TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. Background and objectives: This tender is part of the EU-funded project “Digital Technologies for Citizen Empowerment (DT4CE) in Kyrgyzstan” implemented by Transparency International. The project will develop four electronic platforms aimed at improving citizen-government interaction.

The objective of this tender is to hire a company to develop and subsequently maintain a website and related mobile applications to inform citizens and SMEs about the procedures for participating in public procurement in the Kyrgyz Republic. The electronic products should provide step-by-step guides in plain language on how to participate in public procurement, include forms for submitting applications for participation in public procurement, forms and procedures for filing complaints, and a user forum. The products should be user-friendly, attractive, and capable of attracting a large number of users. The winning company is also responsible for recruiting up to 10 participants of the hackathon conducted by Transparency International on the relevant topic as paid interns during the development process. In addition, technical support and constant updates will be required after the launch.

2. Scope of work. The scope of work includes the design, creation and approval of the design, development, testing, deployment and further support of the following products:

• A website with a user-friendly interface and functionality that promotes citizen awareness of the procedures for participating in public procurement

• Mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms with functions similar to the website.

3. Functional requirements: The website and mobile applications must have the following functions:

• Step-by-step guides describing the methods for carrying out public procurement and the requirements for their participants in the form of simple instructions.

• Interactive forms for clients to submit applications and complaints.

• Opportunities for gamification and user engagement.

• User registration with the creation of personal accounts in compliance with the rules for the protection of personal data.

The electronic products being developed must contain the following sections:

• Home page with an overview of instructions and analytics.

• Sections with detailed information on the procedures for participation, registration and filing of complaints and analytics.

• Registration, personal account, user profile

• FAQ/user help with filtering and sorting options

E-products must be localized in 2/3 languages ​​(KG/RU/EN)

4. Technical requirements: The website and mobile applications must meet the following technical requirements:

• Compatibility with major web browsers (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and mobile platforms (iOS and Android).

• Secure storage and transmission of data.

• Fast loading time and responsiveness.

• Integration with GPS and other relevant geolocation technologies.

5. Internship program: The winning company must involve up to 10 participants of the hackathon conducted by Transparency International on the relevant topic as paid interns during the development process. These interns must be involved in various aspects of development under the guidance of experienced developers.

6. Deliverables: The participating company must provide the following deliverables:

• A fully functional website and mobile applications.

• Documentation detailing the design, architecture and functionality.

• Test reports and quality assurance documentation.

• Training materials for administrators.

7. Timeline: The development timeline including milestones, testing and deployment must be specified.

8. Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation of the submitted proposals will be based on the following criteria:

• Relevant experience in developing similar websites and mobile applications.

• Technical expertise and capabilities.

• Innovativeness and creativity in design and user experience.

• Cost-effectiveness of the proposal.

9. Technical Support and Updates:

The winning company must provide technical support and maintenance of the developed website and mobile applications for 1 year from the date of their launch. This support must include but not be limited to the following:

• Regular maintenance to ensure proper functioning and optimal performance of the products.

• Promptly fix bugs and resolve issues reported by users or discovered during routine audits.

• Security updates and vulnerability assessments to protect against potential threats.

• Compatibility updates to keep products up to date with the latest web browsers and mobile platforms.

• Support user requests and feedback through various communication channels.

• Periodic performance reviews and optimizations to improve user experience.

 

10. Updates and Enhancements:

The winning bidder is also responsible for periodically upgrading and enhancing the products in line with technological advances, user feedback, or changes in regulatory requirements. These updates may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Introducing new features and capabilities to enhance the user experience.

• Expanding data visualization and analysis capabilities.

• Introducing gamification elements to further engage users.

• Integrating with relevant third-party services or APIs to extend functionality.

• Upgrading to new versions of operating systems and frameworks.

• Ensuring compliance with any changes in data protection regulations.

11. Reporting:

The winning bidder must provide regular reports on maintenance activities, bug fixes, and performance improvements undertaken during the support period. These reports must be submitted to Transparency International Kyrgyzstan on a monthly basis or as mutually agreed.

12. Service Level Agreement (SLA):

A service level agreement (SLA) should be written as part of the contract to define specific response times, resolution times, and other performance metrics for technical support and updates.

13. Intellectual Property: The intellectual property rights to the developed products belong to Transparency International Kyrgyzstan.

14. Confidentiality: All information provided by the bidding companies is considered confidential.

15. Submission of Proposals: Interested companies should submit their proposals no later than 14 December 2023 to kyrgyzstan@transparency.org or to the organization’s office at 109/1 Turusbekov Street, Office 108, Bishkek.

16. Selection Process: The selection process will include reviewing the submitted proposals, shortlisting suitable companies, and conducting interviews/presentations if necessary.

17. Right of Rejection: Transparency International Kyrgyzstan reserves the right to reject any or all proposals if deemed necessary.

18. Contractual Obligations: The selected company will enter into a formal contract with Transparency International Kyrgyzstan to define the terms of the collaboration.

19. Contract Extension:

Upon successful completion of the initial support and upgrade period, Transparency International Kyrgyzstan may consider extending the contract for further support and upgrade services, depending on the level of performance and satisfaction during the initial period.

20. Termination Clause:

In the event of a breach of contract or unsatisfactory performance, Transparency International Kyrgyzstan reserves the right to terminate the development and follow-up service agreement with the winning company. Any termination will be in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract.

 

 

Transparency International Kyrgyzstan

Phone +996 (312) 394038

Email: kyrgyzstan@transparency.org