Consultancy for the development of dig-once policy for fiber optic deployment

Digital Transformation for Africa / Western Africa Regional Digital

Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP SOP1)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

CONSULTANCY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A “NATIONAL DIG-ONCE POLICY”

Country: The Republic of The Gambia

Project Name: Digital Transformation for Africa / Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP SOP1)

Project ID: P176932

Reference:

Assignment Tittle: Development of a “National Dig-Once Policy”

Duration of the assignment: Nine (9) months

Deadline of submission : 20th May, 2024, 16:00 GMT

Selection Method: Quality Based Selection

Background:

The Government of The Gambia has secured support from the International Development Association (IDA) (hereinafter ‘the Bank’) for the Digital Transformation for Africa - Western Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP) Series of Projects (SOP)-1 in the amount of USD 50 million. The overall objective of the DTfA/WARDIP-SOP1 is to increase access and usage of broadband and to strengthen the foundations for Digital Financial Services (DFS) and selected digital public services towards a Single Digital Market in Western Africa. This project will ensure that national digital development objectives are met more effectively and rapidly while also taking regional digital transformation objectives into account. National policies, regulations and implementation of strategic programs would need to be improved further while addressing barriers to cross-border connectivity, data flows and digital services for a seamless and competitive national and regional digital ecosystem to emerge. This would result in a self-perpetuating cycle of economic growth, investment, innovation, job creation and improved service delivery at the national and regional levels. To achieve this objective, the project will consist of three interlinked technical components, in addition to the Project Implementation and Coordination Component, and a Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC) to address the key binding constraints for the development and attainment of a digital economy.

In view of the above, DTfA/WARDIP, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (MOCDE), seeks to recruit qualified Consultancy firm to develop a “National Dig-Once Policy” for The Gambia.

Objectives of the assignment:

• To conduct a thorough analysis of the current regulatory and operational landscape to identify opportunities and barriers for the implementation of the dig-once policy. This will include mapping the stakeholders involved, analyzing demand, and estimating cost implications for the development of the policy.

• To perform a detailed technical study to determine the practicality of developing and enacting a dig-once policy within The Gambia’s existing and planned infrastructure projects. The study should outline the technical requirements, potential challenges, and a roadmap for successful policy implementation.

• To develop and formulate a holistic national dig-once policy that would guide the development and deployment of fibre optic, internet, connectivity, or utility infrastructure in The Gambia. The policy should encompass best practices, standard operating procedures, and a framework for coordination among various stakeholders.

• To provide capacity building to relevant stakeholders on the dig-once policy and their roles in its implementation. The training should aim to build the necessary skills and knowledge to support the policy's long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Activities, Deliverables and tentative Timeline:

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• Draft Inception Report including work mobilization, workplan, work schedule, comments & approval on the work, as indicated in phase 1 of the scope of work.

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1 Week

2

Phase 1: Inception, Assessment and Planning Activities.

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• Draft Report on the following as indicated in phase 1 of the scope of work:

• Regional & Global Benchmarking Assessment.

• Dig-Once Policy Readiness Assessment.

• Stakeholder Consultation.

• Demand Analysis.

• Cost Analysis.

• Technical Feasibility Study

• Recommendations

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3 Months

3

Phase 2: Policy Development and Formulation Activities

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• Draft Dig-Once Policy.

• Draft Implementation Roadmap and Action Plan.

• Public consultation and feedback on the Dig-once policy, Implementation Roadmap and Action Plan as indicated in the phase 2 of the scope of work.

• Draft Report on the Public Consultation and Feedback.

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2 Months

4

Phase 3: Implementation and Capacity Building Activities

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• Draft Dig-once Implementation Guidelines.

• Draft Strategic Framework for Cable Way Planning.

• Conduct Capacity building for stakeholders on Dig-once infrastructure Implementation.

• Draft Advocacy Plan and Materials.

• Draft Monitoring and evaluation Framework for the Dig-once Implementation.

• Draft Contingency Plan

• Draft Costed Project Proposal for the Implementation of the National Dig-once Policy including the physical dig-once infrastructure that would accommodate fibre cable infrastructure, utilities cable infrastructure and related infrastructure etc.

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3 Months

5

Stakeholder Validation of all Documents

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• Conduct a Stakeholders Validation Workshop to validate all documents including the Draft National Dig-once Policy and all reports.

2 Weeks

6

Final Deliverables

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• Submission and Approval of all Final Deliverables by MOCDE.

1 Week

Qualification and Experience of the Firm:

• The experience of minimum of ten (10) years in outside plant telecommunication network deployment/ dig-once related work or implementation of ICT activities at national/government level.

• Demonstrate experience related to designing, developing, and implementing at least five (5) projects related to national telecommunication network infrastructure deployment, dig-once policy and strategy or roadmap in developing countries and emerging economics. This includes comprehensive involvement from the conceptual stage through to planning, execution, and post-implementation support.

• Knowledge and competencies/experiences in organizational development, policy analysis, capacity building and mainstreaming crosscutting issues related to Dig-Once.

• Experience in supporting telecommunication network infrastructure/dig-once related strategy development, planning and implementation at national level, including a track record of successfully carrying out at least one similar assignment.

• Experience of advising government and local communities on best practices in relation to telecommunication networks/dig-once programs.

• Experience of facilitating inclusive policy dialogue and stakeholder engagement on issues relating to telecommunication networks/ dig-once connectivity infrastructure deployment.

The selected Consulting Firm will assemble a team of experts, at the minimum, composed of the following and minimum qualifications for each expert shall be a bachelor’s degree:

Team leader, a Policy specialist, a technical specialist, an Environmental Specialist, an Energy / Utility Specialist, a Civil Engineering Specialist, an Economist / Financial Specialist and a Legal and Regulatory expert. The Team lead, technical, economic, and legal experts shall a minimum of have 10 years and the remaining experts each shall have a minimum of five years’ experience.

The attention of interested firms is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 1st, 2016, revised in November 2017, Augus 2018 and September 2023) (“A Candidate will be selected in accordance with the Quality Based Selection (QBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the full TOR can be obtained from the email addresses below during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 GMT on Mondays to Thursdays and from 0800 to 12:30 GMT on Fridays.

Expressions of interest together with CVs and relevant documents must be delivered in a written form and also via email addresses below not later than 16:00 Noon 20th May, 2024. Submissions should be in hard, and softcopy marked as Expression of Interest for the Position of Cyber Security and Data Protection Specialist.

Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

All interested firms are urged to send their expression of interest letters with attached documents to the following email addresses.

Office Address: [email protected] and copy [email protected] / [email protected]

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy

1st and 2nd Floor Tenengfara Business Complex, Bertil Herding Highway, Bakau

Kanifing Municipality. Digital Address (Google Maps): F889+WWH