RFP for Development and implementation of Meter Reading App, Management Dashboard & NRW Monitoring Tool at CWASA

/english/about/dx/jicadx/dxlab/project/detail_7/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2024/04/08/visual_project7b.jpg

RFP for Development and implementation of Meter Reading App, Management Dashboard & NRW Monitoring Tool at CWASA

Summary

Details of Implementation

This Request for Proposal (RFP) signifies a collaborative initiative between JICA DXLab and the Chattogram Water and Sewerage Authority (CWASA), aiming to select a technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project. The primary objective of the PoC is to improve water management practices through digital and data-driven solutions. This includes designing and implementing a Meter Reading App, Management Dashboard, and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Monitoring Tool. The overarching goal is to digitize CWASA's operations, enhancing operational efficiency, billing accuracy, and customer service while minimizing non-revenue water via accurate monitoring and effective management. This project is pivotal, marking a transition from traditional water management practices to a more sophisticated, technology-driven approach, laying a foundational step for broader digital transformation and strategic data utilization, thus heralding a new way for efficient and sustainable water management for CWASA. 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 CWASA and JICA DXLab.

Timeline

The PoC is scheduled for six months, beginning tentatively in May 2024 and concluding in October 2024. This period encompasses the PoC design, development, testing, deployment and stabilization phases.

Status

Status

VIEW RFP & APPLY

Index

Project Context

In response to the urgent need for enhanced operational efficiency and field operations against the backdrop of Chattogram's rapid urbanization, JICA DXLab and CWASA are spearheading a digital initiative. This project aims to address critical water management challenges by adopting digital technologies, signifying a pivotal evolution in CWASA’s approach to service delivery. Established in 1963, CWASA has been committed to providing essential water supply and sewerage services to Chattogram, a city experiencing significant population growth and infrastructural pressures. With a vision to emerge as Bangladesh's most efficient Water and Sewerage Authority, CWASA, in collaboration with JICA DXLab, is embarking on this digital transformation journey.

Traditional methods, such as pen-and-paper-based meter reading, are no longer optimal in meeting the demands of the expanding cityscape and its inhabitants. Additionally, despite the substantial data generated by CWASA's existing Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure and assets, there is a notable gap in leveraging this information to improve operational efficiency. This underutilization of available data represents an opportunity for CWASA to optimize its services and operations, underscoring the need for a strategic approach to data management and analysis to unlock potential improvements and achieve higher performance and service delivery standards. These initiatives are designed to enhance operational efficiencies, ensure sustainable development, and improve customer satisfaction. The collaboration between JICA DXLab’ s technological expertise and CWASA's deep understanding of local water management challenges sets the foundation for a significant leap towards achieving operational excellence and sustainability in water resource management.

In alignment with these efforts, this RFP is being initiated for the PoC to identify a digital partner capable of complementing JICA DXLab’ s and CWASA’s initiatives introduce a suite of technological solutions aimed at optimizing water management operations.

Join us in this transformative journey to elevate CWASA’s digital infrastructure and operations to new heights of excellence and sustainability. Let's work together to make a lasting impact and empower CWASA to improve operational efficiency and sustainability with the power technology and collaboration.

Project members

Project Owner

AKM Fazlullah
Managing Director of CWASA

As the Managing Director of CWASA, overseeing the integration of digital solutions into our operations fills me with immense pride and gratitude, especially towards JICA for their unwavering support. This project is a significant step towards transforming water management in Chattogram and ensures that we meet our mission of providing efficient, sustainable services to our community. My role in the project will be to coordinate across departments, align project goals with the broader organizational objectives, and ensure a productive partnership with JICA DXLab and the selected digital partner. This project, at its core, is about more than just upgrading our technical capabilities. It is an opportunity to redefine what is possible in water supply and management, paving the way to a future where access to water is reliable, sustainable, and efficient. With the support of JICA, the expertise of the selected digital partner, and the dedication of the CWASA team, I am confident we will achieve remarkable improvements in our operations through this project. It’s a privilege to lead this pivotal project, and I am excited about the positive changes it will bring to our community and the environment.

AKM Fazlullah

Sponsor

Haruka Kasuya
Officer, Water Resources Team 1, Water Resources Group, Global Environment Department

JICA has been cooperating with CWASA by various projects related to water supply and sewerage management both financially and technically for more than 2 decades. CWASA has improved its service quality and expanded beneficiaries by continuous efforts.
JICA DXLab aims to enhance global development through digital transformation. It facilitates this collaboration with CWASA to leverage digital technologies to improve management efficiency and sustainability especially by installation of systems related to meter reading and Non-Revenue-Water management.
The lab's role includes providing strategic oversight, technological expertise, and financial support and ensuring that the project aligns with local needs and global best practices in digital innovation. This sponsorship is a testament to JICA DXLab's broader objectives of supporting sustainable development, improving public utilities management, and fostering innovation in partner countries.
We expect CWASA to be one of the best water and sewerage utilities in South Asia by accelerating digital transformation and improving effectiveness and sustainability of water supply and sewerage services.

