Objectives

The primary objective is to develop and deploy an Interactive Planning Atlas System Module that seamlessly integrates with ECSECC’s existing GIS platforms. The system aims to consolidate spatial, socio-economic, and research data into a unified, interactive platform to support evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and long-term provincial planning up to 2030.

Scope

The project encompasses the end-to-end design, development, testing, and deployment of a geospatial interactive module. Key deliverables include:

• Real-time data synchronization and interoperability with current GIS datasets.
• Development of visualization, analytical, query, reporting, scenario planning, and collaboration functionalities.
• Embedding of an AI-powered research database engine for academic and policy literature retrieval.
• Implementation of robust data governance, security protocols, and accessibility standards aligned with South African legislation.
• On-premises hosting by ECSECC, featuring scalable architecture that supports both cloud-native and legacy IT environments.
• Comprehensive documentation, user training, and structured knowledge transfer for ECSECC planners and staff.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must propose a solution meeting the following technical specifications:

• Visualization & Analytics: Multi-layer interactive maps, thematic filtering, buffering, heat maps, accessibility analysis, scenario simulation, and trend analysis.
• Search & Query: Location-based (ward, district, parcel) and attribute-based (zoning, land use) search capabilities.
• Reporting & Dashboards: Automated generation of maps, charts, downloadable reports, and embeddable dashboards compatible with Tableau, Power BI, and QlikView.
• AI Integration: Embedded Research AI engine enabling semantic search and prompt-based analysis of research literature.
• Data Interoperability & APIs: Support for RESTful, SOAP, XML/JSON APIs; compatibility with R, Python, SPSS, STATA; and standard geospatial formats (SHP, GeoJSON, KML, CSV, XLSX).
• Security & Compliance: Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), end-to-end encryption, automated backups, WCAG accessibility compliance, and alignment with the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) Act.
• Infrastructure: Independently deployable modules, transaction logging, encrypted data channels, and flexible deployment across hybrid environments.

Skills Requirements

Proposals must demonstrate multidisciplinary expertise across the following domains:

• Core Team: GIS/Remote Sensing Specialists, Full-Stack Developers, Database Administrators, UI/UX Designers, Urban/Regional Planning Experts, and a certified Project Manager.
• Geospatial Technologies: Proficiency in ArcGIS, QGIS, GeoServer, Mapbox, Leaflet, OpenLayers, and spatial databases (PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Spatialite).
• Web & Application Development: Modern frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), backend languages (Python/Django/Flask/FastAPI, Node.js), and OGC-compliant web services (WMS/WFS/WCS).
• Data Management: Expertise in relational/non-relational databases, data cleaning, metadata management, and international standards (ISO 19115, INSPIRE, OGC).
• Cloud & Infrastructure: Experience with AWS, Azure, GCP, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and secure, high-availability hosting.
• Domain & Analytical Skills: Understanding of SDGs, urban planning indicators, demographic overlays, statistical analysis, and transformation mapping.
• Project Delivery: Agile methodology, iterative user testing, comprehensive technical documentation, and capacity-building/training delivery.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Interactive Planning Atlas: A longitudinal geospatial intelligence platform that consolidates socio-economic, spatial, and research data into a single interactive view to guide provincial development planning, monitoring, and community engagement.
• Research AI Database Engine: An integrated artificial intelligence module that allows users to search academic/policy literature and generate analytical prompts directly within the atlas interface to accelerate insight generation.
• SDI Compliance: Adherence to the Spatial Data Infrastructure Act, ensuring alignment with national spatial policies, standardized data governance, and cross-departmental interoperability guidelines.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A public procurement evaluation model allocating 80 points for competitive pricing and 20 points for designated social goals (e.g., Historically Disadvantaged Individuals ownership, disability inclusion, and Eastern Cape operational presence).