Status: Receiving submission
Deadline of Submission: 25 July 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+7)
Description
This project aims to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study to assess ASEAN’s readiness for a possible ASEAN Green Economy Framework Agreement (GEFA) and identify priority areas for regional cooperation to support a sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon economic transition. The study will provide ASEAN Member States (AMS) with an evidence-based assessment of the current green economy landscape, institutional and policy gaps, and opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation, while taking into account different national circumstances, levels of readiness, and evolving global developments.
The study will include a review of relevant ASEAN frameworks and international practices, mapping of AMS’ policies and regulatory frameworks, stakeholder consultations with relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, the private sector, academia, and civil society, and assessment of institutional and capacity-building needs. The study will also consider cross-cutting issues, including sustainable finance, trade-related climate measures, carbon market interoperability, inclusivity, and just transition.
The main outputs of the project include an Inception Report, a Mapping Study and Gap Analysis Report, a Scoping Study and Policy Recommendations Report, the Final GEFA Feasibility Study Report, stakeholder socialisation activities, and a Project Completion Report. The Final Report will provide recommendations on possible elements, implementation pathways, and priority areas for ASEAN Member States’ consideration in advancing a possible ASEAN Green Economy Framework Agreement.
Terms of Reference: REVISED – GEFA Feasibility Study
Submission of bid
Tenderers shall send their Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal via three separate emails, attaching the respective cover letters and materials specified in Section IX above and other supporting documents to tender@aus4aseanfutures.org and aus4aseanfutures@asean.org, no later than 25 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT +7). Large documents (>5MB) can be submitted in parts through several emails. Late and/or incomplete submissions will be disqualified.
Tenderers shall use the following email subjects when separately submitting their proposals:
- Due Diligence_”ASEAN GEFA Feasibility Study”_Name of Vendor
- Technical Proposal_”ASEAN GEFA Feasibility Study”_Name of Vendor
- Financial Proposal_”ASEAN GEFA Feasibility Study”_Name of Vendor
For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), please visit https://www.aus4aseanfutures.org/tender-frequently-asked-question/.
Any queries on the TOR should be sent by email to query@aus4aseanfutures.org before 15 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7). Please use the subject line: “Query – ASEAN GEFA Feasibility Study.”
Response to received queries will be published at Aus4ASEAN Futures’ website (https://www.aus4aseanfutures.org). No individual responses or replies will be provided for queries. Please check the page regularly for updates.
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RESPONSES TO QUERIES
1.Anticipated commencement date. Please confirm the anticipated commencement date of the assignment. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The assignment is expected to commence following completion of the tender evaluation, approval, and contracting processes. Based on the current procurement schedule, commencement is anticipated in late August to early September 2026.
2. Activities 2.2 and 2.3. The deliverables table refers to Activities 2.1, 2.4 and 2.5. Please clarify whether Activities 2.2 and 2.3 were intentionally omitted. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
Thank you for identifying this issue. The numbering of Activities 2.2 and 2.3 was inadvertently omitted during drafting. The ToR will be revised accordingly to ensure consistency in the numbering of activities.
3. Validation Workshop format. Please clarify whether the Validation Workshop is intended to be conducted virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The Validation Workshop is intended to be conducted in person.
4. Venue for consultation sessions and workshops. Please clarify whether the in-person consultation sessions and workshops are expected to be held in Jakarta or in other ASEAN Member States. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The locations of consultation sessions and workshops will be determined during implementation in consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN, taking into account project requirements and logistical considerations. At this stage, bidders should propose their methodology based on the requirements set out in the ToR.
5. Event logistics costs. Please clarify whether venue and event logistics costs should be included in the Financial Proposal or will be covered separately. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
Project-related consultation sessions and workshops will be organised with logistical support provided through the Australia for ASEAN Futures Technical Services Support Program (TSSP), in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, as outlined in the ToR.
6. Quantitative surveys. Please clarify whether quantitative surveys form part of the minimum scope of work. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
Quantitative surveys are desirable as part of consultation with stakeholders. Bidders are expected to propose an appropriate methodology to achieve the objectives of the assignment. Where considered beneficial, bidders may propose surveys or other stakeholder engagement approaches as part of their methodology.
7. Expected level of detail of the GEFA. Please clarify whether the assignment is expected to develop draft legal text or remain at the level of policy and institutional design options. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The assignment is intended to develop a feasibility study, including recommendations on the possible structure, principles and implementation pathways for the ASEAN Green Economy Framework Agreement. The consultant is not expected to prepare draft legal text or a draft agreement.
8. Comparator agreements. Please clarify whether there is a preferred list of bilateral, plurilateral or multilateral agreements to be analysed. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The prescribed list of comparator agreements will be subject to the discussion with ASEAN Member States during the development of the Inception Report. In addition, bidders are expected to identify and justify an appropriate set of comparator agreements as part of their proposed methodology, taking into account the objectives of the assignment.
