Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to implement a high-speed network backbone with a minimum capacity of 10Gbps or higher for the Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO). The upgrade aims to enhance data transmission speeds, improve network performance, reduce latency, support future scalability, and ensure reliable, secure connectivity across the organization’s infrastructure.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Assessment of the current network topology and infrastructure.
• Procurement and installation of hardware capable of supporting 10Gbps+ throughput, including transceivers and fibre cabling.
• Configuration and integration of new backbone components with existing devices such as Cisco Catalyst switches, wireless controllers, servers, and storage.
• Reconfiguration of switches to disable Telnet and enable SSHv2 for secure management.
• Implementation of network security measures including switch hardening, VLAN segmentation, and Cisco ISE configuration.
• Performance testing, validation, and documentation of the upgraded network.
• Provision of training and support documentation for IT staff.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications include:

• Upgrade the core and distribution switches to support 10Gbps+ throughput, specifically Cisco Catalyst 9400 and 9300 series switches.
• Install 10Gbps-capable transceivers and fibre optic cabling.
• Reconfigure network devices to disable Telnet and enable SSHv2 for secure remote management.
• Configure Cisco ISE for optimal network security balancing access and protection.
• Implement switch hardening controls such as port security and DHCP snooping.
• Segment the network using VLAN re-numbering to create secure, logically separated zones.
• Provide comprehensive network diagrams, documentation, and performance test reports.

Skills Requirements

The tenderer must demonstrate:

• Proven experience with enterprise-grade networking, specifically with Cisco Catalyst series switches and HPE networking solutions.
• Strong project planning skills with a detailed project plan reflecting successful deployment of high-speed network backbones.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in Cisco networking, with CCIE certification in Security and Routing & Switching being highly desirable.
• Experience in configuring and deploying network security protocols, VLAN segmentation, and network hardening techniques.
• Capability to conduct performance testing, documentation, and staff training.
• Ability to provide post-implementation support and maintenance services, including SLAs for uptime and issue resolution.