Solicitation No. W91GXQ-05-R-0009 Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) Automation Posted: 15 Sep 05 Closing Date (Per Amendment 0002): 24 Oct 05/1700 Hours (5:00 pm) Baghdad Local Time The Joint Contracting Command – Iraq/Afghanistan has a requirement to select a System Integrator (Contractor) for the installation, implementation, and training of software and specification of hardware for the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) and the Depository (D). This RFP includes the selection or procurement of software but excludes the procurement of hardware, other than providing specifications for the purchase of hardware for Government approval, which the Government will either provide to the Contractor or have the Contractor procure as an option line item. The ISX is striving to re-establish its presence among Middle Eastern stock markets through the use of contemporary technology and superior service to brokers, listed companies, and investors alike. Specifically, the provisions of the present law include graduation from the current manual trading floor of the ISX to an automated trading system; de-centralization of the trading function; de-materialization of traded securities through the permanent assignment of stock certificates in a Depository; establishment of a share registry to coordinate with the depository to expedite the settlement of trades to conform with international “best-practices”; and implementation of software that facilitates a trading, settlement, clearing, and depository system (the System). The System should be able to handle both Arabic and Latin characters for input/output. The ISX's goal is to establish an orderly, liquid, and efficient stock market by expediting securities settlements through de-materialization; minimizing settlement risks through a delivery-versus-payment protocol; instilling public and investor confidence through transparent pricing; reducing operating expense burdens by accommodating high trading volumes, reducing the impact of fixed costs through automation, and eliminating much of the paperwork of the current manual system; connecting the ISX with the Iraq Securities Commission (ISC), the Depository, and the Central Bank via the Wide Area Network (supplied by the Offeror) thereby facilitating effective oversight; and de-centralizing brokerage operations away from the trading floor via the Wide Area Network. The Iraq Reconstruction and Management Office (IRMO) is engaged on behalf of the Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX). The essential components of the effort are: 1.) the delivery of a software package that meets all of the requirements set forth in this RFP of functionality for the ISX; 2..) the installation and implementation of electronic trading systems for the Iraq Stock Exchange; and 3.) an electronic Clearing, Settlement, and Depository system for a Depository facility. Another essential component of this RFP will be: 4.) training and related deliverables for all involved staff at the ISX, the Depository (D), and others designated. Computer hardware to support the operation of the trading systems of the ISX and the clearing, settlement, and depository functions of the D will either be provided by the Government or purchased from the Contractor as an option. This RFP establishes detailed business, operational, and technical requirements to be distributed to potential Contractors. The ISX seeks to automate the securities market life cycle from the trade through to the settlement. The Contractor selected under this RFP will be obligated to provide ten (10) essential services to the ISX: Identify and deliver software for the automation of the ISX that meets all of the required functionality and specifications noted in this RFP; Develop detailed specifications for the hardware to be used in automation that is best suited, both economically and technically, to the supplied software and deliver the hardware at the Government’s option; Build a Wide Area Network for the operations of the ISX and the D; Oversight and installation of a fully automated trading, clearing, and settlement system and the creation and installation of a depository system (all are to be referred to as the System); Follow-up refinement of the newly installed System including making necessary and desired modifications for present users’ needs and configuration requirements, and to eliminate programming errors and procedural inefficiencies; Utilizing the Wide Area Network provided by the Contractor, insure that the installation of the software and the hardware enable total connectivity with other key end-users including, but not limited to, the ISX, banks, the ISX Board of Governors (BOG), the Iraq Securities Commission (ISC), and other entities as identified; Utilizing the Wide Area Network provided by the Contractor, to insure that the installation of the software and the hardware enable confirmed trading transactions away from the ISX; Up-grading of the skill-base of current and incoming ISX training staff and all users to effectively operate the advanced Systems and to provide inter-active data feeds to the ISC and other outside parties critical to the governance of Iraq’s capital markets; Review and modify as necessary the operating manuals (develop operations & maintenance and training manuals) to be provided to all the users of this System insuring that comprehensive manuals are provided that meet a wide variety of user’s needs and; Provide a one month help desk for responsive and effective support for the required period after installation is complete; assisting the users with all issues that arise from the installed software. Any interested party with advance knowledge of this Request for Proposal or who participated in the development of the requirement will be declared non-responsive. Proposals will be evaluated using best value methods. Further details are available in the RFP. The RFP is available on http://www.rebuilding-iraq.net Interested parties may go to that web-site, click on "New Solicitations", then click on "PCO Solicitations", then click on the RFP title "Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX) Automation", then right-click on "W91GXQ-05-R-0009 RFP ISX AUTOMATION" (and the the RFP Amendments separately), select "Save Target As...", and then download the solicitation and save it. Questions may be directed to
[email protected] , 703-343-7673, or
[email protected] , 703-343-7678. Proposals should be submitted by e-mail in accordance with the solicitation and amendments to
[email protected] and
[email protected] not later than the closing date/time of 24 Oct 05/1700 Hours (5:00 pm) Baghdad Local Time.