Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to design, supply, install, configure, and support a comprehensive LAN infrastructure for the GMA over a five-year period. The solution aims to ensure a secure, standards-compliant, scalable, and vendor-neutral network that supports current operations and future relocation needs, including portability and minimal disruption during office moves.

Scope

The scope encompasses the full lifecycle of LAN infrastructure deployment, including:

• Designing a unified, resilient, and secure enterprise network based on open standards.
• Supply of all network components from a single OEM to ensure performance and compatibility.
• Installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of core, access, and wireless network layers.
• Provision of documentation, backup configurations, and support plans.
• Designing for relocation, ensuring equipment is rack-mountable, modular, reusable, and supports phased office moves without performance degradation.
• Support and maintenance for five years, including post-relocation validation and ongoing support.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications include, but are not limited to:

Core Network Layer

• Minimum 480 Gbps aggregate switching capacity with dual redundant management and power modules.
• Support for Layer 3 routing (OSPF, BGP, VRRP).
• At least 24 × 10G SFP+ ports with uplink expansion capability.
• IPv6 readiness, enterprise licensing for centralized management, SNMPv3, NetFlow, and scalability.

Wired Access Layer

• 48 × 1GbE ports with PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at), support for VLANs, QoS, 802.1X, stacking, and redundancy.
• Support for inter-switch stacking with minimum 80 Gbps bandwidth.
• UPS supporting at least 10-minute runtime at full load.

Wireless Access Layer

• Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) standard with dual-radio 4×4 MIMO, minimum throughput of 3.0 Gbps.
• Support for WPA3, centralized management, RF optimization, ceiling/wall mountable APs.

Additional Technical Features

• PoE+ support, fiber connectivity options, SNMPv3, syslog, Active Directory/Entra ID integration.
• Relocation readiness with equipment designed for easy dismantling, transport, and reinstallation.
• Support for IPv6, redundancy, high availability, and security standards aligned with ISO/IEC 27001 and POPIA.

Skills and Skills Requirements

The bidder must demonstrate:

• Project Team Composition: A structured team including a Project Manager, Service Delivery Manager, Network Design Specialist/Architect, Network Engineer/Installation Expert, and Security Architect.
• Qualifications:
  • Project Manager: Certification such as Prince2, PMP, or PMI, with minimum NQF level 7, and at least five years’ experience managing large-scale network projects.
  • Design Specialist/Architect: Diploma in IT or Networking, OEM certifications, with five years’ experience designing large networks.
  • Network Engineer: Diploma or N+ certification, OEM certifications, five years’ experience in network implementation and testing.
  • Security Architect: Diploma in IT Security, Security+ certification, five years’ experience in security architecture.
• Experience: Proven track record with at least three completed projects (2018-2026) supporting 300+ users, including project documentation, client references, and project scope details.
• Methodology: A cohesive technical approach covering solution architecture, relocation strategy, project implementation plan, stakeholder engagement, and skills transfer.
• Support & Maintenance: Support plans including hardware/software support, vendor engagement, warranty management, and skills transfer to GMA personnel.
• Compliance & Certification: Demonstrated adherence to industry standards, ISO/IEC 27001, POPIA, and relevant security and quality management systems.

In summary, the successful bidder must possess the technical expertise, project management capability, relevant certifications, and proven experience to deliver a scalable, portable, and standards-compliant LAN infrastructure aligned with GMA’s strategic and operational needs.