Telecommunications services

Tender description

TfL wishes to enter into a concession agreement with the objective of commercialising certain TfL assets (and potentially those of certain other public bodies, as detailed below) through investment in and operation of a public communication network to create a long term revenue generating opportunity, the benefit of which will be shared between the concessionaire, TfL and others providing assets. The concessionaire may also be responsible for the provision of certain services relating to the operation of the emergency services telecommunications network and TfL's operational requirements, together with other ancillary services. Parties wishing to submit a tender for this opportunity must register on the Procontract e-tendering system (https://procontract.due-north.com/Login) and complete and return the Standard Selection Questionnaire (SSQ) via Procontract by 13:00 on 6.7.2018. The SSQ and further details of this opportunity can be found on the Procontract portal. The concessionary services covered by the contract shall consist of: 1) neutral host mobile coverage on below ground tunnels, stations and platforms of the London Underground and tunnel sections and certain stations and platforms of the Elizabeth Line in accordance with best industry practice; 2) construction of a commercial fibre optic network utilising certain TfL assets; 3) utilisation of TfL’s streetscape assets (e.g. lighting columns) for the deployment of radio coverage; 4) provision of a public Wi-Fi service in specified TfL stations; and 5) services ancillary to those listed above. The extent of the TfL assets which are subject to the concession will change over the course of the term of the concession (e.g. Northern Line extension; potentially Crossrail 2) and the concessionaire will be required to adapt their service provision accordingly. Further information is available in the documents accompanying the Standard Supplier Questionnaire (SSQ) in relation to the concessionary services and the extent of the exclusivity available to the concessionaire to deliver these services using certain TfL assets. In addition the concessionaire may (at the option of TfL or a TfL subsidiary) be required to provide the following services: 6) service management services in relation to the operation of the Emergency Services Network (ESN) (the police, fire, ambulance and other public safety users telecommunications network that it is intended will also be operated on the TfL estate); 7) assurance of new-build sections of the ESN and all steps necessary to include such sections within service management regime detailed in the previous paragraph; 8) carry out works funded by the Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) capital grant scheme operated by the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport. These works may be carried out utilising TfL assets or assets belonging to any entity within the GLA Group (as defined below) or to London Boroughs (as defined below). Upon completion of the funded network, it shall be operated as part of the concessionary assets (albeit with fibre capacity reserved for the public sector) for the delivery of services for the maximum of the remainder of the term, subject to State aid compliance requirements. The Concessionaire must further invest in this network to provide commercial services connecting back to the core network at Tube stations; 9) carry out telecommunications network-related works funded by other grant schemes or by direct capital contributions. These works may be carried out utilising TfL assets or assets belonging to any entity within the GLA Group (as defined below) or to London Boroughs (as defined below). Upon completion of the funded network(s), it shall be operated as part of the concessionary assets (albeit with fibre capacity potentially reserved for the public sector) for the delivery of services for the maximum of the remainder of the term, subject to State aid compliance requirements. The Concessionaire may be required to further invest in this network to provide commercial services connecting back to the core network at Tube stations. The extent of the uptake and participation by GLA Group entities and London Boroughs is uncertain; 10) provide bid and implementation services to support TfL (and potentially GLA Group entities and London Boroughs) in making applications for grants to support the construction of telecommunications infrastructure that would, in the event the application was successful become part of the provision of concessionary services; 11) provide access to serviced passive equipment so as to enable TfL to provide internal operational telecommunications requirements; 12) the term of the concession may be extended for a total of 60 months at the option of TfL (taking the total concessionary period to 300 months). The terms relating to the contract extension(s) will be detailed in the contract documents.