Information Technology (IT) Vendor to Support Developing and Upgrading Digital Technology Systems & the Application

Request for Proposal # 2021-065

For an information technology (IT) vendor to support developing and upgrading digital technology systems & the application for cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) screening, tracking, and management

I. Summary of Deadlines (all the dates are ICT time)

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Note that PATH reserves the right to modify this schedule as needed. All parties will be notified simultaneously by email of any changes.

Proposal can be written either in English or Vietnamese.

II. PATH Statement of Business

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, we develop and scale up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.

PATH in Southeast Asia is committed to responding to community health needs in Vietnam in areas such as reproductive, maternal, and child health, tuberculosis, HIV, vaccines, and immunization, emerging and epidemic diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCD), and digital health solutions. To achieve impacts, PATH works across public and private sectors and focuses on sustainable, system-level changes.

III. Project Background

PATH will be implementing the project “Communities for Healthy Hearts Plus” in which we will collaborate with health authorities, local stakeholders (both health and non-health sectors) to design a comprehensive approach toward cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction in the Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) population through leveraging data, frontier technologies and integrating them into both the primary health care system and community settings. PATH is seeking an IT vendor to develop and upgrade digital technology systems and applications for CVD risk screening, tracking, and management in HCMC.

IV. Scope of Work and Deliverables

A.   Scope of Work:

The selected IT vendor, app developer (hereinafter IT vendor) will provide solutions for:

1.     Mobile NCD community application:

• Upgrading the existing NCD community application, including the chatbot and CVD risk estimation tool to raise awareness, generate screening demand, promote self-tracking and self-management in patients. The IT vendor will work closely with PATH and relevant partners to clarify requirements and recommend appropriate workflows. The IT vendor must submit mockups/temporary prototypes to PATH for feedback on the design and workflow.
• Integrating the Transdermal Optical Imaging (TOI) technology by NuraLogix (https://www.nuralogix.ai/) using the SDK native language into the mobile NCD application using the JavaScript/React language, in which it can be used for both Android and IOS mobile platforms. An application programming interface (API) from NuraLogix will be given in advance for reference and study.

Specific requirements for the mobile NCD app with the embedded TOI technology for CVD screening include:

• A back-end system to store CVD risk screening data collected through the TOI technology.
• Terms and conditions for users about the TOI technology and data confidentiality policies.
• Translate from English to Vietnamese for all functions and features provided by the TOI technology (application language shall be in Vietnamese).
• Accessibility only for HCMC residents and each community member can only access one time for CVD risk screening by the TOI technology.
• Identifiable users’ source (whether they are introduced to the app by health facilities, pharmacies, checkpoints, etc. in specific districts in HCMC).
• Developing an In-mobile app explainer function (helper) for users to know how to use the app. Helper is available for the user in the first time access and later stage within the app interface.

2.     Web-based application:

• Developing a web-based dashboard application for data analytics and reporting and authority access for each level.
• Developing tools (APIs, Excel file template, data collection form, etc.) to collect and combine data from commune health stations, district health centers, and district hospitals (in software, Excel files, etc..) at three districts in HCMC. 
• Developing data visualization functions for the system.

3.     Testing and acceptance, releasing, and training digital application and systems:

• Testing and debugging digital systems and the application: the IT vendor will test the mobile NCD app with the embedded TOI technology and the web-based dashboard for usability, compatibility, interface, performance, operability, and security. During this process, the vendor will identify problems in the application and resolve them using optimal approaches to keep the application bug-free. The IT vendor will coordinate with PATH to receive and address user feedback in an agile sprint methodology before releasing the beta and final versions.
• Launching the application: once bug fixes are completed, the IT vendor will ensure that the mobile NCD app with the embedded TOI technology and the web-based dashboard is ready for deployment. The IT vendor will hold 02 training courses for each of the three districts on using and managing these tools, as well as handing over all source codes and documents (including user manuals, database documents, and API documents) to PATH and implementing partners. The approval and final payment will only be made once all major bugs are fixed and source codes, documents are confirmed by PATH.

4.     Maintenance and technical support:

• Providing a technical documentation handover package
• Providing a code and UX/UI design handover package
• 3 months free debugging after go-live

-       After the public release of the application, the IT vendor will continue to provide technical support for the application’s administrators during the next 12 months.

B.   Deliverables and timelines

Complete all deliverables below from January 01, 2022 to February 28, 2023.

V. Proposal Requirements - Financial

Provide itemized costs for the total scope of this project, based on the scope of work and deliverables outlined in Section IV. The final scope of work may be subject to negotiation; however, bidder selection will be made against the original scope of work. Bids should include itemized costs for key elements of the scope of work, as follows:

• Percent participation in total level of effort according to key staff.
• Rates of key staff.
• Estimated total level of effort and associated costs.
• Itemization of all other costs, e.g., agency costs, agency fees, sub-contracted resources, administrative costs, supplies, tax, etc.

