The Maldives Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (“MECCT”) invites submission of qualifications and proposal data (collectively referred to as the “Proposal”) from interested U.S. firms that are qualified on the basis of experience and capability to execute technical assistance (“TA”) to support the development and buildout of a cloud-based Government Digital Service (“GDS”) that includes a range of platforms, applications, and digital services that will consolidate existing government data centers and other critical digital infrastructure used by public sector entities (the “Project”) in the Republic of Maldives. The Proposal submission deadline is January 15, 2024, 7:00 a.m. EST/ 5:00 p.m. Maldives Time (MVT) (UTC+5). The U.S. firm selected will be paid in U.S. dollars from a $895,000 grant to MECCT from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.
About the Grantee
The MECCT serves as the lead ICT authority for the Maldives following a 2021 government reorganization that consolidated functions of the former Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology under MECCT, including the telecom regulator, Communication Authority of Maldives, and lead ICT department, the National Centre for Information Technology (“NCIT”). Acting through NCIT, MECCT has a mandate to advance digital transformation and direct implementation of the GDS initiative.
Project Background
The Project entails the development and buildout of a cloud-based Government Digital Service, including a range of platforms, applications, and digital services that will consolidate existing government data centers and other critical digital infrastructure used by public sector entities in the Maldives. Design and implementation of the Project will place strong emphasis on resilience, high availability, disaster recovery, and reducing the environmental impact of the Government of Maldives’ (“GoM”) operations.
About the Technical Assistance
The TA will include an assessment of the current operational environment for public sector digital infrastructure and cloud computing, including technical and non-technical conditions that impact the adoption of cloud computing by government entities. The TA will identify and provide recommendations to address barriers to cloud adoption, including required changes to current regulations, policies, procurement, and accounting models. The TA will further assist MECCT in refining the GoM’s data classification and usage standards and protocols, proposing detailed data center and platform architecture designs, and recommending optimal cyber and physical security measures and solutions for data protection. Other key deliverables include conducting outreach to stakeholders and U.S. CSPs for consultation, providing recommendations for potential GDS organizational structure and financing options, identifying skill gaps, and recommending a workforce capacity building strategy.
The TA will also develop a strategy for MECCT to establish a cloud center of excellence (“CCOE”) that will serve as a public-private partnership with CSPs and other technology vendors to deliver continued training and engagement on international best practices for public sector cloud adoption. The TA will also include a two-day in-country workshop to orient a cross section of Maldives decisionmakers on the TA recommendations and Project benefits, including technology solutions and best practice.