Expert Support to the Implementation of SmartBots Lab and Botswana National Innovation Network

HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management is procuring expert support for the implementation of SmartBots Lab and the Botswana national innovation network (Phase 2), under the EU Support to Digital Transformation in Botswana project. SmartBots Lab is a challenge-driven innovation platform that helps move priority digital opportunities from concept and testing into validation, pilot preparation and adoption. Phase 2 also connects SmartBots Lab more deliberately to Botswana's wider innovation network, building on the federated national network foundation already established in earlier work rather than treating ecosystem coordination as a new activity. The concept was developed in Phase 1, and Phase 2 moves from design into practical implementation. The selected service provider acts as the international implementation partner and works in coordination with a separately contracted Botswana-based local consultant. The service covers operationalising SmartBots Lab and preparing a minimum viable operating toolkit, a lean AI awareness and opportunity-discovery component, a portfolio of sector innovation pilots including the facilitation of at least two pathfinder projects to pilot-ready stage, and innovation network functions: linking SmartBots Lab to the national innovation network, engaging ecosystem actors, supporting outreach and service awareness, and developing links to talent platforms and selected regional and international networks. The work also includes governance, inclusion, capacity transfer and handover, and overall management, quality assurance and reporting. It is delivered through a combination of remote support and in-country missions in Botswana, building on existing Phase 1 materials. The assignment runs from September 2026 to May 2027, a period of nine months. The total maximum budget is EUR 162,000, inclusive of all costs including travel and excluding VAT. The service provider proposes one named lead expert supported by a pool of named experts. A more detailed description of the procurement is provided in Annex 1 (TOR).Main features of the procedureThe procurement procedure is carried out as an open procedure. In an open procedure, all interested parties may review the Invitation to Tender and submit their tenders. The procurement procedure will progress in the following steps: 1. Opening of the tenders 2. Verifying the suitability of the tenderers. The tenderers that do not fulfill the suitability criteria, will be excluded from the tendering process. 3. Verifying that the tenders fulfill the requirements of the Invitation to Tender; the tenders that do not fulfill the requirements will be excluded from the tendering process. 4. If more than one (1) tender fulfill the requirements of the Invitation to Tender, the tenders will be compared based on the comparison criteria 5. Selecting the winning tender based on the comparison results 6. Contract award decision and notification. 7. Verifying the supporting documents and references about the suitability of the selected Service Provider 8. Concluding and signing the Contract with the selected Service Provider.