1. This request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in UN Development Business No AfDB175-686/06 of 16 September 2006.

2. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has received a grant from the African Development Bank (ADB) in various currencies equivalent to UA 20.00 million towards the cost of the Support to the Control of Communicable Diseases Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to eligible  payments under the contract for consultancy services “To assess the Status of Tele-Health and its Potential as a Surveillance and Information Sharing Tool for Communicable Diseases in the SADC Region”

The assignment is aimed at assessing the feasibility of establishing a tele-health system as a surveillance tool for communicable diseases including HIV and AIDS, Malaria and TB in the SADC region. This will involve assessment of the extent to which tele-health is currently being used as a surveillance and information sharing tool in SADC Member States; Explore the potential and feasibility of tele-health as a surveillance and information tool in the SADC region; Assess the state of telecommunications infrastructure in terms of its readiness to accommodate tele-health services; Identify the equipment currently available in MS that can be used for the establishment of a fully functional tele-health system for disease surveillance; Define specifications for proposed tele-health equipment; Propose how the tele-health system can be used as an early warning system for epidemic out breaks; Assess the human resource requirements for supporting a fully functional tele-health system in the SADC region; and Draw a costed list of the equipment required for the establishment of a fully functional tele-health system in the SADC region.

3. SADC now invites consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide a statement of capability and experience indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).

4. A short list of six firms will be compiled in accordance with the procedures set outin the African Development Bank’s Rules and Procedures for the Use of Consultants.

5. Written EOIs, in English, must be marked “Expression of Interest for the Southern African Development Community – Assessment of Status of Tele- Health for Communicable Diseases” and delivered to the address below by 12H00,Botswana Time (GMT +2) on Friday, 9th April 2010.                           

       Attention: Mr. Winter Chinamale
Procurement Expert - CD and ODL Projects
     SADC Secretariat - Directorate for SHD & SP
                    Room 125
       Plot No 116, Kgale Mews,
                Private Bag 0095
             Gaborone, Botswana
   Tel : +267 395 1863 Mobile : +267 73302159
                  Fax: +267 395 2848
       Email: wchinamale@sadc.int