Request for Tender – Knowledge Product and Capacity Building At Adam Smith International

Tender: Knowledge Product and Capacity Building Support
Required: Development of Knowledge Products and Capacity Building for Green Design
Practices in Lao PDR’s Transport Sector
Duration: Until 30 June 2024
Location: Remote with travel to Lao PDR
Reports to: Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Lao PDR Lead, with support from LACP
Team Lead
Closing Date: 11:59pm (Bangkok time) on 13 March 2024

About P4I
Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is an Australian Government initiative partnering with Southeast Asia to drive sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth through quality infrastructure. P4I partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Delivered through a single team, P4I is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with Ernst & Young, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation and Ninti One.
P4I works with partners to strengthen infrastructure decision-making and practice across the transport, energy, utilities and telecommunications sectors. P4I’s focus is on the early stages of the infrastructure lifecycle, including planning and prioritisation, financing strategy, and procurement. Foundational to quality infrastructure, P4I integrates gender equality, disability, social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction and climate change (DRRCC) considerations into all activities.
P4I has a head office in Bangkok, with other staff located around the region. More information about P4I is available at www.partnershipsforinfrastructure.org

Overview of Laos-Australia Connectivity Partnership
P4I works with the Government of Laos (Lao PDR) through parallel grant-funded support under the Laos-Australia Connectivity Partnership (LACP). This support complements a larger World Bank project – Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project (SEARECC). P4I collaborates with the World Bank and Lao PDR; providing advice, institutional strengthening, and knowledge and learning aimed at improving transport connectivity and infrastructure governance practices.

The LACP has four sub-components:

• 1. Sub-component 1.3: Improving the NR2 border crossing facilities in Phongsaly at the border with Vietnam and in Xayabouly at the border of Thailand.
• Sub-component 2.1: Developing logistics facilities to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of logistics services in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces.
• Sub-component 2.2: Regional integration and cross-border transport agreements to improve cross-border transport efficiency.
• Sub-component 3.2: Institutional capacity development for the transport sector to strengthen institutional and operational capacity in the transport sector, including for multi-modal transport and investment management at national and provincial levels.

Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change (DRRCC) is integrated across LACP including green design elements which have been included in the facility design of sub-component 1.3. P4I is looking to leverage this investment of good practice and promote green design practices in the transport sector of Lao PDR.

Background
Lao PDR stands at a critical juncture in its transition toward sustainable practices. Lao PDR’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (absolute and per capita) are low compared to other countries in the region, however transport is one of the key emitting sectors in Lao PDR, with emissions from the sector and from country overall expected to continue to grow under “business as usual” conditions. It is therefore imperative that sustainable and resilient practices are a key focus for Lao PDR’ transport sector to reduce their impact on climate change and the environment, and to support wider sustainable goals in Lao PDR.

The development and implementation of green design in the transport sector can support the reduction in emissions and enhance resilience of infrastructure in the transport sector to climate-related hazards. These solutions also improve air quality, create aesthetic and recreational value, and support biodiversity, contributing to healthier, more enjoyable transportation corridors and communities.

Green design in transportation goes beyond addressing immediate environmental concerns; it embodies principles of long-term sustainability, material recycling, and reduced environmental impact. Cost efficiency becomes a compelling driver as green transportation solutions offer operational cost savings through reduced energy and resource consumption, as well as lower maintenance costs.

Furthermore, the business case for integrating green design into Lao PDR’s transport sector is robust. Green design not only enhances operational efficiency but also yields financial benefits such as increased asset value, rental income, occupancy rates, and overall productivity. Consequently, the proposition for a knowledge product aimed at promoting the uptake and implementation of green design in Lao PDR’s transport sector becomes not only compelling but also potentially impactful in driving sustainable and resilient practices.

In 2018, Lao PDR initiated the National Green Growth Strategy 2030, integrating green growth into sector and local strategies to achieve long-term socio-economic development goals with an environmentally sustainable approach focusing primarily on energy supply and related infrastructure. In addition, one of the focus areas for Lao PDR as the ASEAN chair for 2024 is resilience. At present, green design in Lao PDR is primarily associated with a limited number of building initiatives, such as the passive design of rural schools or private houses with vernacular architecture.

Objectives
The primary objective of this activity is to support Lao PDR in achieving its strategic goals on climate mitigation and resilience. The aim is to develop a knowledge product and strengthen capacity to increase the promotion and implementation of green design practices in transport infrastructure across Lao PDR. The knowledge product and training will build on and supplement the green design work already integrated into the LACP program, such as the cross-border facilities in ‘Sub-component 1.3,’ with a specific focus on roads.

