Request for Proposal (RFP)

to Develop Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform in Rajasthan

April 14, 2025

1 Background

1.1 Introduction

Rajasthan, India’s largest state by area at about 342,239 square kilometres, features
contrasting geographies—the Thar Desert in its western reaches and more fertile, hilly
terrain in the east. Although the state’s forest cover is roughly 9.6% of its total area,
these woodlands remain crucial in mitigating desertification, supporting biodiversity,
and contributing to local socio-economic stability.
To explore how digital technology could strengthen forest governance, Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) collaborated with the Rajasthan Forest
Department (RFD) to implement two use-cases—Forest Monitoring and Forest
project planning and carbon stock estimation—under the DigiVan system. Leveraging
GIS-based analytics (e.g., NDVI, canopy density, tree cover) alongside data from
siloed sources, the DigiVan system enables the Rajasthan Forest Department in better
planning and monitoring of on-ground initiatives driving efficiency and accountability.
DigiVan was formally launched by the Honorable Chief Minister of Rajasthan on the
occasion of International Day of Forests (21 March 2025), underscoring Rajasthan’s
commitment to data-driven forest governance.
Building on the technical and operational lessons from the two use-cases, RFD and
JICA are now embarking on the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform. Envisioned
as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), with potential for creation of Digital Public
Goods (DPG), this platform establishes a scalable, layered foundation for forestry
data collection, integration, and analysis. Within this architecture, a Master Data
Management (MDM) approach ensures consistent references—such as region codes
and species IDs—across numerous data sets (satellite imagery, departmental MIS,
ecological surveys). By consolidating these data sources and exposing them through
well-defined APIs, the platform streamlines collaboration among local authorities,
NGOs, researchers, and other stakeholders, ultimately offering a more unified and
interoperable way to manage Rajasthan’s Forest resources. Furthermore, this open
and extensible design will facilitate open innovation challenges, enabling
startups/researchers to develop new solutions for a broader ecosystem of forestry
and environmental use cases in the future.
The Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform aims to transcend Rajasthan’s boundaries
and demonstrate replicability in other regions facing similar ecological challenges.
Leveraging certain existing building blocks from the DigiVan’s deployment, the new
platform focuses on interoperable data-exchange layers, supported by robust
security and consent mechanisms that govern restricted data usage. This four-
layered architecture—spanning Interaction, Integration, Core API, and
Information Management—enables seamless disclaimers and role-based controls,
streamlined data ingestion with MDM references, advanced geospatial analytics
(e.g., NDVI, canopy density), and a plug-and-play ecosystem for partial open-source
expansions and future domain modules. By ensuring consistent references via MDM
and safeguarding data privacy with user disclaimers, the framework empowers local
authorities, researchers, and innovators to adopt or adapt these building blocks in
diverse settings. Ultimately, this initiative aspires to catalyze a new standard in forest
resource management—one that is data-driven, inclusive, and geared for
sustainable expansion well beyond Rajasthan’s borders.

1.2 Reusability of Existing Digivan Architecture and Scale up

The forest planning and forest monitoring PoCs in DigiVan—particularly those

leveraging NDVI-based analysis, canopy-density mapping, and site-suitability
recommendations—have shown how data-driven approaches can significantly enhance
forest governance. We will reuse DigiVan’s existing architecture—refer to Attachment
5 for a snapshot of its microservices layout and data flows. This includes reusing:
1. ETL & Data Pipelines: Airflow scripts already ingesting NASA/ISRO, local MIS, or
IMD data into DigiVan’s database, ensuring robust data capture.
2. Computation Snapshots: The platform’s database already stores outputs like
NDVI scores, canopy-density metrics, and preliminary site evaluations—meaning
new PoCs can immediately access these historical computations instead of starting
from scratch.
3. Geospatial & Partial Open-Source Scripts: Core scripts for NDVI or canopy
calculations, as well as site-suitability logic, are available for extension. This avoids
reinventing well-tested code and enables advanced features to be layered on top
of proven algorithms.
Building upon these successes, the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform aims to
amplify these benefits by:
1. Centralizing Data Sources Under MDM –
a. Rather than working in silos, the platform unifies satellite imagery,
remote-sensing indicators, and departmental MIS in a single
architecture.
b. Master Data Management ensures consistent references for species
IDs, region codes, and produce categories—enabling frictionless cross-
data analytics and expansions.
2. Partial Open-Source Scripts & Community Collaboration –
a. Key geospatial and AI tasks (e.g., NDVI, forest mask, canopy density)
are shared under permissive licenses, inviting external contributions and
refinements.
b. This open approach both accelerates innovation (hackathons, advanced
ML add-ons) and drives broad-based community engagement.
 3. Layered Architecture & Consent Mechanisms
a. A four-layer structure—Interaction (gateway, disclaimers), Integration
(ETL, MDM checks), Core API (domain logic), Information Management
(data governance)—ensures modularity and clear data flows.
b. Consent and policy enforcement are embedded throughout, safeguarding
sensitive data and building trust among data providers.
4. Advanced Geospatial Insights
a. By consolidating data in one consistent ecosystem, the platform paves
the way for multi-layer analytics—linking climate forecasts, NDVI time-
series, wildlife sightings, or carbon stock calculations to derive advanced
metrics and alerts (e.g., deforestation risk, flood susceptibility).
b. New or specialized microservices (carbon offset, biodiversity indexing,
eco-tourism planning) can plug in with minimal friction.
5. Scalability & DPI/DPG Potential
a. With offline-friendly containers, open data formats (JSON/GeoJSON),
and robust data governance, the platform strongly aligns with digital
public infrastructure (DPI) and digital public good (DPG) principles.
a. Its replicable design—both in architecture (microservices) and partial
open-source approach—lets other states or institutions adopt and adapt
these modules without reinventing core components.
In essence, the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform delivers a collaborative, secure,
and scalable solution that harnesses real-time data, community-driven enhancements,
and data governance best practices. This expanded scope ignites innovation—both
internally (e.g., RFD’s advanced workflows) and externally (startups, NGOs,
hackathon teams)—thereby reshaping forest governance for long-term sustainability
and replicability well beyond Rajasthan’s borders.

1.3 Announcing bodies

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), an implementing agency for

Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA), envisions a new model of
cooperation with developing countries, harnessing digital technology and innovation
to deliver high-impact interventions. To foster this transformation, JICA launched the
JICA DXLab, which partners with technology innovators (Digital Partners) to
modernize and streamline ODA projects for greater effectiveness.
Over the past two decades, JICA has supported the state of Rajasthan across multiple
forestry and climate-focused programs. Notably, JICA is currently financing the
Climate Resilience Enhancement and Ecosystem Services Enhancement Project
(CRESEP) in Rajasthan (2024–2034), spanning 31 districts. The project aims to
respond to climate change and enhance ecosystem services through afforestation,
forest conservation, biodiversity conservation and eco-restoration, livelihood
improvement activities and institutional strengthening of RFD, thereby contributing to
sustainable socio-economic development in Rajasthan.
Beyond these ongoing efforts, JICA has also facilitated digital innovations to promote
better forest governance. Under the DigiVan initiative, JICA—in close collaboration
with RFD—developed monitoring and planning solutions that leverage satellite
imagery, GIS-based analytics (NDVI, canopy density, tree cover calculations), and site
suitability assessment frameworks to optimize afforestation activities. Building on
these PoCs, JICA DXLab is now introducing the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform
to further streamline data sharing and accelerate digital transformation in Rajasthan’s
forestry sector.
Rajasthan Forest Department (RFD) serves as the chief agency overseeing forest
and wildlife resources across the state. It is responsible for designing and
implementing afforestation, forest conservation, and eco-restoration programs,
ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and protecting local biodiversity.
RFD’s work includes planning and monitoring, budget allocations, community
outreach, and capacity building for frontline staff.
Having collaborated with JICA on pivotal digital interventions—such as the DigiVan
portal—RFD recognizes the transformational potential of integrated data analytics,
geospatial technologies, and robust system architectures. By embracing the Forest
Stack Data Exchange Platform, RFD seeks to extend and unify these digital
capabilities, aiming for a scalable, open infrastructure that can support multifaceted
conservation goals and innovative use cases (e.g., advanced forest monitoring, eco-
tourism planning).
This upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) is jointly issued by JICA DXLab and RFD
to select a suitable technology solution provider (Digital Partner) for the Forest Stack
Data Exchange Platform. The platform’s initial rollout in Rajasthan will unify and
standardize forestry-related datasets, building on the lessons learned from DigiVan
and other PoCs.

