Request for Proposal for Consultancy for Android Keyboard Development

Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI), a non-profit, and non-government organization, based in Islamabad has been providing training, mentorship, and capacity development to mother tongue speakers of northern Pakistan who are working for the preservation and promotion of their languages and cultures since 2002. FLI also helps its target language communities in establish mother-tongue-based multilingual education by training them in material development in their mother tongue, teaching, school management committee formation, and printing school materials. FLI also published books in and about the languages and cultures of the region, runs advocacy campaigns for the language communities, and builds bridges among the people from the language communities for knowledge sharing. FLI is registered with the government of Pakistan, Islamabad Administration, Islamabad Capital Territory. Additionally, FLI is also registered with the government of Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue, as a tax exempted, non-profit organization. Ultimate control and supervision of FLI’s work is the responsibility of the FLI executive board.

Android Keyboard Development for Regional Languages of North Pakistan.

Introduction

The Android Keyboard Development Assignment aims to address the linguistic diversity of Northern Pakistan by developing/upgrading keyboard to all android version & PC keyboards that supports 15 regional languages such as Balti, Bateri, Burushaski, Dameli, Gawri, Gawarbati, Indus Kohistani, Khowar, Kataveri, Kalkoti, Ormori, Palula, Shina, Ushujo, Yadga. The primary focus is to establish a foundation with full support for Urdu and its related characters, serving as a standard layout. This assignment follows a phased approach, gradually integrating special characters for each regional language and customizing the keyboard layout based on community feedback.

Assignment Overview

The increasing need for digital inclusivity in the linguistically diverse Northern Pakistan region motivates the development of an Android Keyboard. The key features include comprehensive support for Urdu and a systematic approach to include and customize special characters for various regional languages. This initiative seeks to provide a user-friendly and culturally sensitive keyboard solution for Android devices, promoting digital accessibility and communication in local languages.

Scope of Assignment

The scope of this assignment encompasses the following key areas:

Planning and Algorithm Design:

• Define language requirements for each regional language.
• Select a suitable development framework or programming language.
• Create an initial keyboard design that fully supports Urdu.

Development of Framework:

• Implement the Urdu keyboard layout.
• Collect user feedback from a trial release and refine the design.

Urdu Integration:

• Research special characters of regional languages.
• Integrate special characters for Urdu into the keyboard layout.
• Gather user feedback on the Urdu-special characters’ layout.

Customization for the Regional Languages

•   Testing the structure for target regional languages.
•   In-house testing for the regional languages.
•   Fully support for the regional languages.

Regional Languages Integration and Final Versions (days):

• Implement special characters for each regional language gradually.
• Optimize the keyboard for the latest Android versions.
• Release the final version for a broader user base and gather feedback.
• Provide user documentation and establish a support system.

Milestones

1.      Milestone 1: Planning and Algorithm Design:

Description: Define language requirements, select development tools, and create the initial design.

Deliverables:

• Document specifying the script, characters, and special characters for each regional language.
• Analysis report highlighting language commonalities and differences.
• Decision document on the chosen development framework.
• Preliminary keyboard layout prototype supporting Urdu and its related characters.
• System architecture plan for scalability.
• Auto-updating tool

2.      Milestone 2: Development of Framework:

Description: Implement the Urdu keyboard layout, gather user feedback, and refine the design.

Deliverables:

• Functional Android keyboard prototype supporting Urdu and its related characters.
• Test plan and results for functionality on different Android devices.
• Feedback report from the trial release with Urdu support.
• Updated keyboard layout based on user feedback and bug fixes.

3.      Milestone 3: Urdu Integration:

Description: Research special characters, integrate them into Urdu, and gather user feedback.

Deliverables:

• Documentation of special characters of each regional language.
• Integration plan for special characters into the keyboard layout.
• Updated keyboard prototype with special characters for Urdu.
• Test plan and results for language-specific keyboard layout.
• Feedback report from the trial release with special characters for Urdu.
• Adjusted Urdu keyboard layout based on user feedback and bug fixes.

4.      Milestone 4: Regional Languages Integration and Final Versions:

Description: Implement special characters for regional languages, optimize for Android versions, and release the final version.

Deliverables:

• The gradual inclusion of special characters for each regional language into the keyboard layout.
• Test plan and results for language-specific keyboard layouts.
• Finalized Android keyboard optimized for the latest Android versions.
• Compatibility report addressing any identified issues.
• Comprehensive testing report across various Android devices.
• Feedback report from the final release to a broader user base.
• Final adjustments based on user responses.
• User documentation for each language-supported keyboard.

Required Skills

•  Understanding of computational linguistics
• Understanding of the structure of regional languages.
• Understanding of the script and writing system of the regional languages.
• Understanding of Andriod ecosystem.
• Prior knowledge and working record of the nature of the assignment.

Requirements:

• A support system was established for users experiencing issues.
• Understanding of computational linguistics
• Understanding of the structure of regional languages.
• Understanding of the script and writing system of the regional languages.
• Understanding of Andriod ecosystem.
• Prior knowledge and working record of the nature of the assignment.

Please provide a short technical and financial proposal to handle this project within the anticipated timeframe of Eight (8) Weeks.

Terms and Conditions:

• Contact with each language community member will be the responsibility of the consultant.
• Provide the financial break-up of the assignment for each stage or phase of the project.
• The estimation should be based on a single language.
• The proposed quote for each language will remain the same for all the regional languages.
• Quote shall be inclusive of all government taxes.

Assignment Timeframe:

• The total timeframe for the assignment is eight (8) weeks from the date of award of the contract.