REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Recruitment of Consulting Firms for
Consultancy to develop National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
Formulation of National ICT Policy and Communities Based ICT Initiative Project
National Centre for information technology Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology Republic of Maldives
TOR – Development of National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
Terms of Reference for the Consultancy to develop National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
I BACKGROUND
1. The Government of Maldives has received funds from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) towards the formulation of the National ICT Policy and intends to apply a portion of this fund to eligible payments under the Contract for Consultancy to develop National ICT Strategies and Action Plans. 2. The Ministry Of communication, Science and Technology (MCST) wishes to hire a competent consultancy firm or consultant(s) to undertake the development of the National ICT Strategies and Action Plans and invites Proposals for the Consultancy to develop National ICT Strategic and Action Plans. 3. Maldives is an archipelago of 1,192 coral lying islands, out of which only about 200 are inhabited as homes to a total population of 280, 000. Maldives has two main industries tourism and fisheries. Both industries, however, are volatile and dependent on international conditions and markets. Positive Government planning and a relatively strong international demand for Maldives’ products and services, has led to strong economic growth in the last decade. The reliance of our main economic sectors such as tourism and fisheries, on the fragile natural environment, places the economy continually at a risk of dramatic contraction from sources outside its control. Recognizing the country’s limited and narrow economic base, Government has priority to diversify and strengthen the economy through ICT and its application. 4. A comprehensive and inclusive National ICT Policy, Strategy and Action Plan that is informed by national goals and development objectives is key to the development of the ICT as an industry, as a facilitator and as an enabler to the rest of the economy and society. 5. The National ICT Policy has been drafted and is currently under review by the stakeholders.
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TOR – Development of National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
II OBJECTIVES
6. The main objective of this consultancy is to formulate and develop comprehensive National ICT Strategies and Action Plans, which are informed by national goals and development objectives, towards the implementation of the National ICT Policy. 7. The ICT Strategies and the Action Plans will define the medium and long-term strategies, activities, programs, resource requirements, monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the National ICT Policy. 8. Specifically, this consultancy will: a. Review and advice on the drafted National ICT Policy document b. Recommend and develop activities and programs for the effective implementation of the policy c. Formulate resource requirements (in terms of financial, human and time frame) for the implementation of the activities and programs identified d. Recommend and develop an implementation organization framework e. Develop a mechanism for the evaluation and monitoring for the implementation of the policy
III SCOPE
9. Preparation of the Strategic and Action Plans require the consultants to: a. Review the drafted National ICT Policy document b. Assess the current situation of ICT in Maldives c. Formulate harmonized strategies d. Identify activities and programs e. Produce financial feasibility and implementation for these activities and programs including investment and operating cost estimates f. Recommend and develop organizational framework for the implementation of the National ICT Policy
g. Design and develop a methodology for the evaluation and monitoring of the policy implementation
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TOR – Development of National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
IV DELIVERABLES
10. At the end of the mission the consultant is expected to submit a report as follows to MCST: a. ICT Strategies & Action Plan b. Financial feasibility of the activities and programs
V REPORTING OBLIGATION
11. The Consultant(s) will submit draft deliverables and a final draft report at the end of the consultancy period. 12. The final deliverables and final report need to be submitted within 2 weeks after receiving comments from the Government. 13. Soft and hard copies of all the documents and worksheets will be submitted to MCST. 14. Soft and hard copies will be submitted in Microsoft Word format for documents, Microsoft Excel format for financial parts of the documents and Microsoft Project for implementation plans.
VI PROPOSAL
15. The consultant(s) shall define a workplan as part of their proposal, indicating the proposed methodology of their work and the nature and timing of intermediate deliverables. Selection will be made partially on the soundness of this workplan, which should be refined as the first task in the study. 16. The Proposal shall contain information indicated in the following paragraphs from (a) to (h) using the Standard Technical Proposal Forms (Appendix A). Such information must be provided by the Consultant and each Associate. a. A brief description of the organization and outline of recent experience of the Consultant and each Associate on assignments of a similar nature is required in Form TECH-1. For each assignment, the outline should indicate inter alia, the assignment, contract amount and the Consultant’s involvement. Information should be provided only for those assignments for which the Consultant was legally contracted by the client as a corporate entity or as one of the major participating consulting firms within an association. Assignments completed by individual experts working privately or through other consulting firms cannot be claimed as the experience of the Consultant, or that of the Consultant’s Associate(s), but can be claimed by the individuals themselves in their CVs. b. A concise, complete, and logical description of how the Consultant’s team will carry out the services to meet all requirements of the TOR. c. A work plan showing in graphical format (bar chart) the timing of major activities, anticipated coordination meetings, and deliverables such as reports required under the TOR.
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TOR – Development of National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
d. A Staffing Schedule (Form TECH-2, Appendix A) indicating clearly the estimated duration in terms of person-months (shown separately for work in the field and in the home office) and the proposed timing of each input for each nominated expert, including domestic experts (if required) using the format shown in Form TECH 2. e. An organization chart indicating relationships amongst the Consultant and any Associate(s), the Client, and other parties or stakeholders, if any, involved in the assignment. f. Comments, if any, on the TOR to improve performance in carrying out the assignment. Innovativeness will be appreciated, including workable suggestions that could improve the quality/effectiveness of the assignment. In this regard, unless the Consultant clearly states otherwise, it will be assumed by the Client that work required to implement any such improvements, are included in the inputs shown on the Consultant’s Staffing Schedule.
g. Detail facilities to be provided by the Client in addition to those shown on the Data Sheet. Requirements provide might include support facilities such as: EA counterpart staff, office space, local transportation, equipment, domestic administrative support, etc. that would be needed to carry out the assignment. h. The name, age, nationality, background employment record, and professional experience of each nominated expert, with particular reference to the type of experience required for the TA should be presented in the CV format shown in Form TECH-3.
