Request for Expression of Interest
(Consulting Services – Firm Selection)
Country: Ethiopia
Project: Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project
Project ID: P171034
Credit No. IDA - 68560
Assignment Title: Selection of a Consulting Firm that supports ECA in Transferring of responsibility for the .et domain name management from Ethio Telecom to ECA, and managing the .gov.et sub-domain.
Reference No.: ET-MINT-253910-CS-CQS
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Digital Foundation Project (“Digital Foundations”). Ethiopian Communication Authority (ECA) is one of the beneficiaries of the project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services (“the Services”) are expected to provide an advisory service to ECA in Transferring of responsibility for the .et domain name management from Ethio Telecom to ECA, and managing the .gov.et sub-domain.
The Ministry of Innovation and Technology/Ethiopian Digital Foundation Project now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria includes: Core Business and Years in Business, proven direct experience in building and implementing for the establishment a domain name registry system, having at least ten years’ relevant experience, with a preference given to experience working in internet governance, domain registries establishment, and regulatory policy related issues, and experience in project implementation, internet infrastructure and technology management as well as Technical and Managerial Capability.
OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of the assignment is to Assist ECA for the establishment of a .et ccTLD registry manager, provide technical advisory service for the transition of the .et ccTLD management from the incumbent operator and enhance its capacity to manage and operate the .et ccTLD on a cost-recovery basis, with a view to promoting the use of the domain.
SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDES:
The service required under this assignment includes assist, guide and work with ECA for the establishment of an internet registry, technical and advisory services for the drafting of .ET ccTLD administration and management directives, transfer the stewardship of .et from Ethio telecom, and the necessary trainings for the operation and management of .ET ccTLD.
The main scope of the assignment includes;
- Conduct a market study to estimate the likely annual revenue that can be raised by the ECA, based on fee levels and usage;
- Estimating the tax and royalty payments that should be due to the Federal Government;
- Provide Technical advisory support and guidance in the re-delegation of the .et ccTLD and work with the ECA and other stakeholders to facilitate the transition process of taking over the management and administration of the .et ccTLD;
- Draft a Proposal to transfer the stewardship of the domain name from Ethio Telecom to ECA, recommend transitional arrangements with possible intermediate steps and taking into account a number of technical and public interest criteria;
- Identify resources that may be useful in this purpose and provide a coordinating function;
- Draft letters and formal requests for the ECA to send to ICANN, IANA, RIR (AFRINIC) and ITU, and to commercial registrars;
- Advise ECA on the strategy to be followed for transferring the stewardship of the .et domain name and re-delegation process including promoting of dot ET ccTLD;
- Develop assessment report on sustainable requirement needed for building a ccTLD manager to manage a ccTLD registry;
- Develop a detail technical requirement document for the establishment of DNS service infrastructure, registry architecture and function to ensure stability, accuracy, resilience and robustness of the Domain Name System considering security and scalability;
- Prepare TOR and standard bidding documents for the recruitment of a firm for supply, install and commissioning of the full establishment of .et registry manager and operation that meets the needs and expectations of the internet community standards;
- Assist in reviewing and finalizing the Registry Tender Document, bill of quantity and the related tender process;
- Develop a model and workflow for the structure of .ET ccTLD registry;
- Develop technical competence and operational plans;
- Advise and recommend ECA on the required Human Resources for the operation and management of .ET ccTLD manager;
- Draft a .et ccTLD administration and management directive to set up the technical and administrative principles, policies, rules and procedures used for the .et ccTLD manager;
- To assist ECA in coordinating registry policy needs and technical resources to implement policies, operational goals and management procedures in cooperation with stakeholders;
- Assisting ECA with conducting a stakeholder consultation;
- Draft a contract proposal for SLDs services of registration and maintenance of domain names in the ccTLD .et and contractual agreements for accredited registrars with registrar accreditation process;
- Provide specific technical advice and training, and identifying additional sources of training to ECA staff on the process involved in the management and administration of .et ccTLD;
- Provide technical knowledge transfer and training on domain name registration services and operation;
- Facilitate and provide a study tour program on foreign countries that acquired best performance on ccTLD registry management and operation;
KEY DELIVERABLES;
- A market study report estimating the likely annual revenue that can be raised by the ECA as well as the tax and royalty payments;
- Draft a proposal of transitional arrangements and strategy for ECA;
- Draft letters to ICANN, IANA, RIR (AFRINIC) and ITU, and to commercial registrars;
- Prepare draft letters and formal requests for the ECA to send to ICANN, to ITU, and to commercial registrars informing them of the wishes of the Federal Government;
- Provide support and guidance in the transition process of the .et ccTLD;
- Prepare Technical document for DNS registry requirement of hardware and software;
- Detailed TORs and standard bidding documents for the recruitment of a firm for the full establishment of .et registry manager and DNS operation;
- Draft a .et ccTLD administration and management directive and other related technical and administrative principles, policies, rules and procedures and requirements used for the .et ccTLD manager;
- Organize and provide a bench marking visit program for ECA staffs by selecting foreign countries that have best experience and practice in running DNS operation.
- Organize and provide a training abroad for ECA staffs on managing and administrating a ccTLD registry management and operation;
- Briefing notes and discussion papers, as required;
- Just-in-time technical assistance, as required;
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016, Revised November 2017 and August 2018 “Procurement Regulations”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.
A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016, Revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulation”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Interested Consulting Firms may obtain further information and the TOR of the consultancy assignment at the address below from 8:30AM-12:30AM and 1:30- 5:00 PM local time from Monday to Friday before the deadline date and time.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in person or through email to the address below on or before May 31, 2023, 2:00 PM.
Address:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)
Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
Address: Arada Sub-city, off Churchill Road, behind Lycée Guebre-Mariam School,
E-mail: digital.foundation@mint.gov.et, or tessedf@gmail.com
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia