The First Microfinance Bank Afghanistan (FMFB-A)

Transcription

1 . The First Microfinance Bank Afghanistan (FMFB-A) Request for Proposal To Supply Internet Connectivity Services Version: Date of Issue: 19/04/2016 Privacy Notice This document contains sensitive information owned by FMFB-A Afghanistan. The information, in part or full or in any circumstances, should not be given to persons other than those involved in the project or who will become involved during the project lifecycle. The prior written permission of Project Manager shall be needed to share full or partial information with the persons or organizations other than the legal / authorized recipients. Version:

2 Table of Contents 1. Statement of Work Purpose Coverage and Participation General Information Original RFP Document The Bank Existing Internet Environment Existing Hardware Schedule of Events Proposal Preparation Instructions Service Provider s Understanding of the RFP Good Faith Statement Communication Proposal Submissions Method of Award Selection and Notification Scope of Work, Specifications and Requirements: Service Requirements Technical Specifications Contract Stipulations Vendor Qualifications Budget and Estimated Pricing Estimated Costs Service Provider Certification Version:

3 1. Statement of Work 1.1 Purpose The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to invite prospective service providers to submit a proposal to supply Internet Connectivity services to FMFB-A. The RFP provides service providers with the relevant operational, performance, application, and architectural requirements of the solution. 1.2 Coverage and Participation The intended coverage of this RFP, and any agreement resulting from this solicitation, shall be for the use of all departments at FMFB-A. FMFB-A reserves the right not to enter into any contract, to add and/or delete elements, or to change any element of the coverage and participation at any time without prior notification and without any liability or obligation of any kind or amount. 2. General Information 2.1 Original RFP Document FMFB-A shall retain the RFP, and all related terms and conditions, exhibits and other attachments, in original form in an archival copy. Any modification of these, in the vendor s submission, is grounds for immediate disqualification. 2.2 The Bank The First Microfinance Bank, Afghanistan has been operating as Commercial Bank registered with Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) with the vision to be recognized as the leading microfinance services provider in Afghanistan contributing to poverty alleviation and economic development through the provision of sustainable financial services primarily targeting at the micro & small businesses and households. This vision lays tremendous responsibility for the bank to ensure its operations continued effectively, providing all banking solutions to its customers. In this regards, amongst many other facilities FMFB- A provides the Online Transactions service to it valued customers. To facilitate the service FMFB-A deploys a robust Wide Area Network amongst its twenty one (21) branches located in major cities initially and extending the same to sixteen (16) other branches located in remote locations at later stages. 2.3 Existing Internet Environment The following is an overview of our current Internet environment where currently the WAN is deployed. Branch City Hardware Available Bandwidth Additional Information Taimani Kabul N/A Mandvi Kabul N/A Kote-Sangi Kabul N/A Khair Khana Kabul N/A Jalalabad Jalalabad N/A Charikar Charikar Ref N/A PulKhumry PulKhumry Ref N/A Mazar 1 Mazar N/A Mazar 2 Mazar N/A Shiberghan Shiberghan Ref N/A Maimana Maimana Ref N/A Kunduz Kunduz Ref N/A Takhar Takhar Ref N/A Faizabad Faizabad Ref N/A Version:

