Nationalizing ICT Services within ICT Sector Consultancy Service Provider / TOR

The Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies – PITA

November 2024

Background

The Palestinian Information Technology Association of Companies – PITA is the voice of the ICT sector in Palestine. It has more than 180 member companies working in different ICT sectors such as software and outsourcing sector, hardware sector, training and consultancy sector, Internet and telecommunications sectors. PITA is the reference and representative association of private ICT sector and was founded in 1999 by a group of Palestinian entrepreneurs as a non-profit organization to advance the interests and positive societal impact of Palestine’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

PITA has been cooperating with Small and Medium Enterprise Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Project towards enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, and to facilitate and support the integration of Palestinian startups and entrepreneurs in the business market through capacity building of PITA; both improving its service provision to member businesses and to lead ICT-related policy reform initiatives.

And so; PITA recognizes that existing policy initiatives need augmentation, such as the absence of a comprehensive Nationalizing ICT Services tailored explicitly to support ICT startups, SMEs, and matured companies.

General Objective

To contribute to foster ICT competition space and opportunities in the local market through a comprehensive paper based on these results:

1. Increase the opportunities for the local ICT companies to grow and compete.
2. Promote and strengthen local ICT companies to invest in local markets.
3. Benefit from local ICT products and expertise.

Objective of the Consultancy

Within this framework; PITA seeks to enlist an individual/firm to refine the existing position paper on Nationalizing ICT Services and develop a well-structured position paper that PITA can use to engage with relevant governmental bodies, and the relevant ministries, to advocate for the adoption and implementation of the proposed Nationalizing ICT Services. The position paper should provide actionable recommendations and strategies that can be adopted by policymakers and stakeholders. Additionally, this individual or firm should formulate a list of stakeholders that stand to gain from the (Nationalizing ICT Services) as well as the stakeholders from whom to get consensus. This will help with the formulation of the advocacy strategy.

Scope of Work

The individual/firm will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review and Analysis / Literature Review:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, reports, and case studies on Nationalizing ICT Services in ICT sectors regionally and globally, with a focus on similar contexts.
• Identify gaps, opportunities, and areas requiring refinement in the current market and practices from all market bodies.
• Identify best practices and lessons learned from other countries that can be adapted to the Palestinian context.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis through assessing the current opportunities affecting SMEs in the ICT sector, and evaluating the impact of these Nationalizing ICT Services on the growth, operations, and competitiveness of SMEs.
• Analyze the expected effects of the proposed Nationalizing ICT Services on SMEs, providing clear, evidence-based projections of how these incentives will improve the sector's performance.
• Identify the criteria and scenarios of the implementation of the Nationalizing ICT Services.
• Identify and clarify any local laws supporting or opposing the Nationalizing ICT Services.
• Identify and clarify any challenges that might affect the Nationalizing ICT Services.

2. Refinement of the Position Paper:

• Refine the proposed Nationalizing ICT Services to better align with the specific needs of the Palestinian ICT sector.
• Propose creative recommendations and scenarios for the Nationalizing ICT Services.
• Develop clear, evidence-based arguments to support the Nationalizing ICT Services, referencing successful models from comparable markets and use cases.

3. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Work closely with PITA’s Advocacy Officer, Board of Directors, and task force members and sub-sector committees to ensure the refined position paper aligns with PITA’s strategic goals.
• Engage in regular consultations with key stakeholders, including industry representatives and governmental bodies such as the Prime Ministry, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology, IPIEA, and others to gather insights and secure buy-in for the proposed Nationalizing ICT Services.
• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys as necessary to collect primary data.

4. Nationalizing ICT Services Formulation and Finalization:

• Develop a final comprehensive position paper for Nationalizing ICT Services for the ICT sector and local companies, incorporating best practices from regional and international contexts.
• Ensure that the Nationalizing ICT Services address the unique challenges faced by ICT companies within the Palestinian ICT market.
• Ensure the position paper is clear, concise, and suitable for presentation to policymakers and stakeholders.

Deliverables

• Work Plan: A detailed work plan outlining the methodology, timeline, and key milestones for the assignment.
• Initial Report Draft: Summarizing the literature review and stakeholder consultations.

- Support Paper: A detailed support paper presenting the research and rationale behind the recommendations.

- Summary Paper: A concise summary paper (maximum 5 pages) that presents the argument as simply as possible.

• Presentation and Discussions: Present and discuss the paper with stakeholders to obtain feedback and modification if necessary.
• Refined Position Paper: A comprehensive and refined position paper on the proposed task, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and comparative analyses.
• Final Report: A final report summarizing the work undertaken, key findings, and refined position paper.

Duration and Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within a period of (50 Working Hours) during (December 1st, 2024 – January 31st, 2025) or from the date of commencement.

Qualifications and Experience

The individual/firm should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. Advanced degree in Economics, Public Policy, ICT, Law, or a related field.
2. Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, advocacy, and development of incentive packages, preferably within the ICT sector.
3. Familiarity with the Palestinian ICT sector and its regulatory environment.
4. Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
5. Proven track record of successful stakeholder engagement and advocacy.

Guidelines and Selection Criteria

In undertaking this assignment, the service provider should consider submitting:

- Technical proposal (70%) covering the following items: 

1. Consultant profile including CVs. (25%)
2. Previous relevant experience. (20%)
3. Detailed outline of the work plan & Methodology. (25%)

- Financial proposal (30%). 

The price quotation for the training delivery should be in USD.

Please note that the price quotation should be submitted in:

1. English language.
2. The Price must be in USD Including VAT & other Taxes – and PITA is not responsible for any currency differences.
3. The price offer must be valid for a period of 6 months.
4. The company bears all responsibility in the case that it submits a price offer and is unable to provide a valid source of deduction or any official certificates that require the payment process. 
5. PITA has the right to withdraw or cancel the solicitation, without incurring any costs and without any justifications.
6. The supplier to whom the quotation is awarded bears all responsibility in the case that they submit a quotation and is unable to issue invoices or bring a valid source of deduction or clearance from the Added Tax Department or any of the reinforcements necessary for the payment.
7. The payment with the selected agency will be made after signing the contract, completing the required service by submitting the work completion report, and providing the financial payment request. If the service provider is an individual, 10% of the total amount will be deducted as income tax to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
8. PITA reserves the right to reject any offer without stating the reasons and to solicit offers from abroad in the case of rejection of the submitted offers and in case of violation and noncompliance with the required specifications.
9. The amount due to the supplier shall be paid by Checks or bank transfer from the bank account of the project, after submitting the necessary.
10. PITA is not obligated to the lowest prices without giving reasons, and it is also entitled to split or cancel without giving reasons, Therefore, the offers will be evaluated from a technical and financial point. 
11. The company must provide a copy of its registration certificate and a valid deduction at source certificate.
12. Any clause or any of the general conditions relating to PITA that have been inadvertently omitted and is not mentioned within these Terms of Reference, is subject to PITA internal standard procedures or the Palestinian Procurement and Supplies Law or any financial procedures related to that.
13. Please stamp and sign all pages of the quotation.

Application Submission and Deadline

Interested applicants must submit a proposal based on the instructions provided in the “Guidelines and Selection Criteria” section, no later than 08/12/2024, to the following address: Ramallah: Ougarit Bldg. – 4th Fl., Al-Irsal.

The offeror shall mark the envelop as follows:

• Name of the offeror/service provider.
• Archive files should be marked as: Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal.

If you have any further inquiries, please contact us on the following number: 02- 2958447