SMS/USSD Gateway Procurement

Terms of Reference
1

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this TOR is to describe the functional requirements and specification for an
SMS/USSD Gateway that will facilitate a large partner organization of FSDT.

Partner
Database

Citizen

USSD/SMS
GATEWAY

(USSD/SMS
SHORT CODE)

MNOs
2

Scope of Project

The scope of this project includes:

Supply of two servers one active and the other passive. The consultant should propose the
right specifications for the hardware in order to handle the expected load in accordance
with the solution design and requirements of the proposed software. The minimum
specifications are as shown below:
Intel Processor 10 core, 2.3 GHz, 25MB, 105W, 128GB RAM, Dual hot plug power
supply, 3 x 300GB HDD in Raid Configuration, Smart Array, 4 x 1 Gbe Network
Interface, DVD-RW, Warranty 3/3/3, Rack Mountable
Installation and configuration of the operating systems and patches on the two servers, and
OS hardening.
Installation and configuration of SMS/USSD Gateway or Middleware on the two servers
at partner Data center

 Developing and configuring software modules that Integrate partners SMS/USSD Servers
and the Telecoms SMS/USSD center to allow for messages or queries from the end users
with mobile phones to reach partners Servers and vice versa.
Developing Software Interfaces to integrate partners SMS/USSD Gateway with selected
server(s) that expose selected partner information.
Development, testing and deployment of specific software modules that provides for the
software logic to handle the fetching and dissemination of the requested data after meeting
all the prerequisites to be provided by the partner.
Network Equipment configurations for creating and maintaining stable Virtual Private
Network (VPN) links with all the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that do offer
SMS/USSD services to third party organizations.
Work with partner in obtaining the right connectivity and interfaces from the MNOs.
Integration and commissioning of all system modules to work as one and deliver the
intended service.
Performing User Acceptance Testing (UAT) of the whole system
Providing Training to the partners IT team comprising of two (2) Systems Administrators
and Three (3) Software Developers (3). The training is expected to be for a total of at least
10 working days. It must be comprehensive enough to allow the system administrators to
manage and operate the system on their, latest by the end of the three months support.
Perform a complete Transfer of Knowledge that allows the trained IT personnel of the
partner to efficiently manage all the provisioned services and able to provision new services
in the future, as long as they are supported by the system. The contractor should propose a
practical and engaging Transfer of Knowledge that includes active shadowing during
development, installations, testing and commissioning of the system.
Provide onsite technical Support for a period of not less than 3 months, and ensure that the
partners team gains enough knowledge and skills to be able to handle the system on their
own, at the end of the three months support.
NOTE:
1. SMS/USSD short code is already obtained from TCRA
2. We expect transactions during peak hours to be around 200 per second with message size
of 25kb maximum.

3. Network equipment like router, firewall and load balancer do exist.

3

Methodology

The firm is free to propose the most appropriate methodology to perform this project and achieve
the set objectives in an efficient manner.
4

Expected Deliverables/Specific Outputs

The expected overall deliverable is a comprehensive end to end solution that can integrate well
with partners existing systems and MNOs infrastructure to disseminate requested data via SMS
/ USSD.
The specific expected deliverables are:

The Server Hardware

The Server Operating System
The standard gateway or middleware with open standard interfaces; with relevant licenses
and subscriptions, where applicable
The Custom Developed application to handle the business logic for disseminating
requested data
System setup and configurations
Integration with partners existing systems
Integration with MNOs
Training to partners developers and System Administrators
System Documentations
3 Months onsite Support

Timing of this consultancy

The assignment is expected to commence on in January 2017 and end in April 2017. The
assignment will take a total of 70 working days (Monday - Friday).
6

Management and oversight

Contracting will be done by FSDT. The consultant will be responsible for day to day management
of the assignment while the partner organization will have an oversight role on the project. In
addition, the partner organization will make available to the consultant all the necessary
background documents, staff and any support required.
7

Basis of award (Qualifying and Proposal Scoring Criteria)

The evaluation criteria to be used in evaluating the submitted proposal:

No.
1.

TOR
A well-established company in-good standing
-

2.

Score
10

Company documentations

General Experience Track Record ICT

10

3.
4.
5.

Specific Experience Track Record Software

Development, Customization, Deployments
Financial Capability
Comprehensiveness of the Technical Proposal with
respect to the Tender requirements:
-

20
10
50

Hardware specification [5]

Understanding of the Requirements:
o Functional [2.5]
o Technical [2.5]
o Business [2.5]
o Knowledge Transfer [2.5]
MNO Connectivity / Interfacing [10]
High Availability / Business Continuity [5]
Expansion: Flexibility and Scalability [10]
Training / Knowledge Transfer Plan [10]

Submission of proposal:

The Consultant should submit a letter indicating their commitment to undertake this assignment.
The letter should indicate availability and be supported by a capability statement of similar
assignments conducted elsewhere. Company Profile or full CV should be attached.
The letter should indicate the daily professional fees in US Dollars and should demonstrate that
the daily fee rate quoted is internationally competitive. This consultancy will be subject to local
taxes.
Financial Proposal
This will be a fixed priced contract. Financial proposals should be quoted in Tanzanian Shillings
(TZS) set out in the following format:
Units

Component
Person days of consultant A
Person days of consultant B . etc
Total Fees
Cost of Equipment
specifications)

(attach

any

Cost of Equipment
specifications)

(attach

any

Rate (TZS)

Total (TZS)

Units

Component
Cost of Equipment
specifications)

(attach

Rate (TZS)

Total (TZS)

any

Daily subsistence (includes food, drink

and local transport)
Communications and internet access
Total Expenses
Total Cost

Both the technical and financial proposals should be submitted electronically to:
Nkundwe Mwakiluma,
Deloitte Consulting Limited,
[email protected]
Proposals are to be received not later than 1630 hours Dar es Salaam time, on the 6th of January
2017.
Payment Schedules
The Partner/FSDT will make payments for this assignment as follows:

30% of the fees upon agreement of the methodology by all parties and completion of
resource mobilisation

40% upon completion of the project and testing.

30% upon end of knowledge transfer and 3 months support

The Partner/FSDT will be reimburse all agreed travel and other expenses upon submission of
relevant receipts within ten days of approval of invoices submitted by the consultant.
9

Confidentiality Statement

This assignment is rated as highly confidential. All data and information received from client for
the purpose of this assignment are to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection
with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the
execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to the client. The contents of written materials
obtained and used in this assignment should strictly not be disclosed to any third parties. Where
there is necessity to do so, the Consultant shall not do so without the expressed advance written
authorization of the client.

10 Conflict of Interest
The Tenderer (and any sub-contractors) must disclose in their tender details of any circumstances,
including personal, financial and business activities that will, or might, give rise to a conflict of
interest, if they were awarded this contract. Where the Tenderers identify any potential conflicts
they should state how they intend to avoid such conflicts. Partner/FSDT reserves the right to reject
any tender which, in its opinion, gives rise, or could potentially give rise to, a conflict of interest.