Telecommunications network

Tender description

Fife Council requires to renew its existing IP Wide Area Network (WAN) contract, as the current contract expires at the end of August 2019. The new contract will run from 1.9.2019 to 30.8.2024 with an option to extend for a further 3 years and then a further 2 years. Therefore the potential contract length of 10 years. Whilst the basic requirement is maintain or re-provide service provision with a minimum of disruption during any handover process, our objectives also include identifying possible transformational enhancements to the existing service, particularly with regard to options for distributed Internet access and the potential for implementation of dark fibre for access links, whilst remaining within or reducing our current annual expenditure. The successful tenderer shall provide management, installation, and maintenance of data connections. They will also be capable of delivering innovative structural and technical development to improve our service delivery capability and maximise return on investment in the network. Fife Council currently operates a private WAN based on MPLS technology, managed by Updata/Capita. The network is extensive, currently comprising over 500 sites. Bandwidth supplied to end sites varies between 1 Gbit and 2 Mbits, depending on the size and specific requirements of each site. CAS-T accreditation is a mandatory requirement.