Business due diligence: an analysis of best practice, implementation steps and associated costs

WWF is looking to provide evidence that will support our advocacy on the details of the due diligence regulation and its implementation, including proposals to policymakers and clear guidelines to companies on the best practices.

This study should build on the recent WWF-UK study, Due Negligence, which analysed the potential environmental impacts and issues with implementation of a legality model of due diligence arising from UK supply chains. In particular, Due Negligence provided initial policy recommendations required to establish an impactful due diligence regulation.

WWF-UK will use this study, alongside the Due Negligence study, to support our advocacy on reducing the UK's overseas footprint, including:

The Environment Bill and due diligence obligation (including the details of the secondary legislation, any future review of the due diligence obligation, and complementary measures);

Direct engagement with companies who will be in scope of a UK due diligence obligation.

Proposals should include:

Relevant background of the supplier/consultant(s) involved including CVs of consultant(s) who will participate in the project.

Organisation's mission and previous experience with similar projects.

A detailed description of the proposed methods.

A detailed timeline and workplan for delivery of interim findings by end November 2021, and final delivery of all outputs by 14th January 2022. The workplan should include details of deliverables and outputs required to meet the objectives stated above. The final format of outputs should also be mentioned (for example maps/infographics).

Cost estimate for the project to include the daily rate, the number of days/breakdown of cost by task/milestone.

Please include total costs before and after VAT. Please also include any applicable charity discounts you may offer.

The proposal should be no longer than 6 pages plus CVs and other information on the organisation's policies.

Proposals will be assessed using a selection of criteria, likely including fit to brief, previous experience, time required for completion, value for money, robustness of proposed methodology. A round of short interviews may be required to further explore the details of the proposal.

Closing date to submit proposals: Monday 11th October 2021 at 12pm

Project kick-off: Week commencing on Monday 1st November 2021 (latest)

Draft report / indicative findings: At a minimum, completed Objective 1 and indicative findings from Objective 2 (a) and (b)) to be received by WWF by end of November/early December 2021.

Delivery of (undesigned) report: Friday 21st January 2022

Final delivery of designed report: Friday 11th February 2022

Budget: GBP 30,000 (including VAT)

Submit proposals to: Mollie Gupta (mgupta@wwf.org.uk) and Josephine Cutfield (jcutfield@wwf.org.uk), with the following colleagues in CC: Sabrina Goncalves Krebsbach (SGoncalvesKrebsbach@wwf.org.uk) and WWF-UK Procurement Team (procurement@wwf.org.uk).