THE FRAMEWORK FOR CERTIFICATIONS AND THE STANDARDS OF IT INDUSTRY OF AFGHANISTAN]

Transcription

1 REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI INCLUDING TOR) [INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TO DESIGN THE FRAMEWORK FOR CERTIFICATIONS AND THE STANDARDS OF IT INDUSTRY OF AFGHANISTAN] COUNTRY: NAME OF THE PROJECT: SECTOR: CONSULTING SERVICES: CONTRACT TYPE: DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: DUTY STATION: CONTRACT REFERENCE NO: WORLD BANK GRANT NO: PROJECT ID NO: IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: Afghanistan Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Consultancy Services by an Individual Consultant to design the Framework for Certifications and the Standards of IT Industry Individual Consultant-Lump-sum Contract 03 months { 15 Working days at Kabul and the rest in Consultant s Office} Kabul, Afghanistan MCIT/ICTDP/P121755/IDA-H-665-AF/C3.9 IDA-H-665-AF P Project Implementation and Coordination Unit (PICU) of MCIT Background: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the ICT Sector Development Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for these consulting services by an Individual Consultant to design the Framework for Certifications and the Standards of IT Industry. The Consultancy Services ( the Services ) include services by a qualified individual consultant, under overall directions of Deputy Minister- IT of MCIT, at Kabul-Afghanistan. The aim of the ICT Sector Development Project is to expand broadband connectivity, mainstream use of mobile applications across the Government and develop the capacity of the IT sector to facilitate improved service delivery across Afghanistan while accelerating job creation and economic growth. The project will do so by: (a) Creating the enabling environment and making strategic investments for the development of Afghanistan s backbone and broadband infrastructure; (b) Supporting the mainstreaming of mobile applications across Government by supporting innovations and creation of cross cutting enablers; and (c) Developing local IT infrastructure and capacity in the public and private sectors.

2 Project Development Objectives of ICTDP of MCIT: Output Indicators for each Project Component of the World Bank funded ICT Sector Development Project of MCIT are listed below: The PDO-level results indicators are as follows: Impact of Consultancy Support Component 1: Expanding connectivity Expanded reach and availability of telecommunications services and specifically broadband Internet services Component 2: Mainstreaming mobile applications Use of mobile applications across Government for public services and program management Improved capacity of Government to use IT strategically Output Indicator(s) Revised ICT policy adopted by the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Access to internet services (number of subscribers per 100 people) Access to telephone services (number of subscriptions per 100 people) Length of fibre optic network built under the Project (km) Number of Government agencies or programs using m-apps for public service delivery or program management Number of ministry CIOs and other officials trained under the Project Component 3: IT industry development Growth of local IT Individual Consultancy Number of people trained Firm/Organization/Company and job under the Project creation in the IT based services sector Baseline (2010) 2003 telecom and Internet policy; 2003 ICT policy Proposed targets (2016) Revised policy adopted Project Implementation Arrangements of ICTDP of MCIT: The Project has a centralized management structure. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is the implementing agency for the project. MCIT is Page 2 of 7

3 implementing a number of sectoral projects funded by the government and other development partners. To manage its portfolio of investment projects better, MCIT has established a Program Implementation and Coordination Unit (PICU) that the Deputy Minister (Technical) of MCIT chairs. A Schematic of PICU is below: PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE (PSC) for the Project on ICT SECTOR DEVLEOPMENT PROJECT of Afghanistan Program Implementation and Coordination Unit (PICU) Chairman of PICU: H.E. Engineer. Baryalai Hassam, Deputy Minister - Technical of the Ministry of Communications and IT Project Management Office Project Management Specialist; Financial Management Specialist; Procurement & Logistics Officers; M& E Officer and Supervisors; Communications specialist; Other Specialists/Experts of PMO Mr. Aziz -Ur Rahman- Policy and Planning Director of MCIT H.E. Engr. Aimal Marjan- DM-IT of MCIT Dr. Azizi- Chairman-ATRA [Co-opted Member] Mr. Janat Khan Fahim- Procurement Director of MCIT Engr. Gul Ahmad Rastman-CEO of Afghan Telecom Mr. M. Yasin Hamraz- Finance Director of MCIT The Directors of the Planning and Policy Department and IT Department are the core members of the PICU. The Finance and Procurement Directorates of MCIT provide support to the PICU. This is to ensure further strengthening and sustainability of program management capacity that has been developed over the last few years within MCIT. Core financial management and procurement functions for the project are handled by the respective departments within MCIT. A Project Management Office (PMO) headed by the Project Management Specialist supports MCIT in implementation of the IDA Project. This PMO is part of the established PICU. Brief on the Telecommunications Sector Growth of Afghanistan: In July 2003, two licenses for GSM Services (in 900 MHz) were issued to Afghan Wireless Communications Company (AWCC) and Telecom Development Company Afghanistan (Roshan). Pursuant to the Policy, they were provided a duopoly on GSM Services until the end of Based on the fact that the three year term of the two original licenses was about to come to an end, on 21 May 2005, Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority(ATRA) officially launched an international competitive tender for two additional licenses for GSM Services (and Page 3 of 7

4 any other services in the assigned 900 and 1800 MHz bands). As a result, two additional GSM licenses were issued in May 2006, one to MTN and another to Etisalat. There are about 63 ISPs operating in Afghanistan, providing Internet Services based on different Technologies and the Media. These are in addition to the four GSM Operators and one CDMA Operator (Afghan Telecom (AFTEL)), who also provide Internet Services in the Country. The former Telecommunication Department of the Ministry of Communications of Afghanistan was taken out of the Ministry of Communications and became a government owned Telecommunications Company which also received a Unified Services license from ATRA in It was named Afghan Telecom (AFTEL). AFTEL also inherited Fixed Line and Fiber Optic networks. In addition, AFTEL also provides Internet services through its fixed line facilities as well as through WiMAX frequencies allocated to it by ATRA. Since private entry into the Telecom market in 2003, the telecom sector in Afghanistan has grown at a remarkable rate and now approximately 18 million Afghanistan businesses, government entities and consumers have mobile telephone service and over one million users have Internet services. And, the current installation of an AFTEL Fiber Optic ring throughout Afghanistan is connecting Afghanistan with the rest of the World at lower costs for voice and data services. Now, that the basic needs of the people in Afghanistan have been fulfilled, MCIT and ATRA have also issued 3G (Third Generation) and Broadband Wireless Services Licenses. The Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) was established in 2006 for issuance of licenses, monitoring of quality of services provided by the licensees and taking measures towards developing the sector by encouraging private sector investments. Activities of ATRA are mainly based on the Telecom policy developed and adopted by the Ministry of Communications and IT on 03 July, 2003, with the vision to develop the Telecom and Internet sector in order to provide affordable and quality services to the citizens of Afghanistan on a nationwide basis.. Afghan Telecom (AFTEL) is a Telecom Operator, 100 % owned by Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT). It is a Government owned Corporation and planned to be privatized in due course of time. In 2006, Optical Fiber Cable Ring Project was funded by the Government from the Core Development Budget, to establish an OFC Ring of 3100 Kms and again in 2010, another 500 Kms OFC Route has been funded under Core Development Budget of MCIT. AFTEL is the only Operator in Afghanistan currently permitted to own the OFC based Backbone of the Country. The Company is selling Internet Bandwidth by bringing the same from neighboring Countries (Pakistan, Iran, Tajakistan and Uzbekistan) through OFC Backbone. Telecom Operators and ISPs are hiring the OFC based Internet Capacities and the Fiber Capacities from Afghan Telecom. Under the World Bank funded ICT Sector Development Project as approved in May, 2011, up to 29 Million USD will be spent to connect 05 Provinces and 13 Districts to the existing OFC Ring of MCIT/Afghan Telecom. Estimated OFC Route that will be commissioned is 1,000 Kms connecting a total of 18 Communication Nodes. Page 4 of 7