2 Objectives of the Platform

2.1 Primary Objectives

1. Establish a Unified Data Ecosystem

a. Master Data Management (MDM): Adopt a centralized dictionary to
standardize region codes, species IDs, produce categories, etc. This
prevents naming collisions or mismatched references, ensuring each
incoming record (e.g., “Block-XYZ,” “Acacia sp.”) gets mapped to a
canonical ID.
 b. Layered Architecture: Implement four distinct layers (Interaction,
Integration, Core API, Information) so data ingestion, geospatial
analytics, user security, and final governance are cleanly separated.
This approach minimizes siloed systems and fosters robust data sharing.
c. Secure & Scalable: Containerized microservices ([Link], Python) can
run on-premises behind Rajasthan State IT firewalls, offline-friendly for
remote forest offices, with capacity to horizontally scale if usage or data
volumes grow.
2. Open, Interoperable Infrastructure
a. Standardized APIs: Provide well-defined REST (or GraphQL) endpoints
so external developers—startups, NGOs, academic teams—can easily
integrate the platform’s data (e.g., NDVI overlays, carbon offset
calculations, species references) into custom solutions.
b. Partial Open-Source Scripts: Release crucial geospatial/AI logic (like
NDVI, canopy density, forest masking) under permissive licenses (MIT,
Apache). Let the broader community propose improvements or new ML
approaches, fueling collaborative progress.
c. DPI/DPG Alignment: Rely on open data formats (JSON, GeoJSON),
container-based deployment, and consistent disclaimers for restricted
datasets. This exemplifies digital public infrastructure (DPI) standards
and can potentially qualify as a recognized digital public good (DPG).
3. Robust Governance & Consent Mechanisms
a. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Differentiate between Admin,
Developer, or external user privileges to protect sensitive or private data.
b. Consent Manager: For data sets flagged as restricted (e.g., endangered
species location, private hackathon data), disclaimers must be explicitly
accepted; usage logs track every acceptance and revocation for
compliance.
4. Full Audit & Security: Encryption at rest (AES-256), TLS 1.3 in transit, plus
real-time logging with ELK or Prom/Grafana. If consent is rescinded, the
platform can remove or anonymize relevant records to respect data
providers’ requests.
The functionalities listed above are indicative and may be expanded by up to
three additional features, depending on the use cases and solutions emerging
from the innovation challenge, as well as the requirements of RFD and the
availability of relevant data. The final set of functionalities to be implemented
will be clearly defined prior to the commencement of work. Additionally, the
APIs, datasets, and algorithms referenced in Attachment 2 are non-
exhaustive, and new resources may be introduced as needed to support the
innovation challenge.
2.2 Secondary Objectives

1. Catalyze Community-Driven Innovation

a. Hackathons & External Collaboration: By providing partial open-
source scripts, a developer portal, and sandbox testing, the platform
welcomes external teams to build new analytics (e.g., an AI-based
deforestation predictor, a tourism booking demand estimator) directly on
top of the standardized APIs.
b. Community Contributions: Encourage merges of improved NDVI or
canopy scripts, or entirely new ML pipelines that unify multiple tasks.
Admins can review and incorporate these back into the main codebase,
ensuring continuous improvement.
2. Support Complex & Evolving Use Cases
a. Plug-and-Play Modules: New domain services (wildlife conflict analysis,
carbon offset tracking, forest produce marketplaces) can seamlessly
integrate. They rely on the same MDM references (region codes, species
IDs) and benefit from existing data transformations and disclaimers.
b. Flexible Data Ingestion: The Integration Layer (Apache Airflow) easily
attaches new data connectors (NASA, local MIS, third-party APIs) or
hackathon feeds without disrupting existing code—enabling continuous
expansion beyond the initial four use cases.
3. Ensure Replicability & Long-Term Relevance
a. Offline-Friendly Deployment: Docker images pre-include all
dependencies, requiring no external fetch calls. This is crucial for remote
forest divisions lacking high-bandwidth connectivity.
b. Scalable Microservices: Each layer (Interaction, Integration, Core API,
Information) can scale out independently if usage spikes—ensuring
stable performance as data sets or user counts grow.
c. Potential for DPG Listing: By demonstrating transparent governance,
partial open-source licensing, open data formats, and a replicable
container approach, the platform can serve as a blueprint for other Indian
states or global regions looking to modernize forest data management.

3 Duration and Timelines (Tentative)

3.1 Project Duration & Contract

The initial duration of the contract will be till 30 th June 2025, beginning in May 2025.
Further, subject to the terms below, the initial term may be extended till 30 th September
2025. The total duration of the project will be 5 months, which includes 4 months of
primary development and 1 month of post-development hypercare/stabilization
support.
Note:
1. While the initial contract duration for developing the Forest Stack Data
Exchange Platform is 5 months, this timeline may be revised in the event of
unforeseen circumstances, subject to mutual agreement among JICA,
Rajasthan Forest Department (RFD), and the Digital Partner.
2. In the event of delays attributable to the Digital Partner, any additional costs
or time extensions incurred shall be borne by the Digital Partner.
3. If the solution achieves its desired objectives, JICA and RFD may explore
options to scale or expand the platform’s scope—encompassing broader
geographic regions, new data sources, or additional functionalities.
Important Disclaimer:
1. JICA will require the Digital Partner to enter into a contract with its
appointed consultant(s) until 30 June 2025 (“Initial Term”). Upon
successful completion of this Initial Term, the contract may further be
extended with existing consultant, or a new contract may be negotiated
with a new consultant appointed by JICA, subject to sole discretion of
JICA.
2. In the event that JICA appoints a new consultant from 1 July 2025 to 30
September 2025, there will be a need for the Digital Partner to enter into a
new contract with that consultant. The terms and conditions of any
extended or new contract will be negotiated and agreed upon at that time.
3. Digital Partner will cooperate in any such transition from one appointed
consultant to another. Any failure on part of Digital Partner (including but
not limited to failure to enter into a new contract) will be a material breach.

