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Procurement Notice
The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) invites proposals for upcoming projects. Detailed RFP documents for each project, including requirements, and submission guidelines are available below.
| Request for Proposal (RFP) | |
| Objectives | Request for Proposal (RFP) Conducting Research on Need Analysis of APO Members Assess the AI-related needs and challenges of APO members by examining AI readiness, technology infrastructure, and institutional support; analyze gaps between current and desired AI capabilities and identify tools, techniques, and capacity-building needs for AI-driven productivity; and provide strategic recommendations for developing AI-related programs by the APO for member economies. For more details, PN and Implementation Procedures. |
| Background | Rapid advances in AI are reshaping industries and transforming productivity dynamics worldwide. Many APO members have recognized the potential of AI and introduced national strategies and initiatives to support its adoption. However, the level of AI integration varies widely across the region due to differences in technological infrastructure, workforce skills, and institutional frameworks. While some economies are making significant investments in AI-driven innovation, others face challenges in digital transformation, policy implementation, and skill development. These differences underscore the need for a systematic assessment to understand the specific AI-related needs of APO members and to inform approaches that strengthen AI capabilities and align with national and regional priorities. |
| Purpose | The APO will select a research institution with specialized knowledge in AI adoption, digital transformation, and productivity enhancement and national experts with strong backgrounds in AI policy, workforce development, and digital infrastructure as well as knowledge of APO programs and activities for member economies. |
| Scope of Work | AI adoption and readiness of APO members; Key barriers to AI adoption, including gaps in infrastructure, workforce skills, and institutional support; Disparities between current and desired AI capabilities for productivity improvement; Specific AI needs and opportunities for capacity building to enhance productivity; and Strategic approaches to leverage AI for productivity. |
| Proposals should include the following information | 1. Cover letter of interest (Annex 1).
2. Basic organizational details (Annex 2). 3. Profile of institution (maximum 1 A4-sized page). 4. Experience in conducting research in similar areas (Annex 3). 5. Financial proposal to indicate the cost of services: 5.1 Total costs and breakdowns for conducting the research should be given only in US dollar amounts. 5.2 All national taxes and levies applicable should be stated and included in the total costs. The APO will consider the inclusive costs as the final quoted prices when evaluating proposals. 5.3 All rates and costs quoted in financial proposals should be written in both numeric and alphabetic forms, e.g., USD2,500 (two thousand five hundred US dollars). Download: Annexes. |
| Submission of Proposals | 1. Proposals with all required information specified should only be sent via email in password-protected PDF file attachments signed by authorized representatives no later than 16:00 (Japan Standard Time), 16 May 2025 to kpark@apo-tokyo.org and kaoki@apo-tokyo.org.
2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Conducting Research on Need Analysis of APO Members by <Institution name>. |
| Institution Selection Criteria and Notification of Results | 1. The selected institution will be awarded a research contract with the APO for conducting the research, based on the following selection criteria:
1.1. Methodology of research 1.2. Prior experience in conducting similar research 1.3. Quality of prior publications 1.4. Research quotation 2. Only the selected institution will be notified via email within 1 month of the submission deadline of the acceptance of its proposal. |
| Right to Accept or Reject Proposals | 1. The APO reserves the right to annul the RFP or the vendor selection process, or to accept or reject any or all proposals in whole or part at any time, without stating any reason and without incurring any liability to the affected institution.
2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected institution of the grounds for such decisions. 3. The APO also reserves the right to change the scope of work in case of need or depending upon changes in requirements before or during the implementation phase. However, if changes are made during the implementation phase, the APO will negotiate the costs for the additional work separately with the institution. |
| Terms and Conditions | 1. The APO will not bear any costs related to research, planning, design, or any other such activity related to the preparation of proposals in response to this RFP by institutions for sending proposals to the APO.
2. The APO may, at its own discretion, extend the submission deadline by notifying all bidders of the extension in writing. Any proposal received after the deadline will be rejected. |
| Contact Information | A prospective institution requiring any clarification of this document, or the process itself, shall submit its queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 16 May 2025:
Multicountry Program Division 2 |