In addition to Sub-component 1.3, it will interlink with other components of LACP, such as Sub-component 3.2, where green design will be highlighted as an area of focus for the multimodal transport strategy. It will also be integrated into the design of the logistics facilities in Sub-Component 2.1. This alignment ensures that the proposed knowledge product addresses critical aspects of LACP’s objectives.
This activity aims to create a strong enabling environment for integration of green building design across Lao PDR transport infrastructure by:

• Raising awareness and building the capacities of the Department of Roads (DoR) personnel, under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), with regards to green design principles and their practical applications while also advocating for the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
• Integrating Gender, Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) elements into the knowledge product to ensure that green design is inclusive, and the benefits are distributed fairly.

The knowledge product should:

• Improve MPWT personnel knowledge on Infrastructure green design and particular implications on roads, that could in turn inform the Road Design Manual.
• Training-of-trainers (Tot) approach will be applied so the trained MPWT technical staff could then train the provincial staff and maintenance unit.
• Provide resources and material to reproduce the training.

Scope of Work
The knowledge product and subsequent training are to be designed in close consultation with the DoR (MPWT), to ensure the green design elements are tailored to the Lao PDR context. The knowledge product will need to take into consideration the following:

• Draft outline of specific topics to be covered in the training should include, but not necessarily limited to five areas: green / blue infrastructure, green roads infrastructure, landscape and catchment, building and operationalisation (see annex 1 for details).
• Encompass a comprehensive section on infrastructure green design, with a specific focus on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, NbS and GEDSI.
• A section dedicated to the country’s transport connectivity and infrastructure governance practices will be included.
• Potential to be scalable across the Lao PDR and regionally. This could include other national-level institutions and line departments involved in various sectors, including urban planning, housing, infrastructure, health, and natural areas, in accordance with the requirements of the Lao PDR.

Modality of delivery
The knowledge product development should take into account the following:

• Each module would be delivered in-person and take 1-2 days to deliver, with (3 hour) morning session and (3 hour) afternoon sessions. Each session should factor in comfort breaks and exercises.
• Each module could be supported by videos, links to further resources such as articles, technical and/or legislative documentation, etc.
• To ensure attendance and participation modules should have an evaluation aspect, such as a test or a quiz at the end.
• Modules design should be accessible, attractive, playful (by diversifying training materials: videos including existing and specifically developed – articles, interviews with relevant stakeholders, case studies etc.) interactive and comprehensive for an audience with varying initial skills.

Where possible and available, the modules should build on examples and case studies from Lao PDR and the region. The modules should include traditional, local, and indigenous knowledge and practices from across the region as appropriate and be mindful of any intellectual and cultural rights. Where possible it will be important to reference good practice from Australia.

The training will be in-person in Vientiane, with theory, case studies and site visits (supported by and in coordination with the MPWT). Trainings will preferably be delivered in Lao PDR. All training material should be developed in English and Lao language.

It is anticipated that the site visits will take place in and around Vientiane capital, Lao PDR, around the same time as the delivery of the training modules and will not include travel outside of the country. The LACP program will pay for all travel expenses incurred in the performance of the consultancy, including allowances for transportation and meals, based on rates established by the program. The LACP will also coordinate arrangements with stakeholders and room bookings.

Target Audience
It is expected about 10 technical staff from the Department of Roads and 10 technical staff from the Public Works and Transport Institute (PTI), so 20 in total in charge of planning, design and construction from the MPWT.

Timeframe
Training should happen in May/June 2024, spread over 4 to 6 weeks, with a maximum of 2 days per week, for an estimated total of 12 days, including site visits in Vientiane, according to the availability of the MPWT personnel.

Work arrangements

• The Consultant Team will report to the P4I DRRCC Lead based in Lao PDR.
• The implementation of all activities in a coherent manner is the responsibility of the Consultant Team, under the supervision and coordination of P4I.
• Regular meetings should be planned with the P4I team.
• The work is expected to be conducted from the Consultant Team’s home office, with delivery of the training taking place in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
• The Consultant Team will be responsible for scheduling meetings with P4I, taking minutes, and distributing these for comment prior to finalising.

Terms of engagement
Suppliers will operate in accordance with Australia’s Commonwealth Procurement Rules. Please note, all Intellectual Property created under the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) contracts or subcontracts is vested with the Australian Government (or its nominee) immediately upon its creation.