ICT Network & Wireless Infrastructure Equipment, Licences, and associated support Services

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

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| not stated ICT Network & Wireless Infrastructure Equipment, Licences, and associated support Services 72000000 not disclosed not stated Open procedure not stated not stated 4 years 08/07/2026 14:00 01/09/2026

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves the design, build, and support of a secure, resilient, and scalable enterprise and wireless infrastructure for the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The project encompasses the deployment of a new headquarters (HQ) network and upgrades to regional offices, ensuring that the infrastructure supports cloud-first operations and future growth.

Key activities include:

• Network Design and Implementation:

• Design and implement a new enterprise network and firewall at the new HQ location, covering two floors.

• Modernise the existing network model by removing reliance on the current HQ infrastructure.

• Migration Support:

• Facilitate the migration of all regional offices and the Disaster Recovery site to the new HQ network environment.

• Ensure a controlled migration with minimal disruption to business operations.

• Infrastructure Installation:

• Supply, install, and commission communications room cabinet infrastructure at the new HQ, including structured patch panels and cable management.

• Design, supply, install, and configure a secure wireless network solution, ideally Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6.

• Firewall Implementation:

• Deploy a next-generation firewall platform that integrates with Entra ID/Active Directory for identity-based security policies.

• Ensure centralised management for all firewall instances and comprehensive logging of security events.

• Ongoing Support and Maintenance:

• Provide proactive centralised monitoring tools for network performance and automated alerts for failures.

• Maintain the complete HSA network for the duration of the contract, including regular patching and updates.

• Compliance and Security:

• Ensure full compliance with NIS2 and GDPR, implementing security measures that exceed existing standards.

• Support zero-trust principles and secure remote access.

• Documentation and Knowledge Transfer:

• Deliver detailed implementation plans, exit plans, and operational runbooks.

• Conduct knowledge transfer sessions with HSA ICT staff.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the HSA's initiative to modernise its ICT infrastructure to support cloud-first operations and enhance service delivery. The procurement aligns with government policies aimed at improving public sector efficiency and security. The HSA has a history of managing public health and safety, necessitating a robust and secure network infrastructure. The incumbent provider is not specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €800,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.5 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Cyber Insurance (including loss of Data): €2 million
• Certifications:
• ISO 27001 compliance is mandatory.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects within the public sector, demonstrating knowledge of Government Networks.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have relevant experience in network design and implementation.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, focusing on the best price-quality ratio.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method statement / response document: Must follow the provided template and be limited to six A4 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must use the specified template.
• Case studies: At least three examples of relevant experience, with values ranging from €100,000 to €800,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified in the documents.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a term of four years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions. Payment terms will be detailed in the Services Contract, and all prices must remain valid for six months from the tender deadline. Key performance indicators (KPIs) include response times for incidents, with critical outages requiring a response within one hour. The contract includes provisions for liquidated damages for non-compliance with SLAs and stipulates that all intellectual property developed during the contract will remain with the HSA.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks include:

• The turnover requirement of €800,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The requirement for ISO 27001 compliance could exclude bidders without this certification.
• The tight timeline for go-live by 01/09/2026 may pose challenges for bidders to mobilise resources effectively.
• The lack of specified geographic constraints may lead to a wider pool of bidders, but the complexity of the project may still favour incumbents with existing knowledge of HSA systems.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in ICT network design and implementation. Viable bidders should have:

• Experience in delivering similar projects within the public sector.
• The capacity to meet insurance and certification requirements.
• The ability to form consortia or subcontract as needed to fulfil the tender requirements.

Bid preparation may require approximately 10-15 days, considering the complexity of the documentation and the need for case studies. The presence of a minimum turnover requirement and the emphasis on past experience may signal a competitive environment, particularly if incumbents are involved.

11. Where to dig deeper

• RFT filename: HSA_Network_Request_for_Tender.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: not stated
• Contact email: via the messaging facility on www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement