TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
PACKAGE: Development of the ASEAN Energy Security Index database – data collection, database and dashboard, and indicator selection analysis
I. Background and objectives
The Asia Foundation (TAF) is developing an ASEAN Energy Security Index (AESI) covering five Southeast Asian countries — Viet Nam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines — for the period 2005–2025. The Index provides a structured, evidence-based framework for assessing how energy transition policies and structural changes influence energy security across five core dimensions: security of supply, affordability and economic accessibility, environmental sustainability, system resilience and adaptability, and governance, institutions and policy effectiveness.
The analytical credibility of the Index depends on a consistent, transparent, and well-documented dataset drawn from authoritative sources, and on a defensible process for confirming the component indicators that make up each dimension. On this basis, The Asia Foundation is seeking to select a qualified consulting firm to compile the underlying data, build a structured database and a dashboard, and conduct the statistical analysis needed to inform the selection of the Index’s component indicators, with the work detailed in the following sections.
The objectives of the assignment are to: (i) compile indicator data for the five countries over 2005–2025 from authoritative and reliable sources, with full documentation and traceability; (ii) consolidate the data into a structured database and develop a dashboard that allows TAF to view and easily update the data in future cycles; and (iii) analyze the statistical relationships among candidate indicators to recommend a coherent, non-redundant set of core component indicators for each dimension.
II. Scope of work
1. Data compilation and structured database
- Compile annual time-series data (2005–2025) for the five countries covering the indicators required across the core dimensions of the AESI framework. Annex A sets out the expected list of indicators and data only; the final list of indicators and data to be compiled will be agreed with TAF
- Ensure all data are drawn from authoritative and reliable sources, and that every data point is fully documented and traceable — recording, for each variable and year, the value, source, access link, and the reason where a value is not available.
- Consolidate all data into a single, well-structured Excel database
2. Data dashboard for visualization and future updates
- Develop a dashboard that clearly presents the compiled data — by country, dimension, indicator, and year — together with key and meaningful summary information.
- Design the dashboard and the underlying database so that TAF can easily maintain and update them in future cycles (for example, adding new years or indicators and refreshing values without specialist support), and provide brief user guidance.
3. Data quality assurance and documentation
- Clean and standardize the compiled data, harmonize units, and check and treat outliers; flag missing data clearly (never recorded as zero by default) and document all data treatments in the metadata.
- Prepare a data dictionary, finalize the source register, and provide a short handover note with guidance for future maintenance and updates.
4. Correlation and redundancy analysis for indicator selection
- Assess the completeness and coverage of each candidate indicator, compute pairwise correlations within and across dimensions, and assess redundancy and potential multicollinearity.
- Recommend a coherent, parsimonious, and non-redundant set of core component indicators for each dimension, and identify indicators better suited to index; present the analysis and rationale in a concise analytical note with correlation matrices.
III. Deliverables
- A structured Excel database populated for all five countries across the core dimensions (2005–2025), with full source documentation and metadata.
- A data dashboard for visualizing and updating the database, with brief user guidance.
- A correlation analysis note, with the recommended core set of component indicators for each dimension.
- A final consolidated package: quality-assured database and dashboard, data dictionary, source register, and handover note.
IV. Requirements for bidders
Firm requirements:
- A Vietnam-based consulting firm or organization with relevant experience in quantitative data collection, database management, and data analysis, preferably in the energy, economics, or development sectors.
- Proven capability in building structured databases and data dashboards (for example, advanced Excel, Power BI, or an equivalent platform) that non-specialists can maintain and update.
- Familiarity with composite indicators or indices and statistical analysis is an advantage.
Required team composition:
Each proposal must include a dedicated team of four (4) members covering the following roles, with the division of work and qualifications set out below. The bidder should confirm the named member proposed for each role and attach their CV.
1. Team Leader / Senior Data Specialist
Division of work: Overall technical lead; confirms the indicator list and data protocol with TAF; leads the correlation and redundancy analysis and the indicator-selection recommendations; oversees quality; serves as primary liaison with TAF.
Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in economics, statistics, data science, energy studies, or engineering; at least 7 years’ experience in quantitative energy or economic data analysis or in composite-indicator / index development; experience leading data or research teams; strong command of statistical analysis; excellent written English.
2. Other team members
Division of work: Support annual time-series data collection for the five countries for 2005–2025 from authoritative sources; compile and record data sources, access links, method notes, and assumptions; support resolution of data-source questions; clean, standardize, validate, and document the dataset; check outliers and prepare missing-data flags; prepare the metadata, source register, and data dictionary; develop a structured Excel database and simple dashboard that TAF can maintain and update; prepare brief user guidance for TAF.
Qualifications: Relevant university degrees in economics, statistics, energy, or related fields; practical experience in quantitative data collection, database management, data quality assurance, documentation, and dashboard development; familiarity with major international energy and development databases; ability to develop data tools that can be maintained and updated by non-specialists; strong attention to detail and good written English.
V. Evaluation criteria
Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point basis: the technical profile is weighted 75% (covering both the technical proposal and the proposed personnel) and the financial proposal 25%.
1. Technical profile – 75 points
|
Evaluation criterion |
Max. points |
|
1. Methodology and implementation plan |
50 |
|
2. Team composition and personnel |
15 |
|
3. Firm experience and track record |
10 |
|
Total – Technical profile |
75 |
2. Financial proposal – 25 points
The financial proposal is scored out of 25 points. The lowest-priced responsive bid receives the full 30 points; other bids are scored in proportion using the formula:
Financial score = (Lowest responsive bid price / Bidder’s price) × 25
- The technical profile is weighted 75% and the financial proposal 25%, for a maximum of 100 points.
- Only bids that are substantially responsive and achieve a minimum technical score of 50 out of 75 will proceed to financial evaluation.
- The contract will be awarded to the responsive bid with the highest total combined score (technical plus financial).
VI. Budget and schedule
- Budget: the maximum value of the contract does not exceed USD 18,000, inclusive of all applicable taxes and fees.
- Implementation period: 1 August 2026 to 20 September 2026, from the date of signing the contract.
VII. Bids
Interested consulting firms should submit:
- A technical proposal, including the proposed approach and methodology, together with a work plan and schedule;
- The proposed four-member team, including CVs of up to 5 pages per member and the division of work by role;
- The firm profile and relevant experience, including examples of similar work where available, no longer than 10 pages;
- A detailed financial quotation, within the budget of USD 18,000.
Proposals should be submitted to The Asia Foundation at [email protected] no later than 5:00 pm, 15.07.2026. TAF reserves the right to request clarifications and additional information.