ICT ACCREDITEDBUSINESS

GUIDEBOOK

ICTAB

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INTRODUCTION

ICTAB REQUIREMENTS

SUBMISSION OF ICTAB APPLICATION FORM TO THE ACCREDITATION OF ICT BUSINESSES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

APPROVAL PROCESS

CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY

ICTAB WORKFLOW DIAGRAM OF PROCESSES

FAQ’S ON ICTAB

DISCLAIMER NOTE

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

The Brunei IT (BIT) Council has endorsed to introduce a pre-qualification criterion for vendors to participate in Government ICT tenders. This is to ensure that Government ICT Projects are carried out successfully by competent ICT vendors. As such, The Authority for Info-communications Technology of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) has developed the ICT Accredited Business (ICTAB) initiative for ICT businesses to be accredited as a prerequisite before participating in any Government ICT tender projects. This is further classified into several classes based on the businesses’ local ownership structure, financial strength and manpower capabilities.

AITI also believes that the ICTAB initiative shall develop and sustain capable local ICT businesses, discourages ‘Ali Baba1’ trading businesses to participate in Government ICT projects and promotes the development of local talents.

ICTAB REQUIREMENTS

2.1 AITI Accredited Business Status (AAB Status)The first step prior to the award of ICTAB is for the businesses to gain the ‘AAB Status’ from AITI. Any local ICT businesses can get this Status without paying any registration fees as long as the general requirements and the terms and conditions of the Status are met. The general requirements are as follows:

i. Business’s principal activity must be ICT related;ii. Businesses must be registered under the laws of Brunei Darussalam;iii. Businesses must have at least 10% local skilled technical workforce excluding administrative personnel2;iv. Businesses must hold valid licenses to operate legally in Brunei Darussalam including licenses issued by AITI.

Businesses without the AAB Status who wishes to be classified under the ICTAB initiative may apply simultaneously. More details on the AAB Status application can be found at www.aiti.gov.bn/ID/IDP/AABStatus.html

2.2 ICTAB Classes RequirementsAfter being awarded the AAB Status from AITI, ICT Businesses who wish to participate inGovernment ICT tenders must apply and comply with ICTAB requirements based on theclasses. The ICTAB Class requirements are shown in the following table.

1. ‘Ali Baba’ trading businesses in this application manual is defined as businesses that are established ‘overnight’ with a foreign partner. These businesses typically have

no plans for local development and mostly has act as a sleeping partner.

2. ‘Local Skilled Technical Workforce’ in this report is defined as the Local and Permanent Residents (PR) business’ employees who have the basic IT skills in their

academic qualification or training certifications that can assist and contribute in completing the business’ ICT projects. Administrative personnel of the business will not

be accounted for in the overall calculation.

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SUBMISSION OF ICTAB APPLICATIONFORM TO THE ACCREDITATION OF ICTBUSINESSES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAMCOMMITTEE (AIBC)

03After meeting the ICTAB requirements on the table, ICT businesses can fill in the ICTABapplication form and attach the required documents for submission to AITI for AIBC toconsider for approval.

The AIBC is chaired by the Chief Executive of AITI and members of the Committeeinclude representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Communicationsand the E-Government National Centre (EGNC). Further to this, a processing fee of BND$50.00 is charged per application submitted.

The required documents are as follows:

For Sole Proprietorships or Partnerships: For Limited Companies:i. Last two (2) years Income Statementii. Last two (2) years Balance Sheetiii. Cash Flow Statement

i. Latest Audited Financial Accountsii. Latest Interim Financial Report

Businesses that are in operation for less than two (2) years are required to submit their latest income statement and balance sheet.

A designated team at AITI will review all the ICTAB applications in meeting all the requirements before submitting to AIBC. AIBC will then review these ICTAB applications and consider as well the following criteria:

a. Size of the business;b. Management structure;c. Track record; andd. Workforce capabilities.

Further to this, ICT businesses with CMMI certification3 will be considered as an added advantage during the evaluation stage. AIBC may also set up clarification meetings with the ICTAB applicants for further elucidation of the application if necessary.

3. Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is an effective process improvement certification. CMMI is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by

Carnegie Mellon University.