5 Objectives of the Individual Consultancy Assignment: Individual Consultant (Consultant) will design the Framework for carrying out Software Certifications based on the best international practices and Standards for the growth of IT Industry. The Consultant will recommend an Organizational Structure that needs to be put in place by MCIT which would have the befitting hardware, software and the firmware to carry out Software Certifications in the Country and all the Standards, Regulations and the Procedures that need to be adopted by MCIT will be listed out by the Consultant. Detailed Scope of Work/Tasks of the Consultant: To carry out analysis of all types of major Software and Hardware as used by major users operating in Afghanistan; To analyze international best practices adopted for Software Compatibilities; To list out the Software Standards that should be adopted for Software Certifications; To list out the Hardware and the Software that is needed to carry our Software Certifications based on Standards that could be adopted in Afghanistan; To suggest an Organizational Structure for carrying out Software and Hardware Certifications in Afghanistan; To prepare Standard Operating Procedures that should be followed by MCIT to carry out Software and hardware Certifications in Afghanistan; Any other tasks related to this Assignment that would be given to the Consultant by Deputy Minister-IT of MCIT. To frame the Regulations, Policies, Rules and Guidelines for carrying out effective Certifications based on the laid down standards and to train ATRA and MCIT s Staff on all the above mentioned aspects. Deliverables and Reporting Requirements: a) The Consultant will be located in MCIT s main office at Kabul, Afghanistan for 15 Working Days out of a total Assignment Period of 03 Months (having 66 Working Days). For the balance of the Assignment Period, the Consultant will work on the given Tasks in his own Office. b) The Consultant will report to the DM-IT of MCIT and he will submit weekly and monthly Progress Reports on all the Tasks assigned to him, to the DM-IT of MCIT and to the Project Director of ICTDP-MCIT. c) Deliverables: The following Reports will be submitted as Deliverables within 12 Weeks of the Consultancy Support: Report-1: Consolidated Report on the Analysis of International best practices pertaining to Software and Hardware Certifications and Standards including Software Compatibilities; Report-2: Consolidated Report on the Hardware, Software and the Organizational Structure as recommended to carry out Certifications based on laid down Standards for Afghanistan; Page 5 of 7

6 Report-3: Draft Regulations, Policies, Rules and Guidelines for carrying out effective Certifications as per laid down Standards in the Country. Qualifications and Experience Requirements of the Consultant: Bachelors degree in any discipline of IT/Computer engineering/sciences; Masters degree in any discipline related to IT or MBA will be preferred; Professional certifications from Microsoft or Cisco and Oracle will be preferred; Minimum of 10 years of Experience in managing the ICT Sector, after University Degree; Good understanding of international development of IT Industries and Software Certifications/Standards; Good knowledge of IT Industry Certification Requirements; Good communication, writing, research and management skills. Timelines and payment schedules: The selected Consultant will be paid as under: a) 30 % of the Contract Value on submission of Report-1; b) 40 % of the Contract Value on submission of Report-2; c) 30 % of the Contract Value on submission of Report-3; Reports will be submitted to DM-IT and to the PMO of the ICT Sector Development Project (ICTDP) of MCIT. All the agreed upon Milestones of the consultancy will be considered complete only upon the acceptance and formal approval of DM-IT of MCIT and the Chairman of PICU. All payments will be made within 30 days from the date of submission of approved and signed Invoices, Activity/Time Sheets for the Period and the Reports, both in English and Pashtu/Dari languages. Facilities to be given by MCIT: The following facilities and Support will be provided to the Consultant by the client (MCIT): Shared suitable working space in MCIT s main Building at Kabul; Shared Internet connectivity in Office; Relevant background documents as held on charge of ICT Department; Vehicle for mobility for official tasks during working hours, if required. Pick-up and Drop Facility by a suitable Car of MCIT. Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) by MCIT: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV, Brochures, Description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills etc.). A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January, 2011 edition). Page 6 of 7

7 To ensure impartiality, the consultant (including his home office, if any) must not, in any way, be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project. For further details, Interested Consultants can contact the address given below, during office hours from 0800 to 1600 hours: Foreign Procurement Department (FPD) (Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samin) General Manager for External Procurements; Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT) Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan Phone: Office: ; Cell: ; Web site: Any queries on the position may also be addressed to the above mentioned address with CC to and latest one week before the deadline for submission of expression of interest. Expressions of interest, including detailed Resumes must be delivered (by s) by 8 th December, 2015{2.00 PM Kabul Time}, to the addresses as given below: 1) Foreign Procurement Department (FPD) (Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samim) General Manager for External Procurements Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT) Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan fpd@mcit.gov.af 2) Mohammad Ismail Bhat; PMS-ICTDP-MCIT; mi.bhat@mcit.gov.af;mib1946@yahoo.com 3) Dr. Nadir Soroush; Logistics and Acting Procurement Officer of the PMO-ICTDP: ID: nadir.soroush@mcit.gov.af;soroushmnadir@yahoo.com Page 7 of 7