IT_operations_for_revenue_and_customs_administration_SOW.doc

IT operations for revenue and customs administrations Expert 1.0

INTRODUCTION

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a U.S. Government corporation whose mission is to support economic growth and poverty reduction in carefully selected countries that demonstrate a commitment to just and democratic governance, economic freedom, and investments in their own citizens. For more information on MCC, please visit www.mcc.gov. MCC requires professional services to support the development and implementation threshold programs. These required services are described in this Terms of Reference.

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BACKGROUND

MCC’s Threshold Program assists countries implementing policy reform to improve prospects for MCC Compact eligibility. MCC has signed 24 threshold program agreements with 22 countries totaling nearly $511 million to date. Of the 22 countries, eleven have been selected as compact eligible (eight of these countries have signed Compacts, one country previously had a Compact, and two others are currently under development).

MCC intends to procure the services of one subject matter expert in IT operations for revenue and customs administrations to assist with the development and implementation of MCC Threshold Programs.

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SCOPE OF WORK

3.1 Assessment and Design of Tax and Customs IT Systems (Task #1) The Consultant will:

· Identify interim measures to improve access to and usefulness of information currently available to the SAT (including Customs).

· Draft a “Customs Information System Contingency Plan”, which should include:

i) description of the current service level and determination of causes of service interruption;

ii) a definition of integrated processes to start and work in contingency manner;

iii) a definition of service level agreements that should identify when contingency procedures must be initiated and how the compliance of the customs information systems should be verified;

iv) recommendations on the use of information systems in contingency;

v) recommendations concerning software, hardware, telecommunications and security platform oriented to improve the service level;

vi) recommendations on information technology monitoring tools and procedures to provide notification of service interruptions and identify their causes;

vii) recommendations for improving the stability of the current Customs Information Systems and propose mitigation against cyber-attacks.

· Draft a “Sustainability Strategy”, which should incorporate at the minimum aspects related to:

i) high-level conceptual and functional vision embodying analytical use of the available Customs data, including manifest control data, in risk management, trade facilitation, and monitoring key performance indicators; sharing of information between field offices and SAT headquarters and with customs agents and between tax and Customs administration; and Customs post control of shipment inventory for post integrity assurance;

ii) software development model (in house or off the shelf);

iii) methodology for definition of system requirements; and

iv) financing model.

· Draft a “SAT IT Systems Assessment” to assess the adequacy of tax and customs administration as against international practice, and, if appropriate, create a business case for improvements.

3.2 Ongoing Technical Assistance (Task #2) - Optional MCC may, at its discretion, retain the Consultant for follow-on work which may include: (1) implementation support and/or oversight in Guatemala; (2) support for the design and implementation of other MCC programs.

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PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is a base period of approximately 8 months beginning approximately August 1, 2015. The estimated level of effort for this work is 600 hours (75 days) of which 50-75% would be in MCC partner countries.

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DELIVERABLES

Deliverables shall be submitted in electronic format that can be easily disseminated and/or reproduced (emailed and printed) and in hardcopy as necessary and/or required.

The deliverables will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

· Thoroughness and timeliness in complying with all of the elements in the tasks specified.

· Quality and clarity of analyses and work produced.

· Timeliness and efficacy of communications with relevant counterparts at MCC and other relevant organizations.

· All reports are to be submitted in English in hard and electronic copy (in MS Word), with tables, data and calculations in MS Excel.

· All deliverables must reflect extensive consultations with: (1) the Partner Country Government; (2) MCC; and (3) other stakeholders.

Table 1: Schedule of Deliverables

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PERFORMANCE LOCATION

The Consultant shall be required to provide services in any MCC-eligible country, including but not limited to Guatemala and Honduras.

7.0 QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have the following expertise:

(a) Masters Degree from accredited university in business administration, computer information systems, or similar fields.

(b) Minimum of 10 years experience assessing or designing IT systems and operations for developing country governments, including some experience in revenue and customs administrations

(c) Minimum of 5 years experience working with tax and customs administrations internationally to conduct assessments, develop recommendations, and implement modernization and reform activities.

(d) Experience developing analytical models for revenue and customs administrations and providing capacity building to ensure that those models are effectively used.

(e) Thorough understanding of international donor community and technical assistance projects for revenue and customs administrations that support risk management, automation and development of IT infrastructure and associated procedures

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OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

International travel will be required. The Government will pay for traveling on a reimbursable basis.