RFI No. 72088721-PACIFIC-RFI-00001.pdf

U.S. Agency for International Development Annex 2 Building U.S. Embassy 1201 Roxas Boulevard 1000 Ermita, Manilla, Philippines

Tel: (632) 5301-6000 Fax (632) 5301-6213 http://philippines.usaid.gov

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

RFI NUMBER:

ISSUANCE DATE:

RESPONSE DUE DATE & TIME:

RESPONSE EMAIL ADDRESS:

72088721-PACIFIC-RFI-00001

March 12, 2021 March 26, 2021, 12:00nn Manila time manila-roaa-rfp@usaid.gov with a copy to hjuanillo@usaid.gov

Dear Potential Offeror, The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Mission to the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia is developing a new program entitled Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) – Pacific. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain industry comments on the attached DRAFT Statement of Objective (SOO).

The USAID Office of the Economic Development and Governance (OEDG) seeks information, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties (i.e. U.S. or non-U.S. organizations, nongovernmental organizations, universities, consortium, for-profit organizations) by addressing the questions below. The information obtained through this RFI will be used to help make planning decisions and the requested information will not be released publicly. Organizations who are interested should submit information supporting their experience, expertise, and capabilities in undertaking similar work.

This is not a solicitation or a call for proposals. Please do not submit proposals, resumes or promotional materials as they will not be considered and will be discarded.

While we welcome any comments you may have, we ask that if you choose to respond, that you answer the following questions to assist USAID:

A. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

USAID values your response. When preparing for your response to the following questions please ensure comments are concise and specific to the question being asked. Responding to each question is not required.

1. Apart from those already highlighted in the Draft SOO, what other areas or issues need to be addressed to advance access and connectivity in the Pacific region?

2. What should be the geographical scope of this activity?

3. What countries should receive priority consideration?

4. What other results or outcomes should this activity feasibly target?

5. What are the opportunities for private sector partnerships in advancing digital connectivity in the region?

RFI No. 72088721-PACIFIC-RFI-00001 DCCP-Pacific

6. What is needed to incentivize greater private sector investment in digital technologies in the Pacific?

7. How can USAID better support regional and sub-regional programs building and advancing ICT connectivity?

8. What would be the most appropriate and viable venues to deliver this support?

B. CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

For market research purposes, USAID is also interested in your organization’s capabilities, geographic coverage, and experience. As noted above, please do not submit requests for funding, proposals, or statements of qualifications in response to this request as you will not receive a response.

1. Name of the organization

2. Business Address (specify if the organization has offices in the Pacific Islands and where they are located)

3. Organization point of contact name, telephone number, and email address

4. Organization business size and status (For U.S. organizations - e.g., small business

8(a), HUBZone, Veteran, Service-Disabled Veteran, and/or Women Owned; etc.), the number of years in business, and affiliate information)

5. List of customers and contracts covering the past three years for work considered relevant to the Draft SOO.

All submitted documentation becomes U.S. government property and will not be returned.

Submissions will not be acknowledged. USAID may use any information provided without incurring any obligation. No phone calls or hand carries will be accepted.

It is requested that responses to this RFI including the above information be submitted no later than the date and time specified above.

Thank you for your assistance and interest in USAID programs.

Sincerely, Stéphane C. Bright Contracting Officer Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance

Stephane Bright

Digitally signed by Stephane Bright Date: 2021.03.12 13:26:31 +08'00'

DCCP – Pacific

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Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) – Pacific

Draft Statement of Objectives

A. Introduction

The Pacific Islands countries (PIC) are an essential part of the U.S. vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific (IPV) and the USG’s Pacific Pledge. The Pacific Island countries (PICs) are recognized U.S. partners on critical issues that impact U.S. economic and national security interests. Foreign assistance also advances self-reliance throughout the Pacific. U.S. assistance reinforces the foundations of good governance and democracy, fosters economic growth, and promotes sovereignty and self-reliance through transparent, high-standard development approaches. USG assistance will seek to bolster the capacity of PICs to freely determine and advance their own interests as they sustainably develop their resilience, economies, democracies, and human capital and counter maligned influence.