9. Indicative level of effort. Please clarify whether the stated person working days represent a ceiling or an indicative level of effort. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The person working days reflected in the revised ToR represent the indicative level of effort for the assignment and should not be interpreted as a ceiling. Bidders are expected to propose an appropriate methodology, staffing arrangement and allocation of effort to deliver all required outputs and deliverables, while ensuring that their financial proposal represents a realistic, competitive and value-for-money solution.
10. Stakeholder mobilisation. Please clarify whether the ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN will facilitate the participation of ASEAN Member States (AMS) and relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, or whether stakeholder mobilisation is the consultant’s responsibility. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The consultant will remain responsible for planning, coordinating and conducting stakeholder engagement necessary to deliver the assignment. The ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN will facilitate engagement with ASEAN Member States and relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, including coordination and introductions where appropriate.
11. GEDSI requirements. Please clarify whether there are specific DFAT/Aus4ASEAN GEDSI standards, disability inclusion protocols, or reporting requirements that the assignment is expected to comply with. (Posted by 16 July 2026)
The consultant is expected to adopt a gender equality, disability and social inclusion approach throughout the assignment, consistent with the requirements set out in the ToR and good international practice. Any project-specific guidance or reporting requirements will be discussed with the successful consultant during the inception phase, where applicable.
12. Audited Financial Statements: How many years of audited financial statements are required? Could you also confirm whether audit by an internationally recognised firm is a pass/fail eligibility requirement or a preference, and whether nationally accredited auditors are acceptable? (Posted on 17 July 2026)
The submission of the latest available audited financial statements is sufficient. Audited financial statements issued by a nationally accredited or licensed auditor in the bidder’s country of registration are acceptable.
13. Taxation and Payment: Given that the ASEAN Secretariat is a non-withholding, tax-exempt entity, could you confirm how VAT/PPN obligations are treated for an Indonesia-registered contractor, and whether bidders should propose the payment percentage split per deliverable in Form H? (Posted on 17 July 2026)
The ASEAN Secretariat holds tax-exempt status under its host country agreement. Bidders are expected to take this into account when preparing their financial proposals and ensuring their own compliance with local regulations. Regarding Form H, bidders should propose a payment schedule and corresponding percentage allocation linked to the proposed deliverables and milestones.
14. Contract duration. The ToR states a 17-month assignment, while the implementation schedule appears to span only 15 months. Please clarify the intended contract duration. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The overall contract duration remains 17 calendar months. The implementation timeline presented in Section IV is indicative and focuses on the key implementation activities. The remaining period allows for project wrap-up, ASEAN review and endorsement processes, socialisation activities, reporting, and contract completion
15. Implementation schedule. Please clarify whether a more detailed implementation schedule is available, as the indicative work plan appears to conclude before the end of the contract period. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
No separate detailed implementation schedule is available. The successful bidder will be expected to refine the detailed work plan and implementation schedule during the inception phase, in consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN.
16. Timing of socialisation activities. Please clarify when the socialisation activities are expected to be undertaken and whether they will overlap with other deliverables. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Socialisation activities are expected to be undertaken progressively during the assignment following the development of key outputs, with the detailed schedule to be agreed during the inception phase. These activities may continue after completion of the Final Report to support dissemination of the Study findings and recommendations.
17. Level of effort. The ToR refers to approximately 435 person working days, while the work plan indicates a higher level of effort. Please clarify the intended level of effort. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
To ensure consistency with the indicative work plan set out in Section IV, the reference to “approximately 435 person working days” in Section VI has been amended to “905 person working days”. The overall contract duration remains 17 calendar months. Please refer to the revised ToR issued together with these clarification responses.
18. Indicative level of effort. Please confirm whether bidders may propose a different level of effort from that presented in the work plan. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The level of effort presented in the work plan is indicative and intended to reflect the anticipated scope of work. Bidders are expected to propose an appropriate methodology, staffing arrangement and allocation of effort to deliver all required outputs and deliverables.
19. Overlap between Deliverables 2 and 3. Please clarify whether the two deliverables are intended to run concurrently. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The overlap between Deliverables 2 and 3 is intentional and is designed to support efficient project implementation. Deliverable 3 may commence on the basis of the draft Mapping Study and Gap Analysis Report, while Deliverable 2 proceeds through finalisation and acceptance by the ATF-CN.
20. Validation Workshop and Socialisation Sessions. Please clarify the distinction between these activities. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The Validation Workshop (Deliverable 4) and the Socialisation Sessions (Deliverable 5) are separate activities serving different purposes. The Validation Workshop is intended to validate the findings and recommendations of the Feasibility Study with ASEAN Member States prior to finalisation. The Socialisation Sessions are intended to disseminate the final findings, deepen stakeholder understanding, facilitate discussion on potential pathways under GEFA, and identify capacity-building needs and potential follow-on activities.
21. Please clarify whether postgraduate qualifications in related disciplines would be considered acceptable. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The qualifications specified in the ToR are indicative of the expertise sought. Equivalent postgraduate qualifications in closely related disciplines will be considered where supported by relevant technical expertise and professional experience.
