125 Rwanda (RFP)

Q. Could you please clarify the scope of the “1000 locations” mentioned? (refer to Activity 1222.2). Specifically:

• Does “1000 locations” refer to the number of physical locations our consultants are expected to visit, or does it relate to an increase in the licensed capacity of existing equipment for data retrieval, expanding from current locations to a total of 1000?à
• If these 1000 locations now have the ability to use the software, can you provide details on the current data transmission methods employed at these locations (e.g., cellular data, satellite, etc.)?

R. 1000 locations means the number of hydrometric stations that can be accommodated by Aquarius. No physical field work is required.

Q. Regarding “optimizing UI” (refer to Activity 1222.4), could you please specify whether the optimization is intended for:

• The existing software application,
• Development of new mobile applications, or
• Both?

A. The deliverables 1222.4a and 4b mention developing environment, and system module for the USSD App. This means it is a new software (USSD App). The deployment will be in the RWB servers hosted in the National Data Centre (Kigali).

Q. Hydro-Database & Aquarius System:

• What are the current technical limitations or challenges with the existing Aquarius system that the planned upgrade and new hydro-database aim to address?
• Will the Aquarius system manufacturer be involved in providing direct technical support during the upgrade and migration, or will this be fully handled by the developer?
• Are there any licensing restrictions, firewall configurations, or access limitations that could impact installation or API integration with Aquarius?
• Will the upgraded Aquarius system and the new hydro-database operate in parallel for a transition period (as a fallback), or is a complete switchover expected immediately upon deployment?
• Are the real-time hydrological stations already integrated with Aquarius, or will integration with the new database also be required from the vendor side?

A. The current Aquarius is old (needs a new version) and cannot have more than 250 stations (locations).

Software license and support fees are to be paid by the Technical Expert (TE) consultant in accordance with the TOR, in which case Aquarius should offer support in the installation via tickets.

Note: Any company conversant with Aquarius should be aware of the support Aquarius offers once the licenses are paid, including restrictions.  

The server is based in the National Data Centre, you can either connect to it using the RWB local network, or access it using VPN (with RWB account). The existing should be migrated into the new Aquarius. Preferable endpoints of the Aquarius should not be changed because receive or feed other systems (Integration with other system).

A new server (in National Data center) will be created for the new Aquarius and the old one decommissioned after successful installation, migration and testing.

Q. USSD Application Development:

• Are there any existing field mapping services (e.g., codebase, UI references) that should be adapted into the new USSD application, or is this expected to be developed from scratch?
• Will any form of user authentication or tracking (e.g., phone number binding, role-based access control) be required as part of the USSD service?

A. No mapping services are needed in the USSD.

Phone number binding (phone number autodetected) could be needed, after discussion in the inception phase. The deployment will be in the RWB servers hosted in the National Data Centre (as explained for Aquarius above).

Q. Activity 1222.2 states that Deliverable 1222.2b “Acquired Aquarius license”. Whose budget will the Aquarius license cost expense be sourced from? The Technical Expert (TE) Consultant? Or, another entity?

A.  The Techical Expert (TE) consultant.

Q. Activity 1222.5 states that Deliverable 1222.5b “Citizen soil erosion control (SEC) monitoring App training” will be conducted in one of the five Rwanda country provinces. Do you have any idea which province the SEC training will take place in because it can affect the TE Consultant operational budget estimation. 

A. The training is expected to be online as per the budget constraint also considering that this is a very simple system. Nevertheless, a physical presence of TE in Rwanda may be needed to access the local network (otherwise the USSD may not be operational). The deployment will be in the RWB servers hosted in the National Data Centre (as explained for Aquarius above). The selection of participants will be done at inception phase with representatives of beneficiaries.

Q. Part 4 – CAA Budget Template is on a “protected sheet”. What is the password for making a change to an “unprotected sheet” in Excel so that the TE Consultant does not have to recreate the budget worksheets?

A. The budget is only to be locked in areas where there are formulas. As you populate the Team and Operational Costs of the budget, the summary sheet will automatically populate. If there is still an issue, the password is EDM-CAA.