Software development for a web-based system for efficient information management by the Result Monitoring Unit (RMU) in there selected districts in Bangladesh.
Title of the assignment
Software development for a web-based system for efficient information management by the Result Monitoring Unit (RMU) in three selected districts.
Purpose
The proposed Agency is required to design and development of
digital tool for data collection and management for efficient information management for Result Monitoring Unit (RMU) in selected RMU district/s.
The intended software will provide efficient information management to be used for content management, the establishment of a dynamic dashboard both as a portal for data repository on output and outcome level progress of selected social sector interventions at the subnational level to establish a real-time e-monitoring platform to track the progress against targets on selected child-sensitive indicators of selected social sector ministries of the Government of Bangladesh.
Location
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Estimated Duration
The consultancy will be for 4 months.
Reporting to the Technical Supervisor of this assignment
Md. Azizur Rahman, Social Policy Specialist, SPEAR Section and
Abrehet Mohammed Omer, ICT Specialist
- Background
Monitoring is one of the important tools that enhances the efficiency of the project/program/ interventions. Most of the Government agencies in Bangladesh are still not fully equipped with real-time e-monitoring mechanisms. The success of the Government’s interventions depends on the effective coverage of the interventions to the targeted beneficiaries.
The national development plan recognizes the importance of efficient monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems for its proper implementation. The 8th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) underscored the need for a results-based M&E framework, plans and accompanying databases. The M&E systems would enable the Government to track the results and monitor progress and make corrective measures when major gaps or divergences emerge when supported by relevant databases that allow for geographic disaggregation.
The current monitoring process of the Government of Bangladesh is run by individual ministries and agencies on a stand-alone basis. Parallel to this, the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED) of the Ministry of Planning monitors over 1,400 government projects/programmes.
However, the sub-national level monitoring element has all along been missing under the overall monitoring mechanism of the government of Bangladesh. Though, at the sub-national level, there are ample opportunities to monitor the implementation of interventions in a convergent manner, as cross-sectoral agencies sit periodically in a platform to monitor the interventions for children and women.
Considering the need for an effective sub-national level monitoring mechanism, the UNICEF Bangladesh office has been working with IMED since 2015 to support the government to strengthen its capacities to establish a system to track effective coverage of basic social services (ECBSS) for children and women of Bangladesh. To monitor child rights-related interventions at the field level, the Result Monitoring Units (RMUs) were set up by IMED with the assistance of sub-national level agencies on a pilot basis. RMUs focus on output level monitoring using an open-source e-monitoring mechanism in three selected RMU districts (Gaibandha, Moulvibazar, Jamalpur).
The RMUs are currently using open-sourced software for real-time result tracking at the lowest administrative level and/or service delivery level where feasible based on the agreed results framework. However, dedicated software is now required for this monitoring mechanism.
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
UNICEF is looking for a reputed consulting firm to develop/adopt a customized web-based application for an efficient output/outcome level monitoring system to track output and outcome level result tracking against the targets of child-sensitive indicators relating to social sector ministries of the Government of Bangladesh. The software and/or apps are also expected to, establish a dynamic dashboard for (a) data repository on pieces of evidence, (b) data analysis, visualization, and autogenerating the report. The software should support integration or interoperability with the existing online-based monitoring mechanisms for selected interventions to automatically pull in data on key indicators that are captured by other systems e.g., the DHIS-2 database used for the health service delivery monitoring mechanism, the Birth Registration Information System (BRIS), DGFPMIS run by Director General Family Planning.
- Description of Assignment
Design Considerations
- While designing the software following components will be considered: (a) outcome level divisions/districts/upazilas/unions’ targets set in line with national log frame and/or SDG targets, 8th five-year plan, and APA (Annual Performance Agreement), (b) output level yearly/half-yearly/quarterly/monthly targets to accomplish the SDG targets, 8th five-year plan, (c) year-wise/half-yearly/quarterly/monthly output level targets vs achievement to achieve SDG targets, 8th five year plan and APA, (d) interventions and agency/department wise output level reporting, (e) regular and customized data collection, analysis and visualize, (f) reporting the progress against targets vs achievement using the web-based dashboard; filterable by district, Programme area and ministry.
