Request for Proposals: Research consultancy to
develop assessment criteria and a catalogue of
external spatial datasets and map products for
sustainability systems’ geospatial needs
Background
ISEAL is a membership organisation supporting ambitious sustainability systems and their partners to tackle
the world’s most pressing challenges. We work to define credible practice for sustainability systems and help
catalyse global efforts on critical social, economic, and environmental sustainability issues. A core element of
ISEAL’s work is supporting its members to build more effective and resilient systems, considering changing
global demands and the efficiencies brought by innovations. This includes supporting sustainability systems
to collect, manage and use geolocation data and develop their geospatial capabilities.
Collecting and analysing geolocation data is foundational in tackling sustainability issues. Geolocation data
are becoming a regulatory requirement in certain contexts such as the EU Deforestation Regulation, and
ultimately being increasingly recognised as assets for fostering environmental stewardship and corporate
responsibility. In working towards deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains, geolocation data are key
to assessing and mitigating risks, promoting transparency, and demonstrating impact. Geospatial data also
strengthens human rights monitoring by combining location data with social indicators, supporting the
identification of potential land rights conflicts, assessing community impacts, and tracking vulnerable groups'
access to resources. When integrated with ground-level verification, spatial analysis is a powerful tool to
identify and monitor social issues.
ISEAL has already worked with its members on developing geospatial capacity through the Certification Atlas
project (2017-2020) and has developed key resources for the collection and management of geospatial data,
as well as resources for generating insights from data. Further guidance is now needed as geospatial
technologies have advanced rapidly, and sustainability systems have significantly invested in their geospatial
capabilities since the end of the project.
In 2025 ISEAL is convening its members in a geospatial working group. The purpose is to empower
sustainability systems by fostering skill-sharing, enhancing the use of collected geolocation data, and
enabling better integration of external datasets to strengthen their systems and enrich analytical outcomes.
Many public and private entities produce and maintain spatial datasets and map products which can greatly
improve spatial analyses for due diligence processes, such as deforestation risk, land use change, risks to
protected areas and evaluating climate vulnerability. ISEAL is supporting its members to align on using
external data within their geospatial analyses. Specifically, they want to develop their capacity to know which
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datasets will be appropriate for their prioritised use cases, as well as providing guidance on how they can
assess the suitability, accessibility, usability, reliability and ultimately the credibility of underlying data
sources.
To this end, ISEAL seeks a consultant or research team to strengthen sustainability systems’ understanding of
external spatial datasets to inform decision making. This will be done through developing assessment criteria
for, and an overview of, map products and spatial data layers available for defined use cases, either open-
source or behind paywalls. These could be satellite imagery, aggregated field data, government data, LIDAR
data, etc. These could also be either collected by public entities or private companies. This overview will
empower ISEAL members to make better use of these datasets within their own analytical processes and to
further develop their use of geospatial data.
Purpose and scope
The proposed consultancy will use their expertise and conduct research to:
1. Develop assessment criteria for sustainability systems to determine the suitability, accessibility,
usability, reliability and ultimately the credibility of external spatial datasets for their use cases.
• Consult with ISEAL members through the geospatial working group to:
▪ Finalise the use cases for consideration in the criteria and catalogue development
▪ Determine their needs and requirements in terms of assessing and using map
products and spatial data layers
▪ Understand which map products and spatial data layers group members are already
using.
• Develop criteria that sustainability systems can use to assess map products and spatial data
layers for their use cases, specifying general criteria that are applicable across use cases, and
additional criteria specific to the defined use cases.
2. Develop a catalogue of spatial data layers per defined use case, applying the defined assessment
criteria.
• Develop catalogue of data layers and map products relevant to sustainability systems’ use
cases;
• The catalogue should include an overview of the technical requirements for accessing and
integrating these datasets into sustainability systems’ own processes.
• For paywalled spatial data layers, an indication of pros and cons compared to publicly
available layers and an assessment of the feasibility and cost effectiveness of shared access
to the data layers
The 5 use cases in scope in this consultancy will be confirmed between the consultant and ISEAL and its
geospatial working group, but we expect them to be themed around:
• Analysing deforestation risk in and around certified and non-certified areas
• Monitoring land use changes
• Identifying proximity to protected areas or High Conservation Value areas
• Evaluating climate vulnerability of certified operations (water stress, drought, wildfires)
• Monitoring human rights risks
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Expected deliverables
Standalone outputs and deliverables
1. Consultation with the geospatial working group members – online (outlined above)
2. A written report outlining the assessment criteria for external spatial data layers, including additional
criteria specific to certain use cases, and guidance on how to use and operationalise these criteria.
3. Validating the assessment criteria with the geospatial analysis working group in an online meeting
4. A catalogue (likely in table format) of map products and data layers available to sustainability
systems per use case, applying those criteria.
5. Presenting the catalogue to the working group in an online meeting
6. A technical comparison of the paywalled data layers, v publicly available layers.
The exact nature, format and structure of the deliverables will be determined during project implementation
in agreement between ISEAL and the consultant/research team.
Project timelines
Application deadline: Monday 17/03/2025. We will review applications on a rolling basis and encourage
applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Application review, shortlisting and interviews: week commencing 17/03/24
Anticipated project kick-off: 31/03/2025
Final deliverables due: 15/07/2025
Application requirements
To apply, please submit your application by email with the subject header ‘Response to RFP: Research
Consultancy on spatial data layers’ to Elise Boileau – elise@isealalliance.org (Project Lead) and Becky
Mackenzie – becky@isealalliance.org (Project Support). The deadline for applications is 17/03/25.
Applications should include the following components:
Summary of relevant competencies, expertise and access to necessary networks to deliver the
consultancy project
Detail on individuals who will complete the work
A declaration of conflicts of interest – including if individuals work or are affiliated to any of the
mapping products / services that might be reviewed as part of the assignment.
Outline of proposed activities and timeline, including:
o A clear research methodology
o An indication of some of the datasets that would be prioritised for review
o Any frameworks or tools you plan to use
o Any anticipated risks associated with successful project delivery
Budget against activities, including day rates of individuals who will complete the work
We anticipate that this project represents 12 – 15 days of work. ISEAL has a budget of GBP 10-12,000 (incl.
VAT) for this service contract, inclusive of all taxes and expenses.
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Questions, requests and applications sent after the proposal deadline will only be considered in exceptional
circumstances. Note that the successful applicant will be required to complete a due diligence form, as per
ISEAL’s donor requirements. The contract for this work can only commence following a successful due
diligence screening result.
