[Deadline extended]Request for Proposals (RFP)
RFP Number: ATIC-2020-001
Issuance Date: 13.01.2021
Deadline for Offers: 30.01.2021
Deadline extended: 15.02.2021
Description: ATIC Strategic Plan Development
For: National Association of ICT Companies
Issued By: National Association of ICT Companies (ATIC)
Point of Contact: mbzovii@ict.md, Marina Bzovii, Executive Director
WHO WE ARE?
National Association of ICT Companies from Moldova (“ATIC”) is the business Organization uniting more than 60 companies. Umbrella Organization gathering over 7000 employees, representing more than 60% of Moldova’s ICT sector market value.
Being established in 2006, ATIC is the action leading association and the voice of the Moldovan ICT industry that promotes the development of the ICT sector in Republic of Moldova through viable partnerships between companies, similar organizations, government, state institutions and international organizations. The association was founded to represent the industry on different policy and legislative issues and to facilitate the exchange of best-practices between members. ATIC mission is to protect and promote the Association members’ interests as well as facilitate a more favorable ICT business climate.
VISION
The ICT sector will become an enabler of the Moldovan economy and ATIC will actively contribute into the process of making Moldovan ICT sector the growth engine focused on principles of fair competition, transparency, free and open market in line with international regulations, by creating a better business, educational and social environment for the ICT players of Moldova. ATIC will actively promote the interests of its members by getting involved into the spheres of regulation, education, capacity building, competitiveness enhancement to have ICT lead the industry and become a part of any system and process to ensure its development.
MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION
Moldovan Association of ICT Companies promotes the development of the ICT sector in the Republic of Moldova through viable partnerships between companies, similar organizations, universities, state institutions, international organizations in order to enhance the development of the sector and members capacities, enlarge the market, improve the ICT workforce capacities, protect current investments in the country and participate in the decision making and regulatory process on the national and international level. ATIC will actively promote the interests of the members, by helping delivering the benefits of the ICT sector, while meeting the legitimate concerns of the members.
Section 1: Introduction and Instructions to Offerors
Detailed Scope of Work for the Consultancy Services
Background
The Government has declared the ICT sector as a priority for the country, both as a productive sector and as an enabler for economic and society development. An advanced ICT sector is crucial to an innovative and efficient economy and a high standard of living for the entire society. The Ministry of Economy and Infrastructure (which absorbed the former Ministry of ICT) developed three main strategic documents – Digital Moldova 2020 Strategy for the development of digital society (approved in 2013), and Moldova ICT Industry Competitiveness Strategy (approved in 2015), Moldova IT Industry Competitiveness and Digital Innovation Ecosystem (approved in September 2018) that caters to the needs of the ICT industry as a productive sector, and represents a natural continuation of the first one. The main emphasis of the new strategy is IT competitive human capital, IT competitive business environment, ICT based innovation and support for IT investment and export.
Moldova has a small but rapidly growing IT sector only (excluding communications), employing about 29600 people, with exports of USD285 million abroad in 2019, while the overall turnover of the industry is USD 390 million. Together with telecom, the sector generates around 7.1% of GDP. With a mainly focused industry on communication and hardware sales, still the country has succeeded to increase its IT exports 40 times in the last 10 years, with a 50% growth of IT services exports only in 2017 and 2018 consecutively. The growth in IT industry has been driven by Moldova’s advantages as a subcontracting destination for IT services, based on cost, location and skills.
Where do we want to be in 3-5 years:
1. We want to see the sector turnover growth reach 1bn USD in 3-5 years
2. We want to reach 35000 employees in ICT in 5 years
3. We want to reach 60,000 USD/per employee productivity rate (current rate is 22,000/per employee)
4. We want to create 10 international partnerships and support the growth of 2-3 billion (internationally) valuated companies
5. We want to attract min 100 mln USD for IT Industry development in Moldova in the next 5 years
6. We want to have the best business climate for ICT in the region..
“National Association of ICT Companies from Moldova (“ATIC”) is the business Organization uniting more than 60 companies. Umbrella Organization gathering over 7000 employees, representing more than 60% of Moldova’s ICT sector market value.
Being established in 2006, ATIC is the action leading association and the voice of the Moldovan ICT industry that promotes the development of the ICT sector in Republic of Moldova through viable partnerships between companies, similar organizations, government, state institutions and international organizations. The association was founded to represent the industry on different policy and legislative issues and to facilitate the exchange of best-practices between members. ATIC mission is to protect and promote the Association members’ interests as well as facilitate a more favorable ICT business climate.
We will focus our attention this year on providing a balance between various ATIC members needs (for Eg. Telecom, Software, Startups, Fintech, Hardware) and overall sector development in close collaboration with ATIC members’ vision. ATIC will assess the best operations models to reach the above stated results for the sector and for its members.
During the following year ATIC will focus on the following strategic areas:
I. Strengthen the day to day activity of the association
II. Lobby and Advocacy for Sector growth based on members vision
III. Further development of sector regional competitiveness
IV. Knowledge sharing: Communication with Members & Business Networking
V. Development of strategic partnerships with various stakeholders
VI. Question (Projects should be an implementing unit separate from ATIC L&A)
VII. International Markets Development
VIII. Human Capital Development
ASSIGNMENT:
Responsible companies/individuals are invited to provide consulting services to support ATIC executive team in defining its next 3-5 year strategic plan, namely 2020-2025.
The consultant/company should perform the following activities:
ATIC seeks a consultant/company to deliver and develop an actionable strategic plan, the organization envisions the scope of work being completed in various stages, that includes but is not limited to:
1. ATIC Strategic Vision – This stage includes consensus building among ATIC Members, ATIC Team and other stakeholders in order to discover a shared strategic vision. The strategic Vision shall be:
a. clearly stated;
b. compelling;
c. in line with the development of the sector;
d. timely;
e. describe a clear and present need;
f. motivate people to act o is a worthwhile challenge.
2. Research and Validation – Needs assessment, gap analysis, SWOT analysis, research, etc. This stage should produce the substantive documentation and solutions needed for validation of discovered vision and key goals and inform the strategic planning process.
3. Identify strategic goals and write the strategic plan, including detailed budget. This phase entails the identification of key strategic goals and the development of an actionable strategic plan that will serve as the overall blueprint for our work. This plan should include: An executive summary, as well as a comprehensive, detailed plan that identifies: ATIC’s shared vision, goals, objectives, strategies, tactics and responsible partners and their roles as well as measures and outcomes. The plan should also include: Resource development strategies and initial communications strategies.
4. Development of implementation recommendations This stage includes the development of recommendations regarding the implementation phase of the plan. Included within this phase should be a detailed budget to implement the plan and methods of measuring successful implementation.
Stakeholders:ATIC’s activitiy is various therefore it is expected that the consulting team will perform interviews with team members, board members, members, Government partners, donor, academia, other. A tentative 15 focus groups are expected to be created, apr. min 40 interviews to be performed. Focus groups, interviews, surveys and/or any other method that will be useful in receiving members and partners input. The contractor will facilitate group meetings with members, board, staff and other stakeholders to create consensus regarding a strategic vision and plan.
Meeting topics will align with information and data collected and may include:
· Organizational Overview ‐ Assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, and competencies of the organization. Evaluate from the perspective of legal, organizational, business, services, etc.
· External Overview – Assessment of opportunities and threats facing the ATIC in coming years. The assessment will include information on availability or significant limitation of resources and tools that ATIC could use to add value and further its goals.
· Methodology – The consultant will describe the methodology used to identify vital challenges and opportunities identified.
· Identification of Opportunities, Strategies and Vision ‐ Refining the vision for ATIC which identifies its priorities, opportunities and strategies, and clarifies the ATIC’s role and confirms its mission and values.
· Defining Future Access or Limiting Factors – needs/implications related to potential strategic pathways.
Timeline: Provide and develop the Strategy of the Association for the following 3 (three) to 5 (five) years.
Long Term Objectives
· Development of a long-term perspective, and capabilities to enable proactive response to growth opportunities.
· Ensure strategic planning for ATIC development while bench marking our organization with other similar sized non-profits or additional organizations with similar focus.
· Define and asses ATIC objectives long term.
Short Term Objectives
ATIC seeks a strategic plan that serves as a foundation for the next three to five years. Key goals for the planning effort include:
· Develop overarching strategy for sustainable growth that maintains ATIC’s focus on developing the ICT sector;
· Identify priority areas for growth and development;
· Answer key organizational questions;
· Create prioritized list of goals and strategies;
· Potentially update mission, vision, values.
Key aspects and items to be covered
a. Financial – ensure and develop strategical sustainability plan and check operational efficiency of the association.
b. Competitors- asses and identify opportunities based on existing competitors, by reviewing ATIC’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.
c. Business – focus shall remain on all aspects of IT and Telecom business areas.
d. Services – ensure the coverage of potential services to be developed by the association to further ensure it’s sustainability and business continuity.
e. Regulatory – Develop a high level advocacy plan to cover and ensure the development of the ICT sector.
Deliverables:
• Presentation of the methodology. Detailed framework/design, implementation plan and data collection tools
• Inception report and implementation plan and methodology to reach the plan
• Full .doc, .docx report with annexes in English (and Romanian)
• Presentation to the team members, Board and Members if requested
• Other that may be required.Evaluate current ATIC legal and organizational format
Scenarios of further development of ATIC and Conclusions and recommendation plan
The assignment is expected to commence no later than 10 days after signing the contract
The proposals of each interested company/individual consultant should include:
• Timeframe and schedule of proposed implemented actions
• CV of key people working on the assignment
• Technical approach to complete the assignment
• Potential entry points/questionnaires to complete the assignment
Best candidates should demonstrate:
• Prior experience in strategic planning, prior IT projects or collaborations will be considered a plus
• Good understanding of the IT ecosystem and educational IT initiatives in the country
• Relevant international expertise will be considered a plus
• Fluency in all three Romanian, Russian and English will be considered a plus
• Prior and relevant expertise/knowledge in investments projects (if physical infrastructure will be chosen as an impact component of the future assignment).
1.3 Questions and Requests for Clarifications
Questions regarding the technical or administrative requirements of this RFP may be submitted no later than January 15, 18:00 local Chisinau time by email to mbzovii@ict.md. Questions must be submitted in writing; phone calls will not be accepted. Questions and requests for clarification—and the responses thereto—that ATIC believes may be of interest to other offerors will be circulated to all RFP recipients who have indicated an interest in bidding.
Only the written answers issued by ATIC will be considered official and carry weight in the RFP process and subsequent evaluation. Any verbal information received from employees of ATIC or any other entity should not be considered as an official response to any questions regarding this RFP.
1.4 Offer Deadline
Offerors shall submit their proposal offers until January 30,2021 via e-mail to mbzovii@ict.md.
Offerors shall submit their offers in hard-copy and/or electronically.
Hard-copy offers must be received no later than January 30,2021 at the following address:
Str. Studentilor 9/11, MD-2068
Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their offers are received in accordance with the instructions stated herein. Late offers may be considered at the discretion of ATIC.
1.3 Questions and Requests for Clarifications
Questions regarding the technical or administrative requirements of this RFP may be submitted no later than January 15, 18:00 local Chisinau time by email to mbzovii@ict.md. Questions must be submitted in writing; phone calls will not be accepted. Questions and requests for clarification—and the responses thereto—that ATIC believes may be of interest to other offerors will be circulated to all RFP recipients who have indicated an interest in bidding.
Only the written answers issued by ATIC will be considered official and carry weight in the RFP process and subsequent evaluation. Any verbal information received from employees of ATIC or any other entity should not be considered as an official response to any questions regarding this RFP.
1.4 Offer Deadline
Offerors shall submit their proposal offers until January 30,2021 via e-mail to mbzovii@ict.md.
Offerors shall submit their offers in hard-copy and/or electronically.
Hard-copy offers must be received no later than January 30,2021 at the following address:
Str. Studentilor 9/11, MD-2068
Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their offers are received in accordance with the instructions stated herein. Late offers may be considered at the discretion of ATIC.
1.5 Protocol for Submission of Offers
Hard Copy Submissions:
Each offeror must submit its proposal in two separate packages: the Technical Proposal and the Cost Proposal. The following number of copies is required in each submission:
1. Technical and Cost Proposal: Three (3) original hardcopies and one (1) electronic copy on CD of the technical proposal, per the instructions below.
2. All offers and related documents must be enclosed in sealed envelopes with the name and address of the offeror and the RFP number (“RFP No. ATIC-2021-001”) clearly marked on the outside. The Technical Proposal and the Cost Proposal must be submitted together. If multiple envelopes must be submitted due to the size of a proposal, offerors must ensure that each envelope is sealed and clearly marked with the information described above.
1.6. Technical and Cost Proposal
1.6.1 Technical Proposal
The Technical Proposal should describe in detail the offeror’s proposed plan for providing the services described in the scope of work found in Annex 1. It should demonstrate a clear understanding of the work to be undertaken and the responsibilities of all parties involved. The plan should include details on services, personnel, and subcontractors that the offeror will make available to carry out the required activities. The plan should also provide details on the anticipated delivery schedule, including an estimated completion date.
At a minimum, the Technical Proposal must contain the following required completed documents:
1. Letter of Transmittal (see Section 3)
2. Offeror’s Summary Sheet (see Section 4)
3. Completed/Signed Certifications (see Section 5).
4. Bank Account Award Certificate – copy – issued by the bank holding the account;
5. Certificate of regular payment of taxes – copy – or certificate issued by the Tax Inspectorate on double taxation records;
6. Past Performance Information (see Section 2.4)-minimum 3 previous track record information
7. Concept description, including detailed schedule activities, methodology and end results
9. Staffing capacity to undertake the current project
10. Copy of official registration or business license
11. Copy of relevant documentation demonstrating the authorization and quality to offer consultancy services
Subcontracting arrangements: If the execution of work to be performed by the offeror requires the hiring of subcontractors, the proposal must clearly identify the subcontractor(s), contact information of subcontractor(s), and the work they will perform. ATIC will not refuse a proposal based upon the use of subcontractors; however, ATIC retains the right to approve or reject the specific subcontractors selected.
All electronic copies of documents in the Technical Proposal must be in PDF, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel format.
The information contained in the Technical Proposal should not contain any cost- or price-related information.
1.7 Validity Period
Offers must remain valid for at least 120 calendar days after the offer deadline.
1.8 Eligibility of Offerors
By submitting an offer in response to this RFP, the offeror certifies that it and its principal officers are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise considered ineligible for an award. ATIC will not award a contract to any firm that is debarred, suspended, or considered to be ineligible.
1.9 Evaluation and Basis for Award
An award will be made to the offeror whose proposal is determined to be responsive to this solicitation document, meets the eligibility criteria stated in this RFP, meets the technical, management/personnel, and corporate capability requirements, and is determined to represent the best value to ATIC. Best value will be decided using the trade-off process.
This RFP will use the trade-off process to determine best value. That means that each proposal will be evaluated and scored against the evaluation criteria which are stated in the table below. Cost proposals are not assigned points, but for overall evaluation purposes of this RFP, technical evaluation factors other than cost, when combined, are considered approximately equal to cost factors. If technical scores are determined to be equal or nearly equal, cost will become the determining factor.