3.2 Selection timelines (tentative)

1. Opening of the RFP: April 14, 2025

2. Information session: April 16, 2025
3. Closing date of submission: April 21, 2025
4. Selection: April 21 – April 30, 2024
a. April 22 – 23: Screening and shortlisting of candidates
b. April 24 – April 28: Interview and deep-dive discussion with the shortlisted
candidates
c. April 29 - 30: Finalization of the Digital Partner
5. Award notice: By May 01, 2025
 6. Contract negotiations: May 02-03, 2025
7. LoI issue: May 07, 2025

4 Eligibility Criteria

1. Organization Capacity
Applicants will be screened based on the following eligibility criteria, and only
qualified applicants will move on to the shortlisting and evaluation based on
Section 12.
- The management members of the Digital Partner (and all management
members in case of consortium bidders) do not include individuals with a
history of corruption, arrest records, or affiliations with criminal
organizations.
- The bidders must have a minimum annual revenue of USD 0.5 Mn in the
past 2 fiscal years. For consortium bidders, the lead bidder must satisfy
this criterion.
- The bidders must have a minimum of 30 FTEs. For consortium bidders,
the lead member must have a minimum of 30 FTEs, while each
consortium member must have a minimum of 15 FTEs.
2. Data Exchange and API Infrastructure Expertise
- Demonstrable track record of designing and deploying robust data
exchange platforms, including the hosting of multiple datasets and
providing secure, scalable APIs.
- Experience with API gateway technologies, API catalogs, and developer-
friendly API documentation practices (e.g., OpenAPI/Swagger).
- Familiarity with admin dashboards, role-based access control (RBAC),
API key management, and usage-analytics dashboards (e.g., tracking
calls, errors, rate limits, or quota allocations).
3. Code Snippet Hosting and Developer Enablement
- Proven ability to create and maintain code snippet libraries or reference
implementations for user communities (e.g., Python, [Link]) in a
structured, version-controlled environment.
- Experience integrating or building portal features for developers (e.g.,
sandbox testing, code examples, how-to guides) to encourage adoption
and rapid innovation.
4. Security, Compliance, and Consent Management
- Strong background in secure software development, with controls for
data privacy, encryption, and user consent.
 - Expertise in OAuth 2.0 or similar frameworks for
authentication/authorization, along with built-in audit logging to comply
with government regulations.
5. Scalable Architectures and Offline Deployments
- Experience deploying containerized or microservices-based solutions at
scale, capable of handling large or complex data sets.
- Ability to package solutions for offline-friendly environments (bundling
dependencies, offering local data stores) to accommodate areas with
limited connectivity.
6. GIS/Remote Sensing (Preferred but Not Mandatory)
- While core expertise is data exchange, prior experience integrating GIS
functionalities (e.g., map overlays, geospatial queries) or satellite/remote
sensing data is beneficial.
- Familiarity with NDVI, canopy-density algorithms, or other geospatial
analytics will be considered a plus.
7. Proven Project Delivery & References
- Past performance in similar digital infrastructure or platform projects, with
references demonstrating successful implementation, user adoption, and
operational excellence.
- Case studies highlighting API governance, admin interface development,
or code snippet hosting are especially relevant.
8. Legal and Ethical Standing, past work experience
- The management or key personnel must not have a record of corruption,
arrests, or criminal affiliations.
- Must adhere to all relevant local and international laws, including data
protection and privacy regulations.
- Prior experience working with Central/State/Local governments in India
will be preferable, but not mandatory.

5 Location

The Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform will be for RFD and all the relevant data will
be housed on the servers of Rajasthan State Government. The Digital Partner is
expected to work closely with JICA appointed consultants as well as RFD officials and
co-locate with them as well as the Operator whenever necessary at their headquarters
in Jaipur, Rajasthan or at divisional headquarters.
6 Related Parties

6.1 Primary Users

1. Developers, Startups, Academia, and Think Tanks: These external

stakeholders will leverage the platform’s datasets, APIs, and reference code
to build, test, and deploy forestry-related solutions. They may also participate
in innovation challenges or hackathons, using the platform to prototype new
tools and services (e.g., AI-driven analytics, biodiversity tracking).
2. Rajasthan Forest Department (RFD): Although the platform is primarily
geared toward external innovation, RFD will be a key user for using the
Platform’s capability into their existing Forest Monitoring and Planning system.
3. Other Interested Institutions: Government departments, NGOs, local
community groups, or international research bodies may further benefit from
accessing open datasets and analytics for collaborative research, policy
development, or funding proposals related to forest conservation.

6.2 Operator

A consulting firm, appointed by or in coordination with the Japan International

Cooperation Agency (JICA), will act as the primary Operator of the Forest Stack
Data Exchange Platform. This Operator will serve as the key liaison among
RFD, JICA, and the Digital Partner selected through this RFP. Responsibilities
include:
1. Project Oversight: Managing timelines, feature development, and ensuring
alignment with the platform’s strategic objectives.
2. Stakeholder Coordination: Facilitating technical discussions, user
onboarding, and collaboration among the diverse parties who utilize or
contribute to the platform’s datasets and APIs.
3. Capacity Building: Organizing training sessions, workshops, and support
structures to help new developers, researchers, or RFD officials utilize the
platform effectively.

7 Scope of Work

7.1 Planning and Inception (2 weeks)

1. Kickoff & Requirement Alignment

a. Conduct a detailed kickoff with Rajasthan Forest Department (RFD),
JICA, and key stakeholders.
b. Finalize success metrics—immediate adoption for the initial use cases,
plus capacity for expansions (e.g., new datasets or hackathon solutions).
 c. Review existing systems (DigiVan, local MIS, NASA/ISRO data
ingestion) to confirm what’s being migrated or refactored.
2. Master Data & Consent Strategy
a. Determine how region codes, species IDs, or produce references will be
unified in the MDM tables.
b. Outline disclaimers for restricted datasets (e.g., private hackathon data,
sensitive wildlife info). Decide on the approach for Consent Manager
(plugin vs. microservice).
3. High-Level Architecture & Roadmap
c. Present the four-layer approach (Interaction, Integration, Core API,
Information) to the steering committee.
d. Identify partial open-source scripts that will be exposed (NDVI, canopy
density, forest mask).
e. Establish a timeline for each subsequent phase, clarifying sprint cycles,
milestone reviews, and potential hackathon events.
f. Please refer to Attachment 2 for a detailed view of the tech architecture.
4. MVP Features Alignment
Confirm the minimum feature set required by June 30 (Developer Portal
basics, MDM references, consent checks, partial open-source NDVI scripts,
etc.).

7.2 Platform design (2 weeks)

1. PRD and System & Data Flow Diagrams

a. Draft or refine interaction flows for user authentication (API
gateway + disclaimers), data ingestion (Airflow pipelines + MDM
checks), domain analytics (Core API microservices), and data
governance (Information layer).
b. Confirm how partial open-source code is stored (e.g., GitHub) and
how external merges are integrated.
c. Product Requirements Document (PRD)
Outlines core functionalities, user flows, disclaimers/consent logic,
and phased scope (MVP vs. post-MVP). Serves as a unified
roadmap for business teams, ensuring clarity on what needs to be
built and when.
2. MDM Schema & Data Dictionary
a. Finalize the structure of the MDM tables (region, species, produce,
or carbon references).
b. Finalize a custom Postgres-based approach.
 c. Plan out how unrecognized or conflicting entries are quarantined or
flagged for manual resolution.
3. Consent & Security Details
a. Consent Manager as a microservice within the Information layer
b. Clarify the disclaimers’ text for each restricted data set, define
revocation policies and data anonymization steps.
c. Outline encryption (AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.3 in transit), logging
(ELK/Prom+Grafana), and usage analytics.
4. Offline-Friendly Deployment
a. Create containerization strategy for each layer: Docker images with
no external fetch calls at runtime.
b. Evaluate resource requirements (CPU, memory) for geospatial or AI
processing (NDVI, canopy scripts).

