Tender Advertisement #1307179

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (OPEN TENDER)
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S NATIONAL E-COMMERCE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Background
E-commerce is one of the five priorities of the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy (PAfTS), noting its potential to narrow distances, reduce trade costs, and promote diversification of Pacific economies. In this COVID-19 era, digital trade has become even more important, given its ability to sustain economic activity whilst preserving social distancing. Even as lockdowns ease and border closures are lifted, online buying and selling continue to increase and remain well-above pre-pandemic levels, thus signaling a permanent change in habits. It is therefore essential that Pacific businesses are well-equipped to face this new digital era to avoid the risk of falling behind.

A Pacific E-commerce Initiative was endorsed by Forum Trade Officials in 2018 to leverage the potential of E-commerce for FICs. As part of the initiative, a Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap was endorsed by Members in August 2021. PIFS has been tasked to coordinate the implementation of the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap and to implement some of its recommendations.
Measure 1.1.1 of the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap is to develop national E-commerce strategies in all FICs built on the model of the regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap. The Strategy notes that FICs have benefited from E-commerce assessments in the past years, but for most, a vision for E-commerce development has yet to be developed. The Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap provides a blueprint for FICs to inform their own national E-commerce strategies using a uniform ‘language’ and methodology. Adopting a similar approach will facilitate the harmonization of E-commerce policies across the region.

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions should be entitled:
OPEN TENDER – DEVELOPMENT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA’S NATIONAL E-COMMERCE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Method of Submissions:
Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec
Note: Tenders must be submitted with clear labeling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labeled. The electronically submitted documents should be converted to PDF format.

Deadline for Submissions:
Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 4 pm, Tuesday, 20 September 2022.
Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.

Questions and Answers
All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” at 4 pm, Monday, 19 September 2022. The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.
Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.

Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.
In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.