REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION)
Country: Republic of Uzbekistan
Project name: Institutional Capacity Building Project
Credit No.: IDA 6431-UZ
Assignment Title:
Consultant on assessing the possibility of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the system of the Treasury Service Committee
Reference No .: MEF-AI-TREASURY-CQS
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Institutional Capacity Building Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultant on assessing the possibility of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the system of the Treasury Service Committee ("Services") for the Treasury Service Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic Uzbekistan.
The objective of this assignment is to support the Treasury Service Committee to introduce advanced business solutions into business processes, in particular, artificial intelligence technologies by identifying areas where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be effectively implemented in current business processes of the organisation and developing a special roadmap and technical specifications (ToR) for the development of the "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product".
The Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan 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 by submitting directly to the [email protected].
The Qualification requirements for the Consultants are:
• The consultant must have experience in providing services in the fields of digital transformation, information technology, financial analysis, and artificial intelligence over the past 5 years;
• Have experience in implementing IT solutions into the treasury system, including budget execution and control, as well as treasury operations (such as contract registration, payment management, and payment control).
• Have experience in implementing digital transformation and automation projects for government agencies.
• Participation in the development or implementation of projects to introduce artificial intelligence technologies.
• Experience in the development of large-scale government information services and preparing the terms of reference for digital transformation and automation projects.
• Preference will be given to work experience in the CIS countries.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III of the World Bank’s "Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers" July 2016 ("Procurement Regulations"), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. Tashkent time.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form in English, Russian or Uzbek languages to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 30 may 2025.
Project Implementation Unit under the
Ministry of Economy and finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Attn: Sirojiddin Imanov, Manager of the Project
Uzbekistan, 100017, Tashkent city, 29, Istiklol St.
Tel: +998903311662
E-mail: [email protected]
As part of the EOI, the consultant should include the following information:
Consulting Firm Information
Date:
Country of Incorporation:
Consultant Name:
Acronym:
EOI Submission Authorized by:
Position
Associations (Joint Venture or Sub-consultancy)
Consultant
Acronym
Country of Incorporation
Joint Venture (JV) or Sub-consultant
EOI Submission Authorized By
Position
Present the rationale for and benefits of working in association (JV or Sub-consultant) with others rather than undertaking the assignment independently (as appropriate). Describe the proposed management and coordination approach of the association and the role of each firm .
Technical competence
Project References - highlight the technical qualifications of your entity/consortium in undertaking similar assignments. Provide details of past experiences working with similar project authorities
Geographical experience
Project References, present experiences in similar geographic areas.
Management Competence
Describe standard policies, procedures, and practices that your entity has to assure quality interaction with clients and outputs. Please state if your company is ISO certified.
How your firm/consortium handles complaints concerning the performance of experts or quality of the reports submitted for previous and future assignments? What internal controls are in place to address and resolve complaints.
How you ensure the quality of your firm’s/consortium’s performance over the life of assignments.
Projects references
Present relevant projects to demonstrate the firm’s technical qualifications and geographical experience (maximum 10 projects).
N
Project
Period
Client
Country
Firm
1
2
3
4
Summary for the Projects listed above
Project Title
Country / Region
Start Date
Completion Date
Continuous / Intermittent
Client
Funding Source
Description
(indicate your role and input in man-months)
Eligibility
We, the undersigned, certify to the best of our knowledge and belief:
We have read the advertisement, including the terms of reference (TOR), for this assignment (YES/NO)
Neither the consulting firm nor its JV member or sub-consultant or any of its experts prepared the TOR for this activity (YES/NO)
We confirm that the project references submitted as part of this EOI accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm/consortium. (YES/NO)
Ensuing assignment resulting from our work product under this assignment, our firm, JV member or sub-consultant, and the expert(s) will be disqualified from short-listing and participation in the assignment.
The lead entity and JV member or sub-consultant are NOT currently sanctioned by or other MDBs. Neither the consulting firm nor the JV member or sub-consultant has ever been convicted of an integrity-related offense or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
on assessing the possibility of implementing artificial intelligence technologies
in the system of the Treasury Service Committee
Introduction
The Ministry of Economy and Finance is implementing the "Institutional Capacity Building" project (Project) with the participation of the World Bank. The project aims to improve the capacity of public finance management, budgeting, development of the Public Investment Management (PIM) system, improvement of the Treasury system, improvement of accounting in the public sector, improvement of the state internal control and internal audit system, increase the capacity of relevant state enterprises engaged in corporate governance, privatization and reform of public-private partnerships of state enterprises, and provide technical assistance to state bodies and other state agencies with functions of regulating the economy.
The Treasury Service Committee under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan has developed this technical assignment within the framework of this project to strengthen its institutional capacity and assess the possibilities of implementing advanced business solutions into business processes, in particular, artificial intelligence technologies.
Problem Statement
The Treasury Service Committee currently faces a number of difficulties in managing financial operations efficienttly. These include:
i) High operational workload
The increasing scale and complexity of financial operations may impose a substantial administrative burden on Treasury staff, resulting in inefficiencies, delayed processing given limited number of staff in the organisation.
ii) Insufficient risk identification mechanisms
Existing systems provide limited functionality for early risk detection and early warning. This limits the Treasury's ability to prevent financial violations and prevent operational gaps in advance.
iii) Absence of the "green corridor" principle when making payments
The "Green Corridor" concept is designed to regulate low-risk transactions while maintaining control. It has not yet been included in the payment process. Its absence leads to excessive regulation of current payments, which hinders operational flow.
Objective of the Assignment
The objective of this assignment is to support the Treasury Service Committee to introduce advanced business solutions into business processes, in particular, artificial intelligence technologies by identifying areas where artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be effectively implemented in current business processes of the organisation and developing a special roadmap and technical specifications (ToR) for the development of the "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product".
