About RT4D

The Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) initiative is funded by both the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. It assists ASEAN Member States (AMS) in meeting their commitments and realising the advantages offered by the Agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area, or AANZFTA, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.

Through the AANZFTA Implementation Support Program (AISP) and the RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP), RT4D provides tailored support to enhance the capabilities of ASEAN Member States by strengthening skills, building networks, facilitating policy options and ensuring that trade benefits everyone, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women and people with disabilities.

The Governments of Australia and New Zealand have committed up to AUD 48.7 million to fund RT4D from 2020-21 to 2027-28.

Project Summary

The RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP), implemented by the RT4D Facility, aims to support AMS to realise the full benefits of RCEP through the provision of capacity-building support and access to technical expertise.

The following project is approved under RISP.

• Project name: Promoting the utilisation of RCEP, especially in digital trade, through better understanding and enhanced engagement of the private sector, MSMEs and women-led businesses.

• Project Objectives: In celebration of the third anniversary of RCEP’s entry into force, this project aims to reinforce the practical utilization of RCEP commitments by MSMEs and women-led enterprises through the following objectives:

o to assess the awareness and utilization of RCEP among MSMEs, women led businesses in Viet Nam, identifying gaps and areas for improvement. 

o to address identified gaps by raising awareness and improving communication on RCEP benefits among MSMEs and women-led enterprises, especially in digital trade, through capacity-building workshops and the development of user-friendly materials to enhance understanding and utilization.

o to strengthen collaboration between the MSMEs and women-led enterprises, and policymakers to improve FTA implementation and support. 

Tetra Tech International Development, the Managing Contractor for the Australia Awards in Indonesia (AAI) is seeking tenders for the design and delivery of the Strengthening the higher education system in Indonesia short course. Tenders are sought in accordance with the AAI Short Course Guidelines and as per the details more fully described in this Request for Tender (RFT) documentation.

Details of the course are included in Part B – Scope of Services.

To tender to design and deliver this course the lead business must be a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia or an Australian tertiary institution as defined in the Higher Education Support Act, 2003 Table A, B and C.

AAI will exclude a tenderer on the grounds of bankruptcy, insolvency, false declarations, or significant deficiencies in performance of any substantive requirement or obligation under a prior contract with Tetra Tech International Development or AAI.

Duration

Until 31 October 2025 (6-8 months)

Location

Hanoi, Vietnam

Reports to

P4I Energy Lead

Closing date

04 Apr 2025

About P4I

Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is an Australian Government initiative partnering with Southeast Asia to drive sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth through quality infrastructure. P4I partners with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

P4I works with partners to strengthen infrastructure decision-making and practice across the transport, energy, utilities and telecommunications sectors. P4I’s focus is on the early stages of the infrastructure lifecycle, including planning and prioritisation, financing strategy, and procurement.

The four main services offered by P4I are linkages with Australian government agencies and other institutions, technical and policy advice, infrastructure project advice and knowledge-sharing and learning.
As the foundation of quality infrastructure, P4I also integrates gender equality, disability, and social inclusion, and disaster risk reduction and climate change considerations into all activities.

Delivered through a single team, P4I is led by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in collaboration with Ernst & Young, Adam Smith International, The Asia Foundation and Ninti One. P4I has a head office in Bangkok, with other staff located around the region.

Scope of Work

The responsibilities of the Expert will depend on specific skills and job requirements, as well as the needs of P4I and ERAV in knowledge sharing and capacity building for ERAV. The Expert will provide support to ERAV’s Power Market Department under the expert-sharing cooperation mechanism. Responsibilities will be based on the Expert’s qualifications and may include (but are not limited to) the following tasks as requested for research by P4I and ERAV.

1. Facilitate ongoing technical collaboration with ERAV through expert support, knowledge sharing, joint research, and capacity-building initiatives.
2. Sharing information on the activities on the survey and Market Analysis and Technical Support as requested
   • Collection of Quantitative Data:
      
     1. Gather historical market data, including electricity demand, generation, pricing trends, and settlement outcomes.
     2. Collect statistics on market participation, such as the number of wholesalers, independent power producers (IPPs), and renewable energy generators.
     3. Obtain data on curtailment rates for renewable energy, grid congestion issues, and system outages.
   • Qualitative Data Collection:
      
     1. Conduct interviews and surveys with key stakeholders, including ERAV, market participants, grid operators, and independent power producers.
     2. Gather insights into operational challenges, regulatory hurdles, and market design concerns directly from stakeholders.
   • Market Analysis and Technical Support:
      
     1. Conduct in-depth analysis of Vietnam’s wholesale electricity market (VWEM), including its design, implementation, and alignment with intended objectives.
     2. Identify challenges and propose practical solutions for improving the VWEM, addressing inefficiencies, transparency, and market participation.
   • Policy and Regulatory Guidance:
      
     1. Provide insights into Vietnam’s regulatory and policy landscape, particularly the New Electricity Law and related regulations (e.g., Circular No. 21/2024/TT-BCT, etc.).
     2. Advise on integrating renewable energy and implementing mechanisms like direct power purchase agreements to foster private sector investment.
   • Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building:
      
     1. Assist in organizing workshops, training sessions, and stakeholder consultations to share Australia’s experience in competitive power markets and renewable energy integration.
     2. Support ERAV in building institutional capacity to implement and manage wholesale market reforms effectively.
   • Engagement with Stakeholders:
      
     1. Serve as the primary local liaison with ERAV and other key stakeholders (e.g., energy companies, government agencies, and market participants).
     2. Facilitate communication between P4I’s Australian experts and Vietnamese stakeholders, ensuring mutual understanding of technical concepts and recommendations.
   • Program Coordination:
      
     1. Coordinate local logistics for P4I’s program activities, including meetings, site visits, and events.
     2. Monitor program progress and ensure alignment with P4I’s objectives and timelines.