Contracting with a consultancy firm for the provision of technical assistance to develop GAHAR's E-learning platform — Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) Egypt Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System Project Loan No.: IBRD-91320 Assignment Title: Contracting with a consultancy firm for the provision of technical assistance to develop GAHAR's E-learning platform Reference No: EG-MOF-545938-CS-QBS The Ministry of Finance has received a loan of $400M from the World Bank toward the cost of the Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include consultancy aimed for Contracting with a consultancy firm for the provision of technical assistance to develop GAHAR's E-learning platform The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. The “Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System Project” now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (company profile, brochures, experience in similar assignments, availability of appropriate skills and resources, ... etc.). The requested qualifications are: Experience: At least 10 years of proven corporate experience in designing, developing, and deploying high-traffic, secure e-learning platforms (LMS). Demonstrated experience in end-to-end instructional design for adult professional learners. An extensive portfolio of high-quality multimedia production (videos, animations, graphic design) for educational or corporate training purposes. Technical Capabilities: Expertise in modern web development frameworks, database management, and cloud hosting. Expertise in LMS standards (e.g., SCORM, xAPI) and e-commerce integration. Proposed Team: The consultant must propose a team of key experts with the following minimum qualifications: Project Manager: 8+ years experience managing complex IT and media projects. Lead Instructional Designer: 8+ years experience in designing e-learning curricula for professional audiences. Lead Developer / Tech Lead: 8+ years experience in full-stack development, specializing in LMS or large-scale web applications. Lead Media Producer: 8+ years experience in professional video and animation production. Note: Experience in medical or nursing education is not required. The consultant will be provided with all technical medical content Where a consortium is proposed, one lead firm shall assume overall contractual accountability and shall clearly demonstrate how the expertise required across both pillars will be integrated through a unified project-management and quality-assurance approach. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the QBS method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 10.00 am to 4.00 pm – Sunday to Thursday. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below by e-mail by 30th June, 2026 Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System Project. Attn: Yara Gamal – Procurement Specialist. Ministry of Finance. Cairo – Egypt. Tel: +2011141221444 E-mail: yara_gamal13@hotmail.com Term of Reference (TOR) GAHAR E – Learning Academy The Ministry of Finance has received a loan of $400M from the World Bank toward the cost of the Supporting Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include design and execution of a comprehensive GAHAR E- Learning Academy platform with Content Development: Develop the content for the e-learning materials in alignment with the identified learning objectives. for the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation –GAHAR through partnership with a reputable national organization. Background: The General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulation – GAHAR: GAHAR was established under Law No. 2 for the year 2018 pertaining to the Universal Health Insurance system. GAHAR is responsible of ensuring the quality of the healthcare services, and its continuous improvement; regulating the healthcare sector according to quality standards; accrediting the healthcare facilities according to these standards; and ensuring the sustainability of its implementation through regular monitoring., strongly rooted in its independence, which is stipulated by law. GAHAR is an independent authority Under the general and direct supervision of his Excellency, President of Egypt, Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi GAHAR is mandated with the regulations, accreditation, rigorous monitoring and oversight of the healthcare facilities. it aims at attaining the best standardized quality for health throughout all healthcare facilities; Hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and other healthcare facilities as defined in point 15 of article one in the law number two for year 2018. GAHAR's strategy has identified its mission in two main blocks: Excellence and Distinction, in pursuit to put Egypt on the edge of a new era for health care. GAHAR handbooks are the guiding tool for healthcare facilities and surveyors, on GAHAR’ standards for accreditation and requirements for registration. To ensure its conformity with the best international practices, GAHAR applies to attain accreditation for its standards from the International Society for Quality in Healthcare –ISQua’. Till now, GAHAR has issued the following accreditation ‘handbooks: GAHAR handbook for Hospitals standards. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Primary Health Care-PHC standards (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Clinical laboratories standards. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Physical therapy accreditation standards. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Ambulatory healthcare accreditation standards. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Radiology centers. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for Mental health. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for convalescent long – term healthcare and medical wellness accreditation standard. (ISQua Accredited). GAHAR handbook for National Guide for Medical Equipment for Hospital. GAHAR Mission: Commitment to ensuring the quality of healthcare services and its continuous improvement in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and affirming trust in its outcomes at national, regional, and international levels through issuance and development of internationally recognized national quality standards, supporting their implementation, accrediting healthcare facilities accordingly, and continuous monitoring; to achieve excellence and sustainability. GAHAR vision: To be a pioneering national authority, well-recognized regionally and internationally in ensuring the quality of healthcare services and its sustainability. GAHAR training center: In alignment with the General Authority for Healthcare Accreditation and Regulations (GAHAR) mission to promote a culture of quality, and in partnership with healthcare service providers in Egypt, GAHAR is committed to raising community awareness of patient safety, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare facilities, and preparing these facilities to implement healthcare quality standards to achieve accreditation and join the Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). To support these efforts, GAHAR has established a training center accredited by the Central Agency for Organization and Administration and the Egyptian Health Council. The center aims to empower professionals and facilities to: Raise community awareness of patient safety. Foster continuous improvement across health facilities. Prepare facilities to implement quality standards , achieve accreditation, and transition smoothly into the UHIS framework. GAHAR certification GAHAR EGYCAP (Egyptian Certified Accreditation Professional) A firstofitskind professional diploma accredited by the Egyptian Health Council and recognized national regionally All the Applicants have to a receive a diploma in one of universities that signed a protocol with GAHAR , this diploma include 8 modules cover all the standards , then they receive a complementary course in GAHAR about primary health care standards , finally they have to pass GAHAR – EGY CAP certificate exam organized by GAHAR The reflection of EGY – Cap on upgrading leaders’ skills in implementing GAHAR standards, patient-safety frameworks, and continuous quality improvement The graduates will be able to work as accreditation professionals which is a new profession in healthcare field, these graduates will help healthcare facilities in their journey for accreditation 2. Project Goal And Objectives 2.1. Overall Goal The overall goal of this assignment is to establish the "GAHAR E-Learning Academy," a high-quality, accessible, and sustainable digital education platform. The Academy will serve as the central hub for training healthcare professionals in Egypt on GAHAR's quality and accreditation standards, patient safety, and continuous improvement principles, supporting the national Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS). 2.2. Specific Objectives The specific objectives of this consultancy are to: Design and Deploy a secure, scalable, and user-friendly Learning Management System (LMS) that functions seamlessly on desktop and mobile devices. Digitize and Produce GAHAR’s technical content into engaging, high-quality e-learning modules (including videos, animations, interactive case studies, and assessments). Build Capacity within GAHAR to manage, update, and scale the E-Learning Academy independently. Establish a Platform that serves as a sustainable model for continuous professional development (CPD) for the Egyptian healthcare workforce. 3. Target Audience The primary target audiences for the E-Learning Academy include: Healthcare Professionals: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals seeking CPD and certification (e.g., GAHAR EGYCAP). Healthcare Administrators and Leaders: Facility managers and policymakers responsible for implementing quality improvement systems. GAHAR Surveyors: Trainee and current surveyors requiring standardized training on accreditation processes. Public Health Practitioners: Professionals aiming to enhance their competencies in healthcare management and quality. Regional and International Learners: Professionals from other countries interested in GAHAR's accredited standards. 5. Scope Of Work The consultant shall be responsible for all activities, personnel, and resources required to deliver the E-Learning Academy. The scope is divided into two main components. GAHAR's Role in Content: For all content-related tasks, GAHAR will act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) . GAHAR will provide all technical source materials, accreditation handbooks, case study information, and raw data. The consultant is responsible for transforming this technical information into engaging e-learning experiences. Component 1: E-Learning Platform Development The consultant shall design, develop, test, and deploy a robust and scalable Learning Management System (LMS) with the following functional requirements : LMS Core: A secure system for user registration, authentication, and profile management. GAHAR shall hold full ownership