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Eastern Africa Backhaul Terrestrial Connectivity
Pre-Feasibility Study
CONSULTING SERVICES
Expressions of interest
The Global Information and Communication Technologies Department (GICT) of
the World Bank Group intends to procure consulting
services for the Eastern Africa Backhaul Terrestrial Connectivity –
Pre-Feasibility Study.
Background and Objective of the TA assignment
The Africa: Regional Communications Infrastructure Project (RCIP) supports
NEPAD’s infrastructure initiative to develop the Eastern Submarine
Cable and regional terrestrial infrastructure in order to bring low-cost
international connectivity to Eastern and Southern Africa. The primary objective of the study, which is part of the
preparation of RCIP, is to design and evaluate the feasibility of (i) a terrestrial, backhaul network routed Mombassa -
Nairobi - Kampala - Kigali - Bujumbura - Dar es
Salaam (Eastern Loop) that will ensure that these countries have a
competitively priced high-bandwidth access to the most convenient and
appropriate shore landing stations of the EASSy
submarine cable system and also work as a back-up and restoration route for EASSy; and (ii) core national backbone networks relevant
for the regional initiative in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and
possibly one or two additional Eastern and Southern African countries to
channel traffic into the Eastern Loop and the EASSy
system.
The services will include:
• Review the status of existing (and in construction or planned) links
of the Eastern Loop and national backbone networks
• Assessment of the demand for additional national core backbone
networks
• Definition of the mechanisms for cooperation between different
stakeholders to assure timely availability of backhaul links
• Specification of technical requirements for the Eastern Loop and
core national backbone networks
• Design, specification, and assessment of cost of each of the new
links (both for the Eastern
Loop and the national
networks)
• Determine the technical and economic feasibility of each link, and
the feasibility of the overall system, including EASSy
• Recommendation on optimal structure for the implementation,
operation, and maintenance of the Eastern Loop and
core national backbone networks
• Recommendation on relevant commercial, legal and regulatory
implementation solutions to issues
• Determine which additional feasibility studies and Technical
Assistance are required
The key deliverables of the assignment are: (i)
Technical and economic report centered on the long term viability of the
project; (ii) Policy and regulatory report focusing on the development of
open access communications infrastructure; (iii) Workshop to discuss the
recommendations with concerned governments, East Africa backhaul coordination
task force, and other stakeholders; and (iv) Detailed action plan and
implementation program with timetable.
The assignment is expected to be implemented over a period of about 4 months
from contract signature.
GICT of the World Bank Group now invites eligible consultants to indicate
their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants must provide
information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services
(brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar
conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).
Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.
For this assignment we request submission of a short (maximum four page) note outlining how the consultants would conduct
this assignment if selected. The note should include the following: (a) an
analytical framework and a process by which the research will be conducted;
(b) a timeline that demonstrates the consultants ability to meet the
deadlines; (c) a brief narrative on resource allocation; and (d) brief
summaries of key personnel to be involved in the work, particularly their
experience that directly relates to needs of this study.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below
from 10am to 5pm US
Eastern Time.
Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by October 18, 2005. Electronic submission of the EOI, including a maximum four page
note as mentioned above is preferred. It can be submitted either in Microsoft
Word or PDF format.
To:
Mavis Ampah
Mail Stop: F 5K-508
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
Tel: (1) 202 473 0095
Fax: (1) 202 522 3001
E-mail: mampah1@worldbank.org
Copied to:
Peter Silarszky
Mail Stop: F 5K-509
1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
Tel: (1) 202 458 0418
Fax: (1) 202 614 0845
E-mail: psilarszky@worldbank.org
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