This chapter provides recommended practice regarding how the Host Country may select vendors for the annual meeting.
There are a number of event-specific partners and third party suppliers that will need to be appointed by the Host Country. These partners will likely be required to complete a tender process before being awarded the work and it is important to ensure they are appointed within the expected timeframes provided by ADB.
Early identification of key annual meeting suppliers and partners will ensure confidence from all stakeholders and open lines of communication between appointed teams.
Important Information:
Procurement must follow the relevant guidelines of the host country and ADB
Procurement should be completed by December of the year prior, to allow time for detailed discussion with the selected suppliers
Relevant sustainability provisions must be included in the contracts
ADB and host country to meet with possible suppliers to discuss requirements, including sustainability requirements
Aug-2023
24.2
ADB and host country to start their procurement process
Sep-2023
24.3
Host country / ADB to finalize selection of their respective suppliers
Dec-2023
24.4
ADB and host country to send detailed information to suppliers
Jan-2024
24.5
ADB and host country to meet with suppliers to discuss issues, details, test and select items as necessary
Feb-2024
24.6
Host country / ADB to finalize arrangements for suppliers and providers
Apr-2024
24.7
Host country / ADB to check that all services and products are provided as required
May-2024
Procurement is a lengthy process, and it is essential that relevant regulations and procedures are followed with no short-cuts. It is highly recommended that the procurement of any suppliers and services for the Annual Meeting be finalized by December of the year before the Annual Meeting. The procurement process should therefore commence early enough to follow the host country’s procurement procedures, with allowance for delays. Once suppliers and service providers have been selected, they will need time to discuss exact requirements with ADB and the host country. Final discussions, including selection of technical and audio-visual equipment, menus and catering, and other major supplier decisions should take place during ADB’s technical mission in February. The excel worksheet on procurement and onsite Gantt chart can be downloaded using this link.
Main Providers Required
Host Country: Major contracts will include the following:
Professional Congress Organizer (should be selected at least 18 months before the Annual Meeting)
Branding and graphic design agency (if not covered by PCO)
Transport
Tours (if any)
Construction of offices (if required)
Marquee construction (if required)
Furniture (if required)
Catering (at the meeting venue and any offsite events organized by the host country)
Local staff
Computers and other IT equipment
Webinar provision
Photocopiers
Cabling for computers, CCTV between buildings
Audio-visual provider including LCD screens, staging, video walls, filming, sound system and microphones
Catering (for any offsite events organized by ADB)
Large and small format printing (for ADB photo exhibit and brochures)
ADB may use the same provider as the host country to simplify coordination onsite, especially for printing and catering. Where possible, ADB prefers to use suppliers with policies and established practices on environment, waste management, equal opportunity, and persons with disabilities (PWD). This will be considered in the supplier selection process.
ADB prefers to use suppliers with policies and established practices on environment, waste management, equal opportunity, and persons with disabilities (PWD). This will be considered in the supplier selection process.
To ensure that suppliers, service providers or sponsors are bound by the terms and conditions of their contracts and service level agreements, insurance should be added.
Host country shall ensure that deadlines for procurement set by ADB are strictly followed.
Monopolistic practices of vendors and suppliers at venue, hotels and others such as inflated prices, which may cause reputational risks to the host country and ADB involved shall be penalized. A sample generic contract template is in Appendix 145.
ADB and the host country shall follow these guidelines on sustainable procurement:
Deal with local (where possible) credible suppliers who respect sustainability
Maintain a good and mutually beneficial relationship with suppliers
Ensure contracts / Terms of Reference (TOR) or Scope of Works (SOW) are clear, concise and mutually agreed upon by both parties in writing
Coordinate supplier development activities on events sustainability awareness, and provide practical tools for capacity development
Collaborate on the risk assessment for holding the annual meeting
Ensure all event partners have the insurances and risk policies as relevant to the annual meeting requirements
Consider suppliers that take into account labor and environmental factors such as the conditions under which their employees work and the environmental impact arising from their operation
Encourage suppliers to use local materials, produce and labor
Encourage suppliers to reduce, reuse and recycle waste
Encourage up skilling of local residents where feasible
Encourage transparency on all event-related planning activities through meetings and frequent information exchange