VII EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
17. Evaluation Criteria a. First Degree or Masters in a related field, with at least 5 years of postqualification experience. b. Experience in working with government agencies and institution in Maldives and/or small island states c. Experience in Information Technology assessment as well as in the formulation and implementation of national ICT policies and strategies d. Excellent writing and communication skills
VIII FINANCING
18. The Consultant will propose a payment schedule in line with their workplan and deliverables.
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TOR – Development of National ICT Strategies & Action Plans
IX INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS
Quality and Cost - Based Selection (QCBS) Method 80% 20% 1100 hours, 02nd March 2005 16th March 2005 3 months (estimate) from commencement date. USD $ 60,000 10% of total contract value Amounts payable by the client to the Consultant under the contract will not be subject to local taxation (by withholding or otherwise)
1 1.1 1.2 2 2.1 2.2 3 3.1 3.2 4 5
Method of Selection Technical Score Financial Score Submission time and date of Technical and Financial Proposals Expected commencement of Services Time for Completion Budget for Consultancy Services Contingency (%) Local Taxation
Validity of Technical and 90 days from bid submission Financial proposals Representative/ Contact Person and Address of the Executing Agency Mr. Faaig Umar National Centre for Information Technology Ministry of Communication, Science & Technology 4th Floor, Aage’ Boduthakurufaanu Magu Male’, Republic of Maldives Tel: + (960) 34 4000 Fax:+ (960) 34 4004 Email: secretariat@ncit.gov.mv
6
Queries Queries in relation to this RFP should be forwarded to the above mentioned email address. Softcopy (MS Word) document of this RFP will be send upon request.
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Appendix A – Technical Proposal Standard Forms
X APPENDIX A. Technical Proposal Standard Forms
Contents
FORM Form TECH-1 Form TECH-2 Form TECH-3 Form TECH-4 TITLE Major works during last ten years Staffing Schedule Curriculum Vitae (CV) format to be submitted with the Proposal Summary of information on proposed experts
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Appendix A – Technical Proposal Standard Forms
FORM TECH-1 MAJOR WORK DURING LAST TEN YEARS THAT BEST ILLUSTRATES QUALIFICATIONS Please provide information only a project for which your firm was legally contracted by the client as a corporate entity or as one of the major companies within a consortium
Project Name:
Country:
Project Location within Country:
Professional Staff Provided by your Company: No. of Staff:
Name of Client:
No. of Person-Months:
Start Date (Month/Year):
Completion Date: (Month/Year)
Approx. Value of Services: (US$ equivalent)
Name of Associated Firm(s), if any:
No. of Person-Months of Professional Staff Provided by Associated Firm(s):
Name of Senior Staff (Project Director/Coordinator, Team Leader) Involved and Functions Performed:
Detailed Narrative Description of Project:
Detailed Description of Actual Services Provided by your Company:
Firm’s Name:________________________________________
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Appendix A – Technical Proposal Standard Forms
FORM TECH-2 STAFFING SCHEDULE [TA NO. / PROJECT NAME]
NAME INTERNATIONAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 SUBTOTAL DOMESTIC 0 0 0 0 0 SUB-TOTAL TOTAL 0 0 0 0 0 0 FIRM POSITION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MONTH 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 MONTHS INPUT FIELD HOME TOTAL
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Appendix A – Technical Proposal Standard Forms
FORM TECH-3 CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) FORMAT TO BE SUBMITTED WITH PROPOSAL
1.
PROPOSED POSITION FOR THIS PROJECT NAME DATE OF BIRTH NATIONALITY PERSONAL ADDRESS TELEPHONE NO. FAX NO. E-MAIL ADDRESS EDUCATION
(The years in which various qualifications were obtained must be stated)
:
(ONLY ONE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE NOMINATED FOR EACH POSITION)
2. 3. 4. 5.
: : : : : : : :
6.
7. 8.
OTHER TRAINING LANGUAGE & DEGREE OF PROFICIENCY MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES COUNTRIES OF WORK EXPERIENCE EMPLOYMENT RECORD
:
:
9.
:
10.
: :
(Starting with present position, list in reversed order every employment held and state the start and end dates of each employment.)
11.
FROM EMPLOYER POSITION HELD AND DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES 12. DETAILED TASKS ASSIGNED
: :
TO
(Clearly distinguish your "employer" as an employee of the firm from a "client" for whom you have worked as a consultant or an adviser.)
: : WORK UNDERTAKEN THAT BEST ILLUSTRATES CAPABILITY TO HANDLE THE TASKS ASSIGNED.
(In this column, list project name, location, year, position held, i.e., Team Leader, Hydrologist, Agricultural Economist, etc. and exact duties rendered and time spent on each project.)
(In this column, list tasks one by one and support each task by project experience in the right hand side column.)
13.
CERTIFICATION (Please follow exactly the following format. Omission will be seen as noncompliance)
I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this biodata correctly describes myself, my qualifications, and my experience. I understand that any willful misstatement described herein may lead to my disqualification or dismissal, if engaged. I have been employed by [name of the firm] continuously for the last (12) months as regular full time staff (indicate yes or no in the following boxes):
Yes
No
SIGNATURE:
DATE OF SIGNING:
Day Month Year
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Appendix A – Technical Proposal Standard Forms
FORM TEC-4 SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ON PROPOSED EXPERTS (TA No./Country/Project Name)
Family Name, First Name
Proposed Position for the Project
Int'l. or Domestic
Nationality
Firm (acronym)
Employment Status with Firm (full time regular staff or other)
Education/Degree (Year/Institution)
No. of years of relevant project experience
CV Signature (by Expert/ by Other)
.
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