171347 Dating/Matchmaking site

We are looking for a capable organization to develop a matchmaking site for the Japanese market. This site is a matchmaking/dating site which allows limited social connections between users. Some of the features required are as follows: Site Features � Programming & Database - This site will be heavily database driven, we have no particular preference as to which programming language and database software is used. However flexibility is very important, the nature of the finished product should allow for easy manipulation of the source code by future third party developers & be free of issues regarding transferability to different hosts. � Character Encoding - One issue is that this site will be for the Japanese market so support for Japanese language character encoding is a must. (knowledge of the Japanese language is not required) � E-commerce � The site will include a credit card payment module typical of most paid online communities. � Internal Messaging System � There will be an internal messaging private system which will be the only means of communication between users. This feature will be disabled/restricted for non paying members, they will be able receive messages but will be unable to read or respond to a message unless they upgrade to a paid membership. � CMS � We require a versatile easy to use content management system which allows for easy manipulation of the site�s content and database (account/picture approval, deletion etc.) This site�s administration functions should be multi-tiered allowing different levels of administration privileges. � Nature of the site � The site will be a matchmaking/dating site with features of a social networking site, for example showing connections between users, a form of favorites list etc. One function of the site which programmers have found difficult to conceptualize is the unique sign-up/registration system, in which a user�s account (User A) can be created by a third party user (User B) after the creation of this account �User A� is transferred exclusive control of the account created for him. If at the time of account creation �User B� was not already registered an account has to be created for him at the same time. � Hosting � This is not required of the team we chose but we are open to considering also hosting with the development team and counsel on the optimum characteristics of the host we should choose. We are looking for a capable and experienced team to complete this project we require the following characteristics: Team � Knowledge - Experience in developing web 2.0 sites/applications and the ability to display the skill set needed for this project through a portfolio at your disposal for us to view. We would also like a break down of the cost, number of people on the team and the duration of the project. � References � We would like to work with a team we can trust, so we would like to be able to brief contact with former clients preferably one�s whose sites are featured in your portfolio. � Project Commitment � We like a team that can give this project there undivided attention from the start to the completion of the Beta version. Bidding Selection of the team for this project will occur in two stages. At first bidders with an impressive portfolio and references will be short listed, in the second stage successful candidates will be asked to write a detailed specification of how the site will be developed as well as outlining the functions of the CMS. Selected teams will be paid for this and will be asked to bid on the price of writing this specification. Finally, the team with which we are most impressed will be selected. We would again like to stress the importance of experience in the field and trustworthiness. Bidders without a portfolio and references will not be considered. We are looking forward to working with a skilled and capable team in a venture that will be mutually beneficial for both parties.