Planning

The Future of Fibrespeed - Beyond 2025

  • Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-023745

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03ef90

Published 14 August 2023, 2:56pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

Seilwaith Digidol / Digital Infrastructure, Parc Cathays / Cathays Park

Caerdydd / Cardiff

CF10 3NQ

Email

nextgenerationbroadb1@gov.wales

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKL - Wales

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://gov.wales

Buyer's address

https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007

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

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

The Future of Fibrespeed - Beyond 2025

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 64200000 - Telecommunications services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Fibrespeed network, is a fibre network owned by the Welsh Government and operated by Fibrespeed Ltd on its behalf. The existing contract to operate the network is due to expire on 31st March 2025. Welsh Government are using this prior information notice (PIN) to commence engagement with the market to explore the possible options for the future of the network beyond the existing contract term.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1

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
  • 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
  • 32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies
  • 32520000 - Telecommunications cable and equipment
  • 32510000 - Wireless telecommunications system
  • 32522000 - Telecommunications equipment
  • 32523000 - Telecommunications facilities
  • 32524000 - Telecommunications system
  • 32562200 - Optical telecommunication cables
  • 45314000 - Installation of telecommunications equipment
  • 45232332 - Ancillary works for telecommunications
  • 50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment
  • 50332000 - Telecommunications-infrastructure maintenance services
  • 64227000 - Integrated telecommunications services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKL - Wales
Main site or place of performance

North Wales

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The 411km fibre live network comprises a single duct, with extensive break out points and a 96-fibre cable. The network features 13 Points of Presence and extends west to east between Parc Cybi, Holyhead, Anglesey, and Manchester Reynolds House colocation facility. The network also has 8 wireless masts ranging in height from 15m to 25m distributed across several PoPs, with associated colocation capability that can provide fibre infrastructure or wireless connectivity across adjacent business parks, alongside 10 carrier neutral connectivity sites. In addition to the main network route, there are also additional duct and fibre network assets with multiple interconnect points built to the same specification extending south between Caernarfon and Pwllheli that are not currently live but that are ready for service (together, and defined hereinafter as, "the Network")

The Welsh Government is looking to ascertain if there is market interest in one or both of the following options:

1) Purchasing the Network out-right

2) Operating the Network via a commercial agreement with the Welsh Government

If applicable, (i) please confirm your interest in one or both of the above options; and (ii) by way of a brief summary, set out the reasons for your interest in one or both of the above options (as the case may be): to NextGenerationBroadB1@gov.wales by 14:00 on 08th September 2023.

Further information is set out in a memorandum of information available to download via this PIN.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 January 2024


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

Please note - this PIN: (i) is not a call for tenders or a pre-qualification exercise, (ii) does not commit Welsh Government to undertaking a procurement exercise; and (iii) is intended for market engagement purposes only. A nominal value of 1.00 GBP has been included in the estimated total value section of this PIN for the purposes of administration and is subject to change should Welsh Government decide to issue a procurement for any of the requirements noted in the PIN. An indicative estimated date of publication of contract notice has also been provided (section II.3); this date is subject to change should Welsh Government decide, at its sole discretion, to commence a procurement exercise (if any) for all or part of the requirements noted in the PIN. The Welsh Government reserves the right to proceed on whichever basis it considers most appropriate. The Welsh Government will not meet any costs or liabilities incurred by organisations responding to this PIN or participating in the market engagement exercise.

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=132892.

(WA Ref:132892)