T.10.26
Everywhere
Fri 27/03/2026 – 05:00 PM FJT
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (Open Tender)
Consultancy Review of the Smaller Island States (SIS) Membership Criteria
The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) invites suitably qualified and experienced consultants or consulting firms to submit proposals to undertake a Review of the Smaller Island States (SIS) Membership Criteria
Background
The Smaller Island States (SIS) grouping within the Pacific Islands Forum reflects the unique structural vulnerabilities and development constraints faced by a subset of Forum Island Countries, particularly in relation to smallness, isolation, vulnerability and lack of resources.
At their 2025 Meeting, SIS Leaders directed that a review be undertaken to assess the continued relevance and analytical robustness of the SIS membership criteria. The review will apply only to future applications and will not affect existing SIS members. The review may also consider whether guidance should be developed for a potential Observer or Partner category, without prejudging any future decisions of SIS Leaders on such a mechanism.
Purpose
The objective of this consultancy is to:
• Assess whether the existing SIS membership criteria remain fit for purpose;
• Propose refined definitions, indicators and thresholds where necessary;
• Develop a clear, transparent and operational assessment framework for consideration of future membership applications;
• Provide practical options and guidance relating to a potential Observer/Partner modality.
The consultancy will be undertaken between April and June 2026, with the final framework to be submitted through SISOM in July 2026 and to SIS Leaders for endorsement at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August 2026.
Scope of Work
The Consultant will carry out the responsibilities and tasks as per specifications set out under the Terms of Reference (TOR) document which can be downloaded from www.tenders.net/forumsec.
Knowledge and experience
HOW TO APPLY
Submissions should be entitled:
[OPEN] TENDER – CONSULTANCY REVIEW OF THE SMALLER ISLAND STATES (SIS) MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Method of Submissions:
Submissions must be forwarded in PDF format following the instructions at www.tenders.net/forumsec
Note:
Tenders must be submitted with clear labelling of the technical offer and the financial offer. The Technical Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “A. Technical Offer”. Financial Offer documents must be saved and submitted clearly labelled “B. Financial Offer”.
The electronically submitted documents should be converted to the PDF format.
Deadline for Submissions:
Submissions need to reach the Secretariat by 5pm (Fiji Time), Friday, 27 March 2026.
Late or incomplete tenders will not be considered.
Questions and Answers
All queries or request for information must be submitted via the Question and Answer Forum at www.tenders.net/forumsec . Tenderers may submit questions in writing to the mentioned Question and Answer Forum before the stated “deadline for requesting clarifications” Monday 23 March 2026. The Secretariat has no obligation to provide clarification after this date.
Note: The Secretariat will not be responsible for non-receipt/non-delivery of the Bid documents due to any reason whatsoever.
Any complaints regarding the Secretariat’s tender must be directed to the following email: Tender.Complaints@forumsec.org. This email address will forward your complaint to a person that is independent and removed from the tender process. Complaints must be well founded and should not be used as a mechanism for notifying displeasure with the outcome of a tender award. Further information on making a complaint can be found on the Policies & Information page at http://tenders.forumsec.org.
In the event that further information is required by the Secretariat in relation to the tender for consultancy, the Secretariat reserves the right to seek the required information without the need for calling for resubmission of proposals.