Financial proposal can be written either in English or Vietnamese.

VI. Proposal Requirements – Technical

Provide a narrative on your technical approach to accomplish the Scope of Work and Deliverables per section IV, including:

• Description of technical approach.
• Discussion of project management and roles of project team.
• Timeline to meet the deliverables.
• Potential obstacles and plan to overcome them.
• Identification of major internal and external resources.

Provide information on your overall qualifications, including:

• Profile of relevant corporate qualifications.
• Profile of relevant experience and examples of related work.
• Qualifications of key members of the proposed project team (attach CVs and provide details of back-up/standby teams).
• Number of years in business.
• Annual revenue
• If your company has more than one location, please indicate these qualifications for the site that is responding.

Technical proposal can be written either in English or Vietnamese

VII. Proposal Evaluation Criteria

The following is a list of significant criteria against which proposals will be assessed. The criteria are listed in order of priority, however they are not weighted.

• Technical appropriateness in developing web-based and mobile-based applications with AI used
• Experience in successfully building applications that support learning, education and/or in the medical, healthcare sector
• Demonstrate a strong workplan in involving youth (or other stakeholders) in all stages of the application development
• Costs (as detailed in Section V)

Note: PATH reserves the right to include additional criteria.

VIII. Instructions and Deadlines for Responding

A. PATH contacts

Procurement Contact:            Ngo Tuan Anh
                                           Senior Project Financial Analysis & Administrative Manager
                                           [email protected]

                                           Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy
                                           Senior Project Assistant
                                           [email protected]                

Technical/Program Contact:   Le Thu Hien
                                           Program Director
                                           [email protected]       

                                           Nguyen Xuan Thuy
                                           Project Director
                                           [email protected]

B. Fact-finding questions

Questions on this solicitation will be accepted via email to the contacts listed above through Dec 9, 2021. Questions and answers to all questions will be provided on Dec 10, 2021 to all participants who confirmed interest. Please note that responses will not be confidential except in cases where proprietary information is involved. Inquiries after this date cannot be accommodated.

C. Proposals due: December 17, 2021

Completed proposals should be submitted by email to the contacts listed above. The subject line of the email should read: RFP # 2021-065 your company name.

D. Selection of short-list

PATH reserves the right to select a short list from the bids received. PATH has the option to interview and discuss specific details with those candidates who are on the short-list.

E. Conclusion of process

Applicants will be notified of PATH’s decision by December 24, 2021. Final award is subject to the terms and conditions included in this solicitation, as well as successful final negotiations of all applicable terms and conditions affecting this work.

IX. Terms and Conditions of the Solicitation

A. Notice of non-binding solicitation

PATH reserves the right to reject any and all bids received in response to this solicitation and is in no way bound to accept any proposal.

B. Confidentiality

All information provided by PATH as part of this solicitation must be treated as confidential. In the event that any information is inappropriately released, PATH will seek appropriate remedies as allowed. Proposals, discussions, and all information received in response to this solicitation will be held as strictly confidential, except as otherwise noted.

C. Conflict of interest disclosure

Suppliers bidding on PATH business must disclose, to the procurement contact listed in the RFP, any actual or potential conflicts of interest.  Conflicts of interest could be present if; there is a personal relationship with a PATH staff member that constitutes a significant financial interest, board memberships, other employment, and ownership or rights in intellectual property that may be in conflict with the supplier’s obligations to PATH. Suppliers and PATH are protected when actual or perceived conflicts of interest are disclosed.  When necessary, PATH will create a management plan that provides mitigation of potential risks presented by the disclosed conflict of interest.

D. Communication

All communications regarding this solicitation shall be directed to appropriate parties at PATH indicated in Section VIII. A. Contacting third parties involved in the project, the review panel, or any other party may be considered a conflict of interest and could result in disqualification of the proposal.

E. Acceptance

Acceptance of a proposal does not imply acceptance of its terms and conditions. PATH reserves the option to negotiate on the final terms and conditions. We additionally reserve the right to negotiate the substance of the finalists’ proposals, as well as the option of accepting partial components of a proposal if appropriate.

F. Right to final negotiations

PATH reserves the option to negotiate on the final costs and final scope of work and reserves the option to limit or include third parties at PATH’s sole and full discretion in such negotiations.

G. Third-party limitations

PATH does not represent, warrant, or act as an agent for any third party as a result of this solicitation. This solicitation does not authorize any third party to bind or commit PATH in any way without our express written consent.

H. Proposal Validity 

Proposals submitted under this request shall be valid for 90 days from the date the proposal is due. The validity period shall be stated in the proposal submitted to PATH.