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Consultancy Services for Strengthening Yacht Tourism Data

About the Market Development Facility 

The Market Development Facility (MDF) is an Australian Government funded multi-country initiative which currently operates in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka and has expanded into Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. MDF is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). It is implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact. In Fiji, MDF focuses on developing a diversified, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry, as well as improving the competitiveness of Fiji’s high-value agriculture sector and urban industries.  

Background 

MDF, in partnership with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS), is supporting the sustainable growth of Fiji’s yacht tourism sector. Robust, timely, and reliable data is critical for evidence-based planning, policy development, and investment decisions in the nautical tourism segment. Current yacht tourism data systems face challenges related to data consistency, coverage, analytical use, and reporting. To address these gaps, MDF and FBoS will commission technical expertise to strengthen Fiji’s yacht tourism data system and build enduring institutional capacity within FBoS to sustainably collect, analyse, and disseminate yacht tourism statistics.  

The commissioned technical expertise will build on the 2018 Economic Impact of International Yachting in Fiji study, which established a baseline of the sector’s economic contribution. The study will be used as a key reference to examine identified challenges and data gaps, assess whether existing tools, methodologies, and frameworks remain fit for purpose, and inform how future yacht tourism statistics can be systematically produced through the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBoS). 

Objectives of the assignment 

The objective of this assignment is to support improved national reporting and understanding of maritime tourism in Fiji by updating existing evidence on yacht and superyacht activity, and to strengthen methodologies, analytical approaches for ongoing maritime tourism statistics within FBoS. Specifically, the assignment aims to: 

• • • Identify priority data gaps and methodological improvements required to produce official, annual yacht tourism statistics aligned with international statistical standards;
  • • Build FBoS’s technical capability to analyse, interpret, and regularly report yacht tourism statistics as part of national tourism reporting frameworks; and, 
  • • Assess national level data needs and demand to determine how yachting related data can be improved, integrated, and strengthened within the National Tourism reporting frameworks, including the International Visitor Survey (IVS) for use in policy development support, investment and growth 
  • • Enhance data governance, coordination, and data-sharing mechanisms across relevant agencies. 

Scope of services  

The successful service provider will deliver the following services:  

 1. Diagnostic Assessment of Existing Yacht Tourism Data

• • • Review the 2018 Economic Impact of International Yachting in Fiji study as a baseline document, including its methodology, data sources, assumptions and key findings. 
  • • Review existing yacht tourism data sources, including administrative datasets from Fiji Immigration, Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs (FIRCS) and other relevant agencies; 
  • • Engage key marina operators and yacht service providers to test and operationalize data collection approaches, including interview, data capture methods and reporting formats, with the aim of establishing a practical and sustainable mechanism for FBoS to access industry data on an ongoing basis; 
  • • Map current data type, flows, classifications, coverage, frequency, and limitations; 
  • • Identify key data gaps (e.g. departures, length of stay, vessel segmentation, expenditure, charter activity) that key stakeholders require to make informed decisions; and, 
  • • Assess institutional arrangements for data sharing, consolidation, and reporting. 

   2. Methodological and System Strengthening 

• • • Work with FBoS to review, test and where necessary update the economic multipliers and assumptions used to estimate the economic contribution of yacht tourism in the 2018 yacht impact study, ensuring alignment with current data sources and national statistical frameworks; 
  • • Recommend improved methodologies for consolidating yacht tourism data within the national statistical system; 
  • • Propose practical approaches to estimating indicators such as length of stay, expenditure patterns, vessel types, and regional visitation; 
  • • Assess feasibility and pathways for integrating yacht tourism data into existing frameworks (e.g. IVS, TSA or national tourism accounts, where appropriate); and, 
  • • Develop statistical tools, templates, classifications, and metadata aligned with FBoS systems and dissemination formats. 

3. Enhancing technical capacity within FBoS 

• • • Provide hands‑on mentoring and knowledge transfer to designated FBoS technical staff throughout the assignment, in a manner and at intervals agreed with FBoS; 
  • • Strengthen FBoS capacity in data quality assurance, analysis, and interpretation of yacht tourism data; 
  • • Support FBoS staff to participate in and lead engagements with marina operators and private sector stakeholders to strengthen relationships and build confidence in ongoing data sharing. 
  • • Support FBoS to document methodologies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enable continuity beyond the assignment; and, 
  • • Participate in, and provide technical input to, inter‑agency consultations. 