rights to the platform's source code, database, and all associated intellectual property upon delivery. The consultant must deliver the full, unencrypted source code and provide a perpetual, royalty-free license for any third-party components used. Standards and Interoperability: The LMS must be fully compliant with international e-learning standards, specifically SCORM 1.2/2004, xAPI (Tin Can), and AICC. This ensures that all content produced is portable and prevents vendor lock-in, allowing GAHAR to migrate content to other systems if needed in the future. Course Management: An admin panel for GAHAR staff to easily create, upload, update, and manage courses and learning paths. Responsive Design: A fully responsive UI/UX (in both Arabic and English) that provides an optimal experience on desktops, tablets, and mobile smart phones. Assessment Engine: Ability to create diverse assessments (quizzes, summative exams, case-based evaluations) with features like question banks, randomization, and automated grading. Progress Tracking: Dashboards for learners to track their progress and for administrators to monitor user engagement and completion rates. Certification: Automated generation and delivery of certificates (e.g., PDF format) upon successful completion of a course or learning path. Interactive Tools: Features to enhance engagement, such as discussion forums, live chat capabilities, and scheduled QandA sessions with experts. E-commerce Integration: Integration with secure national payment gateways (e.g., Fawry, Paymob) and bank APIs to manage course fees. Analytics and Reporting: A comprehensive analytics dashboard for GAHAR to track key metrics (e.g., enrollment, user activity, completion rates, assessment scores). Security and Data Protection: Full compliance with Egypt’s personal data protection law (Law No. 151 of 2020) and international data security standards. Infrastructure and Hosting Strategy: Initial Deployment: The Consultant shall provide and manage a secure, high-availability cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP, or a local Data Center) guaranteeing 99.9% uptime for the duration of the contract. The cost of this hosting must be clearly identified in the financial proposal. Portability and Migration: To ensure long-term sustainability and data sovereignty, the platform must be containerized and architected to be infrastructure-agnostic. The Consultant must demonstrate that the entire system (code, database, and assets) can be technically and legally migrated to GAHAR’s own data center or government cloud in the future without loss of functionality or significant re-engineering. Data Ownership: GAHAR retains full legal ownership of all data hosted on the platform. Component 2: E-Learning Content Production The consultant shall work with GAHAR SMEs to perform the instructional design and multimedia production for the curriculum. Instructional Design: Review GAHAR's technical source materials (handbooks, lectures, EGYCAP content). Develop detailed storyboards and scripts for all multimedia content, optimized for adult e-learning. Design the pedagogical structure for each course, including learning objectives, module flow, and assessment strategy. Multimedia Production: Produce all multimedia assets defined in the curriculum (see Section 6). This includes filming GAHAR experts, recording voice-overs, and designing all graphics and animations. Edit all assets into high-quality, web-optimized formats (e.g., SCORM-compliant packages). Course Assembly: Assemble all assets (videos, quizzes, readings) into cohesive course modules within the LMS. Conduct internal Quality Assurance (QA) on all modules for technical functionality, accessibility, and instructional clarity. 7. Component 2: E-Learning Content Production - Overview: Placeholder Curriculum: The consultant shall base their proposals on developing the following initial curriculum. The final list and topics will be confirmed during the project's inception phase. Modules: 8 modules covering all GAHAR standards. Media Assets (to be produced): 12 Educational Videos: Professionally filmed and edited videos of GAHAR experts explaining key concepts (approx. 10-15 minutes each). 6 Animation Videos: 2D/3D animated videos to explain complex processes or concepts (approx. 2-5 minutes each). 6 Graphic Videos: Motion-graphic videos (approx. 2-5 minutes each). Assessments: Formative quizzes for each module and a final summative exam. 8. Component 2: E-Learning Content Production – Structure details: 2.1-Multimedia Content Format Purpose Training Material Modules and media assets as per the GAHAR curriculum (provided by GAHAR) Instructor Videos GAHAR-accredited experts explaining key concepts Interactive Slideshows Accreditation checklists, patient safety modules Simulations/Case Studies Real-world quality improvement and safety scenarios, their material developed by GAHAR 2.2Assessment Tools Tool Type Description Formative Quizzes Embedded in each module, auto graded Summative Exams Required for certification, timed and randomized questions Assignments Uploaded through portal, reviewed by moderators or course leads 2.3. Text-Based Content Format Purpose Reading Packets GAHAR standards for hospitals, labs, primary care, etc. Discussion Prompts Encourage critical thinking and peer exchange 2.4- Engagement and Communication Tools Feature Functionality Discussion Forums Peer-to-peer and expert-to-peer interaction Chat with Experts Integrated secure live chat and scheduled QandA sessions Notifications and Emails System-generated