REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

TAJIKISTAN DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS PROJECT

Grant No.: E3950-TJ, TF-C6744

Assignment Title: Development of Legal Acts related to the data infrastructure and telecommunications, cybersecurity, and data protection within the Framework of the Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project

Reference No.: TJ-PIC-EOP-542336-CS-QCBS

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) toward the cost of the Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include Development of Legal Acts related to the data infrastructure and telecommunications, cybersecurity, and data protection within the Framework of the Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project.

The Consultant will provide Development of Legal Acts related to the data infrastructure and telecommunications, cybersecurity, and data protection within the Framework of the Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project, including:

1. Draft the Digital Code, map legal gaps, define structure and codification approach, and align digital regulation with international practice.
2. Prepare the framework law on cybersecurity, including governance, incident response, critical infrastructure obligations, enforcement, and international cooperation.
3. Assess the telecommunications regulatory framework, benchmark it internationally, consult stakeholders, and prepare amendment packages plus implementation/change-management measures.
4. Develop the law on security and resilience of critical information infrastructure, including categorization, incident response, supervision, and security requirements.
5. Draft a comprehensive personal data protection law covering data subject rights, controller/processor obligations, oversight, transfers, and remedies
6. Draft the legal framework for protection of information, access regimes, participant obligations, institutional coordination, and protection measures.
7. Prepare the data center regulation, a sequenced reform roadmap for follow-on legislative work, and the TOR for phase-two legal drafting and local acts.
8. Provide legal and procedural support for inter-agency approvals, government submission, and adoption processing of the draft legal acts.
9. Conduct capacity building sessions and skill transfer workshops.

The total duration of the contract is 30 months.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hHA20XknzfEeAWaU_oKcnp_nCe7mcWbT/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=115133111040801685890&rtpof=true&sd=true 

The State Institution “Projects Implementation Center Fundamentals of Digitalization in Tajikistan” of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan 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.

The shortlisting criteria are:

• At least 5 years of experience in development of the legislation covering national-level Cybersecurity, Digital Code, Critical information infrastructure, personal data protection, protection of information, critical infrastructure frameworks, and legal regulatory in the telecom sector;
• Proven track record in similar assignments, including in the region;
• Knowledge of international standards related to this assignment and best practices;
• A multidisciplinary team with legal and technical experts  including in cybersecurity, institutional, stakeholder engagement expertise;
• Work experience with government institutions and development partners in Central Asia.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the QCBS (Quality and Cost-based Selection) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 17:00 hours.

Expressions of interest (including profile of the firm, experience, supporting documents for referenced contracts etc, primary legal documents, etc) must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by e-mail) by May 13, 2026 at 17:00 (+5 GMT)

State Institution “Projects Implementation Center Fundamentals of Digitalization in Tajikistan” of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan

Attn: Mr. Muhammad Asror, Director

Tel: (+992) 2234005

E-mail: md.asror73@gmail.com; cc: chief.procurement@dt.tj