Date of Issue: 5th March 2024
Country: Republic of Sierra Leone
Name of Project: Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project
Consulting Services: Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for the Sierra Leone Internet Exchange Point (SLIXP) Technical and Commercial Viability Study
Reference No: SL-MOFED-367845-CS-QCBS
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- Introduction
The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has committed to transforming its economy based on a more inclusive and human-centric digital growth and development approach. A high-level vision for the digital economy is articulated in the new National Digital Development Policy (NDDP), which was approved by the Cabinet in December 2021 setting the GoSL’s vision to transform Sierra Leone into an inclusive digital economy and society and to leverage digital technology to support the GoSL to deliver on its national development plan effectively and efficiently. The Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP) aims to expand access to broadband internet, increase digital skills and improve government capacity to deliver public services digitally. The project will support the development of a strong enabling environment for the nation’s digital transformation and digital development agenda as articulated in the National Digital Development Strategy.
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- Objectives
The overall objective of the assignment is to carry out a traffic study to determine the operational and business Model for the establishment of an Internet Exchange Point in Sierra Leone. This strengthens the capacity of operators to provide cost-effective access by keeping local Internet traffic local through Internet Exchange Points.
The specific objectives of the assignment include but not limited to:
- Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant reports on SLIX operation in Sierra Leone and identify implementation challenges
- Assess the possibility of establishing the IXP in Sierra Leone.
- Assess the financial feasibility and sustainability of the proposed IXP and develop an operational model budget for setting up and running the company.
- Develop Articles of Corporation /Association, Memorandum of Understanding, and file Registration of SLIXP as a company and at AFRINIC (African Network Information Centre).
- Identify potential stakeholders and partners for the SLIXP, classify membership, develop an appropriate organizational structure and include a constitution.
- Conduct a market analysis survey (Internet traffic analysis) to assess the demand and potential uptake of SLIXP services among the target market and forecast future growth.
- Develop a business and operational model to support SLIXP’s primary objective of facilitating the exchange of Internet traffic between Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within the country.
- Recommend appropriate technical specifications, infrastructure requirements, design, operational guidelines, and governance of the SLIXP. Identify the host location for the company, including backup locations. Advice on procurement of equipment for SLIXP, including servers, routers and switches.
- Identify and recommend necessary changes in enabling environment (policy, legal, regulatory framework) for the operationalization of SLIX
- Based on the above assessments, prepare a business plan which reflects the:
- value proposition for SLIXP;
- potential target market, traffic projections and service offerings at both national and regional levels;
- benefits for ISPs and Content Providers in particular, and the Internet ecosystem in general;
- the requisite network infrastructure, policy and regulatory framework for delivering services;
- the governance and operational structure based on regional and global experiences;
- high level financial projections including revenue forecasts, operating expenses, capital investment requirements, and projected profitability;
- a marketing and sales promotion strategy for SLIXP, including an analysis of the most effective channels and messages for reaching the target market, and the development of promotional materials and outreach activities;
- a capacity-building plan for the operation of the SLIXP, including training and development needs, outreach and education requirements, and potential collaborations with other regional or international IXPs; and
- Develop a stakeholder engagement plan and a roadmap for the SLIXP project implementation.
The Project Coordination Unit of the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation 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 are: core business and years in business, relevant experience, technical and managerial capability of the firm. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section 111 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016 Revised November 2017, August 2018, November, 2020 and National Public Procurement Act 2016, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Base Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information and detailed Terms of Reference can be obtained at the link below: pcu@sldtp.moic.gov.sl
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before Friday 5th April 2024 at noon GMT.
Project Coordination Unit
Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project
Attn: The Project Coordinator
8th Floor,
Youyi Building
E-mail: pcu@sldtp.moic.gov.sl CC: procurement@sldtp.moic.gov.sl
Please indicate clearly the Name of the Assignment in the email subject heading and attachment as only electronic submission will be accepted.