Request for Proposal: Grant Audit -2024-2026 (EU)-NREF-Curbing Plastic Pollution in Healthcare - 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2026 - In accordance with ISA 805 (revised), see guidance here, point 4: https://www.handelensmiljofond.no/en/funding/guide-to-project-accounts-and-audit 

Deadline for Application: 20 July 2026 and must be submitted to contracts@hcwh.org 

Inquiries:  Jasminka Jokic at jjokic@hcwh.org 

Location: Virtual (no in-person meetings will be required]

Europe-based companies only will be considered

Organization Description

Health Care Without Harm seeks to transform health care worldwide so the sector reduces its environmental footprint and becomes a community anchor for sustainability and leader in the global movement for environmental health and justice. Working closely with Health Care Without Harm, Practice Greenhealth is the leading sustainable health care organization, delivering environmental solutions to more than 1,700 hospitals and health systems in the United States and Canada.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and Practice Greenhealth are committed to seeking and sustaining culturally and ethnically diverse organizations, and to the principles that promote inclusive practices. We are dedicated to not only building a diverse staff, but also a diverse set of consultants and partners with expertise and interest in serving the mission of the organizations in respectful ways. Health Care Without Harm believes that our work can only be transformed when a diversity of voices, perspectives, and lived experiences are a part of the movement for change. We strongly encourage consultants and organizations that represent BIPOC and LGBTQ communities to apply.

Project Description

The 2024–2026 "(EU)-NREF-Curbing Plastic Pollution in Healthcare" project (officially titled The Reusable Textiles Revolution) is a two-year initiative by Health Care Without Harm. Funded by the Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund (NREF), the project aims to help healthcare providers reduce plastic and toxic material dependency, particularly focusing on medical textiles.

Core Project Focus Areas

• Targeting Medical Textiles: Medical PPE (gowns, aprons, face masks) and sterilization materials (such as "blue wrap") are primarily made of non-woven polypropylene and constitute up to 10% of a hospital's total plastic waste. 
• Geographic Scope: The project operates across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia to encourage sustainable production and consumption. 

Core Project Focus Areas: 

• Targeting Medical Textiles: Medical PPE (gowns, aprons, face masks) and sterilization materials (such as "blue wrap") are primarily made of non-woven polypropylene and constitute up to 10% of a hospital's total plastic waste. 
• Geographic Scope: The project operates across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia to encourage sustainable production and consumption. 

Project Phases: 

1. Educate: Educating clinical staff and health management about the environmental and health impacts of healthcare plastics. 
2. Pilot: Working directly with four European, Asian, and Latin American healthcare providers to pilot practical solutions reducing single-use plastics.
3. Implement: Encouraging the adoption of the waste hierarchy (Refuse, Rethink/Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to build sustainable, circular supply chains. 

Overarching Goals

The overarching purpose of an audit Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit bids from qualified independent auditors or CPA firms. Kindly note that only Europe based companies will be considered. 

Deliverables

1. An audited project accounts with an auditor’s report from a state-authorized public accountant must be submitted in accordance with ISA 805(Revised), Special Considerations – Audits of Single Financial Statements and Specific Elements, Accounts or Items of a Financial Statement. 
2. It is requested that the project accounts be audited as a separate financial statement in accordance with the wording of ISA 805.Statement of cash receipts and disbursements). The auditor must plan and perform the audit of the project accounts by obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence as a basis for the conclusion on the project accounts. 

Reporting & Check-Ins

This will include a series of virtual check-in calls including but not limited to: 

• Orientation to the project (type of activities/expenses). Sharing of project accounts and other relevant information (Project agreement with appendices, including the Recipient’s Letter of Acceptance , budget, GL, reports (financial and narrative) for sample selection
• Final deliverable review call

Process, Timeline, and Budget

The consultant will work with a core team from Health Care Without Harm to complete the audit by 20 August 2026. 

The allocated budget for the project is USD 570,254 (NOK 5,993,151). 

Note: Other expenses such as creative assets that may need to be purchased, travel time, printing, etc. will not be covered by Health Care Without Harm separately and will not be discussed prior to any purchases.  

• Project Administration - NOK 5,774,383 (USD 549,632) - 26 people % time (technical, comms, PM, financial, data, and consultants)
• Reporting - NOK 74,260 - (USD 7,000) - Technical report
• Travel and transportation costs - NOK 68,126 (USD 6,422)

Qualifications

The ideal consultant will have the following qualifications:

• Relevant professional certifications (like ACCA, CPA, CIA, or CISA) and a degree in accounting, finance, or business. Minimum 5+ years of hands-on audit, risk assessment experience, strong IT system proficiency, and elite soft skills including critical skepticism, analytical thinking, and clear communication. 
• Experience in conducting similar assignments.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit your proposal no later than 20 July, 2026 to contracts@hcwh.org. Your submission must include:

1. Names and curriculum vitae of individuals who will be involved in completing the services.
2. Qualifications – why and how you are best-suited to meet the deliverables. This should include an explanation of your qualifications for this work, past examples of similar work (including a list of former clients for similar services if able), and qualifications of key personnel who will be involved. Please include any relevant licenses, certifications, etc.
3. A completed conflict of interest form .
4. A written declaration that you can agree to the general terms and conditions included in this RFP.
5. Health Care Without Harm supports positive efforts to utilize small businesses, minority-owned firms, women’s business enterprises, and Labor Surplus Area firms. Please indicate whether or not you fall within one or more of these categories.
6. A proposed methodology and timeline for how you plan to meet the deliverables, with documentation of the development process, milestones, assumptions and expectations of HCWH staff.
7. A cost breakdown of this work, including a list of any staff that would be assigned to the project, their roles, and any subcontractors you plan to employ.
8. A timeframe of validity of your proposal (must be at least 60 days). 

Criteria for the Assessment of Proposal

• The expertise of the proposal and experience of the organization or consultant and key personnel indicated in the proposal.
• Methodology, its appropriateness to the conditions and timeline set forth in the RFP.
• Financial considerations.
• HCWH is not willing to award the contract to more than one service provider.

Inquiries

Inquiries can be made to Jasminka Jokic at jjokic@hcwh.org. 

General Terms and Conditions for Bidders

Other terms and conditions will be included in an awarded contract

1. Contracts shall be made only with responsible contractors who possess the potential ability to perform successfully under the terms and conditions of the proposed procurement. Consideration shall be given to such matters as contractor integrity, record of past performance, financial and technical resources or accessibility to other necessary resources. In certain circumstances, contracts with certain parties are restricted by agencies' implementation of United States Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, “Debarment and Suspension.”
2. Awards shall be made to the bidder or the offeror whose bid or offer is responsive to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the recipient, price, quality and other factors considered. Solicitations shall clearly set forth all requirements that the bidder or the offeror shall fulfill in order for the bid or offer to be evaluated by the recipient. Any and all bids or offers may be rejected when it is in Health Care Without Harm’s interest to do so.
3. Health Care Without Harm suppliers and contractors must demonstrate compliance with the following ethical principles. Any breach of these provisions shall disqualify the supplier or entitle Health Care Without Harm to terminate any agreements with the supplier immediately upon notice without any liability for the termination or any other liability of any kind.
   1. Contractors shall not directly or indirectly provide material support or resources, including financial support, in-kind support, technical or organizational assistance, or any other form of support or service, to individuals that are terrorists, that are associated with acts of terrorism, or that pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism.
   2. Contractors must comply with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in the countries where it does business. Additionally, contractors understand and agree to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as revised, which generally prohibits the offer, promise, payment or giving of anything of value either directly or indirectly to any government official for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or any improper advantage.
   3. Contractors shall not engage in any practice inconsistent with the rights set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including Article 32 thereof, which, inter alia, requires that a child shall be protected from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or physical mental, spiritual, moral or social development. Additionally, Contractor warrants that the Contractor is not engaged in the sale or manufacture of anti-personnel mines or components utilized in the manufacture of anti-personnel mines.
   4. Health Care Without Harm takes all appropriate measures to prevent sexual exploitation or abuse of anyone through its work. For these purposes, sexual activity with any person less than eighteen years of age, regardless of any laws relating to consent, shall constitute sexual exploitation and abuse of such person. In addition, contractors shall refrain from exchanging any money, goods, services, or other things of value for sexual favors or activities, or from engaging in any sexual activities that are exploitative or degrading to any person.
   5. Contractors are expected to disclose to Health Care Without Harm any situation that may appear as a conflict of interest, and disclose to Health Care Without Harm if anyone under contract with Health Care Without Harm may have an interest of any kind in the contractor's business or any kind of economic ties between contractor and Health Care Without Harm.
   6. Health Care Without Harm will fully enforce applicable laws prohibiting harassment and discrimination by or against contractors, including harassment, and/or discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, gender, age, or other status protected by applicable law, and to maintain a business relationship free of any such harassment and discrimination. Harassment may take many forms, including but not limited to:
      1. Verbal conduct such as epithets, derogatory comments, slurs or unwanted sexual advances, invitations, innuendo, or comments
      2. Visual conduct such as derogatory posters, cartoons, drawings or gestures
      3. Physical conduct such as assault, blocking normal movement or interference with work because of sex or another protected basis
4. Health Care Without Harm supports positive efforts to utilize small businesses, minority owned firms, and women’s business enterprises and Labor Surplus Area firms.
   1. Health Care Without Harm encourages contracts with consortiums of firms referenced above when a contract is too large for one of those firms to handle individually.
5. Contractor agrees to the acceptance, to the extent practicable and economically feasible, of products and services dimensioned in the metric system of measurement.
6. Health Care Without Harm requires, when practicable and economically feasible, for products and services that conserve natural resources and protect the environment and are energy efficient.