NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

Project ID: P170206

Project Title: Modernizing Uzbekistan National Innovation System Project

Country: Uzbekistan

Notice No: OP00270217

Notice Type: Request for Expression of Interest

Notice Status: Published

Borrower Bid Reference: MUNIS/CS/CQS/15

Procurement Method: Consultant Qualification Selection

Language of Notice: English

Submission Deadline Date/Time: Feb 12, 2024 15:00

Published Date: 26-Jan-2024

Description: Consulting services on extended technical support, training and expansion of the information system functionality

Details:

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTING FIRMS

Country: Uzbekistan

Project name: “Modernizing Uzbekistan’s National Innovation System” Project

Credit No.: IDA-67840

Assignment Title:Consulting services on extended technical support, training, and expansion of the information system functionality

Reference No.: MUNIS/CS/CQS/15

The Republic of Uzbekistan has received a credit from International Development Association (IDA) toward the cost of the “Modernizing Uzbekistan National Innovation System (MUNIS)” Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for Consulting services on extended technical support, training, and expansion of the information system functionality.

The Project Implementation Unit under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MHESI) 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 main goal of the project is to ensure failure-free operation of the System, support, and train users, and adapt the system for new programs (ICP, BIRD, PRIM) of the MUNIS project components

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATION (EVALUATION CRITERIA)

To be selected Consulting company shall cover the following requirements:

• Supplier must have at least 3 years of experience on the market in the field of providing, designing and implementing business process automation, electronic document management, etc.
• Experience related to the support, development and implementation of information systems for state bodies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, confirmed by letters of recommendation.
• Experience of work in projects financed by international organizations.

The assignment is expected to be completed by Consulting firm composed of a minimum of 6 key experts including IT Architect (1 person), Technical Administrator (1 person), Support Manager (1 person) and Developers (2 persons), Assistant (1 person). Key experts shall possess the following qualifications:

IT Architect:

• Advanced degree in Information Technologies;
• At least 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of complex projects and/or state programs in Information Technology
• Experience in the review and development of documents and reports in the public sector for at least 5 years;
• experience with micro services, containers, and means of their orchestration;
• understanding of Information systems integration technologies and protocols;
• Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Uzbek and Russian will be an advantage.

Support Manger:

• University BS/BA degree (master’s preferred) in information systems, engineering, public administration/public service management or relevant discipline
• At least 3 years of experience as an IT support specialist.
• Experience of work under project management standards and methodologies of support IT systems (ITSM, ITIL);
• Experience of work with IT helpdesk software, such as Jira, ServiceNow.
• Experience in documenting processes and monitoring performance metrics.
• Advanced knowledge of database maintenance and system security.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and make decisions, including in conditions of an uncertain environment and limited resources;
• Experience in system integrator preferred.
• Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of Uzbek and Russian will be an advantage.

Technical Administrator:

• Advanced degree in Information Technologies;
• At least 5 years of experience in technical administration of support and implementation of complex projects and/or state programs in Information Technology
• Experience in installation and configuration of software, hardware and networks

Assistant:

• University BS/BA degree (master’s preferred) in information systems, engineering, public administration/public service management or relevant discipline

• Ability to work with a large amount of information
• Excellent communication skills.

Developers:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in mobile application and game development
• Proficiency in popular coding languages including Python, Java and C++ and frameworks or systems such as AngularJS and Git
• Excellent knowledge of the software development life cycle
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills
• Knowledge of Object-Relational Mapping frameworks
• Experience with Agile and Scrum development methodologies
• To confirm the compliance of specialists/experts with the above requirements, a potential Consultant provides letters of recommendation.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LJ8YRfccMH4Qd780PnJMEqzCAH98fLF1/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103319065924197421654&rtpof=true&sd=true

To confirm the compliance of specialists/experts with the above requirements, a potential Consultant provides letters of recommendation or resumes of specialists/experts, copies of diplomas, certificates, and other documents confirming the professional qualifications of specialists/experts and their work experience, as well as copies of other documents, confirming work experience.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (revised in September 2023) (“Procurement Regulations”), 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 CQS selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during working days.

Expressions of interest of the Consultant must be delivered in a written form to the address below by the 12th of February, 2024, 3:00 p.m. Tashkent time.

Attn: Mr. Dilshodbek Azgarov – Manager of the Project Implementation Unit

No.7, Universitet Street, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan

Tel: +998-97-170-67-84

E-mail: [email protected],[email protected]

As part of the EOI, the Consultant should include the following information:

• Consulting Firm Information

Date:	Country of Incorporation:
Consultant Name:	Acronym:
EOI Submission Authorized by:	Position

• Associations (Joint Venture or Sub-consultancy)

Consultant	Acronym	Country of Incorporation	Joint Venture (JV) or Sub-consultant	EOI Submission Authorized By	Position

Present the rationale for and benefits of working in association (JV or Sub-consultant) with others rather than undertaking the assignment independently (as appropriate). Describe the proposed management and coordination approach of the association and the role of each firm.

• Technical competence

Project References - highlight the technical qualifications of your entity/consortium in undertaking similar assignments. Provide details of past experiences working with similar project authorities

• Geographical experience

Project References, present experiences in similar geographic areas.

• Management Competence

• Describe standard policies, procedures, and practices that your entity has to assure quality interaction with clients and outputs. Please state if your company is ISO certified.
• How your firm/consortium handles complaints concerning the performance of experts or quality of the reports submitted for previous and future assignments? What internal controls are in place to address and resolve complaints.
• How you ensure the quality of your firm’s/consortium’s performance over the life of assignments.

• Projects references

Present relevant projects to demonstrate the firm’s technical qualifications and geographical experience (maximum 10 projects).

N	Project	Period	Client	Country	Firm
1
2
3
4
….
……

• Summary for the Projects listed above

Project Title
Country / Region
Start Date
Completion Date
Continuous / Intermittent
Client
Funding Source
Description	(indicate your role and input in man-months)

• Eligibility

We, the undersigned, certify to the best of our knowledge and belief:

• We have read the advertisement, including the terms of reference (TOR), for this assignment (YES/NO)

• Neither the consulting firm nor its JV member or sub-consultant or any of its experts prepared the TOR for this activity (YES/NO)

• We confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm/consortium. (YES/NO)

• Ensuing assignment resulting from our work product under this assignment, our firm, JV member or sub-consultant, and the expert(s) will be disqualified from short-listing and participation in the assignment.

The lead entity and JV member or sub-consultant are NOT currently sanctioned by or other MDBs. Neither the consulting firm nor the JV member or sub-consultant has ever been convicted of an integrity-related offense or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Organization/Department: Ministry of Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Name: Dilshodbek Azgarov

Address: City: Tashkent, postal code: 100174, Street University w/n Floor / room number: 4th floor, room 414

City:

Province/State:

Postal Code:

Country: Uzbekistan

Phone: 977664705

Email: [email protected]

Website: [email protected]