Procurement Notice

Request for Proposal (RFP)
Conducting Research on APO Productivity Outlook

Analyze the impact of energy efficiency on productivity and the environment; examine sector-based, evidence-based assessment of energy efficiency indicators; and propose policy strategies using a composite set of quantitative indicators with the publication of APO Productivity Outlook 2026.

For more details, PN and Implementation Procedures.

The APO conducts annual research to generate knowledge on productivity dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region. The Productivity Outlook series examines sectoral dynamics and emerging challenges affecting long-term productivity growth and provides comparative perspectives to inform strategic policymaking. The recent tremendous economic growth of many APO members has also led to significant energy consumption, resulting in challenges including reconciling economic growth with environmental impact.

The APO Productivity Outlook 2026 will focus on energy efficiency, energy security, cost pressures, and climate concerns. Improving the efficiency of energy use in key sectors can lead to significant productivity gains while supporting green transformation goals. Assessing current levels of energy efficiency and relationships to productivity is essential to identify opportunities for improvement and support sustainable economic growth.

The APO will select a research institution with extensive, specialized expertise in energy efficiency, sectoral productivity, sustainable policy, and productivity enhancement.

Energy efficiency, productivity, and environmental impact; Sectoral productivity impact on energy use; Cross-sectoral trends in energy use and efficiency; Strategic policy approaches for energy-efficient growth; Development of energy efficiency indicators/index; and Frameworks for measuring and benchmarking energy efficiency.

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.

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), 2 June 2025 to kpark@apo-tokyo.org and asato@apo-tokyo.org.

2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Conducting Research on APO Productivity Outlook by <Institution name>.

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.

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.

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.

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 2 June 2025:

Multicountry Program Division 2
Asian Productivity Organization (APO Secretariat)
1-24-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Email: kpark@apo-tokyo.org and asato@apo-tokyo.org