1. BACKGROUND. Terms of Reference. Background

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1 GOVERNMENT OF SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Project TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTING SERVICES For the Design of a National Broadband Network SVG CARCIP C QCBS - 1

2 Terms of Reference Background 1. BACKGROUND The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (GoSVG) has initiated the Caribbean Regional Communications Program (CARCIP) to support concrete initiatives in the use of ICT for economic growth and development. This is in line with the country s approved National Development Strategy for Information Communication Technology which seeks among other things to address key policy and regulatory bottlenecks which constrain the use of ICT to stimulate growth. CARCIP will support the implementation of the nation s comprehensive strategy, allowing the country to accelerate the deployment of critical national communications infrastructure and leveraging this infrastructure To support these efforts, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has sought assistance from the World Bank for the preparation and financing of a project which would form part of a wider Caribbean initiative under the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP). CARCIP is supporting improvements to the broadband access in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and expecting to leverage the infrastructure for growth of the Information Technology (IT) Industry and improvement of delivery of public services. In so doing the Government will be able to leverage ICT as a pillar of its national development strategy; this sector having been prioritized by the government in order to create new avenues for economic diversification, employment, growth competitiveness and social inclusion. The project is being implemented by the Central Planning Division (CPD) in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning with technical support from Telecommunications, Science and Technology and Information Technology Services Division in the Office of the Prime Minister. Part of this project relates to skills and curriculum development and certification for eligible public and private training institutions and private entities. To this end, the CPD seeks to engage the services of a suitably qualified consulting firm to validate the connectivity gaps in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and propose appropriate broadband network solutions for those connectivity gaps, including the smaller islands of Palms and Petit Saint Vincent, which could lead to more direct connectivity with neighboring Grenada, while enhancing the overall resilience of the regional network. The network would also extend to the new commercial city being planned by government (current airport location) and strategic seaport locations on the island. 2

3 Objectives The objective of this consultancy is to engage a consulting firm to: 1. Validate the existing government broadband connectivity and identified gaps. 2. Propose broadband network solutions for those connectivity gaps, utilizing existing physical and virtual network infrastructure and Public Private Partnership Framework for the management operation. Such design will take into account: (i) current and future traffic streams within SVG and between participating countries (ii) the existing and proposed expansion plans of all operators; (iii) annual forecasts of voice, data and internet connectivity needs of beneficiaries including Government, Private sector, Educational Networks (CLKN) (iv) expected increases in regional and international traffic; (v) provisioning of other services such as e-learning, e-government and m- Government. 3. Conduct a detailed traffic assessment taking into account: (i) current and future traffic streams within SVG and between participating countries (ii) the existing and proposed expansion plans of all operators; (iii) annual forecasts of voice, data and internet connectivity requirements of beneficiaries including Government, Private sector, Educational Networks (CLKN and other selected Educational Institutions) (iv) expected increases in regional and international traffic; (v) provisioning of other services such as e-learning, e-government and m-government. Scope of Services The consulting firm will be expected to evaluate the existing infrastructure to identify existing connectivity gaps and bottlenecks and to design broadband network solutions to bridge the identified gaps and bottlenecks. To this end the consultant will be expected to expedite the assessment process by validating gaps identified by recent studies. The consultant will be also expected to design appropriate broadband solutions to bridge the identified gaps based on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework where appropriate. The consultant will also assist with the development and execution of an appropriate public awareness campaign for improved usage of existing services. Such connectivity gaps may include, but are not limited to, submarine cable infrastructure, terrestrial broadband fiber backbone networks, passive infrastructure, wireless access for rural connectivity and terrestrial or submarine cross-border links. In designing the system the consulting firm will provide options for achieving broadband access for all government operations in keeping with national objectives and targets. This will be achieved in collaboration with the service providers, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders. 3

4 Infrastructure designs should focus on: Broadband Network: The consulting firm will submit a design proposal and costs to complete the establishment of a scalable, heterogeneous broadband network with sufficient bandwidth and throughput to allow government agencies including overseas offices/missions to connect through high-speed physical and virtual private networks (VPN s)(carrier Ethernet) using secure and reliable convergent technologies and services. The network design should make it possible to leverage the network for reliable and fast national communications including emergency communications, (possibly mobile system, independent of terrestrial network but providing interoperability between key agencies such as fire, police and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) The network should provide affordable connectivity for the entire population of SVG, enhance the overall resilience of the regional network, and could be further leveraged as the primary backbone for a National Research and Education Network (NREN). The NREN will have the capacity to be linked to the Caribbean Regional Research and Education Network (C@ribNet), currently being deployed throughout the region, including SVG, and being coordinated and managed by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN). The consulting firm will provide design proposals and costs for regional broadband connectivity in rural communities and the Grenadines including the smaller islands of Palm and Petit St. Vincent. Design considerations will include but not be limited to the establishment of strategically placed passive infrastructure (e.g. ducts and towers) access nodes or points of presence, ICT centers, Telecenters etc. and the use of wireless technologies such as WiMAX, 3G and 4G mobile to reach remote areas with minimal infrastructure requirements. General Responsibilities and Duties The Consulting firm will be expected to: Provide transaction advice for a public-private partnership model. Validate the findings of recent assessment of the existing infrastructure and services in consultation with existing network providers, beneficiaries and stakeholders to identify connectivity gaps and communications bottlenecks. Evaluate value-for-money of existing services vis-à-vis Quality of service (QoS) and current technology trends. Provide detailed transactional, operational, procurement and implementation costs for bridging Broadband connectivity gaps and infrastructure upgrades. Also provide comparative validation of these costs. Costs should clearly reflect initial costs as well as recurring/ongoing costs in the context for a total cost of ownership framework. 4

