Procurement Notice

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Development of Green Productivity Guidebooks

Provide readers with an understanding of the Green Productivity (GP) methodology and GP 2.0 Ecosystem; offer guidance and practical insights into theories and techniques for sustainable productivity improvement; equip professionals with knowledge to promote green business practices; and demonstrate the synergy among economic prosperity, social well-being, and environmental protection.

For more details, PN and Implementation Procedures.

In 2006, the Handbook on Green Productivity was developed based on the “success in six” model (Johannson, 2006). It primarily targeted SMEs in the manufacturing sector and was designed as a learning tool to strengthen the triple bottom lines of productivity, social well-being, and environmental performance.

The new GP Guidebooks will cover tools and techniques that have emerged since 2006. They will also explain the value proposition of GP 2.0 for a modern audience and market, helping them understand how organizations can leverage GP to achieve sustainability without sacrificing growth. The guidebooks will clarify the hierarchy of GP tools, techniques, and methodologies. They will also solidify GP 2.0’s foundational position in relation to elements such as the SDGs and circular economy.

The APO will select a research institution or professional with extensive, specialized expertise in sustainability, environmental standards, and SME support as demonstrated through publications and international research.

Sustainable development and GP; Concept of GP 2.0; GP tools, techniques, and methodologies; GP 2.0’s critical foundation for other initiatives such as the SDGs and circular economy; and Sector-specific applications and strategies with case studies.

1. Cover letter of interest (Annex 1).
2. Basic organizational details if applicable (Annex 2).
3. Profile of institution/professional (maximum 1 A4-sized page).
4. Experience in conducting research or developing publications in similar areas (Annex 3).
5. Financial proposal to indicate the cost of services:
   1. Total costs and breakdowns for developing the Green Productivity (GP) Guidebooks should be given only in US dollar amounts.
   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.
   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), 1 September 2025 to rminamoto@apo-tokyo.org and kaoki@apo-tokyo.org.
2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Development of Green Productivity Guidebooks by <Institution/professional name>.

1. The selected institution/professional will be awarded a contract with the APO for developing the GP Guidebooks, based on the following selection criteria:
   • Methodology
   • Prior experience in conducting similar project
   • Quality of prior publications
   • Quotation (financial proposal)
2. Only the selected institution/professional 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/professional.
2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected institution/professional 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/professional.

1. The APO will not bear any costs related to the GP Guidebooks, planning, design, or any other such activity related to the preparation of proposals in response to this RFP by institutions/professionals 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/professional 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 1 September 2025:

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