4 Bamyan Bamayan N/A Heart 1 Heart N/A Heart 2 Herat N/A 2.4 Existing Hardware Branches LNB: BUC: Dish: Media Sputnik R2784 Series Media Sputnik T5036 Series 1.8 Meter Ku Band 2.5 Schedule of Events The following is a tentative schedule that will apply to this RFP, but may change in accordance with the organization s needs or unforeseen circumstances. Changes will be communicated by to all invited bidders. Issuance of RFP 19/04/2016 Technical Questions/Inquiries due 26/04/2016 Complete Initial Evaluation 30/04/2016 Final Award Notification 20/05/ Proposal Preparation Instructions 3.1 Service Provider s Understanding of the RFP In responding to this RFP, the service provider accepts the responsibility to fully understand the RFP in its entirety, and in detail, including making any inquiries to FMFB-A as necessary to gain such understanding. FMFB-A reserves the right to disqualify any service provider who demonstrates less than such understanding. Further, FMFB-A reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether the vendor has demonstrated such understanding. That right extends to cancellation of award prior to contract signing, if an award has been made. Such disqualification and/or cancellation shall be at no fault, cost, or liability whatsoever to FMFB-A. 3.2 Good Faith Statement All information provided by FMFB-A in this RFP is offered in good faith. Individual items are subject to change at any time. FMFB-A makes no certification that any item is without error. FMFB-A is not responsible or liable for any use of the information or for any claims asserted there from. 3.3 Communication Verbal communication shall not be effective unless formally confirmed in writing by the specified procurement official in charge of managing this RFP process. In no case shall verbal communication govern over written communication Vendors Inquiries. Applicable terms and conditions herein shall govern communications and inquiries between FMFB-A and service providers as they relate to this RFP. Inquiries, questions, and requests for clarification related to this RFP are to be directed in writing to: FMFB-A Admin & Logistics Department/ Head Office, Kabul House # 148, Street # 4, Ansari square, Kolola Pushta Road, Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul - Afghanistan. 1. Attention: Fateullah Baig Telephone: [email protected] Version:

5 2. CC: Sameer Osmani Telephone: E- mail: 3. CC: Mohd. Yousuf Yousufi Telephone: E- mail: Informal communications shall include, but are not limited to: requests from/to service providers or service providers representatives in any capacity, to/from any FMFB-A employee or representative of any kind or capacity with the exception of Baig for information, comments, speculation, etc. Inquiries for clarifications and information that will not require addenda may be submitted verbally to the above named at any time Formal communications shall include, but are not limited to: Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing. Errors and omissions in this RFP and enhancements. Service providers shall bring to FMFB-A any discrepancies, errors, or omissions that may exist within this RFP. With respect to this RFP, service providers shall recommend to FMFB-A any enhancements, which might be in FMFB-A s best interests. These must be submitted in writing. Inquiries about technical interpretations must be submitted in writing. Inquiries for clarifications/information that will not require addenda may be submitted verbally to the buyer named above at any time during this process. Verbal and/or written presentations and pre-award negations under this RFP. Addenda to this RFP Addenda. FMFB-A will make a good-faith effort to provide a written response to each question or request for clarification that requires addenda. 3.4 Proposal Submissions Proposals must be delivered sealed to: FMFB-A Admin & Logistics Department/ Head Office, Kabul House # 148, Street # 4, Ansari square, Kolola Pushta Road, Shahr-e-Naw, Kabul - Afghanistan. Vendors are to submit one (1) original copy of proposal marked Original and one (1), marked Copy. Each original and copy must be individually bound. 3.5 Method of Award The evaluation of each response to this RFP will be based on its demonstrated competence, compliance, format, and enterprise. The purpose of this RFP is to identify those suppliers that have the interest, capability, and financial strength to supply FMFB-A with a Internet solution identified in the Scope of Work. Following will be Evaluation Criteria but not limited to: 1. Capability of vendor to meet or exceed requirements set forth in Scope of Work. 2. Expressed interest in working with FMFB-A. 3. Financial stability of vendor. 4. Ability of vendor to communicate its vision and capacity for establishing a relationship that addresses current and future needs and trends in the industry. 5. Desirability of proposed solution. 6. Cost effectiveness Version:

