Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for Last Mile Connectivity Feasibility Studies

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(Consulting Services – Firm Selection)

Date of Issue: 14th July 2025

Country: Republic of Sierra Leone

Name of Project: Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Consulting Services: For Recruitment of a Consulting Firm for the Last Mile Connectivity Feasibility Studies .Reference No: SL-MOF-498597-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.

To support this goal, a Last Mile Connectivity Feasibility Study will be conducted to determine the technical and financial feasibility of connecting public institutions currently unserved or underserved. This activity builds on a recently completed Institutional Assessment and Last-Mile Pre-Feasibility Study, which surveyed 672 institutions across the country. The dataset from this assessment—comprising detailed geographic, infrastructure, and readiness information—will be made available to the consulting firm and must be integrated into the feasibility analysis..

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• Objectives

The objective of the Last Mile Connectivity Feasibility Study is twofold. Firstly, it is to understand technical and financial feasibility of connecting to and providing high-speed connectivity service for pre-identified public institutions (priority public institutions throughout the country, including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), government offices, public service centers, primary and secondary schools, and health centers, etc.). Secondly, it is to formulate and prepare the technical specifications, financial analysis, and procurement support necessary for the deployment of last-mile connectivity solutions for the selected institutions.

The objectives will be divided into two focus areas to enable the consulting firm (“Consultant”) to deliver on the overall SLDT project's general and specific objectives, as below:

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• General Objectives

• Support the Government of Sierra Leone's vision to expand broadband access and bridge the digital divide through strategic last-mile connectivity investments.

• Contribute to the development of a scalable and sustainable digital infrastructure that supports efficient public service delivery nationwide.

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• Specific Objectives

The Specific objectives of this activity include:

• Build upon the recently completed institutional readiness assessment for last-mile connectivity by analyzing the existing dataset to inform the feasibility study.

• Determine the technical and financial feasibility of extending broadband connectivity to a prioritized list of public institutions across Sierra Leone, based on the assessment data.

• Ensure strategic alignment and integration of last-mile connectivity with the GWAN and GLAN deployments, thereby supporting a unified and secure government digital infrastructure.

• Propose technology solutions and investment models, including Public-Private Partnership (PPP) frameworks, that ensure long-term sustainability and scalability of broadband access. Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study and provide PPP transaction advisory services, including detailed estimations of the projected bandwidth demand, site locations, network deployment cost, and the overall impact, as well as a market assessment to identify and attract potential bidders;

• Review of the PPP options and payment methods following the activities above;

• Support the preparation of bidding documents and technical specifications for the implementation of the last-mile connectivity infrastructure.

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, and 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 III of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers 6th Edition February 2025 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: https://mocti.gov.sl/tor-for-recruitment-of-a-consulting-firm-for-the-last-mile-connectivity-feasibility-studies/

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before 29th July 2025 at 12:00 GMT.

Project Coordination Unit

Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Attn: The Project Coordinator

8th Floor,

Youyi Building

E-mail: [email protected] CC: [email protected]