Expression of Interest for Deployment of a Web and Mobile-Based Custom Weather System
1.0 Background
Introduction
Micro-Enterprises Support Program Trust (MESPT), has since the year 2002 developed a niche in supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing integrated business solutions for sustainable development. The Trust is a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Government of Kenya and the European Union who later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA).
About GEAP Program
GEAP program targets 40,000 smallholder farmers and is implemented in 12 counties namely, Kilifi, Kwale, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Siaya, Kisii, Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Makueni and Machakos.
The program will facilitate increased commercialization, decent employment, and green transformation through targeted interventions in seven selected agriculture value chains that include, Dairy, Export Vegetables, Mango, Avocado, Indigenous Poultry, Coconut, and Aquaculture.
Key work-streams include building the capacity of value chain stakeholders, increase productivity, facilitate market linkages and access to finance. MESPT will promote uptake of green technologies and services that will contribute to a greener economy as well as advocating for a regulatory environment in Kenya, promoting green transition in agriculture.
2.0 Purpose f the Assignment
In reference to work-streams of increased productivity and facilitating market linkages the program has sought to acquire a Custom Weather’s solutions to for agriculture provide critical weather and climate information, mitigation factors and farm input information that empower growers and producers to make confident and informed business decisions. Custom Weather’s services are customized to individual regions of interest anywhere in the world.
The project now invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in deploying a web and mobile-based Custom Solution as per the ToR described in this document.
3.0 Brief Description of the Work
The system should undertake the following:
a) Forecast Variables
The system should offer a comprehensive range of weather variables and derivatives specific to the agricultural industry with custom options available.
• Evapotranspiration
• Sunshine Hours (light sensitivity)
• Soil Moisture Upper 10cm-200cm
• Powdery Mildew Index
• Accumulated Rainfall Analysis
• Total Cloud Cover
• High Resolution Precipitation Forecasts
• Surface Temperature
b) Custom alerts
The system should offer a number of customized alerts to warn farmers of impending weather or when weather conditions are ripe for certain crop disease outbreaks.
• Excessive Rainfall Alerts
• Palmer Index
• High Wind Alerts
• Drought Index
• Powdery Mildew Index
• Pest and Disease Alerts (crop-specific)
• Prolonged Heat Alerts
c) Seasonal Climate Reports
• Detailed analysis of outlook for the upcoming 90 days.
• Delivered monthly or seasonally upon request via email, SMS, posted online through the web portal interface.
d) Daily and Weekly Weather Reports
• Options for Hourly, Daily, 7- or 15-Day Weather reports and forecasts for your specific growing location(s)
• Summary and review of previous weather
• Detailed discussion, forecast and analysis of anticipated conditions
• Delivered daily or weekly via email (as PDF), SMS or posted online via web portal interface.
e) GIS-based NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index)
• Provide for points, areas, and offers zonal stats by crop areas
• Other services include LIS (land information system) and satellite-derived precipitation
• LIS data is delivered at 15 km resolution and soil moisture is provided for different levels.
f) Custom models
• Precipitation forecasts
• Pest/disease modeling for potential outbreaks
• Historical Forecast Data includes historical hourly and/or daily forecast data from any date until present date. Data includes condition descriptions, high/low temperatures, wind speed and direction, humidity, comfort level, UV index, expected and probability of precipitation, and kilometers of visibility.
• Comprehensive database of daily and hourly climate information for all counties around Kenya
g) Soil analysis
• Provide an index of nutrient availability or supply in a given soil and preferred nutrient levels for soil deficiency correction
• Predict the probability of soil nutrient supplementation after analysis and fertilizer application for selected crops.
h) Market information and integration
• Provide farmers with appropriate suppliers of various green technologies related to climate adaptation and mitigation, farm inputs and prices with GPS location, contacts.
• Provide an option for suppliers’ registration and support of the hosting of the platform for sustainability
4.0 Timelines
The system should be deployed within a month after contract signing.
5.0 Technical Skills and Experience
• Expert knowledge of Agricultural system.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• A proven forecast model with a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to refine forecasts down to 100-meter resolution worldwide
• Knowledge of mapping farm estates.
6.0 Eligibility and Qualifications
A. Preliminary Evaluation Criteria (Mandatory Requirements)
MR1 Company Registration Certification/Certificate of Incorporation/CR12
MR2 Valid Tax Compliance Certificate
MR3 Project team and professional role/task for the four (4) key members of the team with a curriculum vitae demonstrating qualifications, expertise and experience. (Attach copy of certificates, testimonials and recommendations letters. Any bid submitted without attaching the certificates will be rejected at this stage and declared non – responsive)
a) Lead consultant/Project Manager
b) Systems Developer/Integrator
c) Any other role deemed necessary for the assignment.
NOTE: Failure to meet the above mentioned will lead to automatic disqualification, and the bidder will not be considered for evaluation in the subsequent stages.
B. Technical Evaluation Criteria
The Expression of Interest applications shall be evaluated using the following pass or fail criteria (Note: Failure to meet the requirements provided below will lead to automatic disqualification).
1. a) The firm has been in business/incorporated/registered for the last three (3) years
b) Expert knowledge of Agricultural system and a proven record of deployment and integration.
c) A proven forecast model with a high degree of accuracy
d) Ability to refine forecasts down to 100-meter resolution worldwide
e) Knowledge of mapping farm estates.
2. Competence and capacity of the key staff for the assignment with evidence provided (Attach CV’s and certificates for each person)
1. Lead consultant/Project Manager
(i) Bachelor’s degree on related field i.e., Agribusiness, ICT, Software development, etc.
(ii) Necessary certifications in project management (PMP, PRINCE2, etc.)
(iii)At least five (5) years’ experience in Project Management of a similar nature
(iv) Membership in the relevant professional associations.
4. System developers
(i) Bachelor’s degree on related field i.e., Software Engineering, Business, ICT, Software development, etc.
(ii) At least three (3) years’ experience in developing and deploying systems of similar nature
(iii) Experience in the deployment and integrating the proposed Custom weather software
(iv) Knowledge and experience of programming and scripting skills: (C & C++, JAVA, and PHP).
(v) Knowledge of Web technologies and Web development skills: Web CMS (Drupal, WordPress, Joomla) SOAP, XML, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.
(vi) Good Knowledge of operating systems: Windows & Linux.
(vii) Knowledge of Database Administration and management: MYSQL, MSSQL, Postgress, etc.
Submission Deadline: 4th November 2021 by 5:00 PM Kenyan Time
