Request for Proposal (RFP) for Digital Platform tender at Equatorial Power (EP)
72 Days Ago
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1. Introduction

Equatorial Power (EP) is a mini-grid developer operating in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. EP specializes in providing renewable energy through mini-grids and Productive Hubs (PHs), which offer services such as Wi-Fi, briquette manufacturing, cold-chain, and e-mobility.

The goal of this RFP is to partner with a qualified vendor to develop and implement a digital platform to streamline EP’s operations, enhance customer experience, increase revenue, and modernize processes.

2. Project Goals

  1. Enhance Operational Efficiency: Improve productivity and reduce costs across EP’s operations.
  2. Improve Customer Experience: Offer better service delivery, payment processing, and support.
  3. Increase Revenue: Provide additional services and improve payment collection rates.
  4. Modernize Operations: Utilize technology for smart meter integration, customer management, and secure payment processing.
  5. Data-Driven Decision Making: Enable data analytics to inform business decisions.
  6. Community Development: Promote access to reliable energy and improve livelihoods.

3. Scope of Work

The selected vendor will deliver the following:

3.1 System Design and Development

  • Develop a scalable system architecture.
  • Build a user-friendly web interface for administrators.
  • Create a USSD application and an optional mobile app for customers.
  • Integrate APIs for mobile money and smart meter systems.
  • Ensure robust security and develop detailed data flow diagrams.

3.2 Mobile Money Integration

  • Research and integrate with mobile money providers’ APIs.
  • Develop payment reconciliation systems for accurate transaction handling.

3.3 Smart Meter Integration

  • Integrate APIs to retrieve meter readings and enable remote operations.
  • Synchronize data between smart meters and the platform.

3.4 Data Management and Reporting

  • Design a secure and scalable database for customer data, payments, and logs.
  • Generate real-time reports on customer usage and payment trends.

3.5 Ticketing System

  • Implement a ticketing system for customer issue tracking and resolution.
  • Automate customer notifications via SMS or email.

3.6 Testing and Quality Assurance

  • Conduct unit, integration, user acceptance, performance, and security testing.

3.7 Deployment and Support

  • Deploy the system, provide ongoing support, and train end-users.

3.8 Technical Requirements

  • Preferred stack: Django, Python, PostgreSQL/MySQL, ReactJS, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • APIs for mobile money, smart meters, and financial tools (e.g., QuickBooks).
  • Ensure high availability, scalability, and compliance with data privacy regulations.

4. Evaluation Criteria

  1. Technical Proficiency: Experience in Django, Python, APIs, and cloud computing.
  2. Project Experience: Track record of similar projects (e.g., CRM, ERP, energy platforms).
  3. Proposed Solution: Feasibility, innovation, and alignment with EP’s goals.
  4. Cost: Competitive pricing with a detailed breakdown of development, deployment, and maintenance costs.
  5. Timeline: Realistic and achievable milestones.
  6. Team Expertise: Qualifications of the project team.
  7. Understanding of Requirements: Clear demonstration of EP’s needs.
  8. Communication: Effective collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

5. Submission Requirements

Vendors must submit:

  • A detailed proposal outlining the solution, methodology, and team.
  • Technical specifications of the platform.
  • A comprehensive pricing breakdown.
  • References to previous similar projects.

6. Submission Deadline

Friday, 7th February 2025, 5:00 PM (EAT)

7. Contact Information

8. Technical Annex

Current System Challenges: EP’s existing system includes tools like Airtel DRC, Spark Meter Management, Epicollect5, and QuickBooks, which operate independently, causing inefficiencies.

Key Requirements:

  • Seamless API integration for payment and meter management systems.
  • Scalable data storage and robust security measures.
  • Real-time reporting and customer insights.
  • Ticketing system for customer support.

9. Proposed Timeline

Phase 1: Design & Development

  • Architecture design, UI, and API integration: 51 days
    Phase 2: Mobile Money Integration
  • Provider selection and API integration: 20 days
    Phase 3: Smart Meter Integration
  • API integration and data synchronization: 5 days
    Phase 4: Data Management & Reporting
  • Database design and reporting: 9 days
    Phase 5: Testing
  • Unit, integration, UAT, performance, and security testing: 12 days
    Phase 6: Deployment
  • Deployment, training, and support: 17 days

Total Project Duration: ~4 months.

10. Expected Transactions

  • Current (2025): 2,500 customers, 5,000 transactions/month.
  • Projected (2025): 3,000 customers, 6,000 transactions/month.

11. Technical Highlights

  • Payment API Integration: Secure transactions with robust authentication.
  • Smart Meter API Integration: Enable remote operations and retrieve meter data.
  • User Interface: Role-based access with intuitive dashboards.
  • QuickBooks Integration: Seamless synchronization for financial data.
Job Info
Job Category: Tenders in Uganda
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: Wednesday, January 22 2025
Duty Station: Kampala
Posted: 20-01-2025
No of Jobs: 1
Start Publishing: 20-01-2025
Stop Publishing (Put date of 2030): 20-01-2066
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