INTERNET ACCESS FLAGSHIP: Rural Empowerment through Digital Inclusion (REDI) is an EU funded project
that Solidarity Fund PL in Georgia (SFPL in GEO) began implementing on December 1st, 2023, together
with our partner – the e-Governance Academy from Estonia (eGA).
By virtue of its innovative approach, this action will reduce the existing digital division and include those
traditionally left behind by improving access to affordable digital infrastructure and developing digital
literacy skills in rural areas of the target regions of Imereti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kvemo Svaneti and
Kakheti.
When it comes to the development of the connectivity infrastructure, first of the two main directions of
the project, it will be implemented as a follow-up of the Open-Net Programme’s project “Log-in Georgia”
and will focus on providing access to the Internet and technology to inhabitants of rural areas from ≈200
selected villages from target regions with a minimum effort required (via public spaces of the greatest
social impact (i.e., schools, kindergartens, ambulatories, libraries, village administration, outdoor pavilions
– panchaturi, local shops, etc.)) and at the minimum cost, so that it is affordable and at the villagers’
fingertips.
The second direction of the action centers around promoting digital literacy in the inhabitants of the rural
areas of the selected target regions. This will be done in coordination with and by increasing the impact
of the already existing educational programmes implemented by the “Login Georgia” project and the
Communications Commission (ComCom). Approx. 25 Digital Rural Hubs (DRHs) will be created to be used
for the purpose of enhancing digital skills of the rural population. Some of them will be set up by expanding
the existing ones, while others will be in completely new locations, closer to the villagers, which will make
them more accessible. Furthermore, mobile training buses with IT trainers, equipped with laptops and
with Internet, will be visiting the areas with no IT-equipped training classes.
The REDI team is looking to conduct service/consultancy contract with seasoned professionals with
extensive experience in the field of digital infrastructure, ICT technologies and/or telecommunication
business strategies in order to (1) effectively design, implement and maintain robust and reliable internet
connectivity solutions, particularly in rural areas in Georgia and/or to (2) develop optimal modes of
cooperation with relevant stakeholders, or future partners for ensuring the sustainability of the REDI
project.
Service requested: Provide expert consultations and support for the project Rural Empowerment
through Digital Inclusion (REDI).
Responsibilities:
Task 1: Consult the work of the tech team of the REDI project.
Specifically:
– Provide supervision and tailored advice on relevant technical study/(ies) and field trips in relation
to connectivity infrastructure.
– When needed, validate, a list of 250 profiled villages proposed by the research company.
– Validate technical solutions offered to provide connectivity infrastructure to affordable WiFi
zones, including technology, equipment, and other relevant solutions.
– Support the local tech expert and the team in selecting, procuring, deploying and installation of
digital infrastructure, equipment and software in public spaces.
– Advise the project team regarding the launch and operation of Internet access points, Digital Rural
Hubs (DRHs), Wi-Fi equipment, rally connections, fiber optics, pay boxes, etc.
– Advise the local team, partners and technical expert on modes of connection, equipment and
technology that are optimal and suitable for project aims and criteria.
– Advise on the guidelines for the replication and scaling of effective digital inclusion strategies,
emphasizing sustainability and long-term impact across different regions.
Task 2: To provide relevant support in development of various TORs as needed
Specifically:
– Within the frames of competency, provide guidance and consultation to project team, local
technical expert and possibly partners when implementing the following activity: deploying
connectivity infrastructure, such as Wi-Fi arrays and transmission equipment, based on the most
commercially viable international practices that fit the local context.
– Within the frames of competency, provide guidance and consultation to project team when
implementing activities connected with the establishment of Digital Rural Hubs (DRHs).
Task 3: Advise and consult on best strategies to reduce digital gaps in Georgia.
Specifically:
– Within the frames of competency, identify strategies to overcome specific challenges for digital
inclusion via the research study commissioned by SFPL.