7.3 Platform build, test and launch (3 months): This phase is divided into two
sub-phases:

• MVP Delivery (by June 30)

• Post-MVP Features Development and Production Deployment (through

the end of Month 3)

MVP Delivery (by June 30)

Core Features for MVP

• Developer Portal Basics

▪ Registration & Login: Simple sign-up flow, minimal admin
approval.
▪ Partial Open-Source Script Hosting: At least one
reference script (e.g., NDVI) on the UI.
▪ API Documentation: Basic endpoint listing with
disclaimers if needed.
• MDM & Core Data Ingestion
▪ At least 1–2 data pipelines (NASA, IMD, or local MIS)
ingested via Airflow (or equivalent), referencing
region/species codes in MDM.
▪ Quarantine unknown synonyms until admin merges them
into the official dictionary.
• Consent Enforcement
▪ A working disclaimer check for restricted data sets or
scripts. If disclaimers aren’t accepted, block or prompt
acceptance.
 • Offline Docker Packaging
▪ Each layer (Interaction, Integration, Core API, Information)
containerized, ensuring no external fetch calls at runtime.

Key Tasks for MVP

• Implementation of the Four-Layered Architecture (Minimal)

▪ Interaction Layer (API Gateway): Configure TLS/SSL
termination (Nginx/Kong), rate limits, disclaimers check
via Consent Manager.
▪ Integration Layer (ETL & MDM): Set up basic ingestion
for at least one or two data sets, unify region codes.
▪ Core API Layer: Provide minimal domain microservice
endpoints (NDVI calls, region lookups), referencing the
new data ingestion.
▪ Information Management: Store disclaimers and usage
logs, maintain the minimal MDM table.
• Comprehensive MVP Testing
▪ Unit & Integration Tests: Validate each microservice
and ingestion connector.
▪ Consent Checks: Attempt calls to restricted data or code
without disclaimers—should block access.
▪ Offline Deployment: Confirm Docker images run with no
external library fetch.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
▪ Pilot Feedback: Provide iterative builds to select RFD
staff or external testers, gather feedback on disclaimers,
partial open-source usage, minimal admin workflows.
▪ MDM Validation: Confirm new pipeline data references
recognized region/species codes. Quarantine logs for
unknown codes.

Milestone: By June 30, the platform’s minimal set of features—developer

onboarding, partial open-source snippet usage, disclaimers, and at least one data
pipeline—must be deployed on UAT server.

Post MVP Key Features (June - August)

• Extended Admin Portal

▪ Advanced Usage Analytics
o Build a dashboard showing real-time API call
volumes, error rates, top-endpoint hits, or
disclaimers accepted.
 o Provide a historical view of daily/weekly usage
trends, enabling better resource planning or
capacity upgrades.
▪ Robust Disclaimers Management
o Implement multi-step disclaimers for extremely
sensitive data sets (e.g., certain wildlife or forest
boundary related info) requiring multiple
acknowledgments.
o Version disclaimers so if terms change, users must
re-accept before accessing relevant data.
▪ Governance Dashboard
o Real-Time Rate Limits: Visualize how many calls
are currently allowed per user or API key, with
overrides for urgent use cases.
o Developer Registrations: Summaries of new
requests, pending approvals, or recently rejected
users, plus an audit log of admin decisions.
o API Key Usages: Track each key’s call volumes,
error rates, or disclaimers accepted, optionally
prompting rotation if a key is older than a set
threshold.
▪ RBAC Expansions
o Introduce granular role definitions (e.g., “Data
Curator,” “Analytics Admin,” “External Dev”) and
implement advanced permission checks (per-
endpoint or per-dataset).

• Data Integration & Ingestion Pipelines

▪ Additional Connectors to ingest data from Diverse
Sources (FMDSS, Rajdhaara, Government Agencies,
NGO Data, Research Institutes)
o Develop new or updated ETL jobs pulling from
diverse sources.
o Create an admin panel to schedule ingestion
frequency, configure transformations, and view
logs for each new pipeline.
Please refer to Attachment 2 for details on all resources,
datasets, APIs to be ingested into the system.
▪ MDM Unification
o Extend region-code synonyms or species
references, quarantining unknown codes to an
“admin approval” queue.
 o Possibly store versioned references in a “Master
Data Dictionary” for easy revert/merge if disputes
arise about naming or location codes.
▪ Caching & Offline Support
o For large or frequently accessed data sets (e.g.,
annual NDVI composites, soil layers), implement
local caching to reduce external calls or overhead.
o Provide minimal fallback modes if an external
source is down, enabling partial offline analytics or
queries without blocking users.

• Core API Layer (Geospatial & Business Logic)

▪ Advanced Scripts
o Incorporate additional reference scripts (e.g.,
canopy density, forest masks, carbon offset tasks)
with a version-controlled approach so users can
revert or upgrade script logic seamlessly.
o Optionally open-source certain scripts to invite
community enhancements—subject to disclaimers
for any restricted data.
▪ Data Fusion & Metrics
o Enable the platform to merge multiple data
sources (soil + NDVI + rainfall + demographics) for
advanced analytics. While the capability to merge
multiple data sources will be built and we can have
one sample fusion implemented, more such use
cases might come from the innovation challenge
requirements.
o Provide built-in metrics or endpoints that combine
multiple sets under the hood. Exact endpoints to
be built might also come from use cases which will
be getting solved as part of the innovation
challenge

• Information Management
▪ Consent Manager Expansions
o Support fine-grained disclaimers, letting data
owners specify which dataset requires which
disclaimers, with the system gating access
accordingly.
o Introduce multi-tier data sets (e.g., sensitive
wildlife location vs. general species references)
each requiring distinct user acceptance or roles.
▪ Enhanced RBAC & Audit Logging
 o Implement multi-layer logs capturing “who
accessed which endpoint with which disclaimers
accepted and from which IP.”
o Require advanced encryption at rest (AES-256) for
sensitive data sets, maintaining structured logs that
pass routine security compliance checks (e.g.,
periodic pentests).
▪ Security & Compliance
o Integrate consistent TLS 1.3 usage, ensuring logs
and metrics remain within the platform (no third-
party analytics calls).
o Potentially adopt event-based auditing to produce
immediate alerts if disclaimers are bypassed or
repeated denial-of-service events occur.

Post-MVP Key Tasks

• Security Audit of the Platform Build

• Coordination with DoIT for server procurement and
deployment on production
• Comprehensive Testing & Bug Fixing
▪ Performance & Security Tests
▪ Load/Stress testing.
• Feature UAT Releases & Feedback Loop
▪ Sprint-Based Rollouts: Gradually unlock advanced
domain features.
▪ Innovation challenge request incorporation for
APIs/Datasets
• Governance Mechanism & Reporting
▪ Steering Committee updates monthly, re-prioritizing tasks,
addressing challenges, ensuring alignment with RFD
objectives.
▪ Status Reports: Submit milestone achievements, key
performance metrics, bug backlogs, risk assessments.
• Final Release & Platform Handover
▪ Production Deployment: Confirm advanced containers run
offline, no external fetch.
▪ Knowledge Transfer: Provide final architecture docs,
DevPortal usage guides, disclaimers, partial open-source
merges.
▪ Launch Support: Monitor stability 2–4 weeks post-launch,
address anomalies promptly.
Outcome: By the end of the 4-months build phase, the platform transitions from a
minimal MVP (basic dev portal + disclaimers + partial open-source script usage) to a
fully featured, scalable environment enabling robust data ingestion, extended
geospatial logic, and advanced consent governance—ready for innovation
challenges, external developer collaborations, or further expansions aligned with
Rajasthan’s Forest governance needs.
Please refer to Attachment 3 for a detailed overview of the platform build
requirements.