6 3.6 Selection and Notification Service providers determined by FMFB-A that possess the capacity to compete for this contract will be selected to move into the negotiation phase of this process. Written notification will be sent to these vendors via mail. Those vendors not selected for the negotiation phase will not be notified. 4. Scope of Work, Specifications and Requirements: The need of the FMFB-A is to have VPN access among its Head-Office and all its remote-branches to provide the online banking facility. Beside VPN access, other web services access required for business operations. 4.1 Service Requirements 1. Dedicated pure 1:1 Full-Duplex bandwidth required. Details described in point 6.1 under Column Bandwidth. 2. Allow IPSec VPN traffic passing through the ISP for VPN creation between all the Head-Office and Remote sites. No service interruption and or instability is accepted on the VPN services. It is the ISP responsibility to resolve if there is any sort of vpn tunnel interruptions or tunnel losses on the links provided by the mentioned ISP 3. Minimum answer time (given by the ping command). A single Satellite hop to connect to the HO and other branches network is preferred in order to minimize the answer time. An average answer time of more than 1000ms will be considered as too high and may lead to the rejection of the proposal. 4. The solution must provide uninterrupted network availability. The ISP will have to explain its policy in case of network downtimes / timeouts and disconnections. 4.2 Technical Specifications Service level guarantees must be identified for each type of service for the following performance specifications: o Availability o Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) o Round-trip latency o Packet loss o Jitter o Provisioning interval guarantees Identify which locations will be serviced by the service provider s on-net facilities, and which will be wholesaled from other providers. Include information on the extent of the wholesaled facilities (i.e. last mile, POP, entire circuit to a peering point, etc.). For provisioning of -Connection- identify the Traceroute path. (If at any time the mentioned path is changed, FMFB-A has the right and will cancel the whole month payment for the specific link. 4.3 Contract Stipulations The contract should include a clause that provides FMFB-A with most favored nation status, where the service provider will provide equivalent pricing to its best customers with similar spending levels. The contract must provide for periodic price reviews to ensure that pricing is competitive throughout the life of the contract. The contract must include penalties tied to inability to meet SLA commitments, including a clause to terminate the contract without penalty if the service provider fails to meet SLA commitments for 3 consecutive months. The contract must include a clause which mentions if any common services including but not limited to VPN is not working/running on the Service/link provided by the ISP, the ISP is responsible to take-care of the issue as whole and fix it. 5. Vendor Qualifications All vendors must provide the following information in order for their proposal to be considered: 1. Comment on their present contracted and available bandwidth capabilities. Comment on the maximum bandwidth usage over the previous 6 months. 2. How long as the ISP been in business? 3. How many domains are hosted by the ISP? Version:

7 4. What percentage of time all of your equipment was accessible on the Internet for the last six months. Comment on the number and time of any downtimes experienced over the previous 6 months. 5. What backup facilities are available to the ISP in case of any failure in main link 6. How long does it take to set up / switch to any alternate links? Comment on whether any hot backup facilities are available. 7. Comment on how the ISP monitors their network and those of their national backbone providers 24 hours, seven days per week and how they respond to any outages. 8. Does the ISP offer routine technical support 24/7. If not, comment on the hours that routine technical support is provided. How is technical support provided outside these hours? 9. Comment on the policy of the ISP in increasing its available bandwidth. At what level of usage would the ISP increase its available bandwidth? Comment on any guarantee that the ISP is willing to give on their policy to increase available bandwidth. 10. Comment on the Firewall Protection offered by the ISP and other protective measures taken to prevent intruders from entering into the system. 11. Comment on the VSAT technology, network equipment which will be supplied for FMFB-A. including: a) Equipment that will be installed/utilized b) Supported services and protocols, i.e. IPSec/IP etc. c) VSAT Technology (TDMA, DVB, SCPC) d) VSAT band (KA, KU, C Bands) 12. Detailed comment on the different billing options available including: a) Complete costs to users including connect charges, on-going support charges, disconnect charges, required software, etc. b) Complete costs to FMFB-A c) Revenues to FMFB-A, if any d) Available discounts, i.e., multi-year contract, account volume, etc. e) Costs involved in discontinuance of service by either party f) Monthly billing procedures (from a user s point of view) 12. Does the ISP follow all rules/regulations and restrictions set by Regulatory Authority? 13. Does the ISP Provide Services in the following cities of Afghanistan? Kabul Jalalabad Charikar Jablsaraj PulKhumry Mazar Shiberghan SariPul Maimana Andkoi Aaqcha Balkh Khulm Kunduz Takhar Faizabad Baharak Jirm Zebak Ishkashim Shugnan Darwaz Herat Sholgara Aybak Bamyan Version:

