Summary
Cowater International is requesting proposals from a competent Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Provider based in the Philippines
Description
Invitation to Submit a Proposal
The Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality (SPRING) Program invites qualified and experienced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers to submit proposals for the provision of accessible, confidential, and effective employee wellbeing services. The selected provider will support SPRING personnel through professional counselling, wellbeing initiatives, crisis response, management support, and related services over the intended contract period.
This RFP should be read together with all requirements set out below. Bidders are expected to submit a complete technical and financial proposal and clearly identify any assumptions, exclusions, optional services, minimum participant requirements, or other commercial conditions.
About SPRING
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Social Protection, Inclusion and Gender Equality (SPRING) program is Australia's flagship investment of support to the Philippine Government on Social Protection, Gender Equality, Disability, Social Inclusion and Indigenous Inclusion. It is an AUD 40 million investment over five (5) years supporting the joint Development Partnership Plan between the Government of Australia and the Philippine Government.
SPRING's objective is that Australia works in partnership with the Philippine Government to improve systems and structures that reduce poverty and inequality and advance gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
SPRING has four mutually reinforcing End of Program Outcomes:
- Philippine Government social protection plans, policies and programs increasingly close gaps in the social protection floor.
- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and select LGU systems increasingly deliver quality social protection that is inclusive, gender and shock responsive, and climate sensitive.
- The Philippine Government increasingly invests in gender responsive policies, plans, programs and systems.
- The Philippine Government improves data, systems and targeting to enable people with disability and Indigenous Peoples improved access to targeted services.
- Objective of the Engagement
The objective of this procurement is to identify and contract an experienced EAP provider capable of delivering accessible, confidential, and effective employee wellbeing services that align with SPRING's needs.
The selected provider is expected to:
- Support employee mental health and wellbeing.
- Provide access to professional counselling and related support services.
- Assist employees in addressing personal and workplace challenges.
- Promote preventative wellbeing and resilience initiatives.
- Support personnel who may be exposed to safeguarding concerns, psychosocial stressors, secondary trauma, and work with vulnerable populations.
- Support managers and teams in fostering a healthy work environment.
- Enhance employee engagement, retention, and productivity.
The detailed Terms of Reference for the provider can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ToR-SPRING_RFP_Emplo…
- Scope of Services
Proposed services may include:
- Employee counselling and support services through in-person, virtual, telephone and/or chat-based channels
- Mental health and wellbeing programs, including stress management, burnout prevention and resilience initiatives
- Management and leadership support
- Critical incident and crisis response services
- Referral pathways for specialised care and treatment
- Additional innovative, specialised or value-added services
Please refer to the full RFP and annexes for detailed service requirements and indicative response standards.
- Target Population and Contract Period
The EAP is expected to support approximately 25 personnel, potentially up to 30 personnel during the contract period. Optional dependent coverage may also be proposed. Bidders must identify any eligibility limitations, minimum participant requirements, pricing assumptions or workforce thresholds.
The intended contract period is November 2026 to March 2029. Personnel numbers may reduce during the final six months as SPRING activities conclude.
- Service Delivery Expectations
- Accessible remote and/or in-person service delivery options
- Inclusive and culturally appropriate services
- Counsellors able to provide services in English and Filipino
- Robust confidentiality, data privacy and secure records-management protocols
- Professionally accredited and licensed service personnel
- Quality assurance, clinical supervision and continuous improvement mechanisms
- Proposal Requirements
Bidders should submit complete technical and financial proposals. The technical proposal should cover organisational experience, the proposed EAP service model, access channels, staffing and qualifications, reporting, data privacy and confidentiality measures. The financial proposal should clearly distinguish between core and optional services and identify all pricing assumptions, exclusions, taxes and charges.
Please refer to the full RFP and Annexes A-C for detailed proposal requirements and response forms.
- Key Dates & Timeline
Deadline for clarification questions: 15 October 2026
Proposal submission deadline: 24 October 2026
Evaluation of proposals: 28 October 2026
Provider presentation / demonstration, if required: 31 October 2026
Due diligence / reference checks: 5 November 2026
Notification and contracting: 7 November 2026
Anticipated service commencement: 10 November 2026
- Full RFP and Supporting Documents
Interested bidders must review the full RFP and supporting documents before preparing their proposal:
Full RFP, including Annexes A-C: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ToR-SPRING_RFP_Emplo…
The detailed scope, service standards, evaluation methodology, contractual conditions and required response forms are contained in these documents.
- Proposal Submission Instructions
Proposals should be submitted electronically to procurement@springphilippines.org with the subject line "SPRING Employee Assistance Program Provider – RFP- PRFMNLY30142 no later than the submission deadline.
Technical Proposal: clearly labelled and containing the information requested in the full RFP
Financial Proposal: clearly labelled and containing the information requested in the full RFP (use template in Annex B)
Supporting / due diligence documents: included as separate attachments where practical.
Late or incomplete proposals may be rejected at SPRING's discretion. Bidders are responsible for ensuring that their submissions are received before the deadline.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.