INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TO CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS REGARDING TENDER 258-15/152 Project Name: Communications Assignment Name: Web Development & Website Redesign Based on questions received, the information below is provided for clarification regarding The assignment Web Development & Website Redesign. Please note if new questions are received they will be added to this document. 1. Question: We are interested in submitting a proposal for the website redevelopment tender alongside one of our digital partners. We are planning to suggest a split of the work where we take on the content development and website reorganization aspects, plus user surveys, while our partner takes on the technical development of the website. Would you be willing to issue two separate contracts for the two tranches of work? The reason we are asking is so that we can reduce overheads in terms of administration for sub-contracting part of the contract. : International IDEA will only issue a contract to one primary Contractor/Vendor. If the Contractor wishes to sub-contract some of the work they may do so with the prior written approval of International IDEA. The Contractor shall be fully responsible for the coordination and execution of all sub-contracted activities and for the performance of its Subcontractors. International IDEA recognizes no contractual link between itself and Contractor s Sub-contractors. 2. Question: Our company is interested in applying for this tender. One of my key question is whether we can suggest another simple CMS eg. Wordpress instead of Drupal? If yes, we have a few questions. : The preferred future web content management system is Drupal Distributions as noted in the Terms of Reference. We therefore invite proposals based on this content management system and will not evaluate proposals based on other suggested systems. 1
3. Question: We are a communications design and public relations firm from New York interested in the project mentioned above on the subject line. As we went over the documents, we encountered some points to be clarified for our best understanding. First thing we would like to know if the tender is open to United States based firms? : Yes, the tender is open to U.S.-based firms. If so; The following items from the Terms of Reference need to be detailed for us in order to complete our proposal: Objective and Scope of Work: Item H states: "Modern and original illustrations and animation as required." Requested details: We need to know more about what type of illustrations are required? Should we understand them as vector graphics? We also need to know quantity of these vector graphics. Regarding the animation; do you require a 3d animation or a 2d animation with live vectors or moving images? : As a technical requirement, this is left to the discretion of the vendor to propose the most appropriate technology/format to meet the requirement and overall vendor proposed solution. Item I states: "Web writing /editing of site, sub sites..." Requested details: Does multi-language translation of these content quoted with this tender? Will the translations of these pages be professionally written in multiple languages? If so how many languages? or will they be translated through online translation engines? : At this time International IDEA envisions an English/Spanish site with translation of the pages from Spanish-English and English-Spanish. The content will be a combination of professionally written text and online translation engines. Translation estimates may be included. Item M states: "International IDEA's regional offices and partners... " Requested details: How many regional offices of International IDEA need sub site with active blogging and real time posting? Will International IDEA register its authors manually from the headquarters or it will be community collaborated authorship? Will real time commenting be allowed for public without any blog registration or local sites will manage what to publish? : 2
Initially, International IDEA would like to provide two offices with the opportunity and capability to blog. The publishing will not be real-time but rather as soon as possible, following a review as part of the workflow process. International IDEA will manage the list of authors. Public commenting will be allowed with or without blog registration, following a review as part of the workflow process as well. Local sites and headquarters can manage what to publish. Key Milestones for Deliverables/Service: Item 5 states: "Redesign universal databases, upgrade the Electoral Risk Management Tool and State of Democracy,...and other duties" Requested details: Item 5 lists some services which may require additional explanation since it can cause misunderstanding between parties. Our team needs to know conceptualization for the following terms; universal database, and ERM tool and State of Democracy. As requested service, does it include designing universal database of websites related to Drupal distribution or information in the online databases which referred on objective Q? Since in objective Q, it is mentioned that data driven databases will not be included in integrative development process. And considered for further phases. What is Electoral Risk Management Tool and State of Democracy? Is it a web app or a software? Does it need to be integrated into the website for active use and live functionality? Finally in this section, other duties, needs to be exemplified, please? : The Electoral Risk Management Tool is a software and does not need to be integrated but rather available for download. The State of Democracy is a subsite. 4. Question: I m writing to confirm that we are very much interested in submitting a proposal in regards to your web development and redesign brief (Ref No. 258-15/152). Before we put together our proposal, there were a number of questions I was hoping you might be able to assist us with... Sub-Questions: 1. Do you require quotes for website hosting and on-going website support? Yes, please include quotes for hosting and support/maintenance. 2. Do you wish to migrate existing content or will this be a chance to renew content? 3
The content will be a combination migrating existing content and adding new content. 3. For the database websites, will you implement the designs or do you require us to advise on this? For the databases, the vendor will advise on the design and roadmap for integration. 4. In your brief you mention a downloadable newsletter. Would you be open to an email newsletter template instead/as well? Yes, International IDEA is open to email newsletter template. Integration with a mass mailer application is ideal. 5. Will CommonSpot still exist for the new website? Will this be hosted elsewhere or expected to be hosted on same environment as the main site? International IDEA notes in the Terms of Reference, The preferred future web content management system is Drupal Distributions, and it is expected to be hosted on the same environment. 6. Do you wish to retain Disqus for commenting? Tenderers may advise on commenting tools in their proposals. 7. Do you need payment facilities for purchase of publications onsite? Or is this done on other sites? International IDEA is not seeking to include an e-commerce function at this time. However, tenderers may propose online or onsite payment facilities for the purchase of publications without penalty. 8. If yes, who do you currently use for online payments? N/A 5. Question: Would you mind sending us this Design Brief as we cannot seem to find it online? 4
: Please go to the web address link provided in the Tender Notice which is: http://www.idea.int/about/vacancies/index.cfm You will find the design brief (in PDF format) there.. 5