Consultant to Conduct Consumer Survey to Identify the Usage and Attitude of Wildlife Consumers of Tortoises and Fresh-water Turtles

Today, tortoise and fresh-water turtle populations are under intense pressure from humans in a wide number of stage countries including Vietnam. 22 out of 25 species of tortoises and fresh-water turtles native to Vietnam are categorized by IUCN as Endangered and Critically Endangered and regulated in different Vietnam laws.

Habitat loss and local hunting for wildlife trade and demand for traditional medicine, food, and pet are amongst factors threatening the survival and population of the species[1]. Regardless of laws and regulations aimed at protecting turtles and tortoises, illegal trade in those species and their products including meat and shells continues to flourish. According to ENV, from January 1, 2016, to November 30, 2021, 8,374 turtles were advertised and sold online and 4,315 at fixed locations. Loosened restrictions on the sale of these endangered species are employed, and the market continues to grow.

In the same period, 3,024 turtles were seized by Vietnamese authorities. Many might end up in markets destined for import to Hong Kong, Japan and, China (via the Northern borders) for traditional medicines[2]. Additional information on trade volumes and the number of seizures of the species in Vietnam can be provided at the stage of tender selection if needed.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Saving Threatened Wildlife Project is USAID/Vietnam's flagship implementation vehicle for combating wildlife trafficking. It will be implemented by WWF in partnership with the Management Board for Forestry Projects of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.  The objectives of the Saving Threatened Wildlife project are to:

1. Engage and develop political and local Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) champions
2. Enhance CWT law enforcement
3. Reduce consumer demand for illegal wildlife products

The primary biodiversity targets of the Saving Threatened Wildlife project include African and Asian rhinos, African and Asian elephants, Asian pangolins, big cats, and tortoise and fresh-water turtles. However, the project activities will benefit various species through general improvements in governance and law enforcement and social behavior change (SBC) initiatives. The Saving Threatened Wildlife project focuses geographically on major urban centers (including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Dak Lak) where target species are consumed, as well as areas where target species are normally trafficked, including airports, seaports, and specific land borders.

To achieve project outcomes, a holistic SBC strategy to reduce demand for and consumption of key species by identified targeted audience groups will be nationally rolled out. TRAFFIC in Vietnam is the technical lead on the SBC component of the Saving Threatened Wildlife project. Within that context, TRAFFIC is currently seeking a research agency to conduct a Consumer Survey to gain an understanding of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of wildlife consumers of tortoises and fresh-water turtles. The survey results will feed directly into SBC programming and subsequent activities.

The survey is expected to also explore the impacts of zoonotic diseases (notably COVID-19) on the trade and consumption of the species. Evaluation of relevant past communication efforts will also be included to identify gaps and opportunities and provide insights to facilitate the development of unique, innovative, and impactful interventions.

A budget of no more than USD $17,000 inclusive of 10% Vietnamese Government Value Added Tax/Personal Income Tax, is available for the research. Ideally, the research should be implemented within three months following the timelines below.

Interested agencies should propose a research plan (including sample strategy, data collection methods, data management, and analysis and survey agenda) that will effectively meet the research objectives (see Research Objectives) within the budget. The agency is expected to present a summary of the organization's suitability and experience and an itemized breakdown of anticipated costs. Please note that the budget assessment will include consideration of "value for money."

The research proposal, itemized budget, and agency capability statement should be submitted in English to Ms. Loan via [email protected] and [email protected] by COB 17:00 Friday 4 March 2022. The deadline for the project completion (including full research report and other deliverables) is 27 June 2022.  

2.     OBJECTIVES

The objective of the Consumer Survey is to provide baseline data for the Saving Threatened Wildlife project, in relation to the awareness, attitudes, values, motivations, and behaviors of the buyers, users, and intending consumers of tortoises and fresh-water turtles and related products in Viet Nam.

