Wireless telecommunications system

Tender description

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council wishes to procure a supplier for a managed Wifi Solution, and establish a single supplier framework, on behalf of itself and Other Contracting Bodies (OCBs). Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (the Council) wishes to procure a supplier for a managed Wifi Solution, and establish a single supplier framework, on behalf of itself and Other Contracting Bodies (OCBs). The solution will cover Corporate, Guest and Public access, in indoor and outdoor locations. It will replace the current provision with new arrangements, and will extend WiFi to new locations, to support current and anticipated organisational requirements. It will provide the WiFi platform and hardware from which all services are provided, administered, monitored and logged, together with local site configuration, management and maintenance services, and professional services. The solution will authenticate users of different types, providing them with wireless access to appropriate services. It will provide a reliable and high-performance solution that complies with all relevant security, information management and regulatory requirements. The supplier will be responsible for all aspects of the solution, including: — local network and access point hardware, — site installation, cabling and maintenance, — management platform, service administration, reporting and billing, — monitoring and logging, — content filtering, — authentication and federated authentication, — proactive management of service availability and prompt resolution of failures, — design, configuration, and professional services. The requirements for each of the other contracting bodies that are party to the framework are broadly similar in scope and scale to those of the Council, although the current arrangements and locations, and some specific elements of the requirement will inevitably vary between councils. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, one of 11 new super councils, was created in 2015 from the former Newry and Mourne and Down District Council areas and the Ballyward electoral area, which previously sat within the Banbridge District Council authority. With a population of approximately 171 500 and a coastline of 100 miles, it is the third largest council area in Northern Ireland spanning from Crossmaglen in South Armagh to Saintfield in South Down. There are 7 District Electoral Areas: Crotlieve, Downpatrick, Newry, Rowallane, The Mournes, Slieve Croob and Slieve Gullion. Our aim is to provide civic leadership, deliver local services and ensure that the district develops in a way that increases prosperity and quality of life for local residents. The Council has ambitious plans for transforming its services. These plans are highlighted within the Council’s Corporate and community plans as well as its directorate business plans. In particular, the Council has 3 corporate objectives that the WiFi solution will support: — transforming and modernising the Council, — empowering and improving the capacity of our communities, — becoming one of the premier tourism destinations on the island of Ireland. In addition to its main corporate headquarters, staff are located in satellite offices throughout the district. The Council also provides a range of community, leisure, arts and culture services through its sites located across the region. For example, in Community Centres, Leisure and sports complexes, Museums and Arts centres and Town Halls, amongst others. WiFi is a fundamental requirement to support corporate work styles. It is also considered by citizens to be an essential service in Council premises, and a highly desirable one in certain outdoor locations. It will therefore support staff and the public in those sites where Wifi will be deployed. The Authority does not commit to letting a contract for any of the above, should it become evident that it is not economically advantageous to do so.