5 Ensure that the Broadband network meets the needs of the primary beneficiaries and targeted users in terms of bandwidth, throughput, security, disaster recovery and redundant systems. Submit solutions that will improve the uptake and supply of high speed broadband services. Provide recommendations for the necessary local resources to provide sustainable network support and for HR and institutional capacity building. Submit a solution with options for the management of the network based on a PPP framework. Provide recommendations on options to be included into the tender design, including base configurations and variants or alternative configurations. Specific Responsibilities and Duties Review recent studies to expedite assessments and avoid duplication of effort. o Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) report o WiART/N4 Assessments Provide a detailed procurement and operational budget for the implementation of the solutions and cost analyses for each of the different options including: o Capital costs associated with the construction of any new network elements required; Extension to the new city and strategic seaport locations Extension to the new airport location Extension to the town of Georgetown o Costs associated with leasing any portion of the network; and o Costs associated with a lease to own network. Submit solutions utilizing a PPP framework to structure the ownership, management, operation and transfer of the network. Submit infrastructural design / upgrades which will provide scalable, cost-effective universal broadband access and is compatible with existing heterogeneous networks. Provide all technical information including specifications, security considerations, list of requirements, schematics and functional diagrams of the network infrastructure and draft tender documents. Assist the client with technical analysis and review of bids received. Provide design considerations which include but not be limited to the establishment of strategically placed passive infrastructure (e.g. ducts and towers) access nodes or points of presence, ICT centers, Tele-centers etc. and the use of wireless technologies such as WiMAX, 3G and 4G mobile to reach remote areas with minimal infrastructure requirements and mitigation of loss of service due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, by the implementation of redundant systems and communication routes. Ensure that design considerations include scalable capacity of the network vis-à-vis 5

6 triple and quadruple play network technologies, IPv6 web2.0 and 4G networks, with consideration given to multi-annual forecasted requirements of beneficiaries. Define benefits to stakeholders, partners and beneficiaries. Define all relevant institutional and regulatory issues, options and strategies. Design strategies for improved usage and for increased use of the network by public and private sector beneficiaries. Assist with the development and execution of an appropriate public awareness campaign for improved usage of existing services. The Consulting Firm will include feedback and recommendations from the CARCIP Steering Committee, the Central Planning Division, the Department of Telecommunications, Science and Technology (DTST) and other relevant stakeholders in all design plans. All design plans, reports and relevant documentation should be submitted and presented to the Director of Planning in hard copy in triplicate and electronic format (PDF). Duration The consultancy is expected to be completed within six (6) months. Working Arrangements Clients Responsibility: The CARCIP Project Coordinator along with the Director of Information Technology Services Division (ITSD) will supervise the consulting firm and will ensure the timely review of deliverables and will provide the necessary guidance to the consulting firm in the execution of the assignment. Through the CARCIP Project Coordinator, the CPD and ITSD will: Facilitate access to reports, documents or other pertinent information required by the consulting firm for delivery of the assignment. Facilitate exchanges with partners, beneficiaries, actors and stakeholders and assist with the coordination and logistical support. These exchanges may take the form of focal group discussions, individual interviews with key personnel and at least two round table discussions with PPP framework partners. 6

7 Consulting Firm s Responsibility: The consulting firm shall be responsible for the collection and analysis of all data, and information to facilitate the timely completion of the assignment. Communicate regularly with CARCIP Project Coordinator based on the approved work plan and related timelines. Responsible for the supervision of technical staff including providing all office space, equipment, materials, accommodation, office requirements and transportation. Engagement of the appropriate qualified and experienced technical and administrative staff and other resources necessary to undertake the services. The Consultant shall execute the services in accordance with the laws, customs and practices in SVG and use the appropriate international standards for preparation of technical information. The consulting firm is encouraged to utilize local expertise where appropriate. This would offer greater familiarity with local conditions and issues and provide development for locals, to strengthen the local capacity to carry out similar assignments. Reporting obligations The Consulting Firm shall prepare and submit the following reports for review and acceptance by the client. These reports will include minutes of stakeholder consultations. The following timelines are tentative and will be finalised with the preparation and acceptance of the work plan submitted as part of the Inception Report. It is expected that some activities will be carried out concurrently. Submission of Inception Report Infrastructure Evaluation (IE) Report Draft design plan for Broadband network expansion and smaller islands connectivity (including costs, barriers to implementation and strategies for overcoming barriers identified) Final design plans for Broadband network expansion including tender documents. Final project presentation Final project Submission 4 weeks after Contract signing 6 weeks after Contract signing 12 weeks after Contract signing 4 weeks after receipt of feedback from Draft Broadband network design 1 week after acceptance of final design plans 2 weeks after project presentation 7

8 Presentation of Final Design Plans: The consultant will make a presentation of the final design plans to key beneficiaries, stakeholders and partners in a manner approved by the client. All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English. All reports and documents relevant to the Consulting firm s services, computer programmes, etc. in the execution of this assignment shall become the property of the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 8

9 Qualification Requirements and Evaluation Performance Criteria Participating Firms should meet the following minimum requirements: General Experience: At least ten years experience in the implementation of large scale broadband network infrastructure which includes analysis and design, based on a PPP framework. Specific Experience: At least five years specific experience in development of network management strategies, deployment of technology, and process services (including management consulting, design and project management) of broadband networks, in developed and/or developing countries. Such designs to include Carrier Ethernet networks, IXP provisioning and Data Center Design. Minimum Five (5) years of experience and participation in the design and supervision of ICT projects with a value of similar scope. Similar Experience: The Firm must have at least 5 years of experience in assignments of similar scope and be familiar with the Caribbean regional telecommunications infrastructure, policy and stakeholders. 9