ROLE PLAY WORKSHOP FOR THE E-PROCUREMENT SYSTEM December 2, 2005

In order to promote the e-procurement software application and introduce it in more details to the employees of the Public Procurement Bureau, e-Gov IMPACT Project together with Infinite Solutions, developer of the software application, organized a Role Play Workshop on 2nd December 2005 in the premises of the project. Public Procurement Bureau employees and representatives of the EU funded project- Public Procurement Office had a chance to play the user roles in Open Call procedure for public procurement. Employees of the IMPACT Project and demonstartors from the developer Infinite Solutions were available during the role play to answer any questions regarding the system and help them see the purpose and benefits for the PPB from the wide use of the system.

Agenda for the Workshop

Presentation - General functionality of the e-PP system

Demonstration of the role of the System Administrator

Role-play - Open call procedure - part 1

Break

Role-play - Open call procedure - part 2

Reporting system

Q&A Session

A follow up meeting was organized with the participants to discuss the reactions from the workshop and possible steps forward, like new Contracting Authorities, awareness campaign for the vendors etc..

e-TAX SERVICES: PROTOTYPE DELIVERED November 4, 2005

First phase of the development of e-Tax Services software application for the Public Revenue Office was accomplished successfully - the prototype was presented on Friday, 4 November 2005. In less than two hours in the premises of the PRO the developer SEAVUS with assistance from their counterparts PRO IT Department, explained the features and specific benefits for each user. The employees of the PRO, future key users, followed the presentation with interest learning how the system will overtake great burden of their everyday work. General Director of the PRO was present as well as USAID and IMPACT Project representatives.

APPLY-ON-LINE SOURCE CODE DELIVERED October 28, 2005

The Apply-On-Line system was developed within the estimated time frame. Developer of the application, NextSense, delivered the CD with the source code on Friday, 28 October 2005. IMPACT then passed it on to the Civil Servant Agency.

A small celebration was held in the premises of IMPACT Project. Representatives of all three parties, stakeholders, USAID, NextSense and the Civil Servants Agency were present.

Committee for Information Technology of the Government of Republic of Macedonia, supported by UNDP and FOSIM, organized the iMACEDONIA 2005 Conference on September 28, 2005, in Skopje. The theme of the conference was "iMACEDONIA - FOR GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT, TOO", and it addressed issues crucial to Republic of Macedonia, such as how ICT can help to integrate Macedonia in EU and how to stay strongly focused on the main Macedonian and European strategy.

The Conference concept was based on Round Table. It had four sessions led by the appointed Chairman who also played the role of the moderator, and the keynote speaker introduced each theme. USAID e-Gov project Chief of Party, Mr. Jerker Torngren, chaired the panel session on how ICT benefits all citizens (equal opportunities, ICT skills and regional divides).

The conference was patronized by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski. USAID also had supported and took active participation in this conference.

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From September 19-21, 2005, HP-INTEREX held its 8th annual conference in Ohrid, in the premises of hotel Metropol. The purpose of this conference was to express the potential of ICT technologies used in domestic companies and institutions; and current news and trends by world leading ICT companies about latest products and future plans.

USAID e-Gov project Chief of Party, Mr. Jerker Torngren gave a presentation on Electronic Communication: A market in transition. This topic discussed if we now are entering an era where entirely new forces will lead to an even faster development.

Project's Deputy Chief of Party, Mr. Jovce Plastinovski delivered a speech on e-Tax Services - Using IT to improve efficiency. Current paper based tax filing system has proved to be bulky and not very efficient. This system will enable the PRO to concentrate on their real tasks which are better tax collection and improvement of the services for businesses and citizens.

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The USAID funded, Romanian Information Technology Initiative Project (RITI dot-Gov), in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, convened the E-Government Eastern European Conference on building local projects through public private partnerships on September 12-13th, 2005 in Sinaia, Romania.

USAID e-Gov project Chief of Party, Mr. Jerker Torngren, addressed the participants with a presentation on Challenges to introduce e-Government in developing countries.

USAID e-Gov project DCOP, Mr. Jovce Plastinovski gave a presentation on e-Tax Services - Using IT to improve efficiency. With e-Tax Services system the PRO will use IT to reach the tax payer. That will be an open platform to add more services in the future as the needs and the usage increases.

The conference aimed to educate public and private sector delegates from Romania and Eastern Europe on e-government concepts, best practices and implementation techniques.

APPLY-ON-LINE TENDER/ CONTRACT SIGNING August 12, 2005

The contract with the winner of the tender for development of software for on-line job application for the Civil Servant Agency, NextSense, was signed on 12 August 2005 in the premises of IMPACT Project. Representatives of both signing parties, USAID and the Civil Servants Agency were present.

E-PROCUREMENT TENDER/ CONTRACT SIGNING June 1, 2005

On June 1, at 02:00 pm at the premises of City of Skopje Impact signed a contract with Infinite Solutions/SEAVUS for the development of software for an e-Procurement application. The software is entirely financed by USAID. The system for electronic procurement will enable an effective platform for transparent public procurement process. Initially the application will be used by the City of Skopje and then replicated for other public institutions as well including other municipalities.

Photo 2: Impact Chief of Party, Mr. Jerker Torngren, the Mayor of Skopje, Mr. Trifun Kostovski, the USAID representative Mr. Steve Goneya, and Infinite/Seavus representative celebrating the signing of the contract for developing e-procurement application.