REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IT STRATEGIC POLICY CONSULTANCY

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS IT STRATEGIC POLICY CONSULTANCY 1. Introduction The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) invites interested, suitably qualified consulting firms or individuals to submit proposals for the undertaking of the development of an Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan for the DFC. 2. Project Objective The main objective of this project is to enhance Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening through the development of a comprehensive IT Strategy that will guide the Corporation in the use and management of Information Technology (IT) over the next five years. 3. Background The DFC is a development finance institution wholly-owned by the Government of Belize. In 2009, DFC was restructured under authority of the DFC Act No. 1 of 2009 of the Laws of Belize, to expand and strengthen the economy of Belize by providing funding on an economically sustainable and environmentally acceptable basis. DFC s clients are those individuals or groups seeking finance for specifically approved purposes on reasonable terms and conditions. The Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has developed two strategic documents, the Five-year Corporate Business Plan and the Strategic Development Plan. Both plans highlight the need for high emphasis on IT as one of the pillars of development, if the DFC is to achieve its goals as articulated in its Vision and Mission Statements. A recent Risk Management Review also highlighted the absence of a comprehensive Strategy for Information Technology as a major risk to the Corporation. 1

2 4. Deliverables : The project consists of four main deliverables that are outlined in the full Terms of Reference. The project is to be completed in 60 working days. 5. Proposal Submission Submissions are to be written in English language. Five copies are to be submitted in a sealed envelope indicating the name and address of the proposer and clearly marked PROPOSAL FOR IT STRATEGY CONSULTANCY and delivered as indicated below. A financial cost proposal is to be submitted separately in a sealed envelope. Due Date and Time: Addressed to: April 17 (Friday) at 4:00 PM General Manager Development Finance Corporation Po Box 40 Bliss parade Belmopan Belize ASSESSMENT: Following the assessment of the technical proposals, four proposals will be shortlisted. Financial proposals will be evaluated for the shortlisted submissions only. A final selection will be made by May 15th, 2015 and bidders will be advised. DFC reserves the right to accept or reject submissions or to cancel the present request partially or in its entirety. DFC will not be bound to assign any reason for not shortlisting any applicant, or for not accepting any proposal, however, all bidders will be advised in due course, of the results of their applications. DFC will not defray any costs incurred by bidders in the preparation and submission of the proposals. 2

3 Terms of Reference for IT Consultant The global objective of this project is to improve the DFC s product delivery through the effective use of information technology. Successful deployment of the IT Policy should result in improved business processes, long term cost effectiveness and better customer service. 1. Introduction In August of 2013 the DFC Board of Directors approved the acquisition and implementation of DPAC (Loan Management System), SAGE X3 (Financial Accounting), and SAGE HRMS (Human Resource Management) for DFC. The implementation of DPAC and SAGE X3 was adopted with the intention of facilitating a tangible evolution from the existing system Proledger. The Proledger system is very old and is now inadequate to meet DFC s demands for a modernized Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and an effective Loan Management System. The Board also approved the acquisition of an adequate hardware and database management system that will be robust enough to accommodate all of the DFC s current and medium-term operations and is adaptable to the long term requirements as the technology progresses. This achievement will be the foundation for the setup up of a modern, effective and sustainable IT infrastructure with appropriate software packages and adequate documentation of IT policies and procedures. The IT architecture should be able to support all core and non-core operations of the DFC. 3

4 2. Scope The DFC is seeking a consultant that will conduct the development of a comprehensive IT Strategy for its operations. The main components of the IT Strategy consultancy are as follows: a. Production of an IT Strategy and Policy that articulates the development, management and control ensuring relevance to the Strategic Development and Business Plans; b. Revision of the IT security and IT processes that are currently in place to ensure that they are in line with modernized best practices; c. Revision of the plans for hardware and software application development; and advice on the best employment strategy for maximum effectiveness and business continuity of these systems; and, d. Identification of the institutional risks that exist within the current IT processes and the delivery of specific recommendations for risk mitigation. 3. Deliverables The consultant will be required to produce the following outputs within a specified time span: a. An Inception Report, b. A Draft of IT Strategy and Policy, 3. A Final Draft IT Strategy and Policy, and, 4. A Final Report inclusive of the Final IT Strategy and Policy. 4

5 4. Responsibility of the IT Strategy Consultant The Consultant will have expertise in but not limited to Information System Analysis, Information System Architecture Design, Statistical Database Administration and Network Design and Implementation. The consultancy should be conducted over a period not exceeding six (6) calendar months. However, the successful consultant will be compensated for a total of sixty (60) consultancy days. The successful applicant will produce a plan that will: a. Assess the existing system design and recommend a suitable Enterprise Architecture and Framework; b. Examine the IT Department and recommend structure that focuses on best practice and business continuity; c. Examine the current IT governance system and make recommendations for IT management and control; d. Identify the institutional risks that exist with the current IT infrastructure and processes and make recommendation for risk mitigation; e. Identify IT opportunities and make recommendations for resource allocation; f. Discuss future IT requirements and advise on priority elements for implementation according to critical success factors; g. Update the Computer Usage Policy; h. Complete the IT security policy; and, i. Develop and Present an IT Audit Plan. 5. DFC s Responsibility DFC will provide the following: a. Provide the Consultant with all relevant documents that are available to facilitate the consultancy; b. Provide access to relevant IT and management Staff and schedule meetings with relevant personnel; and, c. Provide Office Space when necessary. 5

6 6. Consultant Qualification Applicants are expected to possess a graduate degree in Systems Analysis, Business Enterprise Architecture or a related field and have a proven track record of dealing with multidisciplinary organisations. The successful consultant must have at least ten (10) years of experience at a senior or executive management level in IT Operations or Business Enterprise. Qualification or expertise in Business Process Re-Engineering and banking will be an asset. 6