The verdict in three sentences
A successful public tender depends first on the quality of the RFP specification: precise scope, clear scoring criteria, non-negotiable accessibility and security requirements. For an institution in Dubai, the 2026 budget sits, as an order of magnitude, between USD 65,000 and 210,000 depending on scale, with a 4 to 7 month timeline. Maintenance of USD 2,000 to 5,000 per month and sovereign hosting must be in the contract from the start.
The functional scope to specify
A public RFP must remove all ambiguity to enable comparable bids. Here are the blocks to document and their indicative scoring weight.
| RFP block | Expected content | Scoring weight |
|---|---|---|
| Functional scope | Site tree, templates, online services | 25% |
| WCAG accessibility | Level AA, audit, statement | 15% |
| Security | CSP, encryption, logging | 15% |
| Sovereign hosting | Data hosted in-country | 10% |
| Design and ergonomics | Mockups, user testing | 15% |
| Price | Detail per lot, maintenance included | 20% |
A file that weights price above 40% attracts low-cost bids unable to meet the accessibility and security requirements; a 60% technical / 40% price balance is healthier.
Budget and timelines by project scale
Not all institutions have the same needs. The table below gives 2026 benchmarks to size the envelope and schedule.
| Institution profile | Indicative budget (USD) | Timeline | Maintenance (USD/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small institution (brochure site) | 65,000 - 105,000 | 4 months | 2,000 - 3,000 |
| Medium institution (+ services) | 105,000 - 155,000 | 5-6 months | 3,000 - 4,000 |
| Large institution (portal) | 155,000 - 210,000 | 6-7 months | 4,000 - 5,000 |
| Multilingual AR/EN + RTL | +20,000 - 40,000 | +3-4 wk | included |
| WCAG accessibility audit | 8,000 - 16,000 | 2-3 wk | - |
Sovereign hosting and compliance with local data-protection law are regulatory requirements to be explicitly costed in the infrastructure lot.
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Mini case study
Ms Al-Rashid, secretary general of a public institution in Dubai, hesitates between a light RFP and a detailed one. With a vague file she receives 6 bids from USD 45,000 to 190,000, non-comparable, and a project that slips 3 months. By investing USD 12,000 in a structuring RFP and a prior accessibility audit, she gets 4 comparable bids around USD 135,000, chooses with confidence and avoids a change order estimated at USD 32,000. The upfront framing therefore returns nearly three times its cost.
FAQ
What budget for a public institution website? In 2026 in Dubai, expect USD 65,000 to 210,000 depending on scope, excluding campaigns. A simple institutional brochure site starts around USD 65,000.
Is WCAG accessibility mandatory? For public bodies, level AA and the publication of an accessibility statement are expected; plan an audit of USD 8,000 to 16,000.
Should we require sovereign hosting? Yes, for sensitive data: in-country hosting and local data-protection compliance must be explicit requirements of the infrastructure lot, with a separate annual hosting cost.
How long between publication and delivery? Expect 4 to 7 months of development, plus the tender procedure lead time and the acceptance phase, often 2 to 3 additional months.
How to score bids fairly? A 60% technical / 40% price grid, with quantified sub-criteria for accessibility, security and maintenance, avoids selecting a non-compliant low-cost bid.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your scope, your sovereignty requirements and your procedure timeline, and we will provide an RFP specification template. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
