Request for Proposals: Web Development: “Laos Info Site” for FHI 360 Epic Laos Project At FHI 360

1. Summary of this procurement:

This procurement is to build and launch a web application that will provide two primary functions:

1. The site will provide clear, targeted information and guidance to users of HIV self-testing (HIVST),
2. The site will also keep a log of the visitors that arrive at the site, including the storage of parameters embedded in the URL that provide information about which HIVST kit box was scanned to access the site.

2. Application Requirements

We request developers to submit a proposal for this web development work. The general requirements are below:

1. Application Structure and Function.
   1. Click here for “Scope of Work (SOW)” document, which describes the specific functions and elements of the application.
2. Application platform.
   1. This will be a web application, accessible through any normal web browser. It will not be a dedicated mobile application or a dedicated desktop application.
   2. The software platform on which the application is built should be common and well-regarded, to ensure that it will not be difficult for future developers to access and modify if necessary.
   3. There should be no element of the software platform that requires licensing costs. The full cost of this application must be payable at once, and require no payments due after the initial cost. It is preferable that all application and platform elements are totally free of any additional cost. But if any element of the platform is proprietary and/or requires a licensing fee, then all required fees must be clearly described in the developer’s proposal, and it must be able to be paid once at the outset, and then be fully owned by our project from that point onward.
   4. The application platform must not require any elements that require that the application hosting or infrastructure be complex or expensive (see hosting, below.)
3. Hosting.
   1. The site should be able to be hosted on typical cloud hosting vendors, and not require complex elements that typical cloud hosting does not have by default.
4. Training, documentation, and technical support after launch
   1. As part of this effort, the developer will also provide training to the EpiC staff on
      1. the use of the application,
      2. its configuration and maintenance
   2. This will take the form of online meeting and/or written documentation in English.
   3. The contractor’s bid should also include a line that specifies the cost of one year of ongoing support. For this cost, after the application is complete and finished, the developer will remain available to provide assistance and repair of any technical problems or bugs in functions that are within the scope of the agreed-on contract. Repair of these problems, within the original scope, will be done for no additional fee or charge.
   4. Furthermore, after launch, the developer must be available for a period of 60 days to answer detailed questions and provide additional explanation of application functions if needed.
5. Communications during application development
   1. Application development timing and deliverables will follow the schedule specified below in this RFP.
   2. Most developer-client communications will be held during a regular development meeting, where progress, needed inputs, and other issues are discussed. This will be usually through online meetings. (The developer and the client will also be in ongoing communication throughout the week as needed.)
6. Developer Attributes
   1. In the proposal, developer must be able to provide the following in the submitted proposal:
      1. Demonstration of substantial experience in developing Web applications similar to the one requested here
      2. Clear examples of prior development projects to illustrate competence in the work required
      3. Demonstration of staff experience
      4. Text that describes the developer’s understanding and approach to the numbered items in this RFP’s “Application Requirements” section. The text should address the issues raised in that section.
      5. The developer must specify their proposed final fixed price for all of the developer’s services under this work order.
      6. The developer must also provide full clear explanation of any additional fees or costs that will be required for implementation (For example, any one-time licensing costs or other costs that are required by the developer’s proposed approach.)
   2. The developer must have strong communication skills, and be able to communicate very clearly at every step of development, providing information to the EpiC team. They must request, understand, and closely follow guidance from the EpiC team, and solve problems constructively without requiring excessive amounts of assistance from EpiC.
7. Required application compliance
   1. The application is funded by the US Agency for International Development, and therefore must observe certain requirements for branding. We will confirm later if the USAID logo should appear on certain pages of the application, and what other branding is needed.
   2. Because this work is funded by a US Government agent, we are required to confirm that, in their work, the contractor / vendor does NOT use any equipment made by the following forbidden companies:
      1. Huawei Technologies Company
      2. ZTE Corporation
      3. Hytera Communications Corporation
      4. Dahua Technology Company.
   3. EpiC project will inform the developer of any other compliance issues during development.

3. How to submit a proposal for this work

Your proposal should be emailed, before the due date, to: Procurement.EpiC.TH@fhi360.org

The proposal will be evaluated on:

1. 1. 1. Experience: Examples in the proposal that describe experience in developing Web applications similar to the one requested here
      2. Staff: Description of staff experience in the proposal
      3. Approach to this work: Text in the proposal that describes the developer’s approach to the requirements in the “Scope of Work/SOW.”
      4. Cost: The final fixed price, given in the proposal, for the effort to complete this work.
         1. The proposal should also give the cost for a 1-year service contract. Under that service contract, the developer will be on call to fix bugs in the original software definition, and to resolve general problems. (If a substantial new feature or change is requested, the developer will not be expected to build that new feature under the service contract.)
         2. The developer must also provide full clear explanation of any other fees or costs that will be required for implementation (For example, any one-time software licensing costs or other costs that are required by the developer’s proposed approach.)