- The sub-national level monitoring mechanism will feed the national level monitoring mechanism.
- Human-centred and ease of use to allow a limited learning curve to utilize the system.
- Develop Beta-Version which will be used as part of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) by IMED before full deployment.
- The Consultant shall not use any library or codes that have any other copyright claim associated with it which will prevent or restrict the smooth transfer of ownership in any way.
- The consultant should have a plan to orient/train the project staff especially DRMEs as well as the focal of concerned agencies/departments at the sub-national level.
- System hosting issues need to be clearly identified and indicated at the onset with the potential of hosting under the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC).
- The Consultant shall deliver all documentation such as codes to IMED and cannot claim any royalty or authority of any sort in case of replication of the source code database or any other deliverables under the TOR for any future use.
Document Repository
A separate module is to be developed to make a repository for good practices at the sub-national level.
Interaction with community people
The software should allow for community feedback on the quality of implementation of specific projects/programs that need to address by duty-bearers under an interactive mechanism.
The software will design a web-based application which has the following:
- The website shall have a connector into ePMIS, SDG reports, 8th five-year plan, vision-2041, and APA of concerned ministries/departments/agencies for Bangladesh to allow for analysis and visualization on the dashboard, filterable by district, Programme area and ministry.
- The Web portal will also have a dashboard that provides visualization of the content map (e.g., reports, videos info graphs, photos). This dashboard shall be dynamic and configurable by the system administrator, contractor needs to understand and define the key different data sources as part of the design concept.
- The website will be required to include a comment feature that will be used to collect feedback on project implementation quality issues by the community as part of citizen engagement.
- The website will have the option to make a customized design where the users/admin will be able to set their target vs achievement; data collection plan, analysis, reporting, administrative area like division, district, upazila, and union in a country, print, etc. as per need of the user).
- The website should have an important option to extract the existing data from multiple agencies/departments/ministries that are using MIS or any other software/apps for digital data management.
- The System should allow users to collaborate on existing documents and update them as necessary.
- If licensing for the system is required, it should be a perpetual- one-off payment.
Management and Maintenance
- To keep the software updated the Agency will be required to include in their proposal a 10-month support plan which will include updating the software, adding required content, and maintenance.
- Develop knowledge products such as software design documents, technical administration guides, user manuals, and training manuals.
- Provide a two-year warranty period and service support and maintenance after the successful completion of the solution in its entirety
- User acceptance testing shall include a review of the software problems including bugs and malicious codes which will need to be resolved within 3 days. Other supports will be included as specified in the technical proposal of the hiring company which will be part of the contract/PO as there will be no separate Service Level Agreement under the proposed contract.
- Data backup and data recovery should be included in the proposal.
- Source code and database configurations shall be made available and owned by IMED.
- The firm shall provide service support and maintenance of the software on a 7×24-hour basis as required and specified in the technical proposal of the hiring company.
Security Features
- Maintain an elevated level of security for data these include secure login, authentication, and password recovery. This might include two-step verifications through SMS or e-mail.
- Both Website and document management systems should include Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS);
- Audit Log with tracking logging, access, and changes to the data structure.
- The source code, database, and website shall undergo a load balance, vulnerability, and penetration test before roll-out
- IT consultant will follow NEA guidelines and after submission of the software it will be tested by the ICT department of GoB. 40% of the total amount will be reserved and completed after the system has passed all security tests.
- Software should be able to display in multi-Language mode for both Bangla and English, while the document repository should also recognize documents produced and saved in Bangla.
All rights reserved of the IMED
- Deliverables
Deliverables
Inception report
- Submission of Software Requirements Specifications document according to specifications and website design requirements stipulated by UNICEF & IMED.
- Design and finalize the Beta-version soft launch on the web and provide the required access to key stakeholders on the site as part of User Acceptance testing (UAT).
