Request for Proposal: Procurement of Services

Tonga Cruise Tourism Strategy

Consultancy type:

• Individual
• Consulting Firm
• Consortia of individual consultants

Background:

A key objective of PACER Plus is to increase trade in services by delivering key service sector development strategies and plans. The PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU) is seeking proposals from suitably qualified locally and international based consultants who wish to provide services to develop the Tonga Cruise Tourism Strategy and Action Plan.

Tourism exists as one of the key economic sectors for Tonga contributing to about 11% of GDP. The sector however was significantly impacted not only by the COVID-19 pandemic but more so by the 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami. Tonga is now looking to rebuild its tourism industry and to consider tourism market segments that can drive the recovery of the country's industry. Cruise tourism is a potential market segment that has the potential to contribute to tourism growth and recovery in Tonga and the Tongan government is seeking to harness this potential through more strategic, concerted efforts to optimise the sustainable economic contribution of cruise tourism to the Tongan economy.

Expected Outcome & Deliverables:

This Tonga Cruise Tourism Strategy and Action Plan aims to:

1. Enhance the economic potential of cruise tourism for Tonga and increase its contribution to tourism recovery and economic development.
2. Support sustainable planning and management of cruise tourism activities.
3. Facilitate ownership and support by key stakeholders including industry, community and line government departments.

Key Deliverables include:

1. An Inception Report – including detailed work plan, methodology with clear timelines and outputs, a list of key informant interviews and data to be gathered or identified; and identification of constraints to the assignment with proposed mitigation measures.
2. Draft Strategy and Action Plan – that meets the objectives of the project, and the scope required in Section II of the Terms of Reference.
3. Validation Workshop to present finding and draft Strategy and Action Plan.
4. Final Strategy and Action Plan.

A detailed Terms of Reference outlining primary duties, specific skills and experience requirements, including selection criteria can be found HERE.

Submission Guidelines:

Submissions are to be made via email to the PPIU to [E-Mail not displayed] by 11:59pm, 13th January 2025, email title RFP: Tonga Cruise Tourism Strategy. Any clarification questions from applicants may be submitted by email to: [E-Mail not displayed]

Proposals should include at minimum:

• A proposal that addresses both technical and financial aspects of the activity.  The technical proposal should be grounded in a thorough reading of the available material, demonstrate a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference, and response to the key skills and experience requirements.
• Detailed curriculum vitae of the consultant(s).
• Proposed work plan, methodology, timeline (1-2 pages).
• Date of availability to take up consultancy.
• Proposed total cost of consulting fees to deliver outputs and outcomes defined in the Terms of Reference. A daily rate for identified consultants should be included (inclusive of management fees), or at a minimum, a cost break down of consulting fees for each output/deliverable (inclusive of management fees). Costs for travel and other activity-related costs should be separated to objectively assess cost for consulting services. (no more than 1 page).

Selection Process:

The PPIU will select the preferred candidate based on the following process:

• Technical Submission Assessment, scoring candidates based on their demonstrated ability to deliver services and meet the selection criteria identified in the Terms of Reference. The Technical Assessment Score will account for 80% of the overall score.
• Financial Submission Assessment, scoring candidates based on their Financial Submission. The Financial Assessment Score will account for 20% of the overall score.
• If required, candidates may be asked to attend an interview (most likely virtually). Candidates will be scored based on their response to a series of questions.
• Any incomplete submissions will not be considered.

PPIU is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to child protection. We encourage women, men and people living with disabilities to apply.