Haruka Kasuya

PoC Implementation Requirements

Eligibility (excerpts)

  • Eligible participants must demonstrate financial stability, strong presence in Bangladesh or similar emerging markets and extensive experience in designing & developing digital solutions. They should have a proven track record of implementing complex projects, with expertise in software development, data management, and technological innovation, ensuring they can meet the project's technical and operational requirements.
  • The management of the Digital Partner must not include individuals with a history of corruption, arrest records, or affiliations with criminal organizations.
  • 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.

Primary scope of work

The selected digital partner will undertake the development and implementation of three core components:

  • Meter Reading App Development: The Meter Reading App will update CWASA’s traditional meter reading and billing process. The app aims to streamline operations, reduce billing errors, and significantly shorten the meter-to-cash cycle by incorporating features like real-time data capture & upload, geotagging for precise location verification, and instant billing capabilities. Enhanced by online payment options, it promises to improve operational efficiency and elevate customer service standards by offering a seamless, transparent billing and payment experience.
  • Management Dashboard Implementation: The Management Dashboard is a pivotal tool for CWASA, enabling real-time oversight of critical performance indicators in billing & collections. Aggregating data across various dimensions facilitates strategic decision-making and operational planning. This centralized platform empowers CWASA’s leadership to allocate resources efficiently, swiftly respond to emerging challenges, and proactively manage the billing & collections efforts.
  • Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Monitoring Tool: The Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Monitoring Tool is specifically designed to tackle the issue of water loss within CWASA's distribution network. It can identify potential water loss and unauthorized usage by integrating with existing SCADA systems and utilizing data analytics to enable targeted interventions. This tool is crucial for enhancing the financial sustainability of CWASA by minimizing non-revenue water and optimizing the use of water resources. Effective management through this tool is expected to contribute significantly to CWASA’s overall efficiency and sustainability efforts.

Submission Deadline

Electronic submission must be received at JICADXLab@bcg.com by the latest 11:00 AM Bangladesh Standard Time on April 29th 2024, 11:00 AM.

RFP

RFP also includes other information, including the project background, target location for PoC, and eligibility. Please visit RFP for details.

Required Technologies

There are three technical requirements which includes the development of the following digital solutions:

Meter Reading App

  • The MRA will digitize and streamline the entire meter-to-cash process, replacing the current manual and paper-based system.
  • It will facilitate real-time meter reading data capture, improve billing accuracy, and shorten the billing cycle to enhance revenue collection.
  • The app would also help in faster meter reading uploads, improved customer account management, geotagging for location verification, and support for on-the-spot billing with mobile printers.

Management Dashboard

  • The Management Dashboard aims to centralize data-driven decision-making and improve overall operational governance.
  • It will serve as a one-stop platform for CWASA's leadership team to monitor, analyze, and visualize key performance indicators in real time.
  • The dashboard will enhance strategic planning, enable efficient resource allocation, and provide actionable insights to respond swiftly to operational challenges.

NRW (Non-Revenue Water) Monitoring Tool

  • This tool is designed to systematically identify, monitor, and manage areas of water loss throughout CWASA's distribution network.
  • It will use data from SCADA systems and other sources to potentially localize leaks, unauthorized consumption, or inaccuracies in metering and billing.
  • The tool will support the analysis of water accounting, conduct water audit trails, and integrate geospatial analytics to visualize NRW across different sectors and DMAs.

Info Session

【Past Event】
We plan to tentatively host an information session for prospective bidders on April 16th, 2024, 2:00 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time / GMT+6). If you wish to participate, please contact us at JICADXLab@bcg.com.
Confirmation of participation by email is mandatory to attend the information session.

The pre-bid conference was held on April 16th 2024. Kindly access the presentation material, responses to the queries raised and Corrigendum to the RFP for further details:

Inquiries and Contact

We are happy to address any inquiries from Digital Partners via email. Please reach out to us at JICADXLab@bcg.com.

For those interested in co-creation with JICA DX

Other projects from JICA DXLab

Exploring Innovative Digital Pathways for Horticulture Market Linkage in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

This Request for Proposal (RFP) signifies a collaborative initiative between JICA DX Lab and the Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, aiming to select a technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project. The primary objective of the PoC is to validate the effectiveness of a digital/technology solution in elevating the income of farmers by offering market linkage solutions for vegetables and fruits...

Unlocking Digital Agri-advisory Solutions to Boost Productivity for Uttarakhand Horticulture Farmers

This Request for Proposal (RFP) signifies a collaborative initiative between JICA DX Lab and the Government of Uttarakhand, aiming to select a technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for a Proof of Concept (PoC) project. The primary objective of the PoC is to validate the effectiveness of a digital/technology solution in elevating farmers' income by enhancing the productivity of fruits and vegetables...