This activity supports USAID’s overall goal in the Pacific Islands region: “Democratic, Prosperous and Resilient Pacific Island Region,” in particular, this activity will work towards Development Objective 2 (DO2): “Resilient Economic Growth Advanced”. This activity is directly aligned with the economic growth pillar of the Indo-Pacific Vision, particularly under the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) initiative and USAID’s Digital Strategy. This activity also seeks to implement USAID’s Private Sector Engagement policy and align with the goals of the Women’s Global Prosperity and Development (WGDP) initiative.

B. Background

The Pacific region is characterized by its wide geographical expanse and remoteness, the smallness of its countries’ economies and high degree of economic concentration, its cultural diversity, its vulnerability to external shocks and general dependence on external assistance. On the digital front, connectivity infrastructure is generally poor, internet service is costly, and computer penetration low. At the end of 2018, mobile internet penetration in the region was the lowest of any region in the world at 18 percent. Access is also largely concentrated in primary population centers while remote regions and islands experience relatively higher cost and effort.

According to a UNESCAP report, broadband connectivity in the Pacific subregion is varied with New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga having experienced strong growth while other Pacific Island countries are lagging. There is also significant variation in the development of local mobile markets; subscriber penetration rates range from a high of 84% in Fiji to a low of just 11% in the Marshall Islands. Overall, ICT development in the PICs is hampered by the lack of investment in ICT infrastructure, insufficient human resources and skills, and a constrained business environment.

While having avoided some of the worst health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PICs suffered severely from the economic downturn ensuing from the crisis. The closure of international travel and lockdowns to curb the spread of COVID-19 have had serious impacts on

[2] employment, international labor mobility, and livelihoods across the region. Owing to the region’s heavy reliance on key income sources badly affected by the crisis, especially tourism, the PICs are facing rising unemployment and fewer income opportunities. The need for more robust digital infrastructure and internet connectivity across the Pacific Islands has become more apparent with the onset of the pandemic. To develop a more robust health and governance response to the pandemic and boost economic recovery, the PICs need to improve the quality of digital communications and connectivity.

DCCP-Pacific aims to support the digital transformation of the Pacific Island countries. Through this regional activity, USAID aims to foster an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital ecosystem in the Pacific Islands. This activity will support necessary changes in the legal and regulatory environment to support the digital economy and mobilize public and private investment in the ICT sector. This activity will assist in advancing regulatory reforms that focus on market liberalization, deregulation and expanding broadband internet access. Digital applications that improve the efficiency and transparency of public service delivery, enhance the quality of services, and increase the productivity and competitiveness of the PICs will be promoted. Cross-regional (or subregional) harmonization of legal/regulatory instruments and institutions will be advanced. Targeted approaches to address the needs of remote islands and last mile connectivity with the aim of reducing digital divides will be supported.

C. Theory of Change, Purpose and Results Framework

IF broadband access is improved; if enabling environment is reformed to attract greater ICT investment; e-government expanded and digital skills and literacy are upgrade and enhanced;

THEN an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure connectivity will be advanced fostering greater levels of trade and investment and resilient economic growth in the PIC region.

Purpose

The DCCP-Pacific activity seeks to advance an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure connectivity in the PICs by (1) improving broadband access; (2) strengthening digital policy and regulations; (3) advancing digital platforms and solutions for the delivery of public services; and

(4) upgrading of digital skills and literacy.

