Telecommunications network

Tender description

The contracting entity intends to establish a framework arrangement under which it shall appoint an economic operator to enter into a framework agreement for the provision of managed service for operational telecommunications network (OTN). A framework agreement will be awarded for a period of four (4) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to four (4) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity estimates that the total spend under the framework agreement, based on current requirements, is anticipated to be up to be 5 350 375 GBP per annum. The estimated value of the initial contract period of 4 years is 21 401 500 GBP. Below is an outline of the requirements, however please refer to the specification schedules for the full list of service requirements and standards required for this contract. The NIE Networks operational telecommunications network (OTN) is the telecommunications Infrastructure used as part of its role in operating the distribution and transmission electricity network. NIE Networks owns a range of telecommunications assets, including optical fibre, a private microwave network and all the equipment used to provide voice and data services across this private network. the main responsibilities of the OTN managed service provider will include the following: — management and operation of all the infrastructure elements that the OTN comprises. This will include the management of third parties who undertake specialist functions, e.g. tower inspections, tower audits and loading assessments, etc., — assist the customer in developing its investment plan and asset management strategies, — responsibility for the maintenance and provision of end-to-end connectivity down to individual. Circuit: Level of privately owned and leased circuits between various points on the customer’s networks: — provision of a single point of contact for all matters concerning the design, operation and management of the OTN, — provision of a single point of contact for all matters concerning the cybersecurity of the OTN, — representing the customer interest at third-party meetings, — procurement of services and equipment from third-party providers. This is a joint procurement with NIE Networks Ltd and System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI Ltd). The NIE Networks operational telecommunications network (OTN) is the telecommunications infrastructure used as part of its role in operating the distribution and transmission electricity network. NIE Networks owns a range of telecommunications assets, including optical fibre, a private microwave network and all the equipment used to provide voice and data services across this private network. SONI Ltd as the transmission system operator in Northern Ireland has services operating over the OTN. They have their own end equipment that connects to the OTN (e.g. RTUs, scanning base stations, outstation radios) and are installed at some NIE Networks OTN sites. However, SONI’s equipment is also reliant on the OTN for data transport back to their Control Centre sites. There will be a tri-partite managed service agreement in place between NIE Networks Ltd, SONI Ltd and the successful supplier.