reminders, announcements and deadlines via email/SMS 9. Platform technical specifications: 1-Web site development , Technical features ; Web & Mobile Architecture Frontend Frameworks: Modern JavaScript component-based architectures (e.g., React.js , Angular, or Vue.js). Mobile Application: Native (Swift/Kotlin) or high-performance Cross-platform framework (e.g., React Native , Flutter) ensuring 100% functionality on both iOS and Android devices. Styling & UI: Modern CSS frameworks and UI libraries (e.g., Tailwind CSS , Material-UI , or Bootstrap 5+). Backend & Database Server Framework: Scalable, high-performance server-side framework (e.g., Node.js with Express , Python Django, or .NET Core). Database Management: Primary (Relational): Robust SQL database for transactional data (e.g., PostgreSQL , MySQL, or SQL Server). Secondary (Unstructured): NoSQL database for logs, chats, and unstructured content (e.g., MongoDB ). Authentication & Security: Implementation of standard secure protocols including OAuth 2.0 and JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for secure, stateless user sessions. Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) Recommendation Engine: Implementation of ML libraries (e.g., TensorFlow.js , Scikit-learn) to provide personalized course recommendations based on user behavior. Natural Language Processing (NLP): Integration with LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI API , Azure OpenAI) to power language-based features. Note: Proposals using 3rd party APIs must clearly state ongoing subscription costs. Infrastructure & Hosting Responsibilities Consultant Responsibility: The Consultant shall be fully responsible for providing, configuring, and paying for the cloud hosting infrastructure (e.g., AWS [EC2, S3, RDS] , Google Cloud Platform , Azure , or a certified Data Center) for the entire duration of the contract. The financial proposal must explicitly include these hosting costs. Performance Requirements: The infrastructure must be scalable (using containerization tools like Docker and orchestration via Kubernetes ) and must guarantee 99.9% uptime . Future Handover: To ensure sustainability, the system must be designed to be infrastructure-agnostic. The Consultant must include a comprehensive "Handover Plan" to migrate the entire platform (code, database, and data) to GAHAR’s own servers or a government cloud at the end of the contract term. Payment Integration Payment Gateways: Secure integration with major national and international payment providers, specifically Fawry , Paymob , Apple Pay , and direct Bank API Integrations . Mobile App Advanced Features (Communication & Analytics) Communication Services: Integration with services like Twilio or Firebase for SMS notifications, OTPs, and real-time messaging. Analytics: Integration with Google Analytics (GA4) or Firebase Analytics for user tracking, with capability to export data to custom dashboards using Tableau or Power BI . AI-Powered Support (Chatbot) AI Chatbot: An intelligent chatbot capable of handling common user inquiries and automatically redirecting complex issues to the appropriate support team or resources. 10. Project Deliverables and Timeline The expected duration of the assignment shall be six (6.5) calendar months from the contract commencement date, equivalent to approximately 26 weeks. The implementation shall follow an accelerated approach, with platform development, instructional design and multimedia production undertaken through coordinated parallel workstreams. GAHAR shall provide one consolidated set of comments within five (5) working days of receiving each deliverable. The Consultant shall address the comments and resubmit the revised deliverable within a maximum of five (5) working days , unless the requested changes constitute a material change to the approved scope. Project Phase # Deliverable Main Contents and Acceptance Requirements Timeline from Contract Commencement Date (including GAHAR review and revision) Payment Phase 1: Inception and Requirements Validation D1 Inception Report and Detailed Implementation Plan Confirmed requirements and scope; implementation methodology; detailed work plan; governance arrangements; stakeholder map; RACI matrix; risk register; content inventory; multimedia production plan; dependency register; QA plan; and deliverable acceptance criteria. Execution: Weeks 1-2 Submission: End of Week 2 GAHAR review: Week 3 - five working days Revision and acceptance: Week 4 10% Phase 1: Solution and Content Design D2 Technical Design, UI/UX and Instructional Design Package System architecture; technology stack; database and integration design; security and data-protection plan; hosting, backup and migration strategy; bilingual web and mobile prototypes; instructional-design framework; module structure; assessment approach; and representative course blueprint. Execution: Weeks 2-5 Submission: End of Week 5 GAHAR review: Week 6 - five working days Revision and acceptance: Week 7 15% Phase 2: Alpha Development and Content Pre-production D3 Alpha Platform and Content-Production Package Functional alpha platform covering principal learner, trainer and administrator journeys; user and role management; initial course-management features; approved storyboards and scripts for the eight modules; draft assessment banks; and representative samples of the instructor-video, animation and motion-graphic formats. Execution: Weeks 5-10 Submission: End of Week 10 GAHAR review: Week 11 - five working days Revision and acceptance: Week 12 20% Phase 2: Full Development, Content