Conduct Market Analysis and Develop TOR to Propose Reforms to Improve DFS Accessibility — Digital Government Transformation for Jamaica

Jamaica FDGT/PG/CON/1.2- Conduct Market Analysis and Develop TOR to Propose Reforms to Improve DFS Accessibility 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 (DFS) 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. Digital Financial Services (DFS) refers to the broad range of financial products, applications, and services accessed and delivered through digital channels. Rather than relying on traditional brick-and-mortar bank branches, DFS leverages the internet, mobile networks, and digital devices to provide secure, convenient, and cost-effective financial solutions. The DFS ecosystem includes Government, Financial Entities, Businesses and Citizens. The World Bank Group (WBG) Report on Financial Inclusion in Jamaica (2026) reports 73% of adults have a financial account but only 50% reported making at last one digital payment. Improving Digital Financial Inclusion in Jamaica is expected to bring unbanked and underbanked into the formal economic system, lower operational costs for Banks and their Customers and increase efficiency and convenience with immediate, anywhere access to funds and to credit. The Consulting Services (“the Services”) The purpose of this consultancy is to firstly prepare a procurement-ready 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 to develop actionable institutional, policy, and regulatory reforms aimed at expanding DFS accessibility in Jamaica. And secondly, conduct a rapid DFS ecosystem diagnostic and market analysis identifying at least Five (5) potential firms with relevant experience. The market analysis is intended to inform procurement planning and market outreach and shall not limit eligibility in the subsequent procurement. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at www.gojep.gov.jm . The ICT Authority now invites eligible individual consultants (“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 consultant to carry out the services will be selected in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Regulations and based on the following criteria: Criteria Description Allocation of Scores University degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, Digital Financial Services, Development Finance, Information Systems, or another discipline directly relevant to the assignment. Evidenced by a Master’s degree or equivalent certification in a directly relevant discipline; (15 points) Evidenced by a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent certification in a directly relevant discipline; (8 points) Demonstrated experience in the fields of Financial Inclusion, Payment Systems, financial sector reform, competition policy, Digital Financial Services or Fintech Policy and Regulation. Evidenced by 4 or more years of relevant experience; (30 points) Evidenced by 2 - 3 years of relevant experience; (21 points) Evidenced by 1 year of relevant experience; (12 points) Demonstrated experience with policy, regulatory, institutional, or strategy review for government, regulators, development partners, or financial-sector institutions. Evidenced by 3 or more years of relevant experience; (25 points) Evidenced by 2 years of relevant experience; (18 points) Evidenced by 1 year of relevant experience; (10 points) Demonstrated experience preparing procurement-ready TORs, REOIs, scopes of work, budgets, implementation schedules, or market analyses for internationally financed or public-sector assignments. Evidenced by 3 or more successfully developed procurement ready documents in the last 10 years; (15 points) Evidenced by 2 successfully developed procurement ready documents in the last 10 years; (10 points) Evidenced by 1 successfully developed procurement ready document in the last 10 years; (6 points) Demonstrated stakeholder engagement, analytical writing, and communication experience relevant to rapid diagnostics and procurement scoping. Evidenced by 3 or more years of relevant experience; (15 points) Evidenced by 2 years of relevant experience; (10 points) Evidenced by 1 year of relevant experience; (6 points) The Consultant that adequately demonstrates their experience by attaining the highest score will be recommended for the engagement . 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 2026 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