Objectives

The primary objective is to urgently replace the hospital's legacy copper telephone infrastructure with a modern fibre optic telecommunications network. The project aims to restore and enhance communication services at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital by integrating the new fibre connection with the facility's existing switchboard, ensuring continuous, reliable, and cost-effective telephony for clinical and administrative operations.

Scope

• Supply and install a 50Mbps dedicated fibre line with full PRO handover for network connectivity.
• Port 100 Direct Dialling In (DDI) numbers and configure 30 Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) channels.
• Install, license, and maintain a call monitoring system, including annual software updates.
• Provide comprehensive operational pricing covering line rentals, local/national/mobile call tariffs, and emergency callout fees across standard hours, weekends, and public holidays.
• Execute all works within an active healthcare environment, utilising after-hours or weekend scheduling to minimise disruption to hospital services.
• Remove all construction rubble, debris, and removed copper materials, leaving the site clean and compliant with building regulations.
• Provide a twelve-month guarantee on all installed materials, workmanship, and system functionality.

Technical Requirements

• Demonstrate compliance with SABS/SANS standards and adhere to ICASA telecommunications regulations, the National Building Regulations, and KZNPA electrical specifications.
• Ensure full interoperability between the new fibre/VOIP infrastructure and the hospital's existing NEC private branch exchange (PBX) switchboard.
• Submit certified proof of registration as an authorised NEC dealer.
• Provide a detailed Bill of Quantities and Annexure A outlining all recurring operational costs, system licensing, and maintenance callout rates.
• Deliver at least three verifiable references for completed telecommunications projects of similar scale and complexity.
• Maintain strict adherence to site safety protocols and hospital infection control guidelines during installation.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Hold a valid CIDB recognition with a minimum TELCOMS grading and documented experience in fibre optic and telephony installations.
• Employ qualified telecommunications engineers and technicians certified in fibre splicing, VOIP configuration, and PBX integration.
• Demonstrate project management capability to coordinate multi-disciplinary installations within a live hospital setting without compromising patient care or critical systems.
• Exhibit financial stability and operational capacity to manage long-term service delivery, including call monitoring system support and tariff administration.

Explanation of Technical Terms

• PRO (Primary Rate Interface): An international digital telephony standard that aggregates multiple voice and data channels into a single high-capacity connection, enabling stable, high-volume hospital communications.
• DDI (Direct Dialling In): A numbering feature that allows external callers to reach specific internal extensions directly, eliminating the need for central operator assistance.
• VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): A technology that transmits voice communications over the fibre network rather than traditional circuit-switched lines, offering greater scalability and reduced operational costs.
• NEC Switchboard Integration: The technical process of bridging the new fibre/VOIP system with the hospital's legacy NEC PBX, requiring specialised hardware adapters and programming to ensure seamless call routing and feature retention.
• PRO Handover: The formal demarcation point where the service provider's external network terminates and connects to the client's internal cabling and equipment, marking the start of the contractor's installation and commissioning responsibilities.