An open, interoperable, reliable, and secure connectivity in the region advanced

Broadband access improved

Digital policy and regulations strengthened Digital government advanced Digital skills and literacy enhanced

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D. Objectives:

The Contractor will furnish all technical personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, services and perform all activities necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of work to accomplish the objectives below:

Objective 1: Broadband access improved

Submarine cable connectivity in the Pacific Islands has increased dramatically over the last decade. Several PICs have invested or are investing in undersea fiber optic cables and exploring new technologies such as satellite connections to lower cost and provide more reliable connections. According to the International Telecommunications Union, submarine cables are set to connect virtually all Pacific Island nations and territories. By 2021, all major Pacific island countries are expected to have installed and operational submarine cable connections, signaling a rapid increase in connectivity rates across the region. There has also been a boom in mobile telephony with internet access with over 60% of Pacific islanders owning a mobile phone.

Internet bandwidth has improved over the years with most PICs using 3G-4G technologies. 4G connections are set to account for more than half of total connections by 2023, doubling the figure from the end of 2018.

Building on the investments in undersea cable infrastructure and improvements in mobile connectivity, this activity will assist the PICs to effectively take advantage of these infrastructure investments to improve access and connectivity within and between the island countries. DCCP- Pacific will support governments to develop broadband access action plans to capitalize on the cable investments. This activity will also support alternative technologies to improve connectivity, including satellite access, TV White Space and Open RAN. This activity will also assist the PICs to develop national strategies to move to secure 5G technology. Innovative approaches to last mile connectivity technology and business models that can help reach remote, rural populations will also be supported. Improving the resilience of the ICT infrastructure in the face of frequent and major natural disasters in the region will also be focus area.

Objective 2: Digital policy and regulations strengthened

Several PICs have deregulated their ICT sectors to open it up more to investment and increase internet access. In the mid-2000s, the PICs began to liberalize domestic telecommunications markets. Tonga was among the first to deregulate its telecoms sector in 2003, with most of the other PICs following suit over the last 15 years. However, monopolies can still be found in the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Tuvalu (state-owned), and Nauru (private), while other countries have no more than two operators. On the other hand, Pacific Island countries that have introduced competition in the mobile services sector (by allowing a second private telecommunication operator to enter) have experienced significant expansion in broadband access.

This activity will support further improvements in the enabling environment for increased ICT investment. Reforms aimed at lowering regulatory compliance costs, promoting competition, and reducing or even eliminating barriers to entry will be reinforced. This activity will strengthen

[4] regulatory agencies’ capability in addressing specific technical issues on open access, spectrum management, licensing management, data governance and cybersecurity, and implementing universal service funds, among others. Regulations covering digital solutions for payments, e-commerce transactions, cross-border trade and other financial services will also be assisted.

This activity will support regional and subregional cooperation initiatives aimed at enhancing broadband connectivity. This activity can facilitate dialogue and collaboration between different stakeholders, including donors and financiers, governments, regulators, private operators, research institutions and think tanks, and subregional organizations, among others to develop common regulatory standards and harmonized policy frameworks such as those under the Pacific Islands Forum. In 2015, the Pacific Islands Forum leaders adopted the Pacific Regional ICT Strategic Action Plan to address and coordinate ICT development issues regionally.

Objective 3: Digital government advanced

Several PICs are pursuing national ICT strategies that include e-government initiatives. Fiji is most advanced after launching an e-government strategic plan in 2001 and establishing the Government Information Infrastructure (GOVNET) and a government data center in 2006. In 2018, Fiji launched a mobile app called DigitalFIJI providing access to government information and services. PNG created its Integrated Government Information System (IGIS) in 2005 and Digital Government Master Plan in 2018. Solomon Islands launched its National ICT policy in 2017 including a government access network called SIG Connect. Tonga launched its National ICT Strategic Plan in 2009 and, in 2019, adopted its Digital Government Strategic Framework.

Samoa launched its first National ICT plan in 2003 and in 2010 worked on an e-government strategy. Last May 2019, Samoa established a Digital Transformation Authority. Vanuatu released its m-Government strategy in 2014 and established an office of the Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) to oversee e-government initiatives. Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu have implemented online business registries while Fiji and Solomon Islands have introduced online taxation service. Papua New Guinea also introduced online form for request of national passport while Kiribati established an online ship registry. Online birth and death registration already exists throughout the Pacific subregion.

