Eastern Africa Backhaul Terrestrial Connectivity - Pre-Feasibility Study 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