Scope of Work
Within "Institutional Capacity Building" project (Project) with the participation of the World Bank, the Treasury Service Committee of Uzbekistan intends to hire an experienced Consultant or a group of consultants (consulting firm) (hereinafter the "Consultant") to review and evaluate the current business processes, assess the software infrastructure and develop technical instructions for the creation of an AI-based automated module or software solution in the Treasury Committee system.
Consultant will be selected to implement this terms of reference. Work on this component will be carried out in the following sequence:
Stage 1: The Beginning phase
№
Task
Implementation period *
Type of communication
Expected result
1.1.
Comprehensive analysis of the main business processes carried out by the Committee (management of financial resources, maintaining accounting records, making payments, risk assessment, registration of contracts in public procurement processes). Review of materials and reports prepared by the previous consultant on the business processes of Treasury.
5 days
video conference discussion or working visit
Brief business process analysis report for preparing AI based solutions.
1.2.
Analysis of the information technology (IT) infrastructure, databases, and software used by the Committee.
Identifying problem areas and automation opportunities in processes;
25 days
video conference discussion or working visit
Technical analysis of existing IT systems in the Committee, their integration, databases, data quality assessment, and their the level of preparedness for AI models. The report must also include proposals for updates necessary for the operation of AI models.
1.3.
Clearly identifying areas where artificial intelligence can be implemented in the Treasury operations and assessing the adequacy, structure, and quality of data for each area. This report should also describe the benefits/effectiveness, implementation risks and opportunities.
25 days
video conference discussion or working visit
Assessment report on the possibilities of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the Treasury system
55 business days
Expected results:
1. Preparation of brief business process analysis report for preparing AI based solutions;
2. Preparation of a report on Technical analysis of existing IT systems in the Committee, their integration, databases, data quality assessment, and their the level of preparedness for AI models. The report must also include suggestions and recommendations on improving IT systems and databases for the operation of AI models;
3. Assessment report on the possibilities of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the Treasury system;
Stage 2. Development of
"Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product"
and preparing Technical Instructions for it
№
Task
Implementation period*
Type of communication
Expected result
2.1.
Development of a conceptual design of an automated module or software solution based on artificial intelligence technologies.
Describing its user interface, functionality, data flow, and integration mechanisms;
30 days
video conference discussion or working visit
Develop a conceptual design of "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product" ( automated module or software solution based on artificial intelligence technologies) and prepare a Roadmap for the implementation tasks
2.2.
Development of technical requirements (tender documentation) necessary for the development and implementation of the "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product"
25 days
video conference discussion or working visit
Preparing Technical Instructions on "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product"
55 business days
Expected results:
1. Develop a conceptual design of "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product";
2. Draw up a roadmap for the next steps to start implementing the AI based solutions into Treasury operations;
3. Preparing Technical Instructions on "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product" (automated module or software solution based on artificial intelligence technologies).
Duration and time frame
The total duration of the project is 5 (five) months. Stage 1 will be implemented within 1-3 months, stage 2 will be implemented within 3-5 months.
Outputs
Stage 1 (The Beginning phase)
1. Result 1 (5% of the contract price): Preparation of brief business process analysis report for preparing AI based solutions;
2. Result 2 (20% of the contract price): Preparation of a report on Technical analysis of existing IT systems in the Committee, their integration, databases, data quality assessment, and their the level of preparedness for AI models. The report must also include suggestions and recommendations on improving IT systems and databases for the operation of AI models;
3. Result 3 (25% of the contract price): Assessment report on the possibilities of implementing artificial intelligence technologies in the Treasury system; Clearly identifying areas where artificial intelligence can be implemented in the Treasury operations;
Stage 2 (Development of "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product" and preparing Technical Instructions for it)
4. Result 4 (30% of the contract value): Develop a conceptual design of "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product" ( automated module or software solution based on artificial intelligence technologies) and prepare a Roadmap for the implementation tasks;
5. Result 5 (20% of the contract value): Preparing Technical Instructions on "Treasury Artificial Intelligence Product"
Preparation of reports
At the end of each stage, the Consultant must provide the Client with reports on the implementation of actions and tasks for each stage (respectively, initial, intermediate and final)
At the same time, all reports must be submitted in English and Russian.
Requirements for a consultant
The consultant must meet the following requirements:
• The consultant must have experience in providing services in the fields of digital transformation, information technology, financial analysis, and artificial intelligence over the past 5 years;
• Have experience in implementing IT solutions into the treasury system, including budget execution and control, as well as treasury operations (such as contract registration, payment management, and payment control).
• Have experience in implementing digital transformation and automation projects for government agencies.
• Participation in the development or implementation of projects to introduce artificial intelligence technologies.
• Experience in the development of large-scale government information services and preparing the terms of reference for digital transformation and automation projects.
• Preference will be given to work experience in the CIS countries.
The experience of the applying company/organization and their key employees
To implement the project, the consulting group (company) must provide the following team of specialists:
1) Business Process Analyst (Project Manager) - to have experience in the analysis and digitization of institutional processes and implementation projects of digital reforms in the field of public finance (projects in the last 5 years);
2) Artificial Intelligence Technology Specialist (AI/ML Expert) - an expert with practical experience in artificial intelligence projects;
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Mathematics, Statistics or similar fields;
- Experience in implementing artificial intelligence solutions in the public sector or financial systems;
Organizational issues
The consultant or group of consultants (company) is expected to operate mainly at the workplace (80%), but may occasionally organize work remotely (20%). The Treasury Service Committee provides the necessary office space, access to information, and organization of meetings
All expenses, including local and international taxes, are borne by the Consultant.