The consultant is expected to work collaboratively with FBoS staff throughout the assignment to ensure analytical approaches and methodologies are understood and can be replicated by the Bureau in future reporting cycles. 

Experience and qualifications 

Interested consultants must meet the following mandatory requirements to be able to participate in this procurement process: 

• • • Proven experience in conducting tourism statistics particularly in yachting and/or maritime segment with a good understanding of economic analysis at national levels
  • • Strong expertise in data consolidation, statistical methodology and reporting 
  • • Experience working with FBOS and strengthening official data systems; and demonstrated ability in capacity building, knowledge transfer, and institutional strengthening;   
  • • Working experience in Pacific Island economies.  
  • • Good project management skills and ability to work with multiple stakeholders 
  • • Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English, including the ability to produce concise, digestible analytical report. 

 Quote / Proposal format 

Interested service providers must complete the Response Forms (a) and (b) provided with this RFQ to submit an offer. Submissions that do not use the Response Form will not be considered for assessment due to non-compliance with RFQ format. 

Evaluation criteria 

   1. Technical criteria 

MDF will evaluate each submission for adherence to this RFQ, ability to fulfill the specified requirements, and overall cost-effectiveness. The technical response will be assessed based on the following criteria: 

• • • Demonstrated capability to deliver the requirements as described in this RFQ. (35%) 
  • • Approach to delivering the requirements as described in this RFQ. (35%)  
  • • Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel. (30%)

The technical score will account for 80% of the total score. 

  2.Financial criteria 

Following the assessment of the technical response, MDF will undertake a like-for-like price comparison of all technically suitable offers. The Financial Score will account for 20% of the total score. 

Contracting details  

The successful service provider will be contracted by MDF and will work under the guidance of MDF and FBoS at all times, providing regular updates to both parties on progress and any problems that may be encountered. 

If your quote is successful, you will be required to enter into the Company’s standard contract for the types of goods or services being provided. In the provision of the Goods and Services, you will be required to comply with the Company’s policies, including (without limitation) its Business Partner Code of Conduct and any relevant Project Manual. Potential suppliers must also comply with the Company’s Business Partner Code of Conduct in the submission of any quotes pursuant to this RFQ. 

If you are bidding as part of a joint venture, partnership or similar, please make this clear in your submission. Likewise, if you propose to subcontract any part of the goods or services provision, then disclose this fact within your submission. The Company may require additional information from you and approval for subcontracting will not be automatic as subcontractors will be subject to Palladium’s Due Diligence process. 

Registration of Interest 

Register your interest to submit an offer by sending your organization name, contact person and contact details to the contact person by email on or before Friday, 14th August 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time 

Last date for Queries

Send all queries to the Contact Person by email on or before Tuesday, 18th August 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time. 

Indicate the following: RFQ-FJ26-25 Consultancy Services for Strengthening Yacht Tourism Data 

Closing date and time: Friday, 21st August 2026 / 5:00PM Fiji Time 

Contact: tenders-MDF@thepalladiumgroup.com

Details for submission

Email your completed Response Forms to the Contact Person on or before the Closing Date and Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Click on “Apply” button below to download the Service Provider Response Forms Part A and B, and submission instructions.

Note: Once the ZIP Folder has been downloaded, please extract the Response Forms A and B, with the submission instructions before proceeding.

Important Note: If you are viewing this via a mobile device, please open this page via an external internet browser (Safari, Samsung Internet Browser, Google Chrome, Firefox) to download the Response Forms. 

RFQ-FJ26-032_Business Financial Consultant

1. About Market Development Facility
The Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country Australian Government funded initiative, with locations in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. MDF aims to stimulate economic growth – and hence employment and income earning opportunities for the poor and underprivileged – by making selected sectors of the economy more competitive and stimulating business innovation. MDF is implemented by Palladium Group and Swisscontact and started operations in Fiji in July 2011.

2. The Requirements
2.1 Background
Energy Monkey Investment (Fiji) Pte Limited [EMI] is a locally owned solar company that provides sustainable and renewable energy solutions across Fiji and the Pacific region. EMI’s residential and commercial clients are often sourced/acquired through existing networks, tenders and other solar companies looking to outsource installation services. EMI is partnering with a Fijian owned financial institution is looking to develop a solar financial product for household and electric vehicle customers. Part of the initiative involves the inclusion of EMI as the preferred solar product and service installation provider. MDF seeks to support EMI’s financial management capabilities to ensure they are investment ready and able to support the expected increase in demand through the collaboration with the financial service provider. The objective of this assignment is to review EMI’s existing financial systems and reporting structures and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen cashflow and working capital management, formalise costing and provide financial advisory services as mutually agreed with EMI.
2.2 Scope of services
The Consultant will work closely with MDF and EMI to deliver the following:

• i. Workplan Development
  • • Develop a detailed workplan outlining methodology, timelines, milestones and deliverables.
• ii. Review EMI’s Existing Financial Processes by
  • • Review current financial processes, tools, workflows, and reporting.
  • • Assess cashflow management, working capital, and liquidity controls.
  • • Identify gaps, inefficiencies, and compliance issues.
  • • Evaluate reporting formats, cycles, and responsibilities.
• iii. Submit a Review Report with practical / actionable recommendations that includes but is not limited to:
  • • a summary of key findings from the review.
  • • clear, actionable recommendations to improve EMI’s financial systems, reporting, cashflow, and controls.
  • • actionable steps and priorities for implementation.
• iv. Advisory Support / Coaching that includes but is not limited to:
  • • hands-on guidance to implement recommended improvements.
  • • at least 10-hours one-on-one coaching to EMI on financial analysis, budgeting, and cashflow monitoring.
  • • training and upskilling of relevant staff on enterprise resource planning (ERP) processes and reporting.
  • • support risk management and periodic performance improvements.
• v. Final Report
  • • Deliver Final Report providing an overview of the work carried out with recommendations and present the same back to MDF and EMI.

2.3 Required deliverables / outputs
The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

• • Detailed workplan
• • Draft review report with actionable recommendations
• • Final report & financial reporting templates
• • Advisory / coaching support

3. Mandatory Requirements
Interested applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements to be able to participate in this procurement process:

• • Proven experience working with MSMEs, including financial coaching, business advisory services, and capacity-building support.
• • Strong understanding of the local business environment, regulatory context, and compliance obligations relevant to MSMEs.
• • Demonstrated proficiency with accounting systems and software, including experience in setting up and configuring ERP or integrated financial management systems.
• • Excellent analytical and report writing capabilities, with a track record of preparing practical, actionable, and implementable recommendations.

Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be considered non-compliant and disqualified from the procurement process.

4. Evaluation of submissions
MDF will assess submissions in line with the technical and financial evaluation process described below. In assessing submissions, MDF, at its sole discretion, may consider information from other relevant sources.
4.1 Technical evaluation
MDF will first score compliant submissions against the following technical criteria:

• A. Relevant past experience demonstrating capability to deliver services relevant to MDF’s requirements (35% of the Technical Score)
• B. Approach to delivering MDF’s requirements (35% of the Technical Score).
• C. Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel (30% of the Technical Score)

The technical score will account for 80% of the Total Score.
4.2 Financial evaluation
Following the assessment of the technical response, MDF will undertake a like-for-like price comparison of all technically suitable offers. The Financial Score will account for 20% of the Total Score. The lowest-priced financial offer will be awarded the full weighted score. The weighted score of other financial offers will be calculated as a fraction of the higher scoring offer.

5. Contracting details
If your offer is successful, you will be required to enter into the Company’s standard contract for the types of goods or services being provided (see Annex A). In the provision of the Goods and Services, you will be required to comply with the Company’s policies, including (without limitation) its Business Partner Code of Conduct and any relevant Project Manual. Potential suppliers must also comply with the Company’s Business Partner Code of Conduct in the submission of any quotes pursuant to this RFQ.
If you are bidding as part of a joint venture, partnership or similar, please make this clear in your submission. Likewise, if you propose to subcontract any part of the goods or services provision, then disclose this fact within your submission. The Company may require additional information from you and approval for subcontracting will not be automatic as subcontractors will be subject to Palladium’s Due Diligence process.

