Expression of Interest
Title: Community Based ICT Connectivity Projects Invitation for proposal for USPF Funding towards extending access to icts in unnerved and underserved areas of Nigeria
(BOTTOM-UP PROJECTS)
1. Background. Goals / Objectives
One of the objectives of the telecommunications policy of the Federal Government is “TO ensure that public telecommunications facilities are accessible to All Communities in the country.”
In order to facilitate extension of modern communications facilities to unserved and underserved areas and in institutions such as schools, hospitals etc, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) was established under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
In carrying out its mandates, the USPF is currently implementing some projects. These projects are conceptualized and designed for implementation in various unserved and underserved communities by USPF (Top-Bottom Projects), Please refer to the USPF website (www.uspf.gov.ng) for existing USPF projects, Although the current projects being implemented by USPF are achieving their targeted objectives, the FUND is desirous of Bottom-Up Projects expected to be conceptualized, designed and implemented by various individuals, community organizations, NGOs, private business entrepreneurs, etc. This is to ensure rapid deployment of needed ICT services in the unserved and underserved areas.
The “Bottom-Up’ Project Initiative is to encourage beneficiaries to conceptualize and initiate ideas for universal access projects rather than from the; USPF, Under this approach, the USPF aims to provide support to members of the public who, acting on their own initiative, have conceptualized and designed ideas for information and Communications Technology (ICT) projects based on their creativity and imagination – as opposed to those designed by the USPF.
Accordingly, the USPF invites proposals from interested parties seeking financial support (grants / subsidies, loans, etc) to enable them implement new or expand on their existing ICT projects to unserved and underserved communities.
2. Project Design and Specifications
The design and specifications of the proposed project depends entirely on the imagination or preferences of the proponents. However, those Bottom-Up projects offering unique value propositions or innovative features over existing standard-design USPF projects will receive priority consideration.
Thus, the USPF will consider for support any project that will deliver new connectivity for communities that lack ICT connectivity and/or added services. The proposed Project should be able to deliver clear and felt benefits to the community It proposes to serve. In addition to providing connectivity to communities, projects aimed at using ICTs for poverty creation, employment generation, improving understanding between different ethnic/religious groups, empowering citizens or improving governance will be given priority. As the assistance from USPF is available only for a limited period of time. Sustainability and affordability of the project will be a key element on which evaluation will be made
3. Instruction to Proponents (Bidders)
In addition to any other information that may assist USPF to take appropriate decisions on the proposals, the bidders should address the following key elements in the proposal:
- Organization Profile of the bidders with proof of its registration as a legal entity.
- Information about IGT projects can-led out in the immediately preceding three years. If any.
- Technical and administrative manpower available to implement the project and their relevant experiences with respect to ICT service delivery.
- The project proposal detailing feasibility Study/ Financial proposal and project budget. The Project budget should items ICT materials and facilities required specifying the individual cost items and the proportion of the cost expected to be financed by USPF.
- The proposal should specifically address the sustainability and affordability strategy of the intending project
- Technical details of the proposed projects which should contain the following information:
- The nature of the Products and Services to be delivered
- The Need and targeted beneficiaries
- Goals and Objectives
- Scope of Work- the coverage areas
- Methodology – deployment strategy
- Technology approach Technical specifications and schematic diagrams of the project details
- Time frame detailing the actions and the time scales. This should address how the project will be implemented form the date of approval till it reaches level of sustainability serving the targeted beneficiaries.
4. Deadline for submission of proposals
Interested bidders wishing to respond to this invitation for proposals should submit five (5) bound hard copies of the Technical and business Proposals plus electronic copy either by hand or through registered courier services, on or before 4:00p.m June 10th, 2010 to the following address;
The Director/Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
USP secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Building 423 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja
The Technical and Financial proposal be in separate envelop and should be marked “Ref No. USPF/Bottom-up Project 2010/01
For further clarification on the REF, please send your enquiries to Mr. O.N. Ugama on 09467452.
Signed:
FUNSO FAYOMI
Director/Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund
