Request for Quotation (RFQ) at the International Trade Centre (ITC)

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization supporting the internationalization of SMEs. Its joint mandate combines a focus on expanding trade opportunities with the aim of fostering sustainable development. The Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains (SIVC) section in the Division for Enterprises and Institutions (DEI) is hosting ITC’s work in relation to gender, voluntary sustainability standards, and environmental sustainability.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Request for Quotation (RFQ) - Developing a Green Performance Tool in the Apparel Sector

Reference: HW-RFQ 2200216055

Purpose and Objective
ITC is seeking for a service provider to support the development of an online tool to assess and enhance the environmental performance of small businesses in developing countries. The online tool will allow SMEs to assess their environmental performance across different dimensions and criteria, such as carbon and water footprint and waste management. In this phase, the tool will be focused on the apparel sector. This tool may be replicated in other sectors in the next phase of the project.

In addition, the tool will provide guidance for SMEs on how they can improve their environmental performance to increase their competitiveness and ensure continued access to international markets. The tool will be integrated with the GreenToCompete virtual learning space and will be available as a global public good accessible to all SMEs and interested stakeholders across the world.

Scope of Services

• Assessment of the landscape of existing toolsn - Map out the existing tools for SMEs to assess their environmental performance with respect to target group, main users, key dimensions assessed in the tool, cost for users. Provide conclusions on the space for ITC’s tool with particular focus on SMEs in developing countries as well as potential sector focus.
• Definition of the assessment tool and criteria -
• Conduct a literature review to map out the main dimensions used to assess the environmental performance of small businesses in the apparel sector. For this, especially review the literature on "green competitiveness" and on the apparel sector and what are the main environmental challenges faced by apparel factories. In this context, get familiar with ITC’s existing methodology to assess apparel SMEs’ resource efficiency and circular production (RECP) practices as well as review the existing work and strategies elaborated under the RECP component within the framework of different apparel projects.
• Review the main environmental requirements from international buyers and new regulations and trends in terms of environmental and impact of products labelling.
• Based on the insights of the literature review and the information on the assessment methodology used by existing tools, define the main dimensions and indicators of the tool, as well as the assessment framework (e.g. weightings and prioritization):
  • Objective of the tool will be to support companies in the apparel sector in assessing their environmental performance using a comprehensive and hands-on methodology easily accessible for company staff. The tool will allow companies in structuring their environmental and production process data therefore enabling them to track and monitor their performance over time enabling them to understand their progress and improvements
  • The tool should also facilitate the collection and gathering of data necessary for standards and buyers auditing exercises.
  • Indicators should reflect market and international buyers requirements as well as the main sustainability standards commonly used in the apparel sector (Step by Oeko Tex, Bluesign, EU ecolabel, BSCI, SA 8000, WRAP, GOTS, SMETA, BCI…)
  • A first set of 10 indicators common to all apparel companies should be provided, as well as 30 specific indicators for 3 different sub-sectors (to be chosen from knitwear, tricot, denim, lingerie, sportswear) or production process (dying and printing, CMT, woven).
• For all of the dimensions, identify existing data sources that the tool can draw from (e.g. carbon intensity energy used in piloting countries, cost of water, etc.) and provide recommendations on how these sources can be integrated into the tool (e.g. static vs. live update).
• Develop the data collection survey used by the tool as well as the data that needs to be inserted into the tool (e.g. energy consumption). Coordinate the survey closely with ITC IT platforms, which will be options for the development/hosting of the online tool.

Qualifications, Competences and Experience Required
The bidder must submit a quotation that contains the following information:

• Registered companies or institutions (private or public) that have expertise and experience in environmental sustainability, in the apparel sector.
• Experience in developing assessment tools to measure environmental performance at the firm level. Specific experience in developing measurement tools in the apparel sector is an asset.
• Experience piloting measurement tools for companies in developing countries is a must.
• Solid network with stakeholders in the apparel sector is an important asset.

Application Closing Date
11:00pm (Switzerland Time), 19th April, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Quotation should be submitted without VAT to Procurement Services in Geneva, e-mail to: watson@intracen.org

Related Documents

• ITC Request for Quotation No. 2200216055 (PDF).
• Terms of Reference (PDF).