REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Gap Assessment for the Establishment of Technology Centres of Excellence under the iDICE Programme

Technology and Creative Sector 

Financing Agreement reference: 2000200005160 

Project ID No.: P-NG-K00-009

Background 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has received financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) towards the implementation of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this finance to payments under the contract for a consultancy service for conducting gap assessment for the establishment of six (6) technology Centers of Excellence (TCoE) in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, block chain, additive manufacturing, internet of things (IoT), and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) in six tertiary institutions in collaboration the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Objective of the Assignment 

The primary objective of this consultancy is to identify the six most suitable universities for the establishment of centers of emerging technology in the six geo-political zones, conduct readiness assessment, while providing recommendations for bridging the identified gaps.

Scope of the assignment

The consultant shall perform the following services: 

1. Identify the prospective universities according to set criteria.
2. Develop and circulate TCoE Call for Interest and applications from suitably qualified universities for the six emerging technologies.
3. Develop comprehensive University selection criteria.
4. Select the six universities, one from each geopolitical zone. 
5. Conduct a comprehensive review of each university’s capabilities through data collection, site visits, interviews, and analysis of existing infrastructure.
6. Develop comprehensive technical and infrastructure specifications, also skill requirements for each of the six emerging technology focus areas.
7. Develop a gap assessment report for selected universities based on the established technical specifications and requirements of the respective TCoEs.
8. Provide mapping of each university against each focus area of the emerging technologies;
9. Provide to-be designs of the six TCoE spaces; and 
10. Develop and submit a comprehensive gap assessment report.

The assignment is expected to take two (2) months from the date of contract commencement.

The Bank of Industry (BOI) now invites eligible consultants (firms) to indicate interest in providing these services by submitting their proposals, demonstrating experience in performing similar assignments with references and showing responsiveness to the qualifications requirements outlined in this REOI.  

Minimum Qualification, Skills and Experience 

The ideal consulting firm should meet the following qualifications and experience requirements: 

• Have a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated professional experience in conducting and coordinating IT assessment and other technology-related projects, technical specifications, policy formulation and design, modelling and architecture of emerging technologies.
• Adequate experienced technical and operational staff with requisite certifications.
• Ability to work with a wide range of partners and manage multiple, simultaneous and shifting demands/ priorities under tight timelines.
• Possess necessary licensing and comply with the local regulations and standards of relevant authorities.
• Demonstrated compliance with all safety regulations and environmental protection regulations.
• Familiarity with national cybersecurity laws and data protection regulations.
• Commitment to delivering the project within agreed timelines without compromising quality. 

Legal & Compliance Requirements

The following requirements are applicable to companies/firms that are submitting EOI either as a single firm or a consortium of firms from Nigeria. For a consortium of firms in single firms domiciled in Nigeria, the lead member MUST provide the following documents:

1. Evidence of legal registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in line with the requisite CAMA Act. 2020, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
2. Evidence of registration and relevant industry certification pertaining to IT consulting. 
3. Submission of Memorandum and Articles from CAC07 (i.e. Particulars of Board of Directors) and Form CAC02 (i.e. Particulars of Shareholders). 
4. Evidence of relevant operating licence(s). 
5. Affidavit indicating that all documents submitted are genuine and verifiable.

 Tax Requirement

1. Evidence of Company Tax Clearance Certificates for the last 3 years.
2. VAT Registration.

Firms that are registered outside Nigeria shall submit relevant legal and compliance documents as applicable to their countries of jurisdiction. 

Eligibility criteria and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations” October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org. 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours, i.e. from 8 AM to 5 PM on working days.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form and soft copy (in a flash drive) to the address below by December 4^th, 2024 at 1PM and mention “Provision of Consultancy Services for the conducting Gap Assessment- Establishing Technology Centers of Excellence for iDICE Programme”. 

Attn. 

iDICE Programme Coordination Unit 

Bank of industry 

23 Marina,  

Lagos 

E-mail: idice-proposals@boi.ng