Background
With the upsurge of most applications hosted in the cloud (Horizon, SUN6, Outlook, One Drive, Microsoft Teams, Provision, Concur, etc.) and Local IT Services which requires reliable and secure connection across all locations, more offices are beginning to understand the limitation of their internet connectivity’s ability to adapt to today’s cloud-driven demands. In addition, data is exchanged through various devices making information security and service level predictability a critical piece of these services.
WV Somalia IT aims to make the access to on-premise and Cloud seamless making it possible to access, control, manage and have visibility needed to trust the cloud for business-critical applications from all locations.
Over the past decade, WV Somalia IT has been running a private satellite network on VSAT technology. We aim at looking for terrestrial Internet solution that is more secure, cost-effective and has seamless connectivity and mobility services in our South Region in Somalia
Objective
The objective of this document is to attract proposal from potential bidders for WVSomalia – Jubaland and South West states broadband VSAT WAN connectivity for the offices in the mentioned regions located in the Southern part of Somalia.
This innitiative aimes to improve the connectivity in Jubaland and South West states VSAT sites to a capacity that meets the user demands at a cost effective price. The project is intended to assure the provision of appropriate connectivity to the 2 sites. The services must provide full time 24 hour internet access to our south central regional part of Somalia.
WV Somalia IT aims to provide efficient and effective customer support and service delivery based on mutually agreed service level agreements and with a focus on customer satisfaction.
Project Location
- We aim to improve the connectivity in the Southern part of Somalia, that is Doolow and Baidoa regions.
Current Status of Doolow and Baidoa Sites:
- The current satellite in the 2 sites is pointed to IS 22.
- Doolow has 50 staff plus 65 devices requiring connection to the internet.
- Baidoa has 40 staff plus 38 devices requiring connection to the internet.
4. The staff use of laptops, desktops and mobile phones for access to the internet; **
5. WV Somalia runs a number of online platforms that require full time connectivity including Horizon, Sunsystem, WV Central intranet, Box, MS TEAMS; video conference facilities, social media and platforms, web-based email systems (cloud hosted) among others. A number of cloud-based systems are being used including Box, MS Office 365, and OneDrive**
6. Email with requirements of up to 10MB per email- email traffic is generally high; **
7. Bandwidth is used for normal day to day office activities, video conferencing, communication and knowledge sharing; **
8. The 2 offices make use of a diesel generator for back-up together with UPSs and solar power. ICT and other electrical equipment are supported for limited period by UPS.**
Scope of work
1. Required Specifications for the internet connectivity
The following are the key requirements in terms of specifications for performance of ICT based systems in WV Somalia – Doolow and Baidoa sites. The Selected provider must provide for the following performance for the ICT systems:
a) Uplink and down link of 3Mbps respectively **
b) Dedicated link with minimal downtime **
c) Monitoring tools for data speed verification **
d) Applicants must be able to explain what partnerships or arrangements they are involved in to supply bandwidth **
e) Applicants must take into consideration the need to provide new but tested VSAT solutions and technologies for providing access to bandwidth **
f) Technical support following installations for a minimum of 1 year **
g) Back up services Further details will be provided to the shortlisted firms. Shortlist firms will be given the opportunity to conduct a site analysis before they submit their proposals**
h) All necessary hardware, cabling and software (if required for Internet service) should be provided and set up by the provider.**
2. Other Key specifications
- Provide high performance, next generation satellite platform that delivers high-throughput to provide a consistent, enhanced customer experience in WV Somalia – Doolow and Baidoa sites.
- Provide a service that ensures reliability and availability in all-weather situations.
- Flexibility to increase bandwidth as and when needed without increasing the cost correspondingly. For example, during system upgrades, meetings or trainings, bandwidth to be upgraded upon request for free for the duration of the event;
- Shorter turnaround time for provisioning and support
- Content management and acceleration to enable a good user experience in the field;
- Upgrades are well managed and coordinated ensuring that sites are least affected by downtimes
Expected Outcomes:
Fully functioning, stable and reliable terestrial internet services in Doolow and Baidoa regions. **
Technical Proposal:
Your Technical proposal should include the following
1. Technical Proposal should include the following; **
a) Fulfilling specifications listed above. **
b) Innovativeness of the Proposal: detailing why this bid is of competitive in terms of technology suggested and sustainability **
c) Work Plan for the Assignment: describing methodology and any requirements for successful implementation of the assignment **
2. Company Profile detailing the following: **
a) Provide a certified copy of a certificate of business registration, Certificate of incorporation, business license or similar document
b) Provide a certified copy of tax registration, tax clearance certificates or similar documents
c) Provide information on ownership structure (Name of directors of the company / Owner)
d) Provide last two years of audited financial statements or tax filing, or similar documents
e) Provide references from previous customers
f) CV’s of Proposed Dedicated Team: 2 pages for each CV – Educational Qualifications; Professional Certifications; Experience with Internet Service Provision; Working Experience; Other Related Skills. The Team members proposed must remain availability to support the service if tender awarded.
