NATURE CONSERVANCY INDIA SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR: Requirement of Agency/Consultant for Pilot Impact Assessment and Farmer Adoption Trends under the Pay for Results (PFR) Pilot in Punjab

Date of Issue of RFP	27 November 2025
Last date for seeking clarifications	4 December 2025
Date of Pre-Proposal Meeting (Via VC)	8 December 2025
Last date for Submission of RFP	12 December 2025

INTRODUCTION

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in 76 countries and territories. Founded in 1951, TNC’s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. With our core values of integrity beyond reproach, respect for people communities and culture, and commitment to diversity we aim at environmental conservation through lasting tangible results.

Nature Conservancy India Solutions Private Limited (NCIS) is a Private Limited Company incorporated under The Companies Act, 2013. It is a subsidiary of The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest not-for-profit conservation organisations in the world. NCIS was incorporated with the objective of providing research, consulting, technical support, and advisory services to various stakeholders in and outside India relating to conservation of nature, environment, biodiversity, and climate change.

TNC launched PRANA (Promoting Regenerative and No-Burn Agriculture) in 2021 to eliminate crop residue burning, advance regenerative agriculture systems, and improve groundwater management. Since its inception, PRANA has broadened its scope to include Improved Rice Management (IRM) through climate-smart, water-saving practices such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), alongside in-situ crop residue management (CRM). Today PRANA operates across 6,286 villages in 18 districts of Punjab.

To accelerate sustainable transitions, PRANA has introduced an innovative Pay-for-Results (PFR) model, adapted from the AgResults prize competition framework. Unlike traditional subsidy-driven approaches, PFR incentivizes private sector Service Providers (SPs)-primarily those offering CRM and DSR services - to deliver measurable, outcome-based results. This model positions SPs as key enablers in reducing stubble burning, promoting DSR adoption, and improving groundwater conservation outcomes. This year, 400 service providers (SPs) have been onboarded under the incentive-based model to deliver services supporting DSR and in-situ CRM practices across the project area.

PURPOSE

NCIS seeks to engage a qualified agency or consultant to conduct a Pilot Impact Assessment of the PFR model and analyse farmer adoption trends influenced by the approach. The assessment will evaluate the effectiveness, scalability, cost-efficiency, and behavioural impact of the PFR model on:

• Service Providers participating in the program
• Farmers accessing CRM and DSR services
• Adoption patterns for DSR and in-situ CRM practices
• Environmental and livelihood outcomes resulting from the PFR model

Findings will guide strategic refinements, potential scale-up, and long-term integration within regenerative agriculture programs in Punjab.

Minimum Qualifications

The bidder is expected to put together a technical team of professionals to deliver the assignment. Below are the desirable experience, skills, and competencies of the team:

1. Proven experience in impact assessments, agricultural studies, or rural development research.
2. Prior experience with Pay for Results or similar incentive models is preferred.
3. Strong understanding of Punjab’s agricultural systems, CRM/DSR practices, and groundwater issues.
4. Expertise   in   quantitative/qualitative    field   research   and mixed-method evaluation.
5. Ability to work across multiple districts in Punjab.
6. Strong analytical and reporting skills.
7. Language proficiency in English, Punjabi and Hindi

PRE-BID QUERIES AND CLARIFICATIONS ON RFP

To clarify technical queries (excluding cost and fee) on RFP, Bidders must submit questions via email to manoj.singh@tnc.org; bhaskar.rattan@tnc.org, and any query relating to cost, bid price, etc. must be submitted to rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org by no later than 11:59pm IST, 04/12/2025. All the queries received through submitted questions will be addressed during scheduled pre-proposal meeting on 08/12/2025.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Last date for submission of proposal is 12/12/2025., by 11:59pm IST.

Technical and Financial Proposals are required in soft copy only. The subject line of the email submission should state “Technical/Financial bid against RFP on Impact assessment of PFR model and will be shared at:

• Financial Bid: rajeeb.dash@tnc.org; praveen.thakur@tnc.org
• Technical Bid: manoj.singh@tnc.org; bhaskar.rattan@tnc.org

To download the full RFP, click here: RFP - Requirement of Agency/Consultant for Pilot Impact Assessment and Farmer Adoption Trends under the Pay for Results (PFR) Pilot in Punjab

Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Advocacy Others