Mobile-telephone services

Tender description

Background: Kent County Council (the council) is the largest county council in England covering an area of 3 500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of over 900 000 000 GBP on goods and services and a population of 1 300 000. The Council provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and 289 parish/town councils. This requirement is for ICT Support Services within the Strategic and Corporate Services Directorate. The Council requires the provision of mobile voice and data services, including the provision of: (a) a wide range of handsets (both basic feature phones and smartphones, which must be provided unlocked); (b) voice and text unlimited tariffs; (c) data allowance in bands up to unlimited; (d) tethering allowances/tariffs; (e) overseas usage voice and data; (f) the ability to send and receive short message service (SMS); (g) voice-mail services; (h) mobile data connectivity via Dongles and SIMS (iPads); (i) mobile e-mail services (push and pull); (j) mobile data applications and value added mobile services; (k) accessories, including chargers, cases, screen protectors, etc.; (l) bar short code text services and premium text and other services; (m) the prevention of SIMS working in other devices; (n) a staff discount scheme; (o) adequate coverage throughout the UK including 4G; (p) dedicated telephone and email based help-desk to provide day to day support; and (q) an online portal for detailed billing. The Council also requires a managed text service (SMS bulk texting) with the provision to send bulk SMS text messages to groups of numbers either via email or an external web portal. The supplier must be an authorised DEP reseller and provide Apple Inc. products with the DEP. The contract is anticipated to commence upon 29.8.2016 and will continue for a period of 24 months, with an option to extend for a further period of up to 24 months, unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract on the Kent Business Portal. Further background and technical information can be found within the tender documentation. Expression of Interest and Tender Process: Expressions of interest will only be accepted via the Kent Business Portal. In order to submit your interest in this opportunity please select the ‘Login and Express an Interest’ button located at the bottom of this page. Note that in order to successfully submit your interest you will first need to register for an account. After registration is complete and you've received your login details you should return to the advert for the opportunity and express your interest. You will then be emailed an invitation to submit a tender. Further guidance regarding how to use this portal can be found attached to the bottom of this advert. Indicative Procurement Timetable: · Publication of ITT Documentation on the Kent Business Portal: Monday 23.5.2016; · Deadline to submit requests for clarification via the ProContract Discussion facility: 12:00 (noon) on Thursday, 16.6.2016; · Deadline for Tender Responses: 12:00 (noon) on Thursday 23.6.2016; · Commencement of Tender Evaluation Period (including Post-Tender Clarification): Thursday 23.6.2016; · Reverse eAuction: Thursday 7.7.2016; · Pre-Award Clarification Meeting/s: Monday 25.7.2016; · Decision to Award: Friday 29.7.2016; · Standstill Period: 10 Calendar Days; · Contract Award Notice: Tuesday 9.8.2016; · Contract Commencement Date: 29.8.2016. Contract Access: This contract may be accessed by any public Council, any Local Authority or any other public authority (e.g. Police, Ambulance Service, NHS Trusts and third sector organisations) located within Kent, including Kent Connects Partners: http://www.kentconn ects.gov.uk/about/partners/ Questions and Communication: Please direct all questions and communication through the Kent Business Portal via the discussions facility.