Provision of Consultancy Services for Regional E-Signature framework and guidelines — East African Community Secretariat

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

SECRETARIAT

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Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

(Consulting Firm)

Country: Tanzania

Project: East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)

Title of assignment: Development of an EAC E-Signature Framework and Guidelines for Cross-Border recognition.

Client: East African Community (EAC) Secretariat

Project ID: P176181

Duration of assignment: 6 months

Ref No: TZ-EAC-385091-CS-QCBS

The East African Community (EAC), with the support of the World Bank, is preparing to implement the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EA-RDIP) (2023 – 2028), which aims to advance digital market integration in the Eastern Africa region by increasing affordable access to regional broadband connectivity and strengthening the enabling environment for cross-border digital services. Phase I of the EA-RDIP Series of Projects covers two Regional Economic Communities: EAC and IGAD, and also includes country projects in Somalia and South Sudan.

The East African Community has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contracts to procure “Consultancy services for the Development of an EAC E-Signature Framework and Guidelines for Cross-Border recognition for the East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP”.

The specific objective of the assignment is to develop a robust electronic signature framework and regulatory guidelines within the EAC. This initiative aims to facilitate a harmonized approach to e-signature regulation, ensuring interoperability and legal recognition across the EAC and with global entities.

The East African Community now invites eligible firms (“Consultant”) 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 criteria are as follows:

• Proof that the firm has been in existence and practice for at least five (5) years prior to the closing date of this request for the proposals;

• Valid Tax Clearance Certificate of the firm;

• Proof of having undertaken three consultancies of a similar or related nature in the last five years.

• The consultancy firm should demonstrate previous experience in consultancy on e-signature solutions and infrastructure in at least 3 (three) assignments of similar type and nature within the past five years at national, regional or international level.

• The firm should present documentary evidence details of these similar assignments and must include at the minimum signed letters of completion from the clients, scope and proof of certification (including start and finish dates).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Project Financing - Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, November 2020 (Fourth Edition), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualification but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub consultancy. In case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

Consulting firms will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 09:00 to 17:00 hours. Interested and qualified Individuals are requested to access the detailed TOR from the EAC website from the following link: https://www.eac.int / opportunities/ consultancies

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below on/before 14th June 2024, 11:00 hours (East African Standard Time) and mention “Expression of Interest for Consultancy Services for the Development of an EAC E-Signature Framework and Guidelines for Cross-Border recognition for the East African Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP)” and submitted to the email address [email protected] to

The Secretary General

East African Community

P. o Box 1096

Arusha - Tanzania.

Tel: +255 27 2162100

Fax: +255 27 2162190

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.eac.int