7.4 Stabilization, handover and future roadmap (4 weeks):

• Post-Launch Stabilization

• Monitor platform performance, resolve any high-priority defects, and

optimize resource usage.
• Deploy patches or minor releases addressing security,
performance, or usability improvements.

• Handover & Documentation

• Provide comprehensive technical documentation, including code

repositories, API specs, environment configurations, and
deployment scripts (Terraform/Ansible).
• Conduct training sessions for RFD officials, JICA representatives,
and any designated custodian teams to ensure smooth ongoing
operations.
• Hand over admin privileges, usage analytics, and license keys as
per contractual arrangements.

• Innovation Challenge Enablement

• Ensure the platform is ready to host and support hackathons or

innovation challenges, with dedicated pages showcasing available
APIs, data sets, and code snippets.
• Develop guidelines for external users to request additional data or
specialized APIs, with a clearly defined approval workflow in the
Admin Portal.

• Scale-up & Future Roadmap

• Prepare a strategic roadmap to integrate new features (e.g.,

advanced analytics, machine learning models), expand to additional
geographies, or adapt the platform to new use cases such as
carbon credit facilitation.
 • Make recommendations on long-term governance, open-source
contributions, and potential alliances (e.g., other states, global
forestry projects).

The Digital Partner is expected to negotiate an annual maintenance contract

directly with Rajasthan Forest Department subsequently for ongoing maintenance
and security for the Data Exchange platform.

7.5 Technical specifications for Platform:

The following are indicative technical specifications for the Forest Stack Data
Exchange Platform, subject to modification post detailed discussions with Rajasthan
Forest Department (RFD), JICA, and the Operator. The objective is to establish a
secure, scalable, and extensible environment that can handle geospatial and
forestry data at scale, while offering offline deployment capabilities and robust API
services.

1. Front-End Development
• Technology: [Link] for building the Developer Portal and the
Admin Interface.
• Responsive & Accessible: The UI should adapt across
desktops, tablets, and smartphones, aligning with best practices
(e.g., WCAG guidelines where feasible).
• Documentation & Self-Service: Integrate interactive
documentation viewers (e.g., Swagger UI or Redoc) to help
users easily understand APIs and data endpoints.
2. Backend & Microservices
• Preferred Languages: [Link] (Express, NestJS) or Python
(FastAPI, Flask) for implementing business logic, data-handling
microservices, and geospatial computation services.
• Core API Layer: Expose forest health metrics (NDVI, canopy
density), site suitability analyses, data transformation endpoints,
and provide versioned APIs for advanced geospatial
calculations. Corresponding scripts to do the above calculations
will also be exposed on the platform. APIs to do the same will be
built according to the time at hand.
• Integration Layer: Python-based pipelines or third-party ETL
frameworks (e.g., Apache Camel, Airflow, or MuleSoft) to
ingest and normalize data from NASA, ISRO, IMD, DigiVan, and
RFD systems.
3. APIs & Data Exchange
 • API Standards: REST-based endpoints (JSON/HTTP), with
potential expansion to GraphQL for specific data querying use
cases.
• OpenAPI Specifications: All endpoints must be documented in
standard formats (e.g., OpenAPI/Swagger).
• Offline Support: Provide partial caching or local data stores to
accommodate low-connectivity environments (no external library
fetches at runtime).
4. Database & Storage
• Preferred DBMS: PostgreSQL (with PostGIS for geospatial
queries) or MongoDB, depending on the nature and volume of
geospatial data.
• Cloud/On-Prem Hosting: All datasets to reside on Rajasthan
State Government servers, ensuring compliance with local
data regulations.
• Archival & Backup: Implement scheduled backups and archival
strategies that suit large geospatial files (e.g., imagery, vector
data).
5. Security & Governance Requirements
• Authentication & Authorization: OAuth 2.0 / JWT-based token
management, integrated with role-based access control (RBAC)
for Developer and Admin roles.
• Consent Management: Built-in mechanisms to log user
consent, enforce privacy controls for sensitive datasets, and
ensure compliance with data usage terms.
• Encryption & Certificates: TLS 1.3 for data in transit; AES-256
for data at rest on applicable services.
• Audit Logging & Alerting: Real-time logging of API calls, user
activities, and admin changes; triggers for suspicious behaviour
or repeated login failures.
6. Server & Security Requirements
• Server Provisioning: Managed by the Rajasthan State IT
Department, with potential virtualization or container
orchestration (Kubernetes) for scalability.
• DMZ & Firewalls: API gateway to reside behind state-level
firewall, with a well-defined DMZ for inbound/outbound traffic.
• Local Policies & Certificates: Ensure compatibility with the
state’s existing SSO frameworks or identity providers; comply
with State Security guidelines for hosting any personal or
sensitive data.
7. Offline-Friendly Deployment
 • Pre-Packaged Containers: Docker images must bundle all
Node/Python dependencies to allow installation in restricted
network settings (no external npm/pip calls).
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, or similar scripts
for reproducible deployments that do not rely on internet access
for environment setup.
8. Open Data & Digital Public Goods Alignment
• Partially Open-Source: Certain layers (e.g., integration scripts)
can be open to community contributions, while sensitive security
layers remain private.
• Data & Code Licensing: All underlying BI and data-pipe logic
should be designed to meet the Digital Public Goods Alliance
eligibility requirements, encouraging broader replicability and
customization.
• Extensibility: Architecture should seamlessly integrate
additional open datasets or future expansions (e.g., new
geospatial calculations, advanced ML pipelines).
9. Compliance with Government Standards
• Local & National Regulations: The platform must adhere to
relevant data protection acts, environmental governance
policies, and any RFD/GoR guidelines on cloud or on-prem
deployments.
• Global Standards: Where applicable, align with recognized
global standards (e.g., ISO for security and data management)
to ensure robust and scalable design.
10. Business Intelligence & Reporting
• Integrated Dashboards: Admin Portal to display real-time
usage metrics, error rates, top APIs/datasets accessed;
developer usage dashboards for each user’s call volume and
success rates.
• API Analytics & Logging: Provide structured logs to a
monitoring stack (e.g., Prometheus + Grafana, ELK Stack) for
detailed insights into system performance, user behaviour, and
resource consumption.