In evaluating proposals, ATIC will use the following evaluation criteria:
| Evaluation Criteria | Evaluation Sub-criteria | Evaluation Sub-criteria |
| Technical offer (approach) | 20 points | |
| Personnel Qualifications | 20 points | |
| Past performance information | 20 points | |
| Overall cost proposal provided | 40 points | |
| Total Points – Technical and Cost Approach 100 points | ||
This RFP utilizes the trade-off process. ATIC will award a subcontract to the offeror whose proposal represents the best value to ATIC. ATIC may award to a higher priced offeror if a determination is made that the higher technical evaluation of that offeror merits the additional cost/price.
1.11 Negotiations
Best and final price quotations are requested from all offerors. It is anticipated that awards will be made solely on the basis of these original quotations. However, ATIC reserves the right to conduct negotiations and/or request clarifications prior to awarding a subcontract.
1.12 Terms and Conditions of Subcontract
This is a Request for Proposals only. Issuance of this RFP does not in any way obligate ATIC to award a subcontract, nor does it commit ATIC to pay for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal.
This solicitation is subject to the Draft Order Terms and Conditions detailed in Section 2. Any resultant award will be governed by these terms and conditions. ATIC reserves the right to make revisions to the content, order, and numbering of the provisions in the actual subcontract document prior to execution by ATIC and the selected awardee. Issuance of a subcontract award is subject to availability of sufficient funds.
Section 2. Background, Scope of Work, Deliverables and Deliverable Schedule
2.1 Strategy Scope of Work
As specified in Annex 1, ATIC is looking to subcontract one responsible company to support developing ATIC Strategy for 2021-2025 as stated in Annex 1 (Detailed Scope of Work.).
Section 3. Payment and Financial Obligations
3.1 Subcontract Price
The Subcontractor shall complete all the services required under this subcontract for the fixed price of TBD . This price shall include all licenses, permits, administration costs, labor costs, travel costs, translation costs, materials, overhead, profit, and all other costs.
The Subcontractor will be paid the installment amounts listed under the column named “Payment Amount” only upon successful completion and acceptance by ATIC of the Strategy Document.
3.2 Payment Terms
ATIC will pay the total agreed price through a series of installment payments after Subcontractor’s completion of the corresponding deliverables and ATIC’ acceptance thereof. The Subcontractor may submit invoices for deliverables that have been accepted and approved by the authorized ATIC representative. ATIC will pay the Subcontractor’s invoice within fifteen (15) days after the following conditions have been fulfilled:
a) the Subcontractor has delivered a proper invoice
Payment will be made in MDL or USD based on the location of the company providing services, paid via wire transfer to the account specified in the Subcontractor’s invoice. Payment of unpaid balances will be made upon completion and final acceptance of all works and deliverables by ATIC. Any invoices for services rendered and deliverables submitted—but not accepted by ATIC—will not be paid until the Subcontractor makes sufficient revisions to the deliverables such that ATIC may approve the deliverables and thus the invoice.
3.3 Invoice Requirements
The Subcontractor shall present an invoice to ATIC only for services and/or commodities that have been accepted by ATIC. The invoice must be an original invoice, submitted to:
ATIC
Attention: Accountant Office
National Association of ICT Companies | Startup City Cahul Project
To constitute a proper invoice, the Subcontractor’s invoice must include the following information and/or attached documentation. This information will assist ATIC in making timely payments to the Subcontractor:
Subcontractor legal name, subcontract number, invoice date, and invoice number.
Deliverable(s) number, description of approved deliverable(s), and corresponding value.
Bank account information to which payment shall be sent
3.4 Cooperating Country Fees, Taxes, and Duties
This subcontract is entered into by ATIC.
As such, this subcontract is free and exempt from any taxes, VAT, tariffs, duties, or other levies imposed by the laws in effect in Republic of Moldova.
The Subcontractor is responsible for payment of all applicable taxes, as prescribed under the applicable laws, associated with wages/salaries/compensation for services rendered by individuals employed by the Subcontractor and who are directed to work as required under this Subcontract. The Subcontractor is liable for payment of all applicable taxes associated with revenues (profit), and other such taxes, fees, or dues for which Subcontractor is normally responsible as a result of operating its business.
