Request for Proposal for Indonesia Bauxite Supply Chain Study 

Winrock International is a global nonprofit organization that provides sustainable solutions for an interconnected world. Working with partners in the United States and more than 55 countries, Winrock integrates deep expertise in agriculture, economic development, social science and the environment to offer scalable solutions that increase prosperity while protecting our planet. 

The Strengthen Labor Enforcement and Compliance to Unlock Resilient and Ethical nickel supply chains (SECURE) project, a 4.5-year initiative to strengthen labor governance in critical minerals supply chains. SECURE will advance policies and systems that align with international market expectations and international labor standards. 

Winrock seeks a qualified consultant or research firm to conduct a comprehensive, end-to-end analysis of the bauxite-to-aluminum supply chain from Indonesia to the United States. The assignment is expected to be completed by March 31, 2027, and will result in a detailed report with actionable recommendations aligned with SECURE’s goals of competitiveness and transparency. 

Interested firms are encouraged to review the detailed Scope of Work and submit a proposal no later than August 31, 2026. 

Assessment Background and Objectives 

Bauxite is the primary ore used to produce alumina and aluminum, making it a key mineral for a wide range of industries, including defense, aerospace, automotive, transportation, and infrastructure. Indonesia is one of the world’s major bauxite producers, with an estimated production of around 30 million tons annually. Bauxite mining is concentrated in Kalimantan while refining and processing activities are increasingly located in Southeast Sulawesi and other industrial hubs because bauxite is one of 15 priority commodities based on Indonesia’s National Medium-Term Development Plan 2025-2029. The importance of Indonesia’s bauxite sector has also grown in the context of the 2026 U.S.–Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), which identifies critical minerals, including bauxite, as priority commodities for bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.

Research on Indonesia’s metal and mineral mining sector has identified governance gaps related to labor recruitment, employment status, working hours, wages, occupational health and safety, freedom of association, and dispute resolution mechanisms. In West Kalimantan, where much of Indonesia’s bauxite production is concentrated, studies have also documented occupational safety and health risks in bauxite transportation and mining operations, highlighting the gaps in worker protection. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s mineral down streaming industry has added additional labor challenges and risks. Given the strategic importance of bauxite and aluminum products to Indonesia and U.S., there is a clear need for a targeted analysis to better understand end-to-end bauxite/aluminum supply chain from Indonesia to the United States, including via intermediate products.

The Indonesia Bauxite Supply Chain Study will therefore:

• Map supply chain from Indonesia mines sites to the United States market (and where possible, G7 markets) including key production stages and actors, chain of custody including intermediaries or transit places, as well as midstream and downstream products made from Indonesian alumina that enter the U.S and related G7 markets. U.S.-market exposure may occur through direct pathways (exports from Indonesia that enter U.S.) and Indirect pathways (Indonesian bauxite is processed into alumina and/or aluminum products in Indonesia or third countries and later imported into the U.S.).
• Identify the occurrence of forced labor and child labor indicators in bauxite sector using internationally recognized definitions, covering recruitment, employment conditions, document retention, contract substitution, deductions, restrictions around mobility and communication, coercion, and access to grievance mechanism.
• Map the labor supply chain within Indonesia’s bauxite sector, identifying worker origin locations, recruitment pathways, and the roles of employers, subcontractors, brokers, and temporary staffing agencies. As part of forced labor risk identification, the study will also assess recruitment practices and risks such as recruitment fees, debt mechanisms, document retention or confiscation, and contract substitution across contractor tiers.
• Review labor law applicability and labor protection in Indonesia’s bauxite sector, including national and provincial laws and regulations. The study will examine the adequacy of existing protections, identify legal/policy gaps affecting formal, informal, and migrant workers in mining and processing activities, and enforcement mechanisms against forced labor, child labor, and other labor rights violations. 

Submission Deadlines 

Proposals must be received no later than August 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. All proposals are to be submitted following the guidelines listed below. Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered. Shortlisted firms may be contacted for an interview or additional clarifications. 

Telephone requests will not be honored. 

Winrock International may request additional documentation after the bid deadline. 

Submission Delivery Address 

The delivery address to be used for all submissions is: securebids@winrock.org 

With a copy to: Vincent Limputra, MEL Specialist – vincent.limputra@winrock.org 

Submission Questions and Clarifications 

Inquiries/questions must be received no later than Aug 10, 2026, and must be submitted via e-mail to designated emails stated in “Submission Delivery Address”. Winrock will review and respond to all potential offers by Aug 17, 2026. 

Winrock will evaluate complete vendor proposals to determine which proposal represents the best value to Winrock. This is an unsealed solicitation request. Winrock reserves the right to negotiate with the bidders with or without discussion. 

Electronic Submissions 

Electronic submissions in response to this Request for Proposal will be accepted as long as they meet the following criteria: 

• Proposals must be submitted electronically in MS Word or PDF format
•  All documents should be compiled into a single submission package. 
• The subject line of the email should be: “Proposal Submission – Indonesia Bauxite Supply Chain Study”. 

Instructions to Bidders 

• Validity of bid: 90 days starting from the submission date. 
• Cost quoted must include unit price and total price in IDR and USD
• Include VAT if applicable 
• Payment terms and complete banking information 

Bid Documents to Include 

The submission package should include the following components (Max 20 pages, not counting annexes): 

1. Technical Proposal (Max 12 pages) 
• A detailed approach and methodology for conducting the supply chain study. 
• A work plan and Level of efforts outlining key activities, deliverables, and timelines. 
• Description of data collection and analysis methods. 
• Team composition, including roles and responsibilities of key experts. 

2. Financial Proposal (Max 3 pages) 
• A detailed budget breakdown, including professional fees, travel costs, and other expenses. 
• Justification of costs in relation to the proposed methodology and work plan. 
• Payment terms and schedule aligned with project milestones. 

3. Qualifications, Experience, and Examples of Relevant Work (Max 5 pages) 
• Profiles and CVs of key personnel assigned to the assignment. 
• List of relevant expertise in market and supply chain analysis. 
• A summary of the firm’s experience in Indonesia critical minerals. 
• Case studies or reports demonstrate experience in supply chain mapping. 

Award 

Winrock anticipates notifying the successful bidder by September 21, 2026, and signing the agreement by September 30, 2026. Winrock will run an open and fair competitive bidding process.