This activity will continue to support the delivery of public services and conduct of public transactions through digital platforms and solutions in the region. Increased delivery of government services through electronic means such as one-stop-platforms, single entry portal for public information and other online services, digital identification systems, e-procurement and online transactional services and e-payments systems may be pursued. Improving government data bases or registries, data management and data-sharing, and capacity for data analytics will also be supported.

Objective 4: Digital skills and literacy enhanced

The investments made in ICT infrastructure and the deregulation of the telecommunications sector have not been accompanied by increased investments in upgrading digital skills and literacy. Pacific Island countries have very limited local human capacity to support the

[5] development of the ICT sector. While many modern technologies can be found in the Pacific islands, the overall utilization of these emerging technologies has been very limited. Many universities in the region have limited or no local access to ICT. E-government initiatives of several countries also suffer from a severe shortage of skilled staff and lacks the ability to retain staff in government service.

This activity will support interventions that boost the quality and quantity of ICT professionals needed to drive and sustain the digital transformation of the region. This activity will train and strengthen ICT skills development programs to upgrade the digital literacy skills and competencies of Pacific islanders. Support for Pacific universities and other training institutes or centers to increase the number of ICT qualified experts will be crucial to meet the needs of the region’s domestic industries and the public sector. This activity will also include increasing the number of Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSPs) to meet the cybersecurity needs of the region.

E. Results and indicators

At a minimum, this Activity will have the following indicators:

• Amount of investment mobilized (in USD) for advancing and maintaining open, interoperable, and secure internet as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of open, interoperable, reliable, and secure network connections as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of laws, policies, regulations, or standards promoting open, interoperable, reliable and secure digital infrastructure formally adopted or implemented as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of people with increased capacity to participate in an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital economy as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of institutions with increased capacity to participate in an open, interoperable, reliable and secure digital economy as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of organizations adopting National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework standards, as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Number of Certified Information Systems Security Professionals (CISSPs) trained as supported by U.S. Government assistance

• Improved country performance as measured by the WEF Network Readiness Index and ITU’s ICT Development Index

F. Other considerations:

Gender and social inclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing economic downturn and digital transformation has had a disproportionately impact on women and persons with disabilities across the Pacific region.

These developments can adversely affect their access to education, food security and nutrition, health, livelihoods, and social protection. These can pose additional risks and make them more

[6] vulnerable to violence, unemployment, exclusion and other negative impacts. The Offeror is required to identify and outline any potential gender and social inclusion issues that might be encountered during project implementation and how these issues will be addressed. Specific interventions should be identified that will benefit enterprises and businesses owned by women and those owned by persons with disabilities and that women and disabled persons are not unduly harmed by the digital economy. This activity will ensure the meaningful participation and engagement of women and persons with disabilities in all plans and decisions concerning ICT development. Where opportunities arise, the implementer(s) will work with the PIC governments and other stakeholders that have a role to play in advancing implementation of gender-related laws and action plans.

Private sector engagement

This activity implements USAID’s Private Sector Engagement policy that seeks to consult, strategize, align, collaborate, and implement with the private sector for greater scale, sustainability, and effectiveness of development outcomes. The Offeror will undertake efforts to engage companies and investors to explore opportunities for collaboration and work with the private sector to create new solutions and approaches that achieve project outcomes. DCCP- Pacific will catalyze investment of telecommunications firms from the United States and other countries that can offer reliable, safe, and secure technology on transparent terms. The Offeror should articulate a strategy that actively engages the private sector and develops partnerships with business firms and associations to leverage resources, bring solutions to scale, ensure sustainability, promote innovation, and achieve efficient outcomes. By working to bring in investors and technology firms from other countries that can offer transparent terms and reliable, secure services, USAID can help the countries of the Pacific Islands make choices that will yield sustainable development benefits in the long term and not be susceptible to influence from malign actors.

G. Period of Performance: November 2021 – Sept 2026