Recruitment of a Consultancy Firm to Conduct a comprehensive National Digital Infrastructure and Technology Access Gap Survey and the development of a scalable and robust Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Services Database

Date of Issue: 8th November 2024

Country: Republic of Sierra Leone

Name of Project: Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project

Consulting Services: Recruitment of a Technical Assistant to Conduct a comprehensive National Digital Infrastructure and Technology Access Gap Survey and the development of a scalable and robust Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Services Database. Reference No: SL-MoFED-439577-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 primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive National Digital Infrastructure and Technology Access Gap Study in conjunction with the development of a scalable and robust Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Services Database (DITSD). This process shall include digital infrastructure, technology and services mapping, data gathering, storage and management. The assignment is divided into two (2) components:

• Conduct National Digital Infrastructure and Technology Access Gap Study

• Development of a scalable and robust National Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Services Database.

The specific objectives of the assignment include but not limited to:

• Conduct National Digital Infrastructure and Technology Access Gap Study

• Conduct a stakeholders’ analysis involving all stakeholders in the ICT ecosystem. The purpose of this process is to identify, map and analyze all relevant stakeholders.

• Conduct desk reviews of existing literature (including reports and data) on digital technology, infrastructure and services deployment, usage and status.

• Assess and collect data on existing availability of digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity, and their geospatial arrangement across all 16 administrative districts in Sierra Leone, which will feed into the database development (deliverable b).

• Analyze population and geographic parameters, technology and service gaps, including internet access, mobile and fixed connectivity, and ICT infrastructure.

• Analyze existing entities and network service providers, both licensed and unlicensed, including their innovation, sustainability, and operating models in the identified un- and under-served communities

• Identify and define underserved and unserved communities.

• Recommend support areas for UADF to consider to bridge the identified connectivity access and usage gaps

• Development of a scalable and robust National Digital Infrastructure, Technology and Services Database

• Develop a scalable and robust database system, with GIS capabilities, to store and manage data related to digital infrastructure, connectivity, and service coverage based on the aforementioned access gap study.

• Provide data-driven insights for the development of regulatory, policy and programmatic frameworks for informed decision-making

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, September 2023, 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://nccc.gov.sl/adverts/request-for-eoi-to-conduct-access-gap-survey/

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail on or before 22nd November 2024 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] ; [email protected]

Please indicate clearly the Name of the Assignment in the email subject heading and attachment as only electronic submission will be accepted.