Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Connectivity Services

Tender description

"The Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services to ensure it has access to unlock the potential for cost savings, improved productivity, enhanced service delivery and ensuring the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens. The Council is therefore procuring a long term single supplier Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to: i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire, ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks, iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes. The Framework Agreement will enable the Council (and any of the contracting authorities identified at Section VI.3) to access the following initial and future ICT services from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement: Initial Services - Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1) - Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2) - Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3) - Internet access (Call-Off 4) - Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5). Future ICT Services may include: - Pilot / concept projects. - Traffic light connectivity - Active bandwidth services to Analogue only sites - Enterprise telephony (fixed, cellular, analogue circuit replacement) - Social / affordable broadband - Private 5G - Provision of Public WiFi in Corporate and Education sites - Internet of Things (IoT) networks and other ‘Smart Place’ initiatives to support the Councils digital ambition - Data centre services - Azure Express Route services - Security services - Cloud connectivity - Remote access - Network services. from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement. "North Lanarkshire has a vision for inclusive growth and prosperity for all and an ambition for North Lanarkshire to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. It is to this end that the Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services through a procurement of a long term, single supplier Framework Agreement to enhance the provision of digital infrastructure across North Lanarkshire. The Council require to deliver a step change in connectivity services, primarily through the provision of symmetrical fibre connectivity to its schools, public buildings and strategic assets ensuring that the Council has access to the latest and fastest digital connectivity services, unlocking the potential for cost savings, improved productivity and enhanced service delivery, ensuring that the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens. The Council intends to utilise the Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to: i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire, ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks, iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes. The purpose of establishing the Framework Agreement is is to source a long term partnership with a Service Provider to deliver the Council’s connectivity needs, both now and well into the future while stimulating the commercial deployment of gigabit capable networks in unserved areas. Initial call-off contracts under the proposed Framework Agreement will cover the provision of the following connectivity services: - Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1) - Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2) - Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3) - Internet access (Call-Off 4) - Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5). It is anticipated that additional services such as concept pilots, mobile telephony, fixed telephony, traffic lights, IoT etc may be required in the future, although the Council does not guarantee the award of future call-off contracts. The Council reserves the right to modify the scope of ICT Services in the future as our needs evolve. The estimated value of the Framework Agreement is 150,000,000 GBP over the proposed duration of the Framework Agreement (including all extensions) but there is no guarantee of this level of business and spend through the Framework Agreement. TUPE - 4.8.1 Candidates should note that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/246) ("TUPE") will not apply to the Framework Agreement or for the initial call-off contracts but may potentially apply to future call-off contracts. Further information on TUPE is provided in Section 4.8 of the ITC document. Further details of this opportunity are set out in the procurement documents. Please see Section V1.3 for details relating to the SPD and other procurement documents being released at this stage.