RFQ for OGI internet site
Terms of Reference for the creation of a web site for
The Open Government Initiative (OGI). DRAFT
BACKGROUND
Open Government Initiative (OGI) focuses on improving the accountability and transparency of the targeted branches of government by enhancing the visibility of the government, and fostering a two-way communication that brings the people closer to the government. This objective is achieved by piloting direct/interpersonal and non-traditional mass media means of promoting open government and dialogue between the general public and the government through radio, mobile SMS and website as well as direct field visits and town hall meetings by the Presidency.
OBJECTIVE
The overall purpose of the web page is to create an online forum where the citizens and the government are able to interact on various policy issues and discussions. For example, a key feature should be a section with responses to FAQ (frequently asked questions) posted by the people through SMS or emails. The OGI web page will also serve as a source of information on the key policy issues and documents discussed at targeted branches of the government, as well as making that information accessible to Sierra Leoneans both in the country and in the Diaspora and any others interested in the country.
STRUCTURE & DESIGN
Web page design should have the following features but not limited to:
- Interactive and dynamic and should be changed automatically when the database is updated.
- Should be designed in such a way so as to minimize the amount of space it uses and minimizing possible spamming and hacking possibilities.
- The OGI does not as of yet have a graphical profile but want the main color of the web site to be sky blue.
- Capacity to hold large documents, video clips (such as by YouTube)
PROPOSED METHOD
The prospective company will be required to develop the website based on but not limited to the information below:
- The web site must be created with a field proven tool.
- The website should be user friendly, eye catching, easy to update, search engine optimization and with easy navigation
- The web site has to be DYNAMIC so that it can be easily updated by the OGI staff, without the need of an experienced HTML programmer.
- Flexibility is important in the web page. The OGI has to be able to grow into the web page, for example add new pages, and make updates without having to pay for it.
- Light graphics and imagery;
- Internal design, java script;
- Navigation design, global/ local;
- Simple html coding & error handling;
- Server, configuration, uploading & downloading web items onto the server
SCOPE OF WORKThe company will have to provide technical support to the OGI for the duration of one year.
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
Perform basic registration of OGI Website in the leading search engines such as MSN Search, Google, and Yahoo!, etc.
WEB SITE HOSTING
Hosting solutions should be modular so that as client needs expands, so does the hosting solution. Hosting systems architecture should provide for insulation of application processing from the specifics of different hardware, software, and server operating systems. The web hosting service should include the following:
Scalability – As the needs of web site expand and evolve so must the required web hosting service.
Availability - The site has to be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any part of the world with minimum if not zero downtime (99.9% guaranteed availability).
Flexibility - Everyday, Information Technology is evolving and changing, often disruptively. Therefore, the choice of hosting solution must be able to cope with these changes that have become commonplace in the internet age.
Bandwidth – Internet speed or bandwidth is critical to the performance of a web site. The hosting infrastructure that a web site sits on should be connected to a reliable and fast internet connection so that users can access it quickly.
Disaster Prevention and Recovery – Web sites have often been affected due to extended power outages, virus attacks, and server failures amongst many other possible reasons. It is therefore critical that a hosting solution have redundancy measures such as disaster recovery in place so as to ensure continuity of service to customers.
Server Capacity – A hosting solution should use current models of web servers for optimal performance of the sites hosted. This is absolutely key since a slow server is as bad as a slow unreliable internet connection.
TRAINING
The consultant will train the OGI staff after successfully implementation of website. Training course content shall include but not limited to the following: