Request for Proposal for the Provision of Backbone Transmission Infrastructure (BTRAIN) at Universal Service Provision Secretariat, Abuja
Universal Service Provision Secretariat
Nigerian Communications Commission Head Office, 9th Floor, Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama District, Abuja, FCT www, uspf.go v.ng
Request for Proposal for the Provision of Backbone Transmission Infrastructure (BTRAIN)
- 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, Consequently, USPF has provided funds in the budget to facilitate the deployment of Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) and connection to the National Transmission Network.
The OFC to be deployed in this phase is estimated to cover 3,000km nationwide and would be Implemented in four (4) lots covering four geopolitical zones of the country.
The Lots in the BTRAIN 2014 coverage areas and the distances are as follows:
| Lot No | Zones | Distance to be covered (in Kilometres) |
| Lot 1 | North East Zone | 600 |
| Lot 2 | South East Zone | 800 |
| Lot 3 | South-South Zone | 800 |
| Lot 4 | South-West Zone | 800 |
- Objectives
The main objective of the BTRAIN project is to extend Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) backbone and associated transmission infrastructure to rural and semi-urban areas in order to achieve Goal 2 of USPFs 5 year Strategic Management Plan (2013-2017), as well as the objectives of the National Broadband Policy, 2013 – 2018.
- Project Scope
The scope of work for the project is as follows:
a) Survey and design an Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) network with capacity that meets the transmission needs of the benefiting communities and provision to accommodate requirements of other operators as the need may arise.
b) Deployment of Optic Fibre Cable Transmission Network to connect tin-served and under-served areas to existing optic fibre networks. The optic fibre deployment shall be for routes in rural and semi-urban areas that lack such facilities and shall be built such that it can connect to businesses, commercial areas, public institutions and other USPF assisted projects within the route and locality
c) The routes being proposed in the OFC Network, must link, connect and or pass through the following types of potential beneficiaries along the routes:
- Existing public institutions, public and private schools, universities, hospitals, etc.
- Business and commercial centers
- Communities and towns
d) Management and operation of the built OFC infrastructure.
- Subsidy/Incentives
In consideration of the above, the USPF has set aside sufficient funds in the budget to provide an output based subsidy as incentive to successful proponents to fast track the achievement of the objectives of the BTRAIN project, The amount of subsidy to be provided for each lot is to be competitively determined.
- Eligibility Criteria
a) General Conditions
Eligible companies must submit the following:
- Evidence of incorporation or registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Companies must enclose copies of Certificate of Incorporation and Form CO7.
- Articles and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which must show that the Company has ICT related activities as part of its objects.
- Three year Tax Clearance Certificates for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Certificate of VAT and evidence of past remittances. - Audited accounts for the last three years.
- Verifiable evidence of financial capacity to execute the project, and such evidence must come from a reputable bank.
- Evidence of a proper understanding of telecommunication solutions for rural areas.
- Evidence of similar works carried out in the past, such as award letters.
- Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resumes of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers.
- Detailed evidence of compliance with Pensions Acts 2004, including evidence of remittances
- Evidence of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) contribution.
b) Specific Conditions
In addition, proponents shall be required to demonstrate the following minimum requirements:
- A relevant license issued by Nigerian Communications Commission to provide service in this area of assignment.
- The ability to interconnect to one or more existing OFC network
- Proof of ownership, successful management and operation of an OFC network for at least the last three (3) years.
- Proponents must submit its Board Resolution approving participation in the Bid process.
6. 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 by payment of a nonrefundable 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 upon submission.
- Submission of Documents
The prospective bidden shall enclose Three (3) bound copies of detailed Technical and Financial Proposals in separate sealed envelopes aid clearly marked ‘Technical’ and ‘Financial’- respectively, and enclose the two envelopes in one sealed outer envelope marked as ‘BTRAIN 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: 2.00pm.
10. 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 November 12, 2014 by 5:00pm.
The Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
USP Secretariat 9th Floor
Nigerian Communications Commission
423 Aguiyi 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 if 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
