II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
32430000
32500000
32562200
32571000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKE42
Main site or place of performance:
Leeds metropolitan district.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Full fibre programme:
Developing more extensive full fibre networks has been prioritised by Government which recognises that the low penetration rate of full fibre connections is a barrier to growth in the UK economy. Currently c.7 % of UK premