Procurement Notice

Request for Proposal (RFP)
Revision of the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint

Assisting the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) in revising the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint (MPB), which will serve as a strategic blueprint to steer the nation’s efforts toward enhancing productivity. This initiative aims not only to assess and review the MPB but also to formulate a holistic nationwide strategy for fostering productivity growth. The primary objectives encompass the evaluation of the implementation of the Productivity Nexus project since its inception in 2017; examination of productivity issues, challenges, opportunities, and project effectiveness; and proposal on the revisions of the productivity roadmap for the Productivity Nexus, addressing challenges and opportunities at both sectoral and enterprise levels.

For more details, PIP and Implementation Procedures.

The MPB represents a strategic initiative designed to augment the productivity and competitiveness of Malaysia’s economy. Launched in 2017, this blueprint encompasses diverse sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and services. Emphasizing the pivotal role of the private sector in enhancing productivity, it introduces 11 Productivity Nexus points led by prominent figures in priority economic sectors. A total of 114 projects have been approved for implementation across these sectors since MPB inception, with the goal of elevating productivity at both sectoral and enterprise levels.

Malaysia’s trajectory of productivity growth trails behind that of several East Asian nations, notably when measured against the impressive strides made by the ROK. Despite their shared historical performance, the ROK has surpassed Malaysia, leading to a substantial productivity gap amounting to USD29,188 per worker as of 2021. The need to identify and implement effective strategies for productivity enhancement is therefore paramount.

Current initiatives are focused on discerning optimal approaches to address and mitigate this productivity gap. This involves a conscientious examination of the challenges faced, coupled with a proactive stance in seizing opportunities for implementing efficiency improvements. The objective is not only to close the existing productivity disparity but also to foster sustained growth and competitiveness within Malaysia’s economic landscape.

The APO will select a team of individuals or a research institution with extensive knowledge and experience in conducting national productivity performance diagnosis across economic sectors; proven know-how and contributions in developing national productivity policy roadmaps, blueprints, and strategies; and demonstrated skills and past involvement in policy formulation/reform including strengthening institutional capacities for implementing productivity-related policies and conducting firm-level productivity analyses/surveys.

Preparing and proposing project methodology, approach, scope, etc. through close consultation with the APO Secretariat and MPC; implementing all stages of the project to achieve the intended output(s) as per the agreed arrangement; collecting data, conducting analysis/diagnosis, confirming data/information with stakeholders including conducting interviews; finalizing the report; organizing dissemination activities; attending and contributing to meetings with high-level officials, etc. as per the agreed methodology and project timeline; and submitting the report to the APO Secretariat by the deadline.

1. Cover letter of interest (Annex 1)

2. Basic individual or institutional resource person details (Annex 2)

3. Profile of individual or institutional resource persons (maximum 1 A4-sized page)

4. Experience in conducting similar projects (Annex 3)

5. Financial proposal to indicate the cost of services

6. Total costs and breakdowns for conducting the advisory project should be given only in US dollar amounts.

7. 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.

8. All rates and costs quoted in financial proposals should be written in both numeric and alphabetic forms, e.g., USD3,500.00 (three 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 17:00 (Japan Standard Time), 16 February 2024 to abuana@apo-tokyo.org and asato@apo-tokyo.org.

2. The subject line of the email message should be: Proposal for Revision of the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint 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 individual/institution(s).

2. The APO is not obligated to respond to any objections or to inform the affected individual/institution(s) 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 selected individual/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 individual or institutional resource persons 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 individual/institution requiring any clarification of this document, or the process itself, shall submit queries in writing only to the following email address by the deadline of 16 February 2024:

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