Communications network

Tender description

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority (BFRA) is seeking to enter into a contract for the provision of a replacement Integrated Communication Control System and Mobilising Solution, which shall include the following: 1) Provision of all hardware, including but not limited to workstation and server based hardware; 2) Provision of the Core Command and Control Software; and 3) Provision of maintenance and support services throughout the life of the contract. BFRA will reserve the option under the contract to commission the establishment of a secondary control room, which it is anticipated will be an equal scale diversion of the primary control room. In the event this option is exercised, BFRA will offer the Contractor a reference site. It is anticipated that the Contract will be awarded in December 2019 for an initial term of five (5) years with an option to extend for a further four (4) years, such extension to be exercised in 12 or 24 month blocks. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority (BFRA) is seeking to enter into a contract for the provision of a replacement Integrated Communication Control System and Mobilising Solution, which shall include the following: 1) Provision of all hardware, including but not limited to workstation and server based hardware; 2) Provision of the Core Command and Control Software; and 3) Provision of maintenance and support services throughout the life of the contract. BFRA will reserve the option under the contract to commission the establishment of a secondary control room, which it is anticipated will be an equal scale diversion of the primary control room. In the event this option is exercised, BFRA will offer the Contractor a reference site. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in December 2019 for an initial term of five (5) years with an option to extend for a further four (4) years, such extension to be exercised in 12 or 24 month blocks. BFRA would like to undertake a soft market testing exercise prior to releasing the OJEU Contract Notice and tender documentation. The main purpose of the market testing will be to identify the optimum method of delivering the services and achieving key strategic objectives, both technical and financial. More specifically, BFRA is aspiring to achieve the following: (a) go out to the market with an outcomes-based specification; (b) commission a good quality, reliable solution to enable BFRA to discharge its statutory duties in the most efficient and effective way possible; (c) promote innovation by exploring the combination, viability and attractiveness of various technological options; and (d) secure best value. In addition to the above, BFRA is considering the use of the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (CPN) for the procurement of this contract, however a final decision will be made following completion of the soft market testing process. With the above in mind, BFRA would like to invite providers to attend a soft market testing event, where prospective Bidders will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Project team and discuss BFRA’s aspirations for this contract. Providers are advised that due to capacity constraints, we would only be able to register up to two (2) attendees per organisation. The event will be held on Tuesday 30.4.2019, between 10:00 a.m. and 16:00 p.m. at BFRA’s Headquarters in Bedford (92 Southfields Road, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7NR Bedfordshire). The main event will include a presentation from the project team and an open forum discussion with providers on a list of themes that BFRA wishes to consult on. Following completion of the main event, providers will be offered the opportunity to hold a fifteen (15) minute one-to-one session with the project team for the purpose of addressing any commercially sensitive queries. The soft market testing will be formally minuted and information gathered will be shared with all prospective bidders through the tender documentation. For clarity, information that is classified as commercially sensitive, at BFRA’s sole discretion, shall not be disclosed. Should you wish to register an interest to participate in the soft market testing, please kindly contact the BFRA Procurement Team by emailing procurement@bedsfire.gov.uk