Call for proposals: Bribe Payers Index 2011

Background and Key Objectives

As part of its efforts to measure corruption, Transparency International (TI) will produce the 2011 Bribe Payers Index (BPI). The basis for the fifth edition of the Index is a survey of top businesspeople interviewed in a broad sample of countries around the world. The survey will collect private sector views of corruption and bribery, based on both perception and experience, to assess the supply side of corruption. Using this data we will produce a ranking of approximately 25 countries and up to 19 sectors, in terms of the propensity of firms from these sectors and countries to bribe abroad. The following is an indicative outline for the survey work for the 2011 edition, to which we invite proposals for its execution.

For reference, the 2008 BPI can be found at

http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/bpi/bpi_2008

Scope of Work and Timing

General Assignment

Tasks to be undertaken by consultant:

• To design the sample.
• To test the survey questionnaire (provided by TI).
• To carry out fieldwork for the survey.
• To deliver, on time, individual data in electronic format.
• To provide the final questionnaire (incl. translations) and codebook

Research methodology: The methodology to be used is that of a direct survey with closed ended questions. The survey instrument will be comprised of about 20 questions. As stated above, it will be designed by TI with input from the consultant. The core questions and structure are attached as Annex 1.

Country coverage: This survey should capture private sector views from as many countries as possible, with at least 25 countries sampled. These countries should have good regional representation and where possible closely match our list of preferred countries below.

Argentina	Germany	Mexico	Singapore
Austria	Ghana	Morocco	South Africa
Brazil	Hong Kong	Nigeria	South Korea
Chile	Hungary	Pakistan	Turkey
China	India	Philippines	United Kingdom
Czech Republic	Indonesia	Poland	United States
Egypt	Japan	Russia
France	Malaysia	Senegal

Population: Senior business executives from private enterprises.

Sample design: Sample should be weighted, stratified and probabilistic. Stratification should be carried out by size of firms, sector and geographical location. However, due to the nature of the phenomenon to be analysed, we expect to request the polling companies to oversample large and foreign-owned firms.

Sample Size: The survey company should establish a reasonable balance between the size of the sample and the accuracy of the results. The minimum sample is 80 complete interviews per country. It is important to keep in mind that surveys in which over 20% of the questions have not been answered will not be considered as valid and should be repeated.

Survey Administration: The surveys should be administered over the phone or face-to-face. Other administration methods (e.g. online panels, email) can be suggested, but require an explicit rationale and evidence of their previous successful implementation for senior business executives in the respective country.

Timing

The project is expected to take approximately 12 weeks. Final dataset, tables and all relevant materials must be received by Transparency International by July 15th , 2011.

Budget

The total budget available for the survey work is in the range of €300,000. The scale and scope of your proposal for this project should fit within this budget.

Deliverables

1. Fieldwork report
2. Final database in STATA format
3. Separate country by country data files in electronic format
4. All relevant documentation including codebook and questionnaires in electronic format

Contract Terms

Budget: The consultant is expected to complete the work laid down in these TORs in accordance with the budget submitted to TI at the beginning of the consultancy.

Duration: The contract duration will be 12 weeks

Payment: Payment for this work will proceed as follows:

• The first half will be paid on receipt of a signed TOR from the consultant.
• The outstanding balance will be paid on receipt of the final dataset and documentation in July 2011.

Property: All documents including survey instruments produced by the Consultant in providing the Services shall be and remain the property of TI and shall be handed over to TI from time to time on demand and in any event on the Termination Date. The final outputs of the consultancy are understood to be the solely property right of TI and the services provision agreement will not constitute any entitlement to its use or dissemination beyond the terms of the contract.

The contract will include the other standard clauses regarding confidentiality, termination, etc.

Application Process for Submission

TI is accepting proposals from consulting firms, individuals and organisations. All proposals must be received on or before 31st March 2011 (18:00 Berlin time). Proposals should be sent electronically to dhardoon@transparency.org. The e-mail submission should indicate in the subject area “PROPOSAL FOR BRIBE PAYERS SURVEY 2011”.

Applications must contain the following:

1) A work plan and timeline for completion of the project, a contingency plan to address potential time delays.

2) List of countries to be surveyed, including sample size and survey administration method in each country

3) Details on how the sample will be drawn

4) A description of the work team that would be dedicated to the project.

5) Indication of experience doing similar tasks.

6) Particular characteristics of outputs and deliverables and outputs in addition to those minimum outputs stated above in this terms of reference.

7) Detailed budget to carry out the project, broken down by surveyed country.

TI hopes that proposals will come from entities with an enthusiasm to contribute to TI’s goals. Thus, TI invites applicants to consider their proposal not only as a contract opportunity, but also as a contribution to the development of tools necessary to positively influence the practices and results of transparency-enhancing activities around the world.

Questions about the application process or terms of reference may be directed to this same address above: dhardoon@transparency.org, up to one week before the submission date. These questions, as well as the answers provided will be anonymous and posted on the same web site where these TORs will be located for common consultation.

Applicant’s requirements

• Strong experience in conducting opinion surveys targeting the private sector.
• Global coverage
• Experience with survey research and quantitative analysis methods.
• Capacity to deliver the outputs on time.

Process for Selection of the Consultant

The selection will be made by the Research and Knowledge Group of the TI-Secretariat. The decision will be based on the specifications stated here and specifically, the following weighting will apply:

Country coverage (total number and global spread of countries) 30%

Sample size (total respondents and per country) 20%

Experience of consultant in undertaking similar survey projects 20%

Cost effectiveness 20%

Plan for development of survey and timeline 10%

The selection will be announced by April 18th 2011. The selected consultant should be prepared to start work immediately and thereafter upon signing of contract.