Caribbean Digital Transformation Project: Technical assessment and TOR preparation for the Payment Platform

NOTICE AT-A-GLANCE

Project ID: P171528

Project Title: Caribbean Digital Transformation Project

Country: Caribbean

Notice No: OP00286972

Notice Type: Request for Expression of Interest

Notice Status: Published

Borrower Bid Reference: SVGCARDTP-C-CQS-3

Procurement Method: Consultant Qualification Selection

Language of Notice: English

Description: Technical assessment and TOR preparation for the Payment Platform

Details:

(N.B. The deadline for this activity has passed: January 10, 2022)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP)

CREDIT NO. IDA-6691-VC

Request For Expressions of Interest

Consulting Services – E-Payment Platform

Assignment Title: ASSESSMENT, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR AN E-PAYMENT PLATFORM

Reference No.: SVGCARDTP-C-CQS-2

The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Caribbean Regional Digital Transformation Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Consultant will assist the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) with the implementation of the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP). Specifically, the Consulting services (“the Services”) include (i) conduct, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders an e-payments readiness assessment for citizen facing services that is in line with international standards and best practices, payment system policies, legal and regulatory framework; (ii) an assessment of existing business processes and recommendations for improving such; (iii) an assessment of payment data that is aimed at identifying the different payment methods in existence, volume of transactions, identify market shares by financial institutions; (iv) an assessment of the accessibility of payment platforms and services in the population and determine the e-payment access points that are required in context of the platform; (v) presentation of recommendations and assess the feasibility of implementing a modern national payment switch locally; (vi) design an e-payment system, prepare technical and functional requirements and specifications, hardware and software for the implementation of an interoperable system.

The expected start date is April, 2022 and the contract will span for, four (4) months.

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

http://www.gov.vc/images/RequestForExpressionsofInterest/TOR_Electronic_Payment_Services_Assessment.pdf

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology 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 Consultant shall be a qualified firm or consortia of firms with demonstrated experience working with e-payment platform projects across Governments or multifunctional business organizations. Successful implementation in a developing country setting would be an asset.

The short-listing criteria are as follows:

1. at least five (5) years of experience in digital payments with a focus on innovation, interoperability, government payment platforms, ecommerce and retail payment systems;

1. execution of two (2) projects of similar scope in the last five (5) years;

1. team leader and key staff must have at least a master’s degree and at least ten (10) years relevant work experience;

1. the team should comprise of proven expertise in payment and settlement systems, business planning, human resources, risk management, technology and legal and regulatory topics.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

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 November 2017 and August 2018 (“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 Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during the hours 9:00 to 15:30 hours.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Monday, January 10, 2022.

Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Information Technology

Attn: Edmond Jackson, Director General Finance and Planning Second Floor,

Administrative Building

Bay Street

Kingstown

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Tel: 784-457-1343

E-mail: office.finance@gov.vc and wgeorge@gov.vc and jquow@svgcpd.com

CONTACT INFORMATION

Organization/Department: SVG - Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development, and Information Technology

Name: Winston George

Address: Administrative Center, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Tel no.: 1-784-457-1746

City:

Province/State:

Postal Code:

Country: St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Phone: 784-530-1441

Email: wgeorge@gov.vc

Website: http://finance.gov.vc/finance/index.php/central