8 Yakawalang Waras Panjab Doshi 14. List any other Provinces and Cities within Afghanistan that the ISP regional office/staff. 15. Which nearest branch office provides support services, where there is no branch office setup available? 16. Is the ISP Licensed, and by whom? 17. Does the ISP have any contractual relationships with ISP s outside of Afghanistan, whether it be by way of technical agreements or other such agreements? If so please explain the relationships; 18. What is the organizational structure of the ISP? How many technical staff are employed by the ISP? What are their professional qualifications and experience? 19. Provide the list of client references at least 3 from each city described in point 2.3 under Column City. 20. What is the minimum link uptime for VSAT and for connections? 21. Is the ISP a reseller or does it have direct access to the satellite in case troubleshooting is required? 22. Provide the Traceroute path for the connections the ISP provides for FMFB-A. (this traceroute path needs to be permanent and the ISP does not have the right to change the path/route anytime without notifying FMFB-A) 23. Provide exact name of the Satellite provider that FMFB-A VSAT sites are given access through. 24. Mention the Link-Uptime percentage 6. Budget and Estimated Pricing All service providers must fill out the following cost breakdown for the implementation of their solution for FMFB-A s project as described in this RFP. Costs should be identified as setup cost, hardware cost (Exclude Existing Useable Hardware) and monthly charges, also include your transportation and lodging for setup and onward maintenance. Further, all cost should be mentioned in local currency i.e. Afghani 6.1 Estimated Costs Branch City Hardware Available Bandwidth Requested Existing Media Media Offer Setup Cost Monthly Charges First-time Hardware & Installation Cost Taimani Mandvi Kote-Sangi Khair Khana Kabul Kabul Kabul Kabul Version:

9 HO Kabul Jalalabad Jalalabad Heart 1 Heart Heart 2 Heart Mazar 2 Mazar Charikar Charikar Ref PulKhumry PulKhumry Ref Shiberghan Shiberghan Ref Maimana Maimana Ref Kunduz Kunduz Ref Takhar Takhar Ref Faizabad Faizabad Ref Bamyan Bamayan NILL 3Mbps- 3Mbps- (Backbone provider must not be Afghan- Telecom) Version:

10 Samangan Samangan NILL Kishem Kishem NILL Baharak Baharak NILL Yakawlang Bamyan Panjab Bamyan Khulm Mazar Sholgara Mazar Balkh Mazar Sare-Pul Sare-Pul Andkhoi Faryab Aaqcha Jozjan Jurm Badakhshan Doshi Jablsaraj Head Office Baghlan Parwan Kabul Ishkashim Badakhshan NILL Zebak Badakhshan NILL Darwaz Badakhshan NILL Shughnan Badakhshan NILL Waras Bamyan NILL 2Mbps Up/ 2Mbps 512Kbps- 512Kbps- (KU or KA Band) Version:

11 7. Service Provider Certification This certification attests to the service provider s awareness and agreement to the content of this RFP and all accompanying calendar schedules and provisions contained herein. The service provider must ensure that the following certificate is duly completed and correctly executed by an authorized officer of your company. This proposal is submitted in response to RFP issued by FMFB-A. The undersigned is a duly authorized officer, hereby certifies that: (Service Provider Name) agrees to be bound by the content of this proposal and agrees to comply with the terms, conditions, and provisions of the referenced RFP and any addenda thereto in the event of an award. Exceptions are to be noted as stated in the RFP. The proposal shall remain in effect for a period of thirty (30) calendar days as of the Due Date of the RFP. The undersigned further certify that their firm (check one): * IS * IS NOT currently debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by any Govt./other entity. The undersigned agree to notify FMFB-A of any change in this status, should one occur, until such time as an award has been made under this procurement action. Person(s) authorized to negotiate on behalf of this firm for purposes of this RFP are: Name: Signature: Name: Signature: Title: Date: Title: Date: Signature of Authorized Officer: Name: Signature: Title: Date: Version: