Future opportunity

Swansea Bay City Deal Digital Infrastructure Programme Better Broadband Infill Project

  • Carmarthenshire County Council

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice reference: 2025/S 000-000609

Published 9 January 2025, 10:02am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Carmarthenshire County Council

County Hall

Carmarthen

SA31 1JP

Email

digital@swanseabaycitydeal.wales

Telephone

+44 1267234567

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKL14 - South West Wales

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://digital.swanseabaycitydeal.wales/

Buyer's address

https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0281

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Swansea Bay City Deal Digital Infrastructure Programme Better Broadband Infill Project

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 32412100 - Telecommunications network

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme is exploring potential solutions to contract a commercial partner(s) to provide a gigabit capable connection to premises in the Swansea Bay City Region (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot) that currently have poor broadband (<30mbps) and meet the following criteria:

White premises - Speed < 30mbps

Not in commercial plans as defined by OMR.

Not part of Project Gigabit or existing voucher scheme

We have recently concluded a tender process for the Better Broadband Infill Project, unfortunately, none of the bids received met the necessary criteria. In light of this, we would like to engage with the market to discuss the opportunity further before reissuing the tender.

We are considering increasing the budget allocated for this project while reducing the coverage targets to ensure a more viable and competitive process. This consultation will help align expectations and provide a clearer understanding of the project’s scope.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 32412100 - Telecommunications network

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKL14 - South West Wales
Main site or place of performance

Swansea Bay City Region (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme is exploring potential solutions to contract a commercial partner(s) to provide a gigabit capable connection to premises in the Swansea Bay City Region (Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, and Neath Port Talbot) that currently have poor broadband (<30mbps) and meet the following criteria:

White premises - Speed < 30mbps

Not in commercial plans as defined by OMR.

Not part of Project Gigabit or existing voucher scheme

We have recently concluded a tender process for the Better Broadband Infill Project, unfortunately, none of the bids received met the necessary criteria. In light of this, we would like to engage with the market to discuss the opportunity further before reissuing the tender.

We are considering increasing the budget allocated for this project while reducing the coverage targets to ensure a more viable and competitive process. This consultation will help align expectations and provide a clearer understanding of the project’s scope.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 May 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme is a formally constituted partnership between four local authorities - Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire, two regional health boards - Hywel Dda University Health Board and Swansea Bay University Health Board and two universities - University of Wales Trinity Saint David & Swansea University.

The programme’s aspirations are:

Better broadband for everyone... leaving nobody behind.

A smart region ready and able to innovate and adopt emerging technology.

An inclusive digital landscape that meets everyone's needs.

As part of the programmes Rural workstream, the Better Broadband Infill Project will support these aspirations and meet the following objectives:

Address poor connectivity in areas where market failure persists in a pragmatic, timely and effective manner to ensure residents and businesses aren’t left behind.

Facilitate the market to deliver against their own commercial plans. Accelerate rollout of broadband infrastructure in the Swansea Bay City Region.

Complement and support delivery of existing and planned UK and Welsh Government interventions.

We are seeking a commercial partner(s) to provide a gigabit capable connection to premises in the Swansea Bay City Region that currently have poor broadband (<30mbps) and meet the following criteria:

White premises - Speed < 30mbps

Not in commercial plans as defined by OMR.

Not part of Project Gigabit or existing voucher scheme

We have used multiple datasets from Ofcom, Welsh, and UK Government, to identify the intervention area. Initial analysis has identified 2,363 eligible residential and business premises in both rural and urban locations.

See map for an overview of the locations. The coverage targets for this procurement will be discussed during market engagement. This information is subject to change prior to going out to tender.

Requirements

High level overview of requirements*:

New connection must offer affordable broadband packages for residents and businesses.

New connection must be available to the premise to request a service for a minimum of 12 years with no ECCs to the resident/business.

The network built with the subsidy must be open access to all interested service providers on fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory terms. This shall include both Wholesale Access Products and Wholesale Passive Products.

The solution must provide a gigabit capable connection.

*This is subject to change.

We will refine the specification following market engagement, and we invite suppliers to contribute their ideas to help us shape this project.

Additional information

We have recently concluded a tender process for the Better Broadband Infill Project, unfortunately, none of the bids received met the necessary criteria. In light of this, we would like to engage with the market to discuss the opportunity further before reissuing the tender.

We are considering increasing the budget allocated for this project while reducing the coverage targets to ensure a more viable and competitive process. This consultation will help align expectations and provide a clearer understanding of the project’s scope.

We will be holding market engagement sessions either online or in person on the following dates/times.

15th January 12:00, 14:00, 16:00

16th January 10:00, 13:00, 15:00

17th January 10:00, 13:00, 15:00

If you would like to discuss the opportunity with the team, please email: digital@swanseabaycitydeal.wales. with your preferred date and time, and if you would like to attend in person or online. Please note that slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis so please indicate all slots that you are able to attend.

Venue: Teams / County Hall, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 1JP

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=147097.

(WA Ref:147097)