The provision of IT and Telecommunications Managed Services for the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre

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 |-------|-------|----------------|------------------|----------|----------------|------|----------|------------------|---------------------|------------------| Department of Defence The provision of IT and Telecommunications Managed Services for the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre 72000000 €1,200,000 not stated Restricted Procedure not stated Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 3 years, with possible 2 extensions of 1 year each 10 July 2026, 12:00 not stated

2. Scope of Work

The contractor will provide IT and telecommunications managed services for the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre (NECC). This includes the management and availability of critical communications infrastructure to support emergency planning and response operations. The NECC operates 24/7 and serves all government departments for emergency management.

Key activities include:

• Infrastructure Management: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the NECC's communications systems, including voice and data networks.
• Monitoring Services: Providing a 24/7 remote monitoring service from within Ireland, managing alerts from a dedicated service management centre.
• Support for Cisco Systems: Ensuring the functionality of Cisco LAN/WAN and network equipment.
• Crisis Coordination: Facilitating the strategic management of emergencies, including training exercises and inter-departmental working groups.
• Network Maintenance: Maintaining microwave radio and fibre wide area network (WAN) connections established with various government offices.
• Security Management: Implementing perimeter security appliances to manage traffic between external WAN equipment and the internal LAN.
• System Upgrades: Upgrading existing infrastructure to meet increased demand for capacity and resiliency, with the latest upgrades scheduled throughout 2026.

The NECC has two operational status levels: "Lit" for live emergencies and "Unlit" for day-to-day operations. The contractor must ensure that all systems are operational and ready for activation at any time.

3. Background & buyer context

The procurement of these services is driven by the need to enhance the operational capabilities of the NECC, which has been in operation since 2006. The NECC plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to major emergencies, including severe weather events. The Department of Defence is seeking to ensure that the NECC's communications infrastructure remains robust and capable of supporting government departments in their emergency planning and management efforts. This initiative aligns with national policies aimed at improving emergency response frameworks.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €2,500,000 over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7m
• Public Liability: €6.5m
• Product Liability: €6.5m
• Professional Indemnity: €2.0m
• Cyber Insurance: €5.0m
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Candidates must demonstrate successful delivery of at least two comparable projects in scale, nature, and security complexity within the last five years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Services must be provided from within the island of Ireland.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, focusing on quality and price.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the specified template for pricing.
• Case studies: Provide two case studies of comparable projects, with values between €500,000 and €1,000,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All responses must be submitted via eTenders in the specified format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will have a term of three years, with the possibility of two one-year extensions. Key terms include:

• Payment terms: Not specified in the documents.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified in the documents.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified in the documents.
• Termination clauses: Not specified in the documents.
• IP ownership: Not specified in the documents.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the Prime Contractor must be designated.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified in the documents.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €2,500,000 may limit participation to larger firms, potentially excluding smaller SMEs.
• Geographic constraint: The requirement for services to be provided from within Ireland may restrict competition.
• Limited information on SLAs/KPIs: Lack of detail on service level agreements and key performance indicators may lead to ambiguity in performance expectations.

10. SME fit assessment

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid must have:

• Relevant experience in IT and telecommunications managed services.
• The capacity to meet insurance and turnover requirements.
• The ability to operate a 24/7 monitoring service from within Ireland.

Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are allowed, enabling SMEs to collaborate with larger firms to meet the tender requirements. Bid preparation is expected to require several days, depending on the complexity of the submission. The presence of a turnover threshold close to the contract value may indicate a competitive field, with incumbents likely having an advantage.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: RFI Microwave Network Tender 2026 - Final Version.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not stated
• Contact email or clarification portal: www.etenders.gov.ie
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Candidate’s Statement
• Appendix 3 — Confidentiality Agreement