Invitation to Tender for the Establishment of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) at Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Invitation to Tender for the Establishment of Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
(1) Introduction
One of the main programmes of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) under the 2013-2017 Strategic Management Plan (SMP) is to fast track the roll-out of BTS and associated infrastructure to expand telecoms services in un-served and underserved areas and communities across the country.
Consequently, USPF has provided sufficient funds in the 2015 appropriation to facilitate the expansion of mobile services to areas/communities currently without any service and hereby invites interested operators to submit tenders for deployment of BTS.
(2) Objective of the Project
The objective of this project is to extend mobile telephony and mobile broadband services to communities and groups that are not currently covered by any of the existing operators in order to achieve the mandate of the USPF and the goals and objectives of the National Broadband Plan 2013-2018.
(3) Clusters/Lots
The locations targeted in this phase of the BTS project are grouped into clusters of communities which are currently the least connected. Note that each cluster represents a Lot and interested bidders can bid for as many Lots as they wish. The clusters are attached to the tender document.
(4) Purpose of the Tender
(4.1) The purpose of this Tender Document is to invite qualified existing mobile operating companies or a consortium in partnership with existing mobile operators to deploy BTSs and associated infrastructure to provide telecoms services to un-served/underserved locations in Nigeria.
(4.2) The locations being targeted under the 2015 budget are areas that are least covered across the country and these areas have been grouped into clusters as shown in the tender document. Each cluster is numbered and is designated as a Lot.
(4.3) Establishment of Base Transceiver Station and other supporting infrastructure that will deliver one or all of the following:
(a) Services
(i) Voice
(ii) Value Added Services (VAS)
(iii) Data
(iv) Mobile Broadband
(b) Power Solutions: BTS’s and other infrastructure deployed are to be powered by one or a combination of the under listed power solutions;
(i) Public Mains
(ii) Generators
(iii) Renewable Energy, like; Solar, Wind, Hydel, etc.
(iv) Hybrid
Bidders are encouraged to utilize sustainable techniques and technologies that will minimize operational expenditure (OPEX) and negative impact on the environment. Minimizing OPEX would benefit the subsidy-winning operator, as the BTS will be owned and run by that operator. Technologies that have been certified to be environmentally safe and effective will be ranked higher accordingly.
(5) Scope of Work
(5.1) Survey, design and deploy BTS and other associated infrastructure to cover each of the selected clusters 100% and provide multiple services (as given in 4.3a. above) for a period of 5years.
(5.2) Deploy one or more of power solutions that will sustain the network in each selected cluster (as given in 4.3b. above).
(6) Subsidy
In consideration of the above, successful operators shall be supported with incentives in form of subsidy on an ‘Output Based Assistance’ (OBA) model to deploy BTS and other associated infrastructure to identified locations grouped into clusters across the country.
(7) Financial Capacity
Bidder must satisfy USPF that it has sufficient financial capacity for this project by providing a bank statement of account for the last one year and a letter from a reputable bank confirming financial support, may be included as additional proof of financial support and capability.
(8) Eligibility Criteria:
As this project is intended to extend mobile coverage to areas currently left un-served, operators tendering for this project MUST meet all of the following conditions;
(8.1) Mandatory/Specific Conditions
An existing network operating company with proven subscriber base OR a consortium that includes one or more of the existing network operators, considering that they are expected to expand services to underserved areas.
(8.2) General Conditions
All tenders must comply with the requirements of Public Procurement Act 2007 and must attach the following:
(a) Evidence of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission, Companies must enclose Certificate of Incorporation and Form Co7.
(b) Submit Memorandum and Articles of Association of their Company, which must show that the Company has ICT/Telecom related activities as part of its objectives.
(c) Three year Tax Clearance Certificates (2012,2013 and 2014).
(d) Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) registration certificate and past remittances.
(e) Audited accounts for the last year 2014.
(f) Verifiable evidence of financial capacity to execute the project.
(g) Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resume of key personnel and technical staff.
(h) Evidence of compliance with Pension Act 2004, including evidence of remittances and ITF contribution.
(i) Evidence of compliance with the Employee’s Compensation Act which stipulates a remittance of 1 % of the total annual emolument of workers to NSITF.
(j) Evidence of registration on the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service providers. Bidders are requested to submit an Interim Registration Report as the evidence of compliance with this requirement,
(k) 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.
(9) Compliance with the LAW
In operating the project, a bidder shall be required to comply with the operator’s license, all laws of Nigeria applicable to this project at all times and the Contract Agreement and Authorisation.
(10) Pre-Bid Meeting
Potential bidders are encouraged to study these documents and submit any questions/clarifications that they might require.
All bidders are to note that a Pre-Bid Meeting will be held to highlight the BTS project and to answer questions as follows:
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Venue: NCC Conference Hall
Time: 12Noon
Minutes of the Pre-Bid meeting would be issued within five work-days after the meeting.
(11) Submission of Tender
Qualified Companies wishing to bid for this project must purchase a copy of the TENDER DOCUMENT from the Procurement Department, USPF Secretariat by payment of a non-refundable tendering fee of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000:00) only, 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.
(a) The Proponent shall prepare three copies each of the Technical and Financial Proposals, clearly marking the first copy “Original Proposal” the 2nd and 3rd copies as “Copy of Proposal”.
- Each Bid Package shall be clearly marked with the following information:
Technical Bid marked ‘USPF/TD/LOT x /BTS/2015/TECHNICAL at the top right hand corner.
- Financial Bid’ USPF/TD/LOT x /BTS /2015/FINANCIAL at the top right hand corner.
- Name of Proponent.
- Contact Name, Phone Number and E-Mail Address.
(b) The Proponent shall also prepare one electronic copy of the Technical Proposal (in CD or USB in a format readable by Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat software).
(c) A copy of the tender fee receipt endorsed by Head, Procurement Department MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and marked TF/BTS
(d) All copies of the Proposals shall be clearly marked with the name of the Proponent and duly signed by its authorised representative. In the event of any discrepancy between copies, the original shall govern. The original and all copies of the Proposal shall be packaged together in a single box or container, which shall be sealed so that it is not possible to open it without visual evidence of such tampering. USPF will assume no responsibility for the content of tamper evident proposals or for non-compliance with this instruction. Proposals that do not comply with this section may be rejected.
All tender documents must be Hand Delivered and should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Tuesday, September 8, 2015 by 3.00pm. (KINDLY NOTE THAT BIDS WILL BE OPENED IMMEDIATELY ON THE SAME DAY)
The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
Universal Service Provision Secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office
9th Floor, 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street
Maitama District, Abuja
Failure to comply with the tendering instructions shall lead to disqualification.
(12) Disclaimer
(a) Late submissions shall be rejected.
(b) The USPF 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 USPF.
(c) The USPF 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 USPF to award a contract.
For further clarification on this advertisement, please email: uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng or uspfprocurement@ncc.gov.ng
Signed:
Secretary,
Universal Service Provision Fund
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9th Floor, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT. www.uspf.gov.ng
