Fixed Broadband and PSTN Services

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

Fáilte Ireland seeks a single supplier to maintain and support its existing telephony infrastructure and provide new enhanced telephony solutions. The contract involves the transition to a Unified Communications system using Microsoft Teams, enabling staff to make and receive calls without physical handsets. Concurrently, the supplier will manage existing analogue lines required for essential services such as broadband, alarms, and lifts.

Key activities include:

• Telephony Infrastructure Management: Maintenance and support of existing telephony infrastructure and services as detailed in Appendix 2.
• Broadband Provision: Provision of high-speed Fibre/Copper-based broadband services to Fáilte Ireland offices nationwide.
• PSTN Line Management: Provision and maintenance of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) lines where required.
• Service Provisioning & Management:
• Allocation of Direct Dial In (DDI) number blocks and freephone numbers.
• Switching and termination services.
• Management of traffic, static Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, call answering, national number diversions, business virtual lines, and priority repair Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Service Execution: Timely execution of all required services, including new connections, fault resolution, and cancellations, with prompt billing alignment.
• Service Review & Optimization: Conduct reviews of all services, suggesting best offerings, upgrades to services, and/or infrastructure.
• Value-Added Services: Proactive suggestion of added value and value for money for aligned services.
• Cybersecurity:
• Disablement of non-essential services during provisioning.
• Adherence to a secure-by-design and secure-by-default cybersecurity model.
• Detailed plans for maintenance and management of vulnerabilities, including lifetime vulnerability management and notification of addressable weaknesses (hardware and software patches and updates).
• Significant incident reporting: early warning within 24 hours, initial notification within 72 hours, intermediate progress reports within one month, and a final report within one month of resolution.

The contract duration is five years, with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to requirements, operational reviews, and budget availability.

3. Background & buyer context

Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, is procuring these services to modernise its communication infrastructure. The organisation supports the tourism industry, promotes Ireland as a holiday destination, and manages nationwide tourist information centres. This procurement aligns with Fáilte Ireland's commitment to sustainable procurement, aiming for value for money while minimising environmental impact and incorporating green criteria. The initiative also seeks to deliver wider social aims such as diversity and inclusion, and good governance practices. The current procurement is driven by the need to transition to a new, enhanced telephony solution utilising Microsoft Teams for Unified Communications.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:

• Turnover requirement: Average annual turnover of at least €100,000 during any of the previous 3 financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability Insurance: €13,000,000 indemnity limit per claim.
• Public Liability Insurance: €6,500,000 indemnity limit per claim.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Provide details of 3 contracts undertaken within the last 3 years demonstrating experience in providing services of similar scope, scale, and complexity.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.
• Tax Clearance: Hold an up-to-date Irish Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Tender Validity: Agree to a 12-month tender validity period.
• Data Protection: Ensure all processes, systems, procedures, and security controls relating to personal data processing are compliant with relevant legislation.
• Human Resources: Demonstrate an appropriate number of suitably qualified resources with relevant experience.
• Technical Systems: Demonstrate effective and efficient technical systems for service delivery.
• Quality Assurance: Demonstrate adequate measures for quality service delivery.
• Training: Demonstrate adequate training and professional development procedures.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded to the most economically advantageous tenderer. The award will be based on a combination of price and quality.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria