ICTA calls for EOIs for special projects in NE development

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has called for Expression of Interests (EOIs) for its special projects for the upliftment of the north and east under the eSri Lanka Development Initiative.

Titled ‘ICT Projects for North and East,’ the endeavour aims at helping, in particular, disadvantaged communities living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The EoIs are for leveraging on ICT and the rapidly growing use of the mobile phones and these projects will be carried out in a participatory manner. ICTA is calling creative and innovative ICT proposals that will make the lives of people in the north and east more comfortable. ICTA intends to encourage the creation of such ICT-based innovations that will make the lives of people more comfortable.

The deadline for EOis is 3 September 2012. If the Expressions of Interest is approved, the applicant will be invited to submit a detailed project proposal. Proposals for funding will be selected by the ICTA Grants Board based on the recommendation of a panel of subject matter experts.

ICT, for the purposes of these projects for north and east, encompasses both traditional (for example, telephone, radio, public address systems) and modern (for example, computer and mobile technologies, GIS systems and tools, etc.) forms. While this scheme does not define the scope or type of technology to be used, applicants will be encouraged to adopt a modern technological approach in their projects.

Funds will be made available for implementing the selected projects out of entries submitted. Grants will be paid to selected projects in instalments, based on achievement of milestones.

Referring to the eligibility criteria, ICTA sources said that the organisation concerned should be:

(1) The applicant can either apply individually or as a consortium. In the case of a consortium, details of the consortium partner/s should also be provided in the Expressions of Interest. However the recipient of the grant should be a registered private or non-governmental organisation – a registered organisation in continuous operation for at least three years with at least two years audited accounts.

(2) Have a track record of successful projects/operations for at least two years.

(3) Show expertise in the subject area of project (for example, if the project is a medical ICT project, there should be medical experts on the project team concerned.

(4) Show physical presence in Northern and/or Eastern Province for effective deployment of the project concerned.

However, if the organisation concerned does not fulfil the criterion of physical presence in the north and/or east, an EoI could be submitted in partnership with an organisation which does, ICTA sources said.

Guidelines and templates of EoI could be downloaded from the ICTA website www.icta.lk under Procurement Notice.