Production and Pilot D4 Pilot-Ready Beta Platform, Draft Content and Pilot Report Pilot-ready web platform and mobile applications; administration portal; assessments; analytics; notifications; communication tools; payment integrations in sandbox mode; AI-enabled functionality; draft SCORM modules and multimedia content; internal QA; pilot testing with 20-30 users; defect log; pilot report; and corrective-action plan. Execution: Weeks 9-17 Submission: End of Week 17 GAHAR review: Week 18 - five working days Revision and acceptance: Week 19 25% Phase 3: Finalization and Production Launch D5 Final Multimedia Content and Production Platform Final approved content for all eight modules; 12 instructor videos; six animation videos; six motion-graphic videos; quizzes and final examination; fully tested production platform; completed integrations; analytics dashboard; backup and recovery arrangements; performance and security testing; mobile applications submitted to the relevant application stores; approved UAT results; and production launch. Execution: Weeks 18-22 Submission: End of Week 22 GAHAR review: Week 23 - five working days Revision and acceptance: Week 24 20% Phase 4: Stabilization, Training and Handover D6 Stabilization, Training, Handover and Final Report Post-launch monitoring; correction of stabilization defects; two-day training for GAHAR staff; source code and repositories; database and configuration files; deployment scripts; technical, administrator and user manuals; system credentials; hosting and licensing records; maintenance and migration guidance; final report; and formal handover certificate. Execution: Weeks 22-24 Submission: End of Week 24 GAHAR review: Week 25 - five working days Revision and final acceptance: Week 26 10% Total 100% 11. Gahar's Responsibilities GAHAR will provide the following to support the consultant: Designated Project Team: Appoint a Project Manager and technical focal points to liaise with the consultant. All Technical Content: Provide all source materials (handbooks, standards, EGYCAP content, case studies) required for content production. Access to SMEs: Ensure timely access to GAHAR's subject matter experts for content review, storyboarding sessions, and video filming. Timely Feedback: Provide consolidated feedback on all deliverables within five (5) working days of receipt. Final Quality Assurance: GAHAR will conduct the final review and approval (QA) of all content and platform features before public launch. Pilot Testers: Facilitate the recruitment of 20-30 pilot testers from the target audience. The testers would be volunteers of GAHAR surveyors, healthcare professional undergoing CPD and certification (e.g., GAHAR EGYCAP), and facility managers responsible for healthcare quality and no form of payment or allowances will be paid to them. The goal would be to test whether the target audience are able to use to use the learning platform efficiently and effectively without any bugs or issues, and to get their feedback on possible improvements needed. 12. Consultant Qualifications The consultant must demonstrate the following qualifications: Experience: At least 10 years of proven corporate experience in designing, developing, and deploying high-traffic, secure e-learning platforms (LMS). Demonstrated experience in end-to-end instructional design for adult professional learners. An extensive portfolio of high-quality multimedia production (videos, animations, graphic design) for educational or corporate training purposes. Technical Capabilities: Expertise in modern web development frameworks, database management, and cloud hosting. Expertise in LMS standards (e.g., SCORM, xAPI) and e-commerce integration. Proposed Team: The consultant must propose a team of key experts with the following minimum qualifications: Project Manager: 8+ years experience managing complex IT and media projects. Lead Instructional Designer: 8+ years experience in designing e-learning curricula for professional audiences. Lead Developer / Tech Lead: 8+ years experience in full-stack development, specializing in LMS or large-scale web applications. Lead Media Producer: 8+ years experience in professional video and animation production. Note: Experience in medical or nursing education is not required. The consultant will be provided with all technical medical content. 13. Evaluation Criteria The Technical Proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Criteria Max. Points 1. Consultant’s General Experience (30 points) 1.1. Experience in developing scalable e-learning platforms (LMS). 15 1.2. Experience in instructional design and multimedia content production for e-learning. 15 2. Technical Approach and Methodology (30 points) 2.1. Clarity and feasibility of the proposed approach for platform development (Component 1). 15 2.2. Quality of the proposed methodology for content production and instructional design (Component 2). 15 3. Qualifications of Key Personnel (40 points) 3.1. Project Manager 10 3.2. Lead Instructional Designer 10 3.3. Lead Developer / Tech Lead 10 3.4. Lead Media Producer 10 Total Technical Score 100 Notes: Technical Experience includes previous projects of similar nature and complexity, demonstrated capabilities, and references, years of experience not less than 8 years . Financial Offer will be evaluated based on cost-effectiveness and alignment with project budget. Team Structure refers to the composition, roles, and responsibilities of the proposed team. Qualifications involve the educational and professional background of key team members.