Supply Development and Support of Core and Edge Network Infrastructure

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

The contract involves the supply, deployment, and support of core and edge network infrastructure for Sligo County Council (SCC). The objective is to replace existing legacy systems that are nearing end-of-support status with a modern, secure, and scalable network capable of supporting current and future operational requirements.

Key activities include:

• Supply and Delivery: Provision of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and non-PoE network switches, as detailed in Appendix 1.
• Installation and Configuration: Set up of switches and related hardware/software across SCC offices.
• Support and Maintenance: Agreements extending beyond manufacturer support, including software updates.
• Central Management: Features for monitoring and configuration management.
• Consultancy Services: Pricing for additional engineering services on an as-needed basis.
• Green Energy Initiatives: Any additional value propositions related to sustainability.

The solution must support a minimum of 600 users and include features such as:

• Next-Generation Firewall appliances.
• Secure SD-WAN edge infrastructure.
• L3 Managed Core and Edge Switches.
• Wi-Fi 7 Access Points.
• Network Access Control (NAC) systems.
• Centralized management and analytics capabilities.

The contractor must ensure that the proposed solution is operationally focused, with an emphasis on an operational expenditure (OPEX) model, excluding any capital expenditure (CAPEX) proposals.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated as part of Sligo County Council's strategy to modernize its network infrastructure, which is critical for supporting digital transformation initiatives. The existing systems are outdated, with many components reaching end-of-life status. The Council aims to enhance its operational capabilities through a resilient and secure network architecture that aligns with contemporary technological standards and practices.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €1,000,000 in the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13,000,000
• Public Liability: €6,500,000
• Product Liability: €6,500,000
• Professional Indemnity: €1,000,000
• Cyber Liability: €2,000,000
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The contract will be awarded to the lowest cost tender that meets all minimum requirements of the qualitative award criteria.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement: Response document following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: For key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Must follow the specified template.
• Case studies: At least two, with values between €50,000 and €500,000.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified.
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via www.etenders.gov.ie only.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and extensions: Initial term of 5 years with two optional one-year extensions.
• Payment terms: Not specified.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Not specified.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified.
• Termination clauses: The Council reserves the right to terminate the contract for reasons outside its control.
• IP ownership: Not specified.
• Sub-contracting rules: Allowed, but the primary contractor must maintain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• The turnover requirement of €1,000,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• The requirement for comprehensive insurance coverage may pose a barrier for new entrants.
• The emphasis on an OPEX model may deter bidders who typically operate on a CAPEX basis.
• The lack of specified past experience requirements could lead to variability in bid quality.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the following characteristics:

• Firms with experience in network infrastructure supply and support.
• Companies capable of meeting the insurance and turnover requirements.
• Potential for consortium or subcontracting arrangements to meet financial or technical capacity.
• Estimated bid preparation effort is approximately 10-15 days.
• The incumbent's strength may influence the likelihood of winning, as no specific past winners are mentioned.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: SCC-Network-Refresh-CFT.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified.
• Contact email: Not specified; use the clarification portal on eTenders.
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 – Costings, Appendix 2 – Technical Specifications.