- Conduct a Security and Performance test of the document repository and Website
- Produce a second iteration of the software incorporating all comments and feedback from the UAT.
- Conduct Training of the end users and key stakeholders of the website
- The maintenance period will be started after the contract period/ launching of the website.
Indicator
Approved inception report
The Beta version of the website and CMS
The Final version of the website and the CMS
Training report
Support Service Plan for two years after deployment
Time Frame
3 weeks
2 months
2 months
2 weeks
Quarterly report
- Reporting requirements
- Inception report within the first week of the contract to understand the assignment.
- Progress and Technical Reports by 1st of every month.
- Training material before 2 weeks of the date of the training
- Final report within 2 weeks before completion of the assignment
- Periodic reports as mentioned in the below payment schedule.
- Payment Schedule
- 05% of the total fee upon submission of the final SRS Document
- 30% of the total fee upon approval of deliverables due after 3 months of signing the contract.
- 30% of the total fee upon approval of deliverables due after passing Security and User Tests.
- 35% of the total fee upon approval of final deliverables and signed-off final product.
- Qualification requirement of the company/institution/organization
Consultant/Team Personnel qualifications and experiences
- Must have an advanced level university degree (Master’s or higher) preferably in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, and relevant subjects.
- Expertise and knowledge of modern CMS techniques, including graphic design.
- Expert knowledge in Content Management Systems and Responsive design.
- Expert knowledge of Photoshop, illustrator, acrobat, Word, and other graphics applications.
- Expert knowledge of PHP, Java, MySQL, HTML, CSS, DHML, VB Script, and Java Script.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines are essential.
- Must be fluent in English.
- Must have experience in similar previous assignments.
Institutional capacity and experiences
- Technical capacity with over 5 years of demonstrated experience in web content development
- Proven record of working experience in minimum 03 (three) large-scale online multisystem development
- Experience with UN agencies, large NGOs, or Government
- The personnel of the firm must have strong spoken and written English language skills
In addition to the above minimum requirement, the firm is free to propose in their technical proposal professionals who will be required for this assignment.
- Evaluation Process and Method
Below are the technical evaluation criteria and qualifying points for institutions to get the contract:
EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
CATEGORY
POINTS
OVERALL RESPONSE
* Understanding of, and responsiveness to, UNICEF Bangladesh Office requirements;
* Understanding of scope, objectives, and completeness of response;
* Overall concord between UNICEF requirements and the proposal.
(10)
5
3
2
METHODOLOGY AND DETAILED TIMELINE
* Quality of the proposed approach and methodology;
* Suitability of the approach: To what extent the methodology is designed in response to the needs of the TOR;
* Quality of proposed implementation plan, i.e. how the bidder will undertake each task, time schedules and meet technological requirements.
*Risk assessment - recognition of the risks/peripheral problems and methods to prevent and manage risks/peripheral problems.
* Timelines proposed must be detailed and realistic;
(30)
10
10
5
3
2
ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY and PROPOSED TEAM
* Professional expertise of the firm/company/organization, knowledge, and experience with similar projects, contracts, clients, and consulting assignments
* Team leader: Relevant experience, qualifications, and position with the firm;
* Team members - Relevant experience, skills & competencies;
* Organization of the team and roles & responsibilities;
(30)
10
10
5
5
TOTAL MARKS
70
For this RFP, the Technical Proposal has a total score of 70 points. Bidders must score a minimum of 49 points to be considered technically compliant and in order, for the Financial Proposals to be opened. The financial proposal has a total score of 30 points.
Based on the initial desk review, those bidders who attain the minimum qualifying score will be requested to do a presentation of their technical proposals where clarifications will be sought. After the technical presentation, the technical scores will be revised and finalized. Only the financial proposals of those bidders who attain the minimum qualifying score after the technical presentation and final revised technical scoring will be opened for the next stage of evaluation.
The final selection of the bidder will be based on a quality and cost basis as specified in the RFP.