22. Team composition. Please clarify whether a minimum number of experts is required under each expertise category. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The consultant is expected to propose an appropriately qualified multidisciplinary team capable of delivering the required scope of work. The proposed team composition will be assessed as part of the technical evaluation.
23. Stakeholder consultations. Please clarify the expected consultation arrangements with ASEAN Member States and relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The assignment is intended to engage all ASEAN Member States, relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and other stakeholders identified in the ToR. The ASEAN Secretariat will facilitate engagement with relevant ASEAN mechanisms where appropriate; however, the consultant is expected to propose an appropriate stakeholder engagement approach as part of its methodology.
24. Reference materials. Please clarify whether previous studies and relevant reference documents will be made available. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Relevant ASEAN reference documents will be shared with the successful consultant where available and appropriate. The consultant is expected to undertake its own literature review and research to support the assignment.
25. Workshop logistics. Please clarify the arrangements for consultation sessions and workshops. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Project-related consultation sessions and workshops will be organised with logistical support provided through the Australia for ASEAN Futures Technical Services Support Program (TSSP), in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat, as outlined in the ToR.
26. Please clarify the intended participants for the socialisation activities. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The final participant composition will be determined during implementation in consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN, taking into account the objectives of each consultation and socialisation activity.
27. Indicative budget. Please clarify whether the indicative budget should be used as the basis for preparing the financial proposal. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Bidders are expected to develop a realistic and competitive financial proposal that reflects their proposed methodology, staffing arrangement, and implementation approach, while ensuring delivery of all required outputs and deliverables.
28. Stakeholder groups. Please clarify the stakeholders expected to be consulted during the assignment. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The consultant is expected to engage relevant ASEAN Sectoral Bodies, ASEAN Member States and other stakeholders identified in the ToR. Bidders are encouraged to propose an appropriate stakeholder engagement strategy consistent with the objectives of the assignment.
29. Workshop locations. Please clarify the proposed locations for consultation sessions and workshops. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Workshop locations will be determined during implementation in consultation with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ATF-CN, taking into account project requirements and logistical considerations.
30. Location of experts. Please clarify whether all experts are required to be based in ASEAN. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The ToR does not prescribe that experts must be based in ASEAN. Bidders are expected to propose the most appropriate team composition to effectively deliver the assignment.
31. Review of national legal frameworks. Please clarify the expected depth of legal and regulatory analysis. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The assignment is expected to undertake a strategic assessment of relevant national legal, regulatory and policy frameworks sufficient to inform the feasibility assessment. A comprehensive legal opinion for each ASEAN Member State is not expected.
32. Consultation activities. Please clarify whether the consultation activities listed in the ToR represent the minimum required activities. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The consultation activities specified in the ToR represent the minimum required activities. Bidders may propose additional consultations or engagement activities where these strengthen the proposed methodology and contribute to achieving the project objectives.
33. Password protection for Financial Proposal. Please clarify the acceptable password-protection method/format for Form H (e.g. PDF password or Excel password). (Posted by 20 July 2026)
To preserve formatting and minimise the risk of unintended changes, bidders are strongly encouraged to submit all proposal documents in PDF format wherever practicable. Accordingly, the Financial Proposal (Form H) should be submitted as a password-protected PDF document.
34. Maximum file size and file formats. Please confirm the maximum attachment size per email and the preferred file formats for proposal submission. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
As specified in the ToR, the maximum attachment size per email is 5 MB. Where a submission exceeds this limit, bidders may submit the relevant proposal in multiple emails, clearly identifying each email as part of the same proposal submission. To preserve formatting and minimise the risk of unintended changes, bidders are strongly encouraged to submit all proposal documents in PDF format wherever practicable.
35. SSA template. Please confirm whether the Standard Services Agreement (SSA) template and related annexes can be shared for bidder review. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The Special Services Agreement (SSA) is an internal contract template and will be provided only to the successful bidder during the contract finalisation stage. The reference to the SSA in the ToR is intended to inform bidders of the contractual arrangement that will apply following contract award. Bidders should prepare and submit their proposals based on the requirements, terms and conditions set out in the ToR and associated tender documents. The requirement that the SSA be executed by the registered tenderer named in Form A remains applicable.
36. Evaluation weightings. Please provide the indicative weightings for the technical evaluation criteria and the overall technical and financial assessment. (Posted by 20 July 2026)
The detailed evaluation weightings are confidential and will not be disclosed during the procurement process. Bidders should refer to the evaluation criteria and requirements set out in the ToR when preparing their proposals.
37. Deadline for submission of clarification queries. Please confirm whether “before 15 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7)” has the same meaning as “no later than 15 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7).” (Posted by 20 July 2026)
Yes. The intended deadline for submission of clarification queries is 15 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7). For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to “before 15 July 2026 at 23:59” should be read as “no later than 15 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7).” The proposal submission deadline remains 25 July 2026 at 23:59 Jakarta time (GMT+7).
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