Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has initiated the process to hire an independent consultant to evaluate bids, contracts, and expenditures for Indus AI Week, scheduled from February 9 to February 15, 2026. The move is aimed at maintaining transparency and compliance in managing the high-profile event, which is being organised with support from affiliated bodies including Pakistan Software Export Board and Ignite R&D Fund. The selected consultant will be responsible for reviewing all technical and financial proposals submitted for key event services such as event management, media, communications, and other allied functions.
According to official documents, the consultancy will be chosen from a pool of prequalified firms. Its primary mandate is ensuring compliance with Requests for Proposals, confirming the completeness of bids, and identifying any deviations from stated requirements. Additionally, the consultant will provide an independent validation of quoted rates in financial proposals to ensure fairness and reasonableness. Following a thorough review, a detailed bid evaluation report will be prepared to support MoITT’s decision-making. The assignment is strictly compliance-focused and emphasizes adherence to established procurement standards.
The timeline for the assignment spans one month, though the estimated level of effort is two weeks. One week will be dedicated to evaluating bids and analyzing financial proposals, while the second week will focus on reviewing expenses after the event concludes. The post-event review includes validation of actual expenditures against approved Bills of Quantities and identifying any unusual or non-compliant items. This process is designed to ensure accountability and prevent discrepancies in event spending while reinforcing integrity in procurement processes.
Proposals for this consultancy will be assessed using a 60:40 technical-to-financial weighting, applying a single-stage, single-envelope procurement method. At least three major Requests for Proposals and their associated bids will undergo evaluation by the selected consultant. MoITT officials note that this approach is part of a broader effort to strengthen transparency and efficiency in the management of large-scale technology events in Pakistan. By engaging an independent party, MoITT aims to safeguard public resources and ensure that Indus AI Week sets a high standard for planning and execution of future digital and AI-focused initiatives in the country.
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