| Overview : REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST JOF Nº 3131/2021 Beneficiary Country: Brazil Project: BRA/19/005 REDD+ results-based payments for results achieved by Brazil in the Amazon biome in 2014 and 2015. Description: Request of Expression of Interest for Financial Institution to make payments and/or financial transfers to multiple beneficiaries, who may hold accounts in different financial institutions, and open checking or payment accounts for great number of individuals, including digital accounts. Deadline to receive the expression of interest: 17th August 2021 Date of publication: 04th August 2021 _________________________________________________________ The United Nations Organization in Brazil calls potential Institutions to express their interest in the upcoming bidding process planned as follows: Context Brazil has received funds from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the project “REDD+ results-based payments for results achieved by Brazil in the Amazon biome in 2014 and 2015”. The results-based payments received by Brazil from the GCF will contribute to the implementation of the forest sector actions of Brazil’s NDC and Brazil’s REDD+ National Strategy overall objective. This project has two main outputs: 1. Development of a pilot for Environmental Services Incentive Program for Conservation and Recovery of Native Vegetation (Pilot Project Floresta+ Amazônia); and 2. Strengthen the implementation of Brazil’s ENREDD+, through improvements in its governance structure and systems. Floresta+ Amazônia Pilot Project The Floresta+ Amazonia Project rewards those who protect and recover the forest and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Focused on the strategy of payments for environmental services, by 2026 the initiative will recognize the work of small farmers and rural producers, strengthen the national REDD+ strategy and support projects that are in dialogue with the sustainable development of the Legal Amazon. Resulting from a partnership between the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Project encourages conservation and restoration activities in the Legal Amazon. Based on information from the Rural Environmental Database System (SICAR), in alignment with the National REDD+ Strategy, the NDC (Brazil's Nationally Determined Contribution), the PNGATI and the strategic investment areas of the Brazil Country Program for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Project provides incentives for small farmers, indigenous peoples and traditional communities. Vision By 2026, the Floresta+ Amazon Project will strengthen positive economic solutions, aligned with the preservation and recovery of native vegetation of small landowners and holders of rural properties. Through financial recognition to the beneficiaries, following specific criteria, the project will contribute to the consolidation of the payments for environmental services market, as a tool for environmental protection allied to social and regional development. Strategy The Floresta+ Amazon Pilot Project will work through the four following modalities of resource distribution: i. Floresta+ Conservation: direct payments to small landowners and holders of rural properties (according to SICAR) (in accordance with the Native Vegetation Protection Law - Law No. 12.651/2012), with the objective of conserving remnants of native vegetation additional to the legal requirements; ii. Forest + Recovery: direct payments to owners and possessors of rural properties (according to the Native Vegetation Protection Law - Law No. 12.651/2012), with the objective of recovering Areas of Permanent Preservation (e.g. riparian forests, springs, mountain tops and steep slopes); iii. Floresta+ Communities: support, through projects, for associations and entities representing indigenous peoples and traditional peoples and communities; iv. Forest+ Innovation: support for innovative actions and measures to develop, implement and leverage public policies for conservation and recovery of native vegetation and PSA markets. This expression of interest is aimed at the Floresta+ Conservation and Floresta+ Recuperation modalities of the Floresta+ Amazon pilot project. Floresta+ Conservation aims to strengthen and drive the implementation of the Forest Code in the Amazon region, and to develop and test approaches for the implementation of incentive-based schemes to promote the conservation of native vegetation. This is to be achieved through direct payments to small producers and family farmers in the Legal Amazon that have a surplus of native vegetation with respect to that established by law, and that meet the eligibility criteria. Floresta+ Recovery aims to offer direct payments to small producers and family farmers in the Legal Amazon who are in the process of restoring Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and who meet the eligibility criteria. It is expected to strengthen and boost the implementation of the Forest Code and to develop and test approaches for the implementation of positive incentive-based schemes for the recovery of native vegetation. More information can be found at https://www.florestamaisamazonia.org.br/. Expected Components To make payments and/or financial transfers to multiple beneficiaries, who may hold accounts in different financial institutions, and open checking or payment accounts for great number of individuals, including digital accounts. Special conditions and Additional Information To be considered a potential supplier, the company must submit an expression of interest including the following information: - Short presentation of the institution, including number of employees, business years, turnover, etc.
- List of qualifications demonstrating their ability to participate in the future bidding process including information about previous experiences with massive payments, above 2.000 payments per day.
- Contact information (Legal name of the Institution, full address, Website, telephone, and e-mail of contact person).
The expression of interest accompanied by supporting documents shall be delivered until 17th August 2021 to the e-mail licitacoes.jof@un.org.br, please indicate the Reference Number Request of Expression of Interest JOF Nº 3131/2021 in the submission. This Expression of Interest Notice does not constitute a Proposal Request. No further details or information about the request may be made available prior to the issuing of the Public Notice. The submission of an Expression of Interest does not automatically guarantee the inclusion of the institution in the future bidding process. Clarification requests shall be sent to licitacoes.jof@un.org.br during the period foreseen for the Expression of Interest. | 
