Have extensive experience in policy making and providing policy advice to governments and have considerable exposure and network with the industries and industry players/associations; Established links and networks with business associations across Member States, as well as links with research networks/institutions or market research groups in different parts of ASEAN; and Proven skills in writing and conversing in English. IX. Bidding The work may be implemented by an individual or a group of individuals. Interested parties are invited to submit a proposal in response to this announcement. The proposal should be in two parts: technical and financial. The Technical component should present the following information: A brief discussion indicating the bidder s understanding of the needs of the study; A brief analysis of key issues; A methodological discussion of how the bidder proposes to address those needs including assessment of key issues, analytical strategies that will underlie the study and specific techniques to be utilized; A detailed workplan that specifies activities to be undertaken, expected outputs, resources to be utilized and timing; Management plan; A discussion on how measures to ensure the future sustainability of the outcomes of the project will be addressed; CVs of all proposed experts; Brief discussion of firm s past experience in undertaking similar work and brief summaries of all projects undertaken. The Financial proposal (quoted in US$) should specify in detailed the number of professional days for experts and all direct and indirect costs including rates and fee for experts, travel costs, workshop cost, etc. The selected bidder will be offered a lump-sum, output-based contract for the provision of the required services with scheduled milestone payments. The award of the contract will be subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable agreement. The contractual agreement will be between the ASEAN Secretariat and the successful bidder. Page 5 of 6

6 X. Submission of Application Applicants must send via and mail/courier four (4) printed copies of their proposal with a cover letter, and other supporting documents to: ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program II, ASEAN Secretariat 2nd Floor, Jl.Sisingamangaraja 70A, Jakarta 12110, Indonesia ( tender@aadcp2.org) indicating Scoping Study of Outsourcing in ASEAN as the subject. Proposals are to be delivered to AADCP II office not later than 5pm Jakarta time on 14 February Failure to submit a proposal before the deadline will result in disqualification of the proposal. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. Due to a recent technical problem in our server, s sent to tender@aadcp2.org could not be retrieved. For bidders who have sent in proposals, please resend your tenders to tender@aadcp2.org. Please note that closing of tenders has been extended to 14 February Page 6 of 6