- Financial Proposal-
• Price schedule –showing calculation of services being provided
• Payment terms
• Connectivity payment schedule
Timeline
All installation works should be accomplished and connection launched within 15 days after the signing of the Contract
Logistics required
WV Somalia will facilitate the transportation of all the equipment and staff as required.
Evaluation Criteria
- Mandatory Requirements **
i. Provide a certified copy of a certificate of business registration, Certificate of incorporation, business license or similar document
ii. Provide a certified copy of tax registration, tax clearance certificates or similar documents
iii. Provide information on ownership structure (Name of directors of the company / Owner)
iv. Provide last two years of audited financial statements or tax filing, or similar documents
v. Provide references from previous customers
vi. CV’s of Proposed Dedicated Team: 2 pages for each CV – Educational Qualifications; Professional Certifications; Experience with Internet Service Provision; Working Experience; Other Related Skills. The Team members proposed must remain availability to support the service if tender awarded.
*Bidders who will not provide the above mandatory requirement will not be considered for Technical Evaluation
- Technical evaluation by a Technical team. **
· Shall be based on the detail technical proposal provided above and evaluated potential to respond to the needs of WV Somalia. **
· Detailed work plan/activity schedule of how you intend to implement this activity till completion. **
· Post installation support **
· General technical approach and proposed methodologies including main activities of the assignment**
· Quality assurance and Risk Management methodology**
· High level design illustrating how the topology should be implemented in the 2 field offices**
· Implementation, Project Organization and Management Plan including installation, Task, Time, and Resource Schedule**
· Technical Support and maintenance Plan. **
· Training and suitability of the transfer of knowledge program indicating the type-Type of training available, Duration of the training, elements to be covered under the training, **
· Support and maintenance: Availability of support and maintenance service**
- Financial Evaluation
The financial evaluation shall be based on quality cost compliance and therefore all bidders are advised to submit the following:
· Price schedule –showing calculation of services being provided
· Payment terms
· Connectivity payment schedule
Qualification Requirements and Terms and Conditions
WV Somalia needs the following qualifications and Terms and conditions from the potential offeror:
- 5 years relevant experience in provision of services in nature, scale and complexity commensurate with the present terms of reference, with already provided services possessing features required by these terms of reference; The company must have at least three similar contracts (similar by scope, nature and amount), preferably with international / intergovernmental organizations. Evidences of these contracts are required; references from other clients are highly welcome.
- Qualified and experienced experts in VSAT, working under the general supervision and guidance of the department and / or company manager and under the overall oversight of the focal person in WV Somalia. The proposed team should have solid experience in the provision of services in nature, scale and complexity commensurate with this requirement
3. Seven days a week and 24 hours per day coverage for technical assistance and/or helpdesk facilities. Any problem should be resolved within a maximum of 2 hours after the notification. **
4. The bidder must have a Network Monitoring System (NMS) supported by a qualified and experienced engineers/technical support team.**
Roles and Responsibilities
· The Service Provider will:
– Appoint the Project Manager in charge of this implementation to work closely with WV Somalia to ensure that tasks are accomplished with minimal disruption to normal business operations.
· World Vision SOMALIA office will:
– Provide logistical support and administrative support to the vendor. Organize for the engineers travel to the locations as well as the meals and accommodation.
How to apply
Application Process
All interested bidders are requested to submit their Technical Proposals and Financial Proposals in Separate documents as attachments (Bidders who will combine both technical and financial proposals shall be disqualified) via email somo_supplychain@wvi.org on or before 25th February 2021.Bids received after deadline shall not be considered.
Email title should be;- Provision of VSAT Services in Somalia
Your financial proposal should have your professional fee and any other related cost clearly tabulated. Financial proposal should not be part of the technical proposal, it should be a separate document.
Only selected candidates will be contacted and further required to make a demo of a similar information management system they have developed later at World Vision Offices in Karen.