Information technology services

Tender description

The authority proposes to engage in a competitive process to appoint a contractor for the provision of Citizen Wi-Fi services; free-to-use public Wi-Fi services in external and internal public spaces, including landing platform(s) to support social, economic and environmental value through physical features, functionality, and content. AWC intends to name other West Sussex authorities that are on a similar ‘fibre/digital infrastructure’ journey to enable the option for named authorities to join the agreement to adopt services in their areas at a later date. AWC is considering the inclusion of existing corporate Wi-Fi services, resulting in a single supplier delivering and supporting Citizen and corporate Wi-Fi. AWC has not defined whether existing corporate Wi-Fi services will be included in the scope yet. AWC anticipate an agreement in duration of 7 years (5 + 2). The value for AWC estimated at GBP 1.04 million. The value, including options for AWC and other named authorities, increases to ca GBP 10 million. AWC contracted with CityFibre to deliver dark fibre to 83 sites across Adur and Worthing by November 22, and entered into contract with MLL Telecom to light and manage the network for a period of 5 yrs. The fibre network will supply connectivity services for Citizen Wi-Fi (this project). AWC is commencing procurement for a supplier to design, implement and manage public and corporate wi-fi services across the Adur and Worthing area with potential to expand the services to other Sussex districts and boroughs. AWC is reviewing its strategy for corporate Wi-Fi — the inclusion of corporate Wi-Fi in the scope of this procurement may be subject to change. AWC intends to procure, design and implement free-to-use Wi-Fi services in key external areas of its towns and internally at designated community sites, using up to 83 fibre sites as connectivity hubs. Potential zones to receive Wi-Fi coverage have been identified and categorised as primary, secondary, and community premises zones. Potential zones are defined in Appendix A, but AWC does not necessarily expect bidders to deliver all zones within the defined AWC-contract value (GBP 1.04 million). The scale of coverage, approach to landing platforms/functionality is expected to be used to assess the value proposition at the ITT stage. Zones have been included in this PIN to ensure suppliers have knowledge of the types of areas involved, and the potential for expanding services to additional zones at a later date. AWC anticipates procurement to run to the end of January 21 and would like to see early physical deployment within 2-3 months of the award, limited to ‘fibre-ready’ sites. The timescales for the rollout of services thereafter is expected to follow dark fibre delivery. The service goes beyond basic connectivity. AWC commissioned a user-centred design lab to identify how public Wi-Fi can drive social, economic, and environmental value. It is envisioned that value will arrive from: Suitable connectivity in appropriate locations, Landing/activity platform(s) promoting activities, services, local info, Connected street furniture aligned with facilities and services, devolved content promoting inclusivity and community engagement. In addition, AWC is considering subsuming existing corporate Wi-Fi services under the same service management umbrella, with a single managed service provider. AWC works closely with other Sussex districts and boroughs. When the vision for public Wi-Fi services was defined, it included capability to expand or extend service to other districts and boroughs. The intention is therefore to present options for other districts and boroughs to adopt public Wi-Fi on the back of this procurement; enabling users registered from different districts or boroughs to use neighbouring Wi-Fi services. Suppliers interested in this opportunity must complete and return the Supplier Selection Questionnaire (SSQ) by uploading it through In-Tend before 21 October 2020. To enable suppliers to gauge the relevance of the opportunity, a Market Information Day will be held in advance of the deadline for SSQ submissions — information about this will be communicated via the AWC procurement platform, In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/adur-worthing/aspx/Tenders/Current