This Request for Proposal (RFP) signifies a collaborative initiative between JICA DXLab and the Rajasthan Forest Department (RFD), aiming to select a technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project. The primary objective of the PoC is to develop a digital forest health monitoring system to track critical parameters pertaining to forest health and create a dashboard for RFD officials, both at the headquarters and at the division level. This includes mapping the required data sources, creation of the necessary APIs, enabling analytics on the data, building core business intelligence layers, and developing a visualization dashboard for the users. The maximum budget allocation for development of the PoC is set at USD 200,000, inclusive of all associated taxes and expenses; however, it is worth noting that this budget may be subject to adjustment based on the final PoC plan and related costs. The project is pivotal as it lays the foundation for the development of a comprehensive forest stack enabling multiple use cases and serving different users. Interim progress reports and a comprehensive final report shall encompass PoC results, activities, quantitative and qualitative evaluations based on predetermined KPIs, along with technical, operational, and strategic recommendations for RFD and JICA DXLab. Post completion of the PoC, the final product will be handed over to RFD, along with the necessary capacity building required.

Rajasthan is India's largest state by area, spanning about 342,239 square kilometers, which represents 10.41% of the nation's total land [1]. According to the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the forest cover of Rajasthan comprises 9.6% of the total geographical area of the state. Continuous losses of natural forest due to causes such as desertification or human-induced disturbances exerts significant pressure on the health of Rajasthan’s forests. RFD has initiated several strategic steps towards the protection and management of forest resources. The success and endurance of afforestation initiatives are heavily reliant on sustained management, continuous and robust monitoring practices, and the involvement of local communities in conservation activities.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been supporting the state of Rajasthan in its forestry initiatives and has financed 5 different ODA loan projects in the last 20+ years in the state, and is currently financing Rajasthan Climate Resilience Enhancement and Ecosystem Services Improvement Project (RCRESIP)’, which will be implemented across 31 districts in Rajasthan from 2024-2034. To further bolster the effectiveness of the RCRESIP and help RFD effectively monitor the health of its forests, JICA DXLab is planning to deploy a digital intervention via the PoC pilot, which will involve development of a digital forest health monitoring system in the form of an integrated GIS-MIS dashboard. By utilizing satellite imagery, remote sensing data, and existing MIS data, this system will provide actionable insights into the health of the forests in Rajasthan. This will enable tracking of multiple parameters on a more frequent basis through an integrated GIS-MIS dashboard and enable more effective monitoring of forest health. This will allow for better planning of interventions and informed decision-making.

In alignment with these efforts, this RFP is being initiated to identify the Digital Partner capable of complementing JICA DXLab’s and RFD’s initiatives and implement the PoC.

Join us in this transformative journey to elevate RFD’s digital forest monitoring infrastructure to new heights of excellence and sustainability. Let's work together to make a lasting impact and empower RFD to enhance its digital forest monitoring capabilities.

[1] Source: State Portal, Rajasthan Government

The selection process has defined eligibility criteria to ensure only qualified candidates proceed. This is followed by a technical evaluation, where eligible bidders present their proposals. Post-presentation, technical marks are awarded based on the assessment of the proposals. Subsequently, commercial bid opening occurs, determining the highest scorer based on combined technical and commercial evaluations. This structured approach ensures a transparent and merit-based selection of the most suitable bidder.

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We plan to tentatively host an information session for prospective bidders on June 05 2024, 11:00 (Indian Standard Time / GMT+5.5). If you wish to participate, please contact us at JICADXLab@bcg.com. Confirmation of participation by email is mandatory to attend the information session.