Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to deliver high-speed internet connectivity to the Free State Development Corporation (FDC) across all its offices within the Free State Province for a period of 24 months.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Provision of fibre optic internet connections to all six FDC office locations.
• Implementation of alternative solutions (e.g., Microwave, Satellite, Wireless) if fibre is unavailable, to ensure continuous high-speed internet access.
• Support and maintenance services, including 24/7 technical support and dedicated personnel for ongoing troubleshooting and infrastructure upkeep.
• Deployment of network infrastructure such as switches, routers, and firewalls, with ownership transferred to FDC upon contract expiry.
• Provision of public IP addresses for cloud platforms and compliance with licensing and regulatory requirements.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications for the proposed solution include:

• High-speed fibre optic internet connectivity to all six offices.
• Redundancy options, including alternative solutions like Microwave, Satellite, or Wireless, if fibre is not feasible.
• Installation of network infrastructure comprising TP-Link switches (model TL-SG2428P), Cisco routers (1900 Series), and FortiGate firewalls (FortiNet 100F).
• Provision of a centralised breakout point at the Head Office with dedicated tunnels for each regional office.
• Support for optimal connectivity, including backup stock of Layer 3 equipment and transfer of skills to FDC’s ICT team.
• Compliance with ICASA licensing requirements and proven experience as an ISP.
• Provision of detailed implementation timelines, internet breakout strategies, and capacity to deliver the proposed solutions.

Skills and Skills Requirements

The skills and expertise required from the service provider include:

• Licensed ISP registered with ICASA, capable of delivering telecommunication services.
• Demonstrated experience in deploying high-speed internet solutions across multiple sites, with references from previous clients.
• Technical team comprising:
• Team Leader or Project Manager with relevant qualifications and experience.
• Level 1 Support Technicians with N+ and/or A+ certifications and ICT or Computer Science qualifications.
• Level 2 and Level 3 Support Technicians with in-depth experience, CCNP or equivalent certifications.
• Ability to provide comprehensive proposals including different internet breakout options, implementation timelines, and transfer of skills plans.
• Company documentation such as company profile, registration documents, BBBEE certificate, and proof of tax compliance.
• Capacity to deliver reliable, high-quality internet services with ongoing support and maintenance.