Consultancy for Software Development for Digital Ambassadors’ Application in Malawi

Consultancies

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
ISSUE DATE: 12TH JUNE 2024
CONSULTANCY FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR DIGITAL AMBASSADORS’ APPLICATION IN MALAWI
PROCUREMENT REF: MACRA/IPDC/USF-DA-APP/2024/04/01

1. BACKGROUND
Digital technologies are opening the world and connecting people to deliver seamless online services and fostering development. Digital services and solutions are providing a growth catalyst for most economic sectors in the world leading to job creation, improved service delivery and welfare of the citizenry, and socio-economic development of countries.
The Digital Ambassadors Programme aims to close the rural-urban digital divide and ensure that Malawi is digitally transformed into a digitally enabled economy.

Barriers to effective adoption and use of digital platforms include access to affordable internet (devices and services), limited relevant content, and low digital literacy levels. The youth are critical in spearheading national digital skills development. Establishing the Digital Ambassadors programme contributes immensely to the attainment of Malawi’s 2063. The programme will identify and train at least 100 Digital Ambassadors who will be deployed in various Traditional Authorities to train and transform the lives of over 20,000 citizens per annum through digital skills and the adoption of e-services, driving digital inclusion and growth.

The development of a digital platform and mobile application for the Digital Ambassadors programme is essential to facilitate digital skills training registration of participants, online facilitation of training, tracking the progress of trainers, and consolidation of trainer reports among other critical components.

2. OBJECTIVE OF ASSIGNMENT
To develop an interactive digital platform with a dashboard for gathering and organizing reports on one end and a mobile application to assist trainers in conducting training, capturing of data and reporting. This platform will consist of an Admin Portal, User/Digital Ambassador Panel, and Training Toolkit.

3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

3.1. Functionality of the system

  • User Management: ability to create, edit, and delete user accounts.
    Test role assignment functionality and ensure basic authentication features are functioning properly.
  • Content Management: ability to create and edit website content such as articles and pages. Verify the functionality of the categorization system.
  • Analytics and Reporting: basic dashboard accurately displaying website traffic metrics like page views and unique visitors.
  • Settings and Configuration: ability to test customization options for website settings such as themes and branding. Verify the functionality of minimal SEO settings.
  • Security and Compliance: ability to conduct basic security testing to ensure password-based authentication works correctly. Verify compliance with relevant security regulations.
  • Test specific content creation workflows, such as creating a new article, categorizing it, and submitting it for review.
  • Verify that different user roles have the appropriate permissions and access levels.
  • Validate the accuracy of various analytics and reporting metrics, such as page views, unique visitors, and user activity logs.

3.2 User Interface (Ul)

  • Admin Portal: the system should be able to evaluate the usability and intuitiveness of the user interface. Ensure consistency in design elements and navigation flow.
  • User/Digital Ambassador Panel: ability to test the dashboard layout and customization options. Verify that visual representations of data are clear and easy to understand.
  • Training Toolkit on Tablet: ability to evaluate the interface for interactive content and progress tracking. Ensure ease of navigation and engagement with the learning materials.

3.3. Performance

  • Load Testing: the system should be able to test the responsiveness and loading times of the platform under normal usage conditions. Identify any performance bottlenecks and optimize accordingly.
  • Stress Testing: ability to evaluate the platform’s stability under heavy load conditions. Verify that it can handle simultaneous user interactions without crashing or slowing down.
  • Load Testing: ability to simulate a large number of concurrent users (e.g., 1,000 or 10,000) accessing the platform and measure response times and resource utilization.
  • Stress Testing: ability to perform resource-intensive operations, such as importing large datasets or generating complex reports, and measure the platform’s stability and performance under high load.

3.4. Security

  • Authentication: the system should be able to verify the effectiveness of basic authentication features. Test login and logout functionalities.
  • Data Protection: able to ensure user data is adequately protected.
    Test data encryption practices and access control mechanisms.

3.5. Compatibility

  • Cross-browser Compatibility: the system should be able to test the platform across various web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Ensure consistent functionality and appearance.
  • Mobile Compatibility: able to verify that the platform functions correctly on different mobile devices and screen sizes. Test responsiveness and usability on smartphones and tablets.

3.6. Accessibility

  • Accessibility Features: the system should be able to evaluate features such as adjustable font sizes and screen reader compatibility.
    Verify compliance with accessibility standards such as WCAG.
  • Usability for Users with Disabilities: ability to test the platform’s usability for users with disabilities, ensuring they can access and interact with all features effectively.
    Be able to conduct thorough UAT based on these detailed criteria, with the aim of ensure that the MVP meets the expectations of stakeholders and end-users in terms of function.

4. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE OF DEVELOPER(S)
Malawian citizens of any age (ID/passport copy required), and Individuals (or a team) with a solution that solves a clear problem listed are eligible to apply and they should possess the following qualifications, knowledge, and skills;

a) Database Developer: should have a Bachelor of Computer Science, or Management Information Systems or Information Technology or any equivalent qualifications with the following qualities and experience:

  • Strong understanding of database concepts: Data modelling, normalization, indexing, querying, and database design.
  • Proficiency in database management systems: Experience with relational databases like MySQL, Oracle, or SQL Server, and/or NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Cassandra, or Redis.
  • SQL skills: Expertise in writing efficient, optimized SQL queries, including complex joins, subqueries, and aggregations.
  • Database design and development: Ability to design, implement, and optimize database schemas, tables, and relationships.
  • Data modeling and data warehousing: Understanding of data modeling techniques, data warehousing concepts, and ETL processes.
  • Programming skills: Proficiency in programming languages like Java, Python, C#, or Ruby, and experience with database programming APIs like JDBC, or ODBC.
  • Database performance tuning: Knowledge of database performance optimization techniques, indexing strategies, and query optimization.
  • Data security and backup: Understanding of database security best practices, backup and recovery procedures, and data encryption methods.
  • Agile development methodologies: Experience with iterative development, version control systems like Git, and collaboration tools like JIRA or Asana.
  • Communication and problem-solving skills: Ability to effectively communicate with team members, analyse problems, and develop efficient solutions.
  • Experience with database migration and integration: Familiarity with migrating databases between different platforms, integrating with other systems, and data synchronization techniques.
  • Knowledge of cloud databases: Experience with cloud-based databases like AWS Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, or Azure Database Services.

b) Content Developer: Must possess either a Bachelor of Computer Science, Graphics designing, or with other relevant certifications/ qualifications in content development with 4 years’ experience in handling similar assignments. Further, the person should have the following experience:

  • Creative storytelling skills: Ability to craft engaging narratives and concepts for interactive content.
  • Animation expertise: Proficiency in animation tools like Adobe Animate, Blender, or Toon Boom Harmony, and understanding of animation principles.
  • Interactive content development: Experience with creating interactive content using tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate, or Camtasia.
  • Multimedia skills: Knowledge of multimedia elements like video, audio, images, and graphics, and ability to integrate them into content.
  • Programming basics: Understanding of programming concepts and scripting languages like JavaScript, HTML5, or CSS.
  • Authoring tools expertise: Proficiency in authoring tools like Adobe
    Creative Cloud, articulate 360, or Lectora Inspire.
  • UI/UX design principles: Understanding of user interface and user experience design principles for interactive content.
  • Project management skills: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines
  • Collaboration and communication skills: Effective communication with team members, stakeholders, and developers
  • Adaptability and continuous learning: Willingness to learn new tools, technologies, and methodologies, and adapt to changing project requirements.
  • Portfolio and showreel: A strong portfolio showcasing animation, interactive content, and multimedia work.
  • Understanding of software development processes: Familiarity with Agile development methodologies, version control systems, and collaboration tools.

5. SELECTION METHOD
The consultant shall be selected in accordance with the Quality Cost Best Selection (QCBS) procedures as set out in the Public Procurement Guidelines. Consultants are therefore instructed to submit their proposals in two separate labelled envelopes, one for the Technical Proposal and another one for the Financial Proposals.

6. TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR’S)
Interested consultants or their representatives may obtain detailed Terms of Reference (TORs) upon written request through the following email: procurement@macra.mw

7. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Completed copies of proposals in sealed envelopes clearly marked “CONSULTANCY FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR DIGITAL AMBASSADORS’ APPLICATION IN MALAWI” should be submitted in two separate envelopes one marked “TECHNICAL PROPOSAL” and the other one marked “FINANCIAL PROPOSAL” and must be delivered to the following address:

THE CHAIRPERSON
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee (IPDC),
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA)
Area 13
Green Heritage House
P.O. Box 30214
Capital City
LILONGWE 3
E-mail: procurement@macra.mw

9. PROPOSAL OPENING
Opening of proposals shall take place in the Boardroom at MACRA Offices, in Area 3, Green Heritage House, P.O. Box 30214, Capital City Lilongwe 3 on Friday, 12th July 2024 at 10:00 hours and bidder’s representatives and the general public who wish to attend the ceremony are most welcome.

10. MACRA is however, not bound to accept the lowest or any proposal but reserves the right to exercise choice of lowest evaluated, substantially responsive proposal and can cancel the procurement proceedings at any stage.

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