Request for Proposal for the Provision of Rural Broadband Internet for the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) Project
Universal Service Provision Fund
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9th Floor,
Plot 423, Aguiyi Itonsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT. www.uspf.gov.ng
Request for Proposal for the Provision of Rural Broadband Internet (RuBI)
1. Introduction
The Universal Service Provision Fund “USPF” was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to facilitate the achievement of national policy goals for universal service and universal access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural, un-served and under-served areas in Nigeria. As part of its mandate and in line with the objectives of the National Broadband Policy to promote broadband deployment; increase broadband adoption and usage; and ensure availability of broadband services at affordable prices, the USPF has initiated the Rural Broadband Internet (RuBI) project
Consequently, funds have been made available in the 2014 appropriation to provide subsidy to support the establishment of core delivery mechanism with broadband services in semi-urban towns and cities across Nigeria.
Project is grouped into Lots as follows:
| Lot No | Zones | Number of Locations |
| Lot 1 | North – Central | 6 |
| Lot 2 | North – East | 6 |
| Lot 3 | North –West | 6 |
| Lot 4 | South – East | 6 |
| Lot 5 | South –South | 6 |
| Lot 6 | South – West | 6 |
1.1 Project Locations
The locations being targeted in this phase of the RuBI project are semi-urban towns and cities that do not have access to broadband facilities.
The USPF intends to provide subsidy for the deployment of this project in six semi-urban towns in each lot. Therefore, proponents are to identify suitable semi-urban towns and conduct their survey as appropriate for the deployment of the project.
- Objectives
The main objective of the project is to facilitate broadband network rollout in semi-urban areas and towns by extending broadband internet access that will enable end users have access to the internet at various locations across the country.
3. Project Scope
The scope of work for the project is as follows:
a) Deployment of broadband Internet infrastructure in the approved locations/coverage areas through the use of appropriate technology with broadband capacity.
b) Provision of infrastructure broadband services with a minimum of 1.5Mbps capacity for each of the service/coverage areas.
c) Establish a minimum of two (2) Public Access Venues that will provide shared access facilities in each of the town/coverage areas.
- Subsidy/Incentives
In consideration of the above, successful companies shall be supported with incentives in form of subsidy on an output-based model to deploy RuBI and other associated infrastructure to identified locations across the country.
- Eligibility Criteria
Because this project is intended to provide broadband internet access over wide geographic areas that are currently un-served or under-served, companies tendering for this project must meet the under listed conditions. However, only suitably licensed, qualified and experienced companies or consortium with the following requirements are advised to participate.
a) Companies must be capable of operating a broadband network and have the capacity to interconnect to other existing networks (wired or wireless).
b) Companies must provide verifiable proof of capacity to provide broadband internet (sources/partners/access& backhaul, capacities).
c) Proponents must submit its Board Resolution approving participation in the Bid process.
In addition to the above, eligible companies must submit the following:
- Evidence of incorporation or registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Companies must enclose Certificate of Incorporation and Form CO7.
ii. Articles and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which must show that the Company has ICT related activities as part of its objects.
- Three years Tax Clearance Certificate for the year 2011, 2012 and 2013.
- Certificate of VAT and evidence of past remittances.
- Audited accounts for the last three years.
vi. Verifiable evidence of financial capacity to execute the project, and such evidence must come from a reputable bank.
vii. Evidence showing a proper understanding of telecommunications solutions forrural areas.
- Evidence of similar works carried out in the past such as a ward letters.
- A company profile and organizational structure, including names and resumes of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers.
- Submit detailed evidence of compliance with Pension Act, 2004,including evidence of remittances
- Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) contribution.
- A sworn affidavit that the firm is not bankrupt, in receivership or under liquidation or involved in any litigation which can potentially affect the company’s ability to conclusively participate in this engagement
- Bid Bond
All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in line with Section 26 (1) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.
- Collection of Tender Documents
Qualified Companies wishing to respond to this invitation must purchase a copy of the bidding document from the Procurement Department, USPF for a non-refundable fee of N250,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only per Lot, which must be payable in bank draft in favour of “Universal Service Provision Fund, Abuja”. The draft should be submitted to the Funding and Subsidy Department, USPF and copy of the receipt attached to the bid document upon submission.
- Submission of Documents
The prospective bidders shall enclose Three (3) bound copies each of detailed Technical and Financial Proposals in separate sealed envelopes and clearly marked ‘Technical’ and ‘Financial’ respectively, and enclose the two envelopes in one sealed outer envelope marked as ‘RuBI Lot No…….’ on the top right hand corner which shall bear the lot description, the name and address of the company on the reverse side of the envelope.
- Pre Bidders Meeting
All bidders are to note that a Pre Bidder’s Meeting will be held as follows:
Date: Wednesday September 24, 2014
Venue: NCC Conference Room
Time: 12.00 Noon
- Deadline for Submission of Proposals
All tender documents must be delivered by Hand and should reach the Office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday 12th November, 2014 by 5:00pm.
The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
USP Secretariat 9thFloor
Nigerian Communications Commission
423Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama – Abuja
11. Disclaimer
a) Late submissions shall be rejected.
b) The Fund will not be responsible for any cost or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with any response to an inquiry nor shall it entitle any party submitting documents to claim any indemnity from the Fund.
c) The Fund is not bound to shortlist any bidder and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities and assigning any reason thereof.
d) This advertisement is published for information purposes only and should not be construed as a commitment or obligation on the part of the Fund to award a contract
For further clarification on the RFP, please email: uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng or uspfprocurement@ncc.gov.ng
Signed:
Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