Registration of Interest
Register your interest to submit an offer by sending your name, organisation and contact details to the Contact Person by email on or before Friday, 1st May 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time.

Last date for Queries
Send queries to the Contact Person by email on or before Tuesday, 12th May 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Closing Date and Time – Friday, 22nd May 2026, 5pm Fiji Time 

Contact Person – Peni Rokotakala, peni.rokotakala-MDF@thepalladiumgroup.com

Details for Submission
Email your completed Response Form to the Contact Person on or before the Closing Date and Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Click on “Apply” button below to download the Service Provider Response Forms Part A and B, and submission instructions.

Note: Once the ZIP Folder has been downloaded, please extract the Response Forms A and B, with the submission instructions before proceeding.

Important Note: If you are viewing this via a mobile device, please open this page via an external internet browser (Safari, Samsung Internet Browser, Google Chrome, Firefox) to download the Response Forms. 

Addendum 1
Please find responses to tender queries here: Addendum 1 

Addendum 2
Please find responses to tender queries here: Addendum 2

RFQ-FJ26-030_ Technical Consultant – Childcare Facility & Operational Guidelines Assessment

1. About Market Development Facility
The Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country Australian Government funded initiative, with locations in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. MDF aims to stimulate economic growth – and hence employment and income earning opportunities for the poor and underprivileged – by making selected sectors of the economy more competitive and stimulating business innovation. MDF is implemented by Palladium Group and Swisscontact and started operations in Fiji in July 2011.

2. The Requirements

2.1 Background
Fiji’s Outsourcing Services (OS) sector employs over 8,000 people, two-thirds of whom are women. While the sector provides strong employment opportunities for Fiji, staff retention, attendance and productivity has become a growing challenge due to inadequate childcare services. A 2019 International Finance Corporation (IFC) report estimated that employers in Fiji lose up to 12.7 workdays per employee annually due to childcare responsibilities.
MDF has partnered with Packleader Pacific Ltd (PPL) to help pilot an in-house after school facility on their premises in Laucala Beach Estate, Nasinu to address the growing challenges faced by their staff for afterschool childcare support.
PPL, part of the Packleader Group has been operating in Fiji since 2013 offering customer service, relationship management, web hosting, debt collection, and financial reporting to clients in energy, health insurance, telecommunications, property maintenance, and business processing. Their work across key industries such as energy, health, insurance, banking, telecommunications, and chartered accounting reflects a strong alignment with the needs of working families.
MDF and PPL are seeking to engage a suitable Technical Consultant (‘Consultant’) on a short-term basis to assess the facility and operational guidelines for childcare services, and to provide practical recommendations aligned with Australian childcare standards and Fiji’s local compliance requirements.
The objective of this assignment is to assess the Packleader facility and dedicated childcare space of approximately 22 square metres and review the operational guidelines for childcare services on the premises. The assessment will integrate findings from an internal demand survey for childcare services and provide strategic and practical recommendations for implementation.

2.2 Scope of Services
The Consultant will work closely with MDF and Packleader to deliver the following:

• i. Workplan Development
  • • Develop a detailed workplan outlining timelines, research methodology, stakeholders to consult, and deliverables.
• ii. Facility Assessments & Operational Audit
  • • Consult with appropriate stakeholders on statutory and regulatory requirements for development and operation of an on-site after school care facility.
  • • Review existing operational guidelines (policies, SOPs, staffing, safety, hygiene etc.) against Australian childcare standards and Fiji’s local compliance requirements
• iii. Demand Survey Integration
  • • Analyse demand survey findings (capacity gaps, parent preferences, affordability constraints, hours of operation, inclusion needs) and link to facility assessment results. 
• iv. Gap analysis
  • • Provide a matrixed gap analysis and recommend short-, medium-, and long-term actions, that include but are not limited to:
    • a. Upgrades to Policy and/or standard operating procedures (SOP) relating to child-safety policies, staff hiring, incident reporting, and security procedures where applicable. This should align with Australian childcare standards and adapted for Fiji context
    • b. Facility modifications (space per child, safety/egress, sanitation)
    • c. Staffing & training (ratios/quals per National Quality Standard intent and Fiji expectations).
    • d. Governance & leadership (quality improvement plans; internal audits; parental engagement).
    • e. Digital safety protocols (image consent, storage/destruction, CCTV governance)
• v. Final report
  • • Deliver Final Report (executive summary, method, findings, gap analysis, recommendations, tools annexes) and present findings to MDF and Packleader