3.5 Set-Off Clause
ATIC reserves the right of set-off against amounts payable to Subcontractor under this subcontract or any other agreement in the amount of any claim or refunds ATIC may have against the Subcontractor.
Anti-Kickback
(a) Definitions.
Kickback, as used herein, means any money, fee, commission, credit, gift, gratuity, thing of value, or compensation of any kind, which is provided, directly or indirectly, to ATIC, the ICTEC project office or any of its employees, the Subcontractor or Subcontractor employees, or vendors in any way related to the performance or subsequent activities of this subcontract, for the purpose of improperly obtaining or rewarding favorable treatment in connection with this subcontract.
Person, as used in this article, means a corporation, partnership, business association of any kind, trust, joint-stock company, or individual.
Subcontractor employee, as used in this article, means any officer, partner, employee, or agent of the Subcontractor.
(b) The Subcontractor and its employees, whether directly or indirectly engaged in the performance of this subcontract, agree to abide by the terms of The United States Anti-Kickback Act of 1986, which prohibits any person from providing or attempting to provide any kickback; soliciting, accepting, or attempting to accept any kickback; or including, directly or indirectly, the amount of any kickback in the contract price charged by the Subcontractor to ATIC.
When the Subcontractor has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation described in paragraph (b) of this provision may have occurred, the Subcontractor shall promptly report in writing the possible violation. Such reports shall be made to ATIC, who shall forward the report to the USAID Inspector General for investigation, as required.
The Subcontractor agrees to cooperate fully with any United States Government agency investigating a possible violation described in paragraph (b) of this article.
ATIC may offset the amount of the kickback against any monies owed by ATIC under this fixed price subcontract or order the monies withheld from future payments due the Subcontractor.
The Subcontractor agrees to include the substance of this article in any contract it may issue under this subcontract.
Intellectual Property Rights
The ownership of all copyright and other intellectual property rights in respect of any data compilations, research, spreadsheets, graphs, reports, diagrams, designs, work products, software, or any other documents, developed in connection with this subcontract will exclusively vest in or remain with ATIC, which shall have all proprietary rights therein, notwithstanding that the Subcontractor or its employees may be the author of the intellectual property. All documents relating to the intellectual property or otherwise connected with this fixed price subcontract, the services, or duties must be returned or delivered to ATIC at the time of the expiration or termination of the subcontract. The Subcontractor agrees not to publish or make use of any of the intellectual property, or documents relating thereto, without the prior written approval of ATIC and proper attribution.
Modifications
Modifications to the terms and conditions of this subcontract, including any modification to the scope of work, may only be made by written agreement between authorized personnel of both Parties as stipulated in Article 16 of this subcontract. Each Party shall give due notice and consideration to any proposals for modification made by the other Party.
Changes
ATIC may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this subcontract in the services to be performed.
If any such change(s) causes an increase or a decrease in the cost, or the time required for the performance, or any part of the work under the subcontract, an equitable adjustment shall be made in the subcontract price or delivery schedule, or both, and the subcontract shall be modified in writing accordingly. Any claim by the Subcontractor for adjustment under this subcontract must be asserted within 30 (thirty) days from the date of receipt by the Subcontractor of the modification or change.
Assignment and Delegation
This subcontract may not be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by the Subcontractor without the written consent of ATIC. Absent such written consent, any assignment is void.
Termination
ATIC reserves the unilateral right to terminate this fixed price subcontract at any time, paying for all deliverables completed at the time of termination and a pro-rata share of any deliverable in progress based on ATIC internal procedures.
In the event that the Subcontractor fails to make progress so as to endanger performance of this fixed price subcontract, or is unable to fulfill the terms of this fixed price subcontract by the completion date, the Subcontractor shall notify ATIC forthwith and ATIC shall have the right to summary termination of this fixed price subcontract upon written notice to the Subcontractor.