– Within the frames of competency, advise on optimal types of access points to be installed and
considered in specific villages or groups of villages given affordability and accessibility of the
technology.
1. Duration of the assignment:
Upon request, during the year 2024, with possible terms of extension for the upcoming year of 2025, with
approximately 65 working days (number of days can change based on the needs of the project).
2. Place(s) of Assignment
Online but the selected Expert will be required to conduct occasional field trip(s) to the selected regions
in Georgia.
3. Minimum requirements
3.1 Higher education in ICT technology, engineering and/or other relevant field from a reputable
university;
3.2 Technical Proficiency: professional experience in international project(s) in the field of ICT,
telecommunications, and/or infrastructure building in the last 5 years.
3.3 Fluency in English language.
Offers from service providers that do not meet the minimum criteria will be rejected for formal reasons.
4. Apart from minimum requirements, following criteria for selection will be assessed based on the
points provided (max. 50 points)
4.1 Knowledge and experience – max. 20 points
4.1.1 Experience of working in international development projects.
• Over 5 years of experience – 10 points
• 1 to 5 years of experience – 5 points
• Less than 1 year of experience – 0 points
4.1.2 Experience of working with international best practices in ICT, telecommunications and/or
infrastructure fields.
• Over 5 years of experience – 10 points
• 1 to 5 years of experience – 5 points
• Less than 1 year of experience – 0 points
4.2 Cost of a single consultation (a single consultation equals 8 hours) – max. 30 points
Cost should be provided in the designated field in the application form.
Assessment under the criterion „cost” will be processed based on the following formula:
P= Pmin/Pof x 30 points
where:
Pmin – the lowest proposed price
Pof – price presented in the examined offer
P – the number of points awarded to the examined offer under the price criterion, rounded to the full
number.
The workload in a number of hours will be agreed in a written form prior to the execution of tasks.
Settlements between the Contracting Authority and the Contractor will be conducted in EUR depending
on the Contractor’s place of tax residence and in relation to the current Euro exchange rate of the
National Bank of Georgia.
5. SUBMISSION
Application must be submitted no later than December 8th, 2024 24:00 Tbilisi time to the email
address: redi@solidarityfund.pl
The application must contain:
– A CV submitted in a PDF format.
– Application form that has been filled-out, signed, scanned and submitted in a PDF format.
– Service Provider Fiscal Statement that has been filled-out, signed, scanned and submitted in a PDF
format.
If one of the documents is missing, the applicant will be excluded on a formal basis.
Questions regarding the call for proposals, can be directed to redi@solidarityfund.pl before the
expiration of the deadline.
6. Information on the outcome of the procedure will be sent to the e-mail address indicated by the
applicant and will be published on Solidarity Fund PL_GEO Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/solidarityfund.ge and https://participatoryhub.ge/
7. Please be advised that by submitting an application you agree to share the content of the application
with other applicants who could submit an appropriate request to the SFPL (except for personal data,
which will be anonymized).
8. Solidarity Fund PL, provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all
people without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation,
marital status, protected genetic information, or sexual orientation.
9. Please be advised that the administrator of personal data contained in the submitted applications is the
Solidarity Fund PL with headquarters in Warsaw, ul. Mysłowicka 4, 01-612 Warsaw. The data will be
processed on the basis of art. 6 clause 1 point. c of the Polish law on personal data protection for the
purpose related to public procurement procedure. You have the right to access the personal data provided,
the right to rectify personal data and the right to request the administrator to limit the processing of
personal data, subject to the cases referred to in art. 18 clause 2 of the law. You have the right to lodge a
complaint with the President of the Office for Personal Data Protection “The data controller is Solidarity
Fund PL in Georgia, 20 Chavchavadze Avenue, Apartment #3, floor 2, 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia. To exercise your
rights, please contact the SFPL in Georgia directly at georgiarep@solidarityfund.pl – we are committed to
protecting your rights to the best of our ability