1. Introduction

Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) is a coalition formed in 2004 to bring together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at national and district levels to influence Government decisions on resource mobilization and utilization for equitable, gender-responsive, and sustainable development. Since 2004, CSOs under the umbrella of CSBAG have engaged Government in influencing the budget process to ensure that both the local and national budgets address the needs and aspirations of the poor and marginalized groups of people in Uganda.

2.0 Background
CSBAG is currently running Quick books desktop 2013 UK as the accounting software to manage income and expenses and keep track of the financial processes of the organisation. The software is purposely used by 6 users for accounting, payroll, tax filing, bank account tracking and reconciliation, expense management, budgeting, payment processing, and accounts receivable and accounts payable management.

However, it is physically accessed only from office which affects the organisation operations given the period of COVID-19 that requires work from home to observe the Standard operating procedures as per the Ministry of Health. Also, it would be convenient to allow users access the system from anywhere they will be for convenience and timely delivery of work.

It is against this background that CSBAG needs to upgrade the version of QuickBooks 2013 UK desktop to the Quick Books 2020 Pro UK version and also create a virtual Private Network to allow staff access the system virtually to ease the work modalities.

In line with the above, CSBAG is inviting proposals from reputable and qualified companies and individuals with a track record of success in accounting software and networking to;
a) Supply QuickBooks 2020 Pro UK version
b) Design a Virtual Private Network and install it for the organisation

2.1 Key parameters of systems
Upgrade CSBAG Finance system. This should have the following;
a) QuickBooks 2020 Pro UK version
b) Access Virtual Private Network
i. The organisation should be able to work online without interference
ii. The organization data should be protected with a secure encryption
iii. Data privacy should be highly considered

3.0 The specific Terms of Reference

The specific terms of reference for this assignment are:

a. Upgrade Quick Books Desktop 2013 UK to QuickBooks 2020 Pro UK version.
This should be able to;

i. Allow more than 5 Users at a single time working virtually
ii. Connect bank accounts to categorize expenses,
iii. Sort income and expenses into fully-customizable categories,
iv. Run improved reports, including profit & loss, expenses, and balance sheets,
v. Tracking of cash flow easily
vi. Work with many currencies.
vii. Manage controls with the users
viii. Export and import third party information
ix. Automatically backup data from the system
x. Migrate the current data in Quick books pro 2013 to Quick books pro 2020

b. Design and configure a Virtual Private Network for the organisation with the following;
i. Supply the hardware to use while setting up the Virtual Private Network which are two computers to act as a server and firewall computer respectively, Router, Switch and UPS to protect the network infrastructure power circuits
ii. Provide a one-time firewall license to provide data security for the organisation
c. After setting up the network infrastructure and QuickBooks 2020 Pro UK version, the service provider shall install the accounting software on the server and train staff how the Virtual Private Network and Quick Books work.
d. Security: The automated systems should meet functional and technical security requirements to avoid any data loss
e. Develop a user manual for the support staff and system administrators for system maintenance, and administration.
f. System Hand Over: The service provider after training CSBAG how to use the systems, upon approval and installing it at CSBAG premises. CSBAG shall be given full control over the system to manage its data

4.0 Support and Administration
The successful service provider shall provide Support, maintenance, and quality control for one year;

5.0 Required Skills and Experience
The developer should demonstrate and provide examples of previous experience in the performance of similar services as follows;
i. Be a reputable firm with at least 5 years of prior experience in designing Virtual Private Networks of such kind;
ii. Previous experience of working with different organizations on accounting software.
iii. The service provider and team have sufficient qualifications to perform the work

6.0 Timeline and Expected outputs
The assignment will be delivered in 30 days from the agreed-on start date but not later than 31st February 2022

7.0 Submission of proposals for the tasks
CSBAG is inviting Proposals as specified in this Terms of Reference. Interested individual software developers/companies are requested to submit Technical and financial proposals:
a) Only financial proposals quoted in UGX are permitted
b) The technical proposal should contain:
i. A proposal describing the previous work done in this area
ii. A portfolio of previous work of software development with similar functionalities developed previously;
iii. CVs of the lead developer and team expert in charge of this project to be included in the proposal
iv. Work plan and Time scheduling of delivering on the assignment

8.0 Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their application letter, updated CVs, technical and financial proposals, and references for similar work conducted previously, addressed to the Executive Director: Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), email: hr@csbag.org P.O. Box 660, Ntinda Kampala, Uganda, Plot 11 Vubyabirenge Close Ntinda-stretcher road by 5:00 pm 25th January 2022.