Terms of Reference – Call for Tender
Programmer / Software Development Company

Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2004. It seeks to build a society that guarantees freedom of expression and belief, human rights, and justice. Our vision is a democratic world based on justice, freedom, equality, and respect for human rights and dignity. As part of its ongoing efforts to uncover the fate of missing persons in Syria and provide the most accurate information possible, SCM plans to develop a face recognition application. To this end, SCM seeks to contract a programmer or a software development company to develop an application that facilitates the processing of recognition requests and facial comparisons as follows: 

1)Technical Requirements

The application must be built using the latest web technologies to ensure high performance, security, and user-friendliness:

a) Development Environment

• Programming Language: Preferably Python or Node.js.
• Database: Preferably PostgreSQL or MongoDB.
• Cloud Storage: Google Cloud Storage (for image storage).
• Facial Recognition Algorithm: OpenCV + Dlib, AWS Rekognition, or Microsoft Face API.

b) Performance and Compatibility

• Support for all modern browsers.
• Responsive design compatible with mobile and tablet devices.
• Performance optimization using caching techniques.

c) Security and Data Protection

• Encrypt transmitted data using HTTPS and SSL/TLS.
• Implement role-based access control (RBAC).
• Compliance with GDPR security standards.

2) Application Requirements

a) Features

• Store high-resolution images in a database or cloud storage.
• Enhance stored images to improve comparison accuracy.
• Analyze stored images and generate a unique digital signature for each face to accelerate future matching processes.
• Enable search functionality with adjustable match accuracy thresholds.
• Mark previously matched images with a distinctive accuracy score and allow filtering in new searches to optimize performance.
• Support searching using a live image or an uploaded file.
• Maintain a searchable history of search operations, performance reports, and filtering capabilities.

b) User Dashboard

• Log in using email and password or two-factor authentication (2FA).
• User-friendly interface for managing data and uploading images.
• Export search results in multiple formats (PDF, CSV).

c) Integration with Other Systems

• Provide an API for integration with other systems when needed.
• Support integration with artificial intelligence services.

3) Required Experience and documents

Proof of work in similar projects that includes:

• Demonstrable experience of at least 3 years in developing and supporting similar projects using CMS or other web apps.
• Examples of previous projects demonstrating relevant expertise
• At least two references from previous work.
• Methodology: a brief summary (approximately 250 words) should be provided when submitting the quotations
• Explanation of the methodology of development, delivery, and maintenance
• Description of the provider’s approach and experience in developing similar apps.
• Financial offer including:

• The Financial compensation.
• The validity of the offer (duration- date).

4) Evaluation criteria

• The applicant’s experience (50%).
• The provided methodology (25%).
• Financial offer (25%).

5) Location of Work: Remote work is available.

6) Schedule of Payments: The payment will be an “all-inclusive” lump sum for the development, design, and launch of the face recognition application. The payments will be made based on the agreed-upon deliverables.

7) Tender procedure:

• Interested service providers must submit their offer, professional portfolio, methodology, and cost sheet by email to the email address in the table below, using the following reference in the subject line: “Programming of the Face Recognition Application”.
• Offers sent to a different email address or without the required documents will be dismissed. We encourage you to reach out with any questions for clarification before submitting your offer.
• Only the selected service provider will be notified.

Deadline for submission of tenders/offers	05. March 2025.
Email for submission of tenders/offers	[email protected]
For any questions or explanations:	[email protected]
Contract duration	Until complete execution of the obligations of the parties
Expected starting date of execution	10. March 2025.