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APPROVAL PROCESS

4.1 Approved ICTAB applications

4.1.1 Approved ICTAB applicants will receive a formal letter from AITI once AITI receives the payment for registration fees;

4.2 Rejected ICTAB applicants

4.2.1 Rejected ICTAB applicants will be informed through an official letter from AITI

4.3 Re-application procedure

4.3.1 Rejected ICTAB applicants can consult relevant AITI officers and re-apply as a 1st time application;

4.3.2 If rejected again, applicants will need to wait for one (1) year after rejection to re-apply again for the 2nd time.

CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY

5.1 All successful ICTAB applicants must remain eligible as accordance to the ICTAB requirements throughout the ICTAB validity period. This includes:

5.1.1 At all times, the ICTAB business must continue to maintain its AITI Accredited Business (AAB) status;

5.1.2 The ICTAB business must continue to meet the minimum requirements within their designated class as accordance to the ICTAB classification;

5.1.3 The ICTAB business must forthwith furnish to AITI all necessary documents and accurate information as required in the application form from time to time within the validity period of the award;

5.2 The ICTAB business must not be blacklisted from participating in any ICT project tenders or quotations issued by the Government or any relevant parties in Brunei Darussalam throughout the ICTAB validity period.

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FAQ’S ON ICTAB

7.1 Why do we need ICTAB?

ICTAB allows ICT businesses in Brunei Darussalam to participate in Government ICT Tenders that are within their means in terms of financial and manpower capability. It is also envisioned that with this initiative, Government ICT Tenders shall be carried out successfully by qualified and competent vendors. ICTAB is further intended to help develop and sustain capable local ICT businesses and promote the development of local talents.

7.2 Who should apply ICTAB?

Any AAB Status recipients or ICT businesses who plan to participate in Government ICTTenders in Brunei Darussalam should apply for ICTAB.

7.3 What is the difference between AAB Status and ICTAB?

AAB Status is a recognition by AITI that the business is active and has a minimum level of technical, financial and commercial strength and basic competency. AAB Status was initially introduced to enable AITI to collect database of recognized ICT businesses which will serve as a reference point for Government Ministries and other local and international agencies with a list of active ICT businesses in Brunei Darussalam.

ICTAB is a classification of AAB Status businesses into several classes based on their local ownership structure, financial strength and manpower capabilities. The classes determine the range of project cost that can be participated in the Government ICT Tenders. Several consultations with Industry Players have been held in formulating boththe AAB Status and the ICTAB initiative.

7.4 Do we still need to get ICTAB when we already have AAB Status?

You still need to apply for ICTAB if you are interested to participate in Government ICTTenders or projects.

7.5 What are the benefits that we can gain from AAB Status and ICTAB?

With the AAB Status, you are given the opportunity to apply for AITI industry development initiatives including grants and subsidized training schemes. You are also given priority to be selected in various AITI industry development events such as business matching, industry dialogues and invitation to participate in local and international exhibitions.

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ICTAB offers the same privileges that AAB Status have. In addition, ICTAB allows you to participate in Government ICT Tenders and promotes the localization of ICT businesses.

7.6 Which Brunei Government Ministries and Departments areadopting ICTAB?

All Brunei Government Ministries and Departments will be using ICTAB as a requirementin their respective Government ICT Tenders with effect from 1st September 2011.

7.7 What sort of Government ICT tenders requires ICTAB?

All Government Tenders related to ICT will require ICTAB unless specified otherwise bythe Project Owner.

7.8 How do we apply for ICTAB and what are the fees?

The ICTAB Application Form can be downloaded from www.aiti.gov.bn. You must complete the form and attach the documents required. A processing fee of B$50.00 is charged upon submission. You are also required to pay registration fees with amount ranging from B$100.00 to B$1,500.00 depending on the class approved. The ICTAB obtained is valid for 2 years.

7.9 When do we pay ICTAB registration fees?

You are required to pay the registration fee within 7 working days from the date of letter of approval issued by AITI. Payment can be done either through cash or cheque addressed to “Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam”.

