Feasibility Study on Government Digital Payment Services — Digital Government Transformation for Jamaica

Jamaica FDGT/PG/CON/1.4- Feasibility Study on Government Digital Payment Services Platform In advancing the national VISION 2030 Jamaica goals, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) recognizes that a prosperous Jamaican economy (Pillar 3) with empowered citizens (Pillar 1) requires a resilient, robust and efficient digital infrastructure, serving as the foundation for modern, digital government services. The build-out of a national digital service framework is essential to reposition government services around citizens’ needs - shifting from a model that requires citizens to come to government to one where government is digitally available anywhere, in a simplified, secured and accessible manner. In April 2024 the World Bank Group (WBG) conducted a Digital Economy Assessment (DEA) of Jamaica’s digital landscape. The purpose of the DEA was to identify gaps and make recommendations on policy, strategic and operational issues across Six (6) pillars; digital infrastructure, digital public platforms, digital financial services, digital businesses, digital skills and the trust environment. The findings revealed, among other things, the need to: Strengthen institutional capacity and accelerate the implementation of the data privacy/data protection framework; Improve the affordability of internet services by, inter alia , strengthening competition in the telecommunications market; Address certain barriers that currently impede the inclusive and productive adoption of digital technologies; and Continue the modernization of the digital financial services ecosystem. Considering the foregoing and following discussions with the WBG and other Government entities, it was proposed in July 2025 to develop a Foundation for Digital Government Transformation (FDGT) programme. To facilitate expediting the scoping and design of the FDGT, the WBG has provided a Grant to the GOJ, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). The Grant is administered by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority. This Consultancy is a preparatory assignment under the Grant and is limited to the following Services. The Consulting Services (“the Services”) The purpose of this consultancy is to: Provide the GOJ with an evidence-based feasibility assessment and procurement-ready package for a GDPS that can support Government-to-Person (G2P) and Person-to-Government (P2G) payments. The assignment shall assess business, institutional, legal/regulatory, technical, cybersecurity, data-protection, interoperability, inclusion, operational, financial, and procurement feasibility before recommending an implementation approach, Conduct a feasibility study for implementing a GDPS for G2P and P2G payments for the GOJ and its MDA, including the assessment of feasible delivery models, institutional roles, governance arrangements, integration needs, security and privacy controls, cost and sustainability implications, inclusion impacts, implementation risks, and procurement options, Prepare a vendor-neutral Terms of Reference (TOR), Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI), qualification and evaluation criteria, estimated budget, and high-level implementation schedule to facilitate the future contracting of a consulting firm or supplier to implement the recommended GDPS approach, subject to Government approval, and Conduct market analysis identifying at least Five (5) potential firms or providers with relevant digital payments, government payments, payment integration, cybersecurity, financial-sector, and GovTech experience, without limiting future competition to those firms. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at www.gojep.gov.jm . The ICT Authority 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. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.15, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Seventh Edition, September 2025 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. The best qualified firm to carry out the services will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualifications Based Selection (CQS) method set out in the Regulations and based on the following criteria: Criteria Description Allocation of Scores Demonstrated experience in reviewing, selecting or implementing digital payments, government payments, G2P/P2G payments services, public finance modernization, mobile wallets and interoperability / payment systems modernisation and/or Fast Payment Design or Implementation. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (25 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 - 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (18 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (10 points) Demonstrated experience conducting feasibility studies, options analyses, business cases, procurement strategy, or implementation roadmaps for digital payments, GovTech, financial-sector, or digital public infrastructure assignments. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (20 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 – 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (14 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (8 points) Demonstrated experience in preparing procurement-ready TORs with clear objectives, outputs, scope, deliverables, budgets, schedules and market analysis for internationally financed or public-sector projects/ assignments. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (20 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 – 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (14 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (8 points) Demonstrated capability in cybersecurity, fraud risk, data protection/privacy, identity/electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC), interoperability, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), settlement / reconciliation, business continuity, and operational controls for payment or financial systems. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (15 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 – 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (11 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (6 points) Relevant experience in Jamaica, the Caribbean or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) including familiarity with central banks, financial institutions and social sector agencies. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (10 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 – 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (7 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (4 points) Demonstrated experience engaging multiple stakeholders across the public and private sector. Evidenced by the successful completion of 4 or more relevant assignments in the last 10 years;(10 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 2 – 3 relevant assignments in the last 10 years; (7 points) Evidenced by the successful completion of 1 relevant assignment in the last 10 years; (4 points) The firm that adequately demonstrated their experience in the field of the assignment and attained the highest score will be invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals. Key Experts will not be evaluated at this stage. 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. The selected Consultant, including any firm or affiliate with which the Consultant is associated, shall not participate as a bidder or proposed key expert in the subsequent assignment for which the TOR/ REOI is prepared, unless the GOJ and the WBG determine in writing that no conflict of interest exists under the applicable procurement rules. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) must be uploaded to the Government of Jamaica Electronic Procurement Portal (www.gojep.gov.jm) on or before 08 July at 2:00pm . No email or hard copy submission will be accepted. To participate in this tender opportunity, consultants must first be registered and know how to use the electronic Procurement System, www.gojep.gov.jm. Please self- register on the GoJEP System, by selecting the Register as a Supplier link from the home page. Consultants are encouraged to upload their submissions at least two (2) hours prior to the deadline for submission. For assistance, and training please contact the GOJEP support desk at: 1-876-932-5704 or via email at opppcustomercare@mof.gov.jm. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Attn: Dellue Wint Dawkins ICT Authority 235B Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica E-mail: peuprocurement@icta.gov.jm Telephone: 876-927-1125