8 Deliverables

Below listed are the key deliverables for the total duration of the project. However,
line items listed beyond point no. 3 may be subject to the renegotiated contract
terms, in the event such a new contract is put in place with a new consultant
appointed by JICA.
Sr. No. Deliverable Timeline
1 Inception report and Implementation plan T + 2 weeks
2 Detailed PRD further detailing the functionalities to build in T + 4 weeks
MVP (till June) and post MVP (June - August). [Details on
PRD contents mentioned in section 7.2]
3 Wireframes and source code for MVP build T + 6 weeks
4 Monthly development sprint update reports (in English) Monthly
with details about the features rolled out on the Forest
Stack Data Exchange Platform
5 Deployment of the final platform on RFD server (State Data T + 4 months
Center) and it fulfills the necessary security Audit done by
DoIT
6 Source code of the underlying digital solution to be handed T + 4 months
over by the Digital Partner to RFD post completion of the
development for their further use and scale-up, as deemed
necessary by RFD.
7 Source code of the underlying digital solution to be shared T + 4 months
by the Digital Partner to JICA through the Operator post
completion of the development for the purpose of
extending similar solutions to other entities.
8 Application and user training manual for key stakeholders T + 4 months
in RFD
9 Code handover documentation, PRD, test cases and T + 4 months
original design files
10 A copy of the source code to be deposited in a code T + 5 months
repository for further use
11 One final report (in English), including but not limited to: T + 5 months
• An outline of the result of the Data Exchange Platform
• Details of the Platform development activities
• Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the Data
Exchange Platform based on a set of predetermined KPIs
• Technical, operational, and strategic recommendations
to RFD and JICA; and a preliminary scaled deployment
strategy recommendations for more geographical
coverage and inclusion of more features and
functionalities.
• A handover document for future use, maintenance and
scale-up by RFD

Note: T is Platform Development commencement date.

9 Budget

The maximum budget for the services is USD 300K inclusive of all taxes and
expenses. Nevertheless, this amount remains subject to discussion based on the final
Development plan and associated costs. Please note that this is the upper limit for the
financial bid and the bidders are encouraged to submit competitive financial quotes.

10 IP and Other Considerations

• Upon successful completion of the development, the ownership and intellectual

property rights with regards to the final product will be transferred to RFD, who
will thereafter have the unrestricted right to amend, adapt, and utilize the final
product as required.
• JICA DXLab sees the critical importance of the replicability and customizability
of the final product to be created in the Data Exchange Platform and envisions
its development into an open-source resource that can be readily accessed and
utilized by relevant stakeholders. This initiative is directed towards fostering a
digital public good that can be extended to wider beneficiaries such as other
state governments, union government, and related stakeholders outside of
India as well. To facilitate such scalability, JICA DXLab reserves the right to
utilize the design principles and base source code of the final product and make
it available for the benefit of a broad array of relevant stakeholders.
• If any pre-existing solution is utilized by the Digital Partner for the Platform
development, the Digital Partner should be open to share the rights to use the
solution by JICA DXLab for development into an open-source resource, without
any additional costs.
• The implementation of the Platform, including handling of personal information
and other data obtained with necessary consent and approval for use during
the Platform development, shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable
local and international laws, rules, and guidelines, such as those issued by
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India or the
Rajasthan State Government from time to time.
• In case the Digital Partner’s solution requires data provided by RFD for
implementation, RFD will retain the ownership of data and grant the use of the
data for pre-agreed purposes. The Digital Partner shall be responsible for
obtaining the necessary permits or authorizations and they are strictly limited
to using the data for the pre-agreed purpose. Details of the terms will be
negotiated between RFD and the Digital Partner after partner selection.
• The utilization of collected data after the Platform development, comprising both
qualitative and quantitative metrics, will be contingent upon the discussions
between JICA, the State teams, and the Digital Partner.
• After the selection of the Digital Partner, JICA plans to publish the selection on
their website with the Digital Partner's consent. Additionally, JICA also aims to
 develop content to disseminate information about the ongoing project and its
impact, both during and after the development, and they would highly value the
collaboration and support of the Digital Partner in this endeavor.

11 Method of Submission

Electronic submission must be received at [Link]@[Link] by the latest

23:59 Indian Standard Time on April 21, 2025. The email subject needs to be "RFP-
Rajasthan Forest Stack-Data Exchange Platform", followed by your organization name
(for instance, RFP-Rajasthan Forest Stack-Data Exchange Platform-Name). The
submission shall consist of the two separate files, Overview of General Information
and Proposal Pitch Deck, both in the form of PDF. Note that all submission materials
need to be prepared in English.
The Digital Partners may make inquiries/information requests by email to
[Link]@[Link]. For any inquiry, the email subject must be changed to
“Inquiry- RFP-Rajasthan Forest Stack-Data Exchange Platform", followed by your
organization name (e.g., “Inquiry-RFP-Rajasthan Forest Stack-Data Exchange
Platform-Name). The deadline for receipt of inquiry is 23:59 Indian Standard Time
on April 15, 2024.

11.1 Overview of General Information (PDF format)

Provide all the information by filling out the form as per Attachment 1.

11.2 Proposal Document (PDF format)

Your organization’s description and business/technical qualifications should be

presented concisely in this order in a pitch deck format to include the following
information:
a) Organizational capacity
• An overview of relevant experience, highlighting experience in
developing platforms to host APIs, Datasets, Code and other
resources and implementing monitoring and analytics
dashboards to track platform usages.
• An overview of credentials and case studies, including any work
in the AFOLU sector, or with governments
b) Technical proposal
• Outline the project approach and methodology for the
development of the forest health monitoring system.
• A detailed implementation plan, including the timeline and the
resources required for the project.
c) Implementing team structure
 • A detailed breakdown of roles and responsibilities of the project
team, including a project manager, engineers, software
developers, and any other relevant personnel.
• The proposal should also describe the qualifications and
experience of each team member, highlighting their relevant
experience and expertise in developing and implementing
technology-based solutions.
d) Financial proposal
• Provide the total expected cost (after tax) and a detailed
breakdown of the costs associated with the project.
e) Any other details relevant to achieving the objective of this
Platform.
Please restrict the proposal document to not more than 30 pages/slides (including
annexures).

12 Evaluation Criteria

12.1 Initial shortlisting

The selection of Digital Partners for interviews will be based on the proposals
submitted on or before the closing date of submission. Initial shortlisting will be based
on the following criteria:
a. Organizational Expertise
• Experience in development and build of:
• Platforms to host APIs, Datasets, Code and other resources
• Data exchange portals fetching data from multiple directories &
registries
• Microservices based secure software, with controls for data
privacy, encryption, and user consent
• RBAC-enabled admin-developer interface for API/Data
Exchange
• Relevance and impact of submitted case studies

b. Proposed Approach and Implementation Plan

• Understanding of the requirements and the key aspects of the Data
Exchange Platform.
• Robustness of the approach and methodology outlined in the
proposal pitch deck
• Detailed implementation plan by the Digital Partner in terms of
delivering outcomes and meeting timelines of the Platform

c. Proposed team
 • Technical competence of the core team, including their education
and employment history.
• Willingness and team flexibility. The Digital Partner’s team should be
willing and able to engage with the RFD officials on a regular basis.
The parameters for evaluation in the shortlisting remains the same for single bids as
well as consortium bids.

