General Procurement Notice

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GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE

The Government of the Republic of Malawi has received grant financing in the amount of US$ 70 Million (with a further US$80 Million to become available later) equivalent from the World Bank toward the cost of digital development in Malawi. The Government intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under this project.

The Project is under the Ministry of Information and Digitization, and it’s being implemented through the Public Private Partnership Commission.

The Project Development Objective is to increase access to, and inclusive use of, the internet and improve the Government’s capacity to deliver digitally enabled services.

The project will include the following components:

Component 1: Affordable broadband and secure data hosting. This component will cover rural connectivity that will expand broadband coverage in rural areas with the aim of achieving universal coverage of mobile broadband, including traditionally marginalized, climate-vulnerable communities and climate hotspots that are unserved or underserved by affordable and quality internet services. With the use of private sector matching grants, close last-mile connectivity gaps for government institutions from the previous Digital Malawi Phase 1 Project.

The connectivity will now be expanded to include the education sector under the universal school connectivity, the Project will also sponsor Malawi’s participation in the EU Africa Connect 4 program, in partnership with the Ubuntu Net Alliance. Being a regional Project, regional connectivity will be used to address gaps in missing cross-border broadband links, possibly drawing upon a regional financing facility. Finally, it will include Integrated infrastructure planning of ‘digital corridors’ for Southern Africa.

Component 2: Interoperable and secure data platforms. This component will cover the Next Generation Digital ID and identity verification services, including electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) (because of the requirement to develop e-Signatures capability for public e-services that require a higher level of assurance). In order to reach all citizenry, the Bomalathu data exchange platform for Government will be expanded. The platform faces both Government agencies as well as other players in the private sector, including financial institutions, and the public. The Component will also seek to enhance policy and regulatory frameworks, operationalization of the Data Protection Authority and support for the MCERT at MACRA.

Component 3: High impact digital services and productive digital usage. This will cover the Digital skills and digital literacy which was started by Digital Malawi Project, and it is now planned to expand. The new support to the tech hubs will include a further round of competitively awarded performance-based grants, disbursed in tranches, with agreed targets for offering higher-level ICT skills, digital entrepreneurship and development of the digitally enabled solutions that contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Participation in regional program on device affordability will also be a major activity in this component. This device affordability program will be complemented by an e-waste initiative that promotes recycling and resale or safe disposal of laptops and phones. This will be carried out in conjunction with the tech hubs, with a focus on skills development and job creation for young people and persons with disabilities (PWD). Finally, it will also look at the Sectoral deep dives: social protection, disaster and emergency response, financial inclusion, and lands management.

Component 4: Project management. This component will cover the establishment of Malawi Information Technology Authority (MITA) by providing funding for the establishment and operationalization of the proposed authority. The Project will provide funding including support for selected consultants to be recruited in MITA. The Component will also fund the DMAP management and coordination unit that includes procurement, financial management and social and environment standards. Other standard project management functions include communications, M&E, security, and gender awareness. Project operational cost will also be covered in this component.

The following Goods, Works and Services will be procured under Open International Competitive procedures:

A. Works

1. Construction of telecommunication infrastructure for national and regional connectivity.

B. Consultancy Services

1. Consultancy Services for a Digital ID Expert to scope out the requirements for the creation of a Next Generation ID system.
2. Consultancy Services for Cybersecurity Expert.
3. Consultancy Services to study appropriate methods of the implementation of e-Waste initiatives and development of relevant tender docs
4. Consultancy Services for the development of environmental and social impact assessments and other related services.
5. Consultancy services for the development of regionally harmonised standards and guidelines for climate resilient infrastructure.
6. Consultancy services to assist in the operationalization of Data Protection Agency.

C. Non-Consulting Services

1. Provision of connectivity for schools and other educational institutions.

D. Goods

1. Acquisition of biometric registration kits for rolling out Next Generation Digital ID.
2. On-boarding more MDAs and financial institutions into Bomalathu data exchange platform and provision of O&M, plus help desk services.
3. Allocation of catalytic financing for matching investments for extending rural connectivity in underserved areas.
4. Creation of three distributed Internet Exchange
   Points (Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Mzuzu).
5. Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Wi-Fi and related equipment at selected higher education institutions (MAREN).
6. Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of computers to use Wi-Fi and related equipment at 2,000 schools (Universal School Connectivity).
7. Implementation of a Government EDRMS and Workflow Management system.

Procurement of contracts financed by the World Bank will be conducted through the procedures as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated September 2023 (Procurement Regulations) and is open to all eligible firms and individuals as defined in the Procurement Regulations. The World Bank shall arrange the publication on its external website of the agreed initial procurement plan and all subsequent updates once it has provided a no objection.

Specific procurement notices for contracts subject to open international competitive procurement will be announced, as they become available in UN Development Business and dgMarket and “The Daily Times” and “The Nation” local newspapers.

Prequalification/Initial Selection of suppliers and contractors will be required for the following contracts: Schools Connectivity contracts.

Interested eligible firms and individuals who would wish to be considered for the provision of goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services for the above-mentioned project, or those requiring additional information, should contact the Borrower at the address below:

Postal Address:
The Chief Executive Officer (Attention: The Project Manager,),
The Public Private Partnership Commission
Malawi Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP)
P O Box 937
Blantyre, Malawi.
Physical Address:
2nd Floor Livingstone Towers
Glyn Jones Road

The Public Private Partnership Commission
Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP)
P O Box 937
Blantyre, Malawi

Telecommunication
Telephone: +265 995480754 or +265 882255555
E-mail: cmatemba@pppc.mw

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