7.10 Can a new business with no AAB Status or proven track record apply for ICTAB?

A non-AAB Status business must apply for the AAB Status first before they could beconsidered as ICTAB holder. Application for both AAB Status and ICTAB can be made simultaneously, more details on the AAB Status can be found at http://www.aiti.gov.bn/ID/IDP/AABStatus.html

A new business with no proven track record may apply for ICTAB as long as ownership, financial and manpower requirements are met. Other than ensuring that application is satisfactorily completed, the Accreditation of ICT Businessesin Brunei Darussalam Committee (AIBC) looks at four (4) main criteria; namely the sizeof the business, management structure, track record and workforce capabilities. Thesecriteria are evaluated in totality and not individually.

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7.11 How does ICTAB affect the AAB Status Validity?

The period of validity for AAB Status will be extended in accordance to ICTAB’s validity. For example, Company X was awarded the AAB Status 10th April 2011. Since AAB Status has validity period of 2 years, it will expire 09th April 2013. Company X was then classified under ICTAB Class 3 on 5th September 2011 and expires on 4th September 2013. Companies X will then have both its AAB Status and ICTAB expires on 4th September 2013.

7.12 What should we do if our ICTAB is about to expire?

You should fill in a new application form for both ICTAB and AAB Status and submit to AITI at least one (1) month before the expiry date to ensure continuous participation in ICTAB and AAB Status as well as to avoid unnecessary delays and problems.

7.13 Why is the validity period of ICTAB given for only two (2) years?

This is to enable AITI to keep track of the businesses and ensure that they are still active in the industry. The list of ICTAB businesses shall be a point of reference for the Government of Brunei Darussalam and other relevant parties seeking for active local ICT businesses.

7.14 What are the consequences if we fail to renew our ICTAB?

Your ICTAB will become invalid and thereon terminated if you fail to renew after three (3) months from the expiry date. You are required to apply as a fresh newapplication again which may involve lengthy process to award.

7.15 When can we apply for a Class Upgrade?

You can apply for a class upgrade six (6) months after the award as long as you have met the ownership, financial and manpower requirements of the new class as well as the minimum requirement of the increase number of local skilled workforce for the respective class. New registration fees apply and the previous registration fee will not be refunded. The validity period for the business’ ICTAB will start from the approval of the new class application.

7.16 What happens if ICTAB Class 5 Company fails to meet the requirement for the increase in the number of local skilled workforceevery two (2) years after the award?

If the ICTAB Company cannot meet this specific requirement for Class 5, then the classification of the Company will be downgraded to Class 4 until such requirement is met.

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7.17 Under what circumstances will our ICTAB becomes invalid?

ICTAB becomes invalid and terminated if any of the following circumstances apply:

i. The Business fails to fully comply to the Terms & Conditions of holding the AAB Status .

ii. The Business fails to fully comply with the ICTAB Classes requirements.

iii. The Business fails to renew the ICTAB after three (3) months from its expiry date.

iv. The Business becomes bankrupt or insolvent or have a petition presented for its winding-up or a receiver is appointed in respect of the Business or any part thereof.

v. The Business gets prohibited from participating in the Brunei’s Government projects.

7.18 Can we re-apply for ICTAB if we are terminated as an ICTAB holder?

You can still re-apply for ICTAB by submitting a fresh new application.

7.19 Who should we contact to get more details about ICTABor/and AAB Status?

You can liaise with the ICT Industry Development Group in AITI for any further enquiries or email to itidgroup@aiti.gov.bn.

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DISCLAIMER NOTE

This document is only intended as a guide for parties interested in applying for theICTAB initiative. AITI reserves the right to update its policies and to amend this document from time to time without prior notice as deemed fit. All applicants shall at itsown expense comply with such amended, varied or revoked items accordingly. AITI isnot bound by the contents of this document in relation to the handling of the applicationsor the terms of the ICTAB initiative to be issued.

The contents of this document have no legal standing and are not intended as a substitute for legal advice. Applicants should seek advice from their own legal counselbefore submitting an application.

Nothing in this document shall be taken as discharging the applicants from its obligationsto obtain any other licenses, permits or approvals that may be required under any written law in force in Brunei Darussalam.

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The Authority for Info-communicationsTechnology Industry of Brunei DarussalamBlock B14 Simpang 32-5Kg. Anggerek Desa Jalan Berakas BB3713Brunei Darussalam

T: 232 3232 F: 238 2447 E: info@aiti.gov.bn www.aiti.gov.bn