2.3 Required deliverables / outputs
The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

• 1. Approved work plan – methodology, timeline, consultations, and resources
• 2. Assessment report – assessment of facility and operational guidelines
• 3. Final report – gap analysis and recommendations
• 4. Presentation of findings – presentation slide deck of final report

3. Mandatory Requirements
Interested providers must meet the following mandatory requirements to be able to participate in this procurement process:

• • Experience in facility assessments, compliance reviews, or operational audits in social services, education, or community infrastructure.
• • Understanding of Fiji’s early childhood policies, regulatory requirements for childcare facilities, and local operational expectations.
• • Familiarity with Australian childcare standards in core quality areas such as children’s health and safety and operational governance
• • Strong analytical and reporting skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare practical, implementable recommendations 

Submissions that do not meet these requirements will be considered non-compliant and disqualified from the procurement process.

This engagement is intended for locally based consultants. Therefore, costs related to in-country visits will not be covered under this assignment. 

4. Evaluation of submissions 
MDF will assess submissions in line with the technical and financial evaluation process described below. In assessing submissions, MDF, at its sole discretion, may consider information from other relevant sources.

4.1 Technical evaluation 
MDF will first score compliant submissions against the following technical criteria:

• A. Relevant past experience demonstrating capability to deliver requirements as described in this RFQ (35% of the Technical Score).
• B. Approach to delivery of requirements as described in this RFQ (35% of the Technical Score).
• C. Qualifications and experience of proposed personnel (30% of the Technical Score)

The technical score will account for 80% of the Total Score.

4.2 Financial evaluation
Following the assessment of the technical response, MDF will undertake a like-for-like price comparison of all technically suitable offers. The Financial Score will account for 20% of the Total Score. The lowest-priced financial offer will be awarded the full weighted score. The weighted score of other financial offers will be calculated as a fraction of the higher scoring offer.

5. Contracting details
If your offer is successful, you will be required to enter into the Company’s standard contract for the types of goods or services being provided (see Annex A). In the provision of the Goods and Services, you will be required to comply with the Company’s policies, including (without limitation) its Business Partner Code of Conduct and any relevant Project Manual. Potential suppliers must also comply with the Company’s Business Partner Code of Conduct in the submission of any quotes pursuant to this RFQ.
If you are bidding as part of a joint venture, partnership or similar, please make this clear in your submission. Likewise, if you propose to subcontract any part of the goods or services provision, then disclose this fact within your submission. The Company may require additional information from you and approval for subcontracting will not be automatic as subcontractors will be subject to Palladium’s Due Diligence process.

Registration of Interest
Register your interest to submit an offer by sending your name, organisation and contact details to the Contact Person by email on or before Wednesday, 28th April 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time.

Last date for Queries
Send queries to the Contact Person by email on or before Wednesday, 28th April 2026, 5:00pm Fiji Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Closing Date and Time – Wednesday, 6th May 2026, 5.00pm Fiji Time

Contact Person – Anushma Sharma, anushma.sharma-mdf@thepalladiumgroup.com

Details for Submission 
Email your completed Response Forms to the Contact Person on or before the Closing Date and Time. Quote the RFQ Title in the subject line.

Click on “Apply” button below to download the Service Provider Response Forms Part A and B, and submission instructions.

Note: Once the ZIP Folder has been downloaded, please extract the Response Forms A and B, with the submission instructions before proceeding.

Important Note: If you are viewing this via a mobile device, please open this page via an external internet browser (Safari, Samsung Internet Browser, Google Chrome, Firefox) to download the Response Forms.