Invitation to Tender for the Rural Broadband Initiative (RuBI) at Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)
Invitation to Tender for the Rural Broadband Initiative (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 Rural Broadband Initiative (RuBI) project was established by the USPF.
Consequently, funds have been made available in the 2015 appropriation to provide subsidy to support the establishment of core delivery mechanism with broadband services in semi-urban towns and cities across Nigeria.
(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 roll-out of this project in four towns in each of the 6 geopolitical zones of the country. Proponents are to choose from the locations listed below for the deployment of the project: Each town shall be regarded as a Lot/Contract.
| S/N | ZONE | LOT | LOCATION |
| 1 | North Central | 1 | Lokoja, Kogi State |
| 2 | Offa, Kwara State | ||
| 3 | Minna, Niger State | ||
| 4 | Makurdi, Benue State | ||
| 2 | North East | 5 | Yola, Adamawa State |
| 6 | Gombe, Gombe State | ||
| 7 | Jalingo, Taraba State | ||
| 8 | Bauchi, Bauchi State | ||
| 3 | North West | 9 | Kafanchan, Kaduna State |
| 10 | Hadejia, Jigawa State | ||
| 11 | Daura, Katsina State | ||
| 12 | Sokoto, Sokoto State | ||
| 4 | South East | 13 | Nsukka, Enugu State |
| 14 | Onitsha, Anambra State | ||
| 15 | Owerri, Imo State | ||
| 16 | Abakaliki, Ebonyi State | ||
| 17 | Yenegoa, Bayelsa State | ||
| 5 | South South | 18 | Asaba, Delta State |
| 19 | Auchi, Edo State | ||
| 20 | Ogoja, Cross Rivers State | ||
| 6 | South East | 21 | Oyo, Oyo State |
| 22 | Ijebu- Ode, Ogun State | ||
| 23 | Osogbo, Osun State | ||
| 24 | Ondo, Ondo State |
(2) Objectives
The main objective of the project is to facilitate broadband network rollout in semi urban areas and towns by extending broadband internet services 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 the Internet infrastructure in selected towns/cities through the use of appropriate, economically viable and sustainable technology with broadband capacity; provision of broadband internet services that will cover a minimum of 25% of the selected towns/cities, 5% of which must include public institutions at the time of commissioning.
(b) Ensure that at the time of commissioning at least 5% of the broadband internet coverage is deployed to all the public institutions that are located within the vicinity of the cities of operation.
(c) Establish at least one (1) Public Access Venue (Telecentre / Business centre) that will provide shared access facilities in each of the town/coverage areas.
(d) Establish internet hotspots at strategic locations.
(e) Minimum internet speed to be provided under this project is 1.5Mbps.
(4) Subsidy/Incentives
In consideration of the above, successful companies shall be supported with incentives in the form of subsidy on an output based model to deploy RuBI and other associated infrastructure to identified locations across the country.
(5) Eligibility Criteria
Because this project is intended to provide broadband internet access over a wide geographic area that are currently unserved or under-served, only suitably licensed, qualified and experienced companies or consortium are advised to participate in this exercise. Specifically, companies tendering for this project must meet the under-listed requirements:
(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) Companies must submit its Board Resolution or a letter from the Chief Executive Officer approving its participation in the USPF procurement process.
In addition to the above, eligible companies must submit the following:
(i) Evidence of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission. (Companies must enclose Certified True Copies of Certificate of Incorporation and Form C07.
(ii) Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, which must show that the Company has ICT related activities as part of its objectives.
(iii) Three year Tax Clearance Certificate for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.
(iv) Certificate of Value Added Tax (VAT) and evidence of past remittances.
(v) 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 of a proper understanding of telecommunication solutions for rural areas.
(viii) Evidence of similar works carried out in the past such as award letters.
(ix) A company profile and organizational structure, including names and resumes of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers.
(x) Submit evidence of compliance with Pension Act, 2004 including evidence of remittances.
(xi) Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) contribution.
(xii) Evidence of compliance with the Employee’s Compensation Act which stipulates a remittance of 1 % of the total annual emolument of workers to NSITF
(xiii) 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.
(xiv) 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.
(6) Bid Bond
All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in line with section 26 (1) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007.
(7) 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 by payment of a non-refundable fee of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira Only) per lot. The amount is 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.
(8) Instructions for Submission of Bid Documents
(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 /RuBI/2015/TECHNICAL at the top right hand
- Financial Bid ‘USPF/TD/LOT x RuBI 2015/FINANCIAL at the top right hand comer.
- 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).
(b) A copy of the tender fee receipt endorsed by Head, Procurement Department MUST be submitted in a separate envelope and marked TF/RuBI
(c) 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.
(9) Pre-Bid Meeting
Potential bidders are encouraged to study these documents and submit any questions/clarifications that they might require.
A pre bid meeting will be held to highlight the RuBI concept, answer questions, exchange ideas and obtain feedback as follows:
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Venue: NCC Conference Hall
Time: 12 Noon
Minutes of Pre-Bid meeting would be issued within five work-days after the meeting.
(10) Date of submission of Proposals
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
USPF Secretariat, 9th Floor
Nigerian Communications Commission
Plot 423 Aguiyi lronsi Street, Maitama –Abuja
(11) 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