12.2 Interview and detailed discussion:

• Shortlisted potential partners would be invited for interviews in the

presence of JICA and RFD, where they will dive deeper into their
organization’s expertise, team credentials and their proposed approach.
• The evaluation process will utilize the same criteria as initial shortlisting,
with an additional criterion on “Quality of business presentation
/interview and interaction with experts”

12.3 Final Selection

While making the final selection of the Digital Partner, 80% weightage will be given to
the technical proposal and interview performance, while 20% weightage will be given
to the financial proposal submitted by the Digital Partner.
The Technical Proposal and interview score (TP) will be calculated as follows:
TP = (Total score obtained by the Digital Partner / Highest score obtained) x 100
The Financial Proposal score (FP) will be calculated as follows:
FP = (Lowest priced offer / Price of the offer by Digital Partner) x 100
The total combined score for a Digital Partner will be computed as follows:
Combined Score = (TP) x (80%) + (FP) x (20%)
The Digital Partner with the highest Combined Score will be declared the winner.
Attachment 1: Form for the Overview of General Information
Fill out this form and include it as a cover page of the Overview of General Information.

1. Contact Information
Organization Name
Contact person name and title
Address
Phone Number
Email Address
Organization description (Max 150 words)

Ownership structure and ultimate beneficiary owners, if relevant

2. Documentations (a copy to be included in the PDF file) Check/attached

Company/Organization registration certificate or equivalent
At least 2 years of audited financial statements
Tax certificate
*If your organization is exempted from filing tax, please submit
a tax exemption certificate
Self-certification declaring that the company / organization
employs a minimum of 30 full-time employees. For consortium
bidders, self-certification that the lead member has a minimum
of 30 FTEs and each consortium member has a minimum of 15
FTEs.
Self-certification stating that Digital Partner’s or consortium’s
management and proposed team members do not include
members who have a history of corruption, arrest records, or
involvement with criminal organizations.
Documentation for consortium bidders

For consortium bids, each member must provide the required documents individually.
Attachment 2: Preliminary tech stack view and HLD for Forest Stack Data
Exchange Platform
Following is the non-exhaustive list of resources (APIs, Datasets, Code Snippets) that
will be exposed from the platform:

Resource Frequency Granularity Data Source Status

Tree cover NA Site-level Satellite imagery Sentinel imagery
change from NRSC available; LISS-4
(Code snippet) (LISS-4)/ Sentinel to be procured
Canopy density NA Site-level Satellite imagery Sentinel imagery
(Code snippet) from NRSC available; LISS-4
(LISS-4)/ Sentinel to be procured
NDVI analysis NA Site-level Satellite imagery Sentinel imagery
(Code snippet) from NRSC available; LISS-4
(LISS-4)/ Sentinel to be procured
Satellite Monthly Site-level Satellite imagery Sentinel imagery
Imagery from NRSC available; LISS-4
(API (LISS-4)/ Sentinel to be procured
Subscription/
Dataset)
Plantation area One time Site-level Rajasthan Forest Available in
details (API) Dept. FMDSS portal
Plantation site One time Site-level Rajasthan Forest Available with
boundaries Dept. RFD
(API)
Admin One time Village-level Rajasthan IT Available with IT
boundaries: Dept. Dept.
Village, Range,
Division, Circle,
District, State
(API)
Survival rate Annual Site-level Rajasthan Forest Available in Excel
(API) Dept. format for select
sites with RFD
Target Monthly Division- Rajasthan Forest Available in
achievement level Dept. physical (paper)
(API) format with RFD
Budget Monthly Division- Rajasthan Forest Available in
utilization level Dept. physical (paper)
(API) format with RFD
Resource Frequency Granularity Data Source Status
Soil moisture Daily District-level Open Open APIs
level Government Data available at the
(API) (OGD) Platform OGD platform
Groundwater Biannual (pre- Village-level Open Open APIs
level and post- Government Data available at the
(API) monsoon) (OGD) Platform OGD platform
Man-days Monthly Division- Rajasthan Forest Available in
worked level Dept. physical (paper)
(API) format with RFD
Unemployment One time, at the Village-level Rajasthan Forest Available in Excel
rate start of the Dept - Census format with RFD
(API) project data (2011)
% population One time, at the Village-level Rajasthan Forest Available in Excel
below poverty start of the Dept - Census format with RFD
line project data (2011)
(API)

Attachment 3: Business requirements of the key features of the Forest Stack

Data Exchange Platform
The following are some of the key features and functionalities to be enabled as part of
the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform:

Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities

Base Provide a basic High-Level Summary: Offers a glimpse of the
(Public) view of the Data Exchange Platform’s capabilities, data types,
Homepage platform and upcoming innovation challenges.
offerings without • Displays basic metadata and sample data
requiring to previews for available datasets (full downloads
create account require an account).
• Lists available APIs with brief descriptions; API
keys can only be generated post-registration.
• Shows teasers of code snippets (visible in
detail only upon login).
• Provides info on past/current/upcoming
innovation challenges.
• Prompts users to register or log in for advanced
features (key generation, data downloads, code
snippet access).
Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities
User Allow external High-Level Summary: Manages how new users
Registration users (startups, sign up, get reviewed by an admin, and become
& Admin academia, think fully active.
Approval tanks) to create • Registration Form: Collects essential info
an account (name, email, org affiliation, intended usage—
Homepage
→ Register hackathon, research, commercial).
→ Form • Unique Credentials: Validates whether an
Submission email or username is already in use.
→ Admin • Admin Queue: Submits applications to an
Review admin review panel, where the Operator or
→ Email RFD admins can accept/deny with comments.
Confirmation • Email Notifications: Automated emails inform
users about their approval status
(approved/rejected) and next steps.
• Account Activation: Once approved, users
gain “Developer” role privileges, able to see
more platform features.
Developer Provide an High-Level Summary: A central landing page for
Dashboard approved user developers after successful login, offering usage
with a stats, system updates, and quick navigation.
Login →
Developer personalized • API Usage Overview: Summaries of calls
home and quick made, error rates, latency, or daily usage.
Dashboard
access to • Quota Status: Clear indicators on how close the
advanced user is to their daily/monthly call limits.
functions • Links to Key Sections: Buttons or tabs for “API
Catalog,” “Code Snippets,” “Data Download,”
“Innovation Challenges,” “Help & Support.”
• User Profile: Edit personal info, update email,
reset password, or manage notifications.
• Announcements/Alerts: Admin or system
messages about new dataset releases,
upcoming maintenance, or hackathons.
• Quick Metrics: Possibly a small chart showing
usage trends for the past week/month.
API Catalog Let developers High-Level Summary: A centralized listing of all
& explore and published APIs, enabling users to see endpoints,
Documentat understand request parameters, usage examples, and version
ion available APIs info.
Developer for forestry/data
analyses
Dashboard
Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities
→ API • Categorized Listing: APIs sorted by domain
Catalog → (e.g., “Geospatial,” “Remote Sensing,”
Select API “Metadata”).
• Detailed Docs: Each API entry includes
endpoint URL, supported methods (GET,
POST), parameter definitions, example
requests/responses, and error codes.
• Swagger/OpenAPI Integration: Interactive “Try
It” functionality if the user’s account is allowed.
• Version Control: Show stable vs. beta versions,
release notes, potential deprecation schedules.
• Restricted Endpoints: Some APIs may require
additional approval or data usage consent
before calls can be made.
Code Accelerate High-Level Summary: Offers a curated library of
Snippets & solution-building code snippets, from simple NDVI calculations to
Reference by providing more advanced analytics (e.g., canopy-density
Scripts ready-made classification).
Developer scripts for • Snippet Catalog: A browsable list of scripts
forestry/geospati (Python, [Link], etc.) with short usage
Dashboard
al analytics instructions.
→ Code
Snippets → • Detailed View: Each snippet includes function
Select Script breakdown, required dependencies, sample
input, and expected output.
• Version History: Admin can update scripts,
apply bug fixes, or add new data connectors;
developers can revert or reference older
versions.
• Consent Requirements: Some snippets
referencing licensed or sensitive data (e.g.,
high-resolution imagery) may prompt additional
user consent. Community Contributions:
Potentially open for user-submitted
improvements, subject to admin review before
publishing.
Data Let approved High-Level Summary: Provides a robust
Download & users retrieve mechanism for acquiring raw or pre-processed
Execution data or run forestry and environmental datasets, with optional
server-side transformations.
Developer
Dashboard
Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities
→ Data transformations • Dataset Explorer: Displays dataset name, type
Download → before download (raster, vector), size, last updated, source
Select (NASA, ISRO, IMD, DigiVan, FMDSS).
Dataset • Download Options: Certain “open” datasets are
directly downloadable; “restricted” ones require
admin approval or usage disclaimers.
• Server-Side Processing: Users can select
transformations (e.g., region bounding,
projection changes) and receive a generated
file.
• Activity & Logs: Records user downloads with
timestamps, dataset details, and any special
disclaimers accepted. Consent & Quota
Checks: Ensures the user’s data usage stays
within assigned quotas and respects consent
policies.
Innovation Encourage High-Level Summary: A specialized section for
Challenges hackathons or hosting or showcasing competitions that leverage
specific the platform’s datasets and analytics.
Developer
Dashboard problem-solving • Challenge Listings: Each challenge entry
→ Innovation exercises using describes its objectives, timeline, prizes (if any),
Challenges the platform’s and relevant domain (e.g., biodiversity
data/APIs mapping, carbon-credit modeling).
→ Select
Challenge • Recommended Resources: Direct links to
matching APIs, code snippets, or sample
datasets.
• Additional Requests: Participants can request
new data endpoints if current coverage is
insufficient. Admin then approves or denies.
• Submissions & Examples: Could highlight past
hackathon winners or notable solutions,
encouraging reuse or adaptation of prior
breakthroughs.
Help & Provide a High-Level Summary: Enables developers (and
Support ticketing system other users) to seek help, report issues, or request
(Queries) and knowledge new features, while referencing a self-service
base for user knowledge base.
Developer
Dashboard assistance • FAQ Library: Curated articles addressing
→ Help & common pitfalls (e.g., rate-limit exceedances,
Support → data format conversions, authentication).
Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities
Submit • Submit a Ticket: Users describe their query or
Ticket bug; the system categorizes it (technical, data-
quality, usability).
• Ticket Tracking: Real-time status updates
(Open, In Review, Resolved) with admin or
operator responses. Searchable Archives:
Resolved tickets or articles can be publicly
referenced for shared learning.
• Feedback Mechanism: Users can rate solutions
or provide follow-up questions.
Consent & Enforce privacy High-Level Summary: Ensures compliance with
Data and usage rights data licensing, privacy laws, and IP restrictions by
Governance for sensitive gating restricted content behind explicit user
datasets or consent.
Developer
Actions → scripts • Restricted Content Alerts: If a user tries to
Consent access or download sensitive data, a prompt
Prompt if displays additional terms (e.g., “Data not for
Restricted commercial resale,” “Attribution required”).
• Policy Versioning: When terms update, the user
must re-accept before continuing usage.
• Audit Trail: Tracks timestamp, user ID, and
policy version each time consent is accepted or
declined. Admin Customization: Admins define
custom disclaimers, license text, or usage
constraints, which the system automatically
enforces.
Admin Portal
Give High-Level Summary: A comprehensive control
(User, Quota,
administrators center for user registrations, data ingestion, system
Data (RFD/JICA or analytics, and policy enforcement.
Manage Operator) • User & Registration Management: Approve or
ment) oversight of reject sign-ups, assign roles (Dev, Admin),
Login as platform reset passwords. Quota & Rate Limit Config:
operations and Customize daily/monthly usage caps per user
Admin →
Admin Home data pipelines or endpoint, monitor usage spikes.
→ Choose • Data Ingestion: Connect to external sources
Module (NASA, ISRO, IMD, DigiVan, FMDSS), define
ETL schedules, and map data schemas.
• System Monitoring: Track top endpoints, error
rates, suspicious IP addresses, or large data
transfers. Consent Policy Updates: Publish new
Feature Objective Description of key features and functionalities
usage terms, manage restricted
scripts/datasets.
• Logs & Audit: Access a unified log of user
actions, consent acceptances, or admin
changes.
Security, Safeguard High-Level Summary: Enforces authentication,
Audit, and platform integrity usage restrictions, and thorough logging of critical
Logging and maintain events to ensure accountability.
API Call → logs for • OAuth2/JWT: Validates tokens for each
JWT compliance/incid request, denies access if token is invalid or
Validation → ent management expired.
Rate Limit → • Rate-Limit Enforcement: Returns HTTP 429 if
Audit Record calls exceed assigned quotas; logs each
exceedance event.
• Audit Trails: Each user action (API invocation,
data download, admin override) is recorded
with a timestamp and relevant context. Alerting
Mechanisms: Admins can configure alerts for
repeated login failures, suspicious IP ranges, or
unusually high data requests. Compliance
Retention: Logs are kept per local or
international guidelines (e.g., 6–12 months).

The illustrative wireframes for the key features are showcased in the subsequent
attachments in this document.
Attachment 4: Preliminary illustrative (non-exhaustive) wireframes of the key
features of the Forest Stack Data Exchange Platform

Homepage
This is the landing page where we will have basic information about the platform and
its offerings

Developer Interface -> APIs (Details of all the available APIs) (Description,
Headers, Params, Sample Response, Execute, Copy curl)
All the available APIs will be listed here. Without signing in, users will just be able to
see basic description about API. Details such as curl, sample response, query params,
headers and the ability to execute the curl will only be available once the user creates
account and admin approves it. User needs to generate api key and they can track
their usages here as well.
Developer Interface -> Resources (All the available resources including code
snippets)
Here, we will provide all the algorithms and BIs in forms of scripts which can be used by
the users in their solutions. This will be copyable and a have an open license to use.

Developer Interface -> Help & Support

Users can raise their queries here and admin can respond to them
Innovation Challenge Information
This section will have information about any ongoing challenge

Attachment 5: Existing Architecture of the DigiVan Platform with Reusable

Components highlighted

Attachment 6: Consortium Bidders

• Consortium bids are allowed for this RFP. The list of Consortium Partners
needs to be declared in the bid. Any change in the Consortium during the
bidding process will lead to disqualification of the Consortium.
• For consortium bids, the contract will be executed with the lead bidder.
• In case of a Consortium bid, the "Lead Bidder" will be responsible for meeting
all obligations of the Consortium and the delivery of goods and services
mentioned in this RFP, including in the event that the Consortiums is
dissolved during the contract period.
• Internal arrangement between the Consortium Partners is left to the bidders. It
is the responsibility of the Lead Bidder to ensure that the other Consortium
Partners in the bid are compliant to all the clauses as mentioned in the bid,
failing which bid can be disqualified. If, during the bidding process, the
Consortium as proposed in the bid is dissolved or the Consortium Partners
change, then the Bid is liable to be disqualified.
• Bidders will need to submit following documents for consortium bids:
o Citation of Memorandum of articles OR
o Certificate from Chartered Accountant stating the relationship between
the Consortium partners OR
o Any similar documentary evidence