Service provider for the support and maintenance of its existing Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Information System
Overview
The Trust for Social Achievement (TSA) seeks a qualified service provider for the support and maintenance of its existing Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Information System. Originally developed to enable effective data collection, analysis, and reporting for the NFP program in Bulgaria, this information system is essential for monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring the fidelity of program implementation. TSA’s goal is to continue using this platform to facilitate its mission of improving maternal and child health outcomes in Bulgaria through targeted support for disadvantaged families.
Background of the NFP Program and information system
Тhe Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program, licensed from Prof. David Olds, is an evidence-based program focuses on improving pregnancy outcomes, early childhood health and development, and economic self-sufficiency for low-income, first-time mothers under 20 years of age. TSA has held the NFP license since 2015 and, following the adaptation and pilot phases, has been implementing the program successfully since 2016. The NFP Information System has been an essential tool, supporting TSA in managing program data, producing reports, and ensuring consistent program quality. TSA and local implementation teams rely on the system for structured data collection, reporting, and oversight of services delivered by registered nurses.
The current system was designed with four key functionalities:
- Data entry and validation;
- Report generation;
- Data export for evaluation.
This information system has proven instrumental in program delivery and evaluation and is central to TSA’s long-term goals, including potential program expansion.
Scope of services
The selected service provider will be responsible for the following services to ensure ongoing functionality, security, and adaptability of the NFP Information System:
- System maintenance: Routine maintenance to optimize the system’s performance, prevent downtime, and resolve technical issues as they arise;
- Security compliance: Regular security checks, updates, and improvements, including encryption management and data privacy compliance to align with TSA’s data protection policies;
- Error handling and debugging: A proactive approach to identify, log, and resolve errors within the system to support uninterrupted user access;
- User support and consultation: Provide ongoing support for system users, including troubleshooting assistance, issue tracking, and escalation processes to address technical difficulties encountered by TSA staff or local teams;
- Updates and feature improvements: Regular updates to ensure the platform’s compatibility with newer technologies or requirements as needed, including incremental feature enhancements that improve data accessibility, reporting, or workflow efficiency;
- System documentation and knowledge transfer: Maintain and update system documentation to reflect any modifications or enhancements, ensuring that TSA and its teams have current resources for system use.
Technical specifications of the system
The system is developed on the ASP.NET MVC 5 framework, hosted on Microsoft Azure, with a Microsoft SQL Server database. Communication between the application and the database is managed via Entity Framework ORM, and the front-end relies on Telerik Kendo UI and jQuery libraries. The platform architecture includes:
- Presentation Layer (PL): Manages user interaction, including input controls, and is built using HTML, JavaScript, and C#;
- Business Logic Layer (BLL): Implements core processes, data encryption, and business rules using C#;
- Data Access Layer (DAL): Provides access to the database through an abstract interface using a generic repository model;
- Cross-Cutting Components: Security and error-handling modules to protect personal information and log technical issues.
Data security and compliance requirements
The system collects and handles sensitive client data, necessitating privacy and security controls, including:
- Encryption of data at rest and in transit;
- Anonymization where applicable, as the system does not gather personal data (such as names, phone numbers, or emails);
- Compliance with data privacy regulations relevant to Bulgaria and TSA’s organizational policies.
User access and permissions
The platform includes role-based access control with distinct permissions for each of the following user roles:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Team Leader
- Clinical Leader
- Data Administrator
Each Family Nurse Practitioner is assigned a Team Leader, and each Team Leader is supervised by a Clinical Leader. Adjustments to user roles may be necessary based on evolving program needs.
Expected outcomes
The primary objectives of the ongoing support and maintenance contract include:
- Ensuring continuous and secure access to the NFP Information System for all authorized users;
- Sustaining compliance with TSA’s data security and privacy standards;
- Implementing minor improvements as needed to streamline processes and enhance reporting capabilities;
- Providing support for smooth operations and timely resolution of any technical issues encountered by users.
Post-deployment support and maintenance
The service provider is expected to:
- Provide a minimum two-year maintenance period, with the option for extension based on TSA’s needs;
- Offer monthly or on-demand updates as necessary to maintain system functionality and security.
Timeline and submission requirements
Responses to this ToR should outline the proposed approach to the scope of work, budget considerations, and a summary of relevant experience. The submission deadline is [date], with a decision to be made within two weeks following the deadline.
Budget and financial considerations
A provisional budget for this contract will be established based on competitive bidding. Respondents should provide cost estimates for a two-year maintenance and support period with provisions for additional work if required.