ToR for Developing a Menu-driven SMS Application

1. Background

Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is an Ethiopian Development Organization established in 2005 and reregistered at the Agency for Civil Society Organizations as Ethiopian Development Civil Society Organization with Certificate № 0321 under Proclamation № 1113/2019. ECDD is working with other organizations to promote and facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities and disability issues in mainstream service delivery and development programs, envisioning an Inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities exercise the same rights and have access to the same services and opportunities enjoyed by other citizens.

Currently, ECDD is implementing a project entitled “Ahead for Accessible, Inclusive, Equitable, and Affordable SRH and Essential Healthcare Services for Adolescents and Youth with Disabilities (AHEAD)” funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to address quality and accessible SRH services and information for adolescent youth with disabilities..

A key component of this project includes the implementation of the MINCH Multimedia Platform—a toll-free telephone service (6768) that provides disability-related information to persons with disabilities, their families, government and non-government organizations, and other stakeholders. The platform is accessible without the need for internet or a smart phone, thereby bridging critical information and knowledge gaps. Now the Platform is providing information for the Deaf community only by push and receiving the SMS message via phone. Therefore, ECDD needs to develop a robust, interactive, and multilingual SMS application.

This document outlines the objective, scope of work, technical specifications, and key deliverables required from the application development firm to successfully implement the application.

1. Objectives

General objective

The overall objective of this request for proposals is to seek out interested firms that can provide Menu-driven SMS application development and integration for the Menu-driven SMS text message systems’ hardware, software, and installation services. The desired application should be fully maintainable, can incorporate transit data via telephone accurately and promptly, and have robust procedures in place to recover from any hardware or software failures.

The primary objectives are:

1. To Deploy a “Pull-Based” SMS Service: Develop a menu-driven SMS application that allows ECDD users to access specific information on demand in Afan Oromo and Amharic languages.
2. To Automate Data Collection: Implement modules within the SMS application to systematically gather feedback on the MINCH Information Service and specific training programs.
3. To Enable Efficient Management: Create a secure web-based administrative portal for non-technical staff to easily manage SMS content, training programs, and user access.
4. To Provide Insights: Implement a reporting module to analyze system usage and survey data.
5. Scope of Work

The project is divided into two main components:

• Component 1: Interactive SMS Application Development and
• Component 2: Web-based Administration Portal

4. Eligibility: Required Capacity and Skills

The applicants must possess:

• Demonstrable experience (min. 10 years) in developing and deploying large-scale, interactive SMS applications.
• A strong profile of custom web application development, particularly systems with CMS and reporting features.
• Experience in developing multilingual applications, preferably with experience in Amharic and Afan Oromo languages.
• Must provide at least four (4) client references for similar projects completed.
• Valid and renewed license and VAT certificate.
• Commitment to deliver within the deadlines.