Feasibility study for the development of an interoperability framework and platform, as well as digitalization of the main public services and DAO

Expression of Interest WARDIP-C - 014-2023

Feasibility Study for the Development of an Interoperability Framework, Data Exchange Layer, and Services Platform and Action Plan for the Digitalization of the Main Public Services.

• Backgraund To support the region’s digital transformation, the World Bank (WB) is financing the preparation of the West African Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) – Guinea-Bissau – for US$60 million for five years. The project is expected to be submitted for approval by the World Bank Executive Board in September 2023; it’s entered the preparations phase since May 2023

The design of the proposed program considers the need for Guinea-Bissau to develop a digital economy, while aligning itself and integrating into a single and harmonized regional digital market. This will be done through a logical chain consisting on building single regional market for connectivity, data and online services,

Interoperability across digital public systems is key to improving government efficiency, transparency, accountability, and coordination of services at lower costs. It is also key to guaranteeing a citizen-centric approach to reducing the administrative burden that citizens face in accessing public services, as it allows for the re-use and exchange of data, information, and knowledge across agencies. Underpinning interoperability is an interoperability framework, which specifies a set of common, government-wide principles, standards, and practices that all agencies should adopt and utilize for the purposes of joint delivery of public services. Such a framework generally consists of four layers: legal, organizational, semantic, and technical interoperability. The Government of Guinea-Bissau does not possess a national interoperability framework and digital public platforms in the country are generally not interoperable to overcame this gap, the governement is seeking for technical assistance to:

• identify the reforms necessary to create the enabling environment for the provision of digital administrative, financial, and public services (i.e., e-authentication, e-signatures, e-transactions, etc.)
• undertake a feasibility study for the development of an interoperability framework and data exchange layer;
• assess and elaborate the necessary ICT infrastructure (i.e., data center, equipment, software, etc.) and human resources skills/profiles to support the implementation and management of an interoperability framework;
• develop a prioritized and sequenced list of public services develop a prioritized and sequenced list of public services to be digitalized under the WARDIP project based on feasibility, demand, and impact, as well as the results of the 2020 WAEMU Evaluation of digital uses and national policies on the mass use of digital technology in the WAEMU area;
• define a guideline for the development of user interface and user experience; and
• elaborate tender documents for the hiring of consulting firms to undertake the proposed work.
• qualification requirements The Consultant could be a firm or a consortium of firms providing financial, technical, and economic expertise in the digital governance / e-governance space. Knowledge of the sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desired. Experience in designing and/or implementing an interoperability framework is required

Selection of the sucessful consultant will be made on the basis of the “Quality and Cost method” as described in the World Bank procurement regulations for Investiments Projets Borrowers 2016 Edition and following updates. For more information and obtention of term of reference, you can requeste it directly on the Office of the Emergency and Food Safety Project (PUSA) located: Rua Osvaldo Vieira, house nº 10, or via email: [email protected]. It should be noted that TOR's are available in Portuguese and English, however the procurement language remains in Portuguese.

Consultants firm insterested in providing the consultancy services mentionned above should express their interest until 21st August at 12:00.

The Coordinator

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Aníbal Baldé