The research should provide insights into the following:

• Identify the profile of the consumer group: demographics (gender, age, living location), financial status, education, family background, etc.
• Identify purchase/use history (frequency, type of products) and future intention.
• Identify motivation to purchase/use (for traditional medicine, pet, food, spiritual belief, etc.).
• Identify purchase channels and sources of information.
• Identify motivations, concerns, and deterrents including links to zoonotic diseases, product availability, origin (native or non-native; wild or farmed), alternatives, and legality of consumption.
• Explore impacts of COVID-19 on trade and consumption trends as well as the impact of information on “zoonotic disease” on the consumers.
• Identify priority communications message (which kinds of themes can de-incentive the use: loss of face, animal cruelty, legality, etc.?), messenger, influencers, and dissemination channels.

3.     RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The agency should consider conducting a preliminary desk review on the consumption of the species from open and reliable sources. It helps narrow down segments of targeted audiences and survey locations. Urban, big cities/provinces where target species are believed to be consumed the most and areas where target species are normally trafficked, including airports, seaports, and specific land borders are highly recommended. Thus, the research agency is welcome to propose the survey locations and sample size ensuring that they meet the research objectives, under the project's scope of implementation, and within the given budget.

Both qualitative and quantitative research is needed in the proposal. The sample surveyed should be reasonably representative of the general public of Vietnam. A critical factor to consider in identifying the methodologies used is that respondents may be aware that what they are doing is immoral or illegal. The survey company will be expected to make a recommendation on the best method.

The chosen research agency will work closely with TRAFFIC and MEL Specialist of the Saving Threatened Wildlife project on research design, questionnaire interview/focus group guide development, data analysis, and report, and sign-off will be required at all stages of the research design and implementation. The selected agency should be responsive to any request for data validation during the assignment.

4.     OUTPUT

Outputs will be in the form of regular progress reports and a final narrativePowerPoint report (Template will be provided for the selected agency). Please note that sanitized/anonymized versions of the raw data will also be required. Regular progress reports will be needed at each stage of the schedule of agreed activities to assess progress and quickly address any problems arising. The final report, including analysis of results, will be reviewed, and approved by TRAFFIC and WWF. A verbal presentation will be provided upon TRAFFIC’s request. All data tables, background data files, and other related materials are the property of USAID, and data management should ensure the confidentiality of respondents. All reports will be prepared in both English and Vietnamese.

5.     TENTATIVE TIMELINE

6.              SELECTION CRITERIA AND SCORING

Proposals will be evaluated according to the Proposal Evaluation Criteria by the Review and Selection Committee. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Proposals with accompanying documentation will not be returned to unsuccessful candidates.

The short-listed companies will be requested to prepare a 30-minute oral presentation (using PowerPoint) of their proposal (technical and cost proposals) and Q&A session for further clarifications. This presentation will not be submitted with the proposal mentioned above. However, this presentation must be ready for the final selection process that will happen within three days after the announcement of shortlisted agencies.

TRAFFIC will make every reasonable attempt to schedule each presentation at a time that is agreeable to the agency. Failure of an agency to conduct a presentation on the date scheduled may result in the rejection of the agency's proposal.

The scoring for both proposals (primary score) and presentation (interview score) will be tabulated. The Final Score of the evaluation will be the accumulated scores of Primary and Interview Score. The Final Score will be taken for the ultimate selection of tender to the proposal.

Apart from the required dossiers, the chosen agency will be required to sign the following Certifications. Failure to do so may result in rejection of the agency's proposal

1. Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters - APR 2010. (FAR Reference 52.209-5),
2. Prohibition on Assistance to Drug Traffickers. (22 CFR Part 140),
3. Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing. (Implementation of Executive Order 13224),
4. Anti-Kickback Procedures – OCT 2010. (FAR Reference 52.203-7), and,
5. Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions - SEP 2007 (FAR Reference 52.203-1

7.      HOW TO APPLY:

The research proposal, itemized budget, and agency capability statement in English should be submitted to Ms. Loan via [email protected] and [email protected] by COB 17:00 dated Friday 4 March 2022. The deadline for the project completion (including full research report and other deliverables) is by 27 June 2022.