Development of the Strategic Approach to Cloud Computing, and of the Disaster Recovery Contingency, and Continuity of Government Operations Framework

Project: P178162 - Strengthening Digital Governance for Service Delivery Reference: SDGSDP/QCBS-1.2.1-2/2024 Procurement method: Quality And Cost-Based Selection Financing: World Bank REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Agency for Information Society (AIS). REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - EXTENDED DEADLINE (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION) COUNTRY : Kosova NAME OF PROJECT : Strengthening Digital Governance for Service Delivery Project (SDGSDP) CREDIT NO : P178162 ASSIGNMENT TITLE : Development of the Strategic Approach to Cloud Computing, and of the Disaster Recovery Contingency, and Continuity of Government Operations Framework REFERENCE NO : SDGSDP/QCBS-1.2.1-2/2024 DATE : December 26, 2024 The Ministry of Internal Affairs/Agency for Information Society has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Strengthening Digital Governance for Service Delivery Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include: develop a Cloud Computing National Strategic Approach and Transition Plan for adoption and utilization of cloud computing within the government of Kosovo. This strategic approach should address technical, operational, business processes, security, and policy considerations to ensure a robust and well-coordinated transition to cloud-based services, and prepare the detailed functional and technical requirements together with the draft bidding documents for the supply and installation of necessary information and communication technology (ICT) systems and equipment to implement the proposed technical solutions (to be purchased through a competitive selection process later). The other objective of this consultancy assignment is to conduct a needs assessment and prepare the detailed functional and technical requirements for the development of a comprehensive Disaster Recovery Contingency and Continuity of Operations (DR/COOP) Framework for the GoK, together with the draft bidding documents for the supply and installation of necessary information and communication technology (ICT) equipment to enhance the SDC and DRC platforms (to be purchased through a competitive selection process later). This part of the assignment will mainly focus on the development of requirements and draft bidding documents for the short-term and long-term DRC, while developing the long term DR/COOP framework for the GoK. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. The Ministry of Internal Affairs/Agency for Information Society 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. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE COMPANY (i) General qualifications of the company to REOI The Consultant firm must be a legally established and registered entity. The Consultant firm should demonstrate at least 10 years of relevant experience. Demonstrated capacity to engage with public institutions, national and local authorities; Demonstrated experience working with international donors (ii) Relevant experience with similar assignments The Consultant firm must have successfully completed at least two (2) projects including the design and implementation of strategic approach and transition to a government cloud platform and at least two (2) projects including the design and implementation of disaster recovery and business continuity solutions within the last five (5) years (as the main solution provider or main contributor in a joint venture). Successfully completed projects will be presented through a table listing the name of the relevant assignments, short scope of work, contract start and end dates, country/region, and contact reference (name, e-mail, phone number). Excellent project management skills, including quality assurance of work products; ability to deliver high-quality outputs in a high-pressure multicultural environment; Excellent command of English, with the ability to deliver high-quality report writing, presentation, and communication skills, with experience in communicating and engaging with high-level decision makers in the public sector. THE SHORTLISTING CRITERIA ARE: (i) General qualifications of the company to REOI (40%), (ii) Relevant experience with similar assignments (60%) The Consultants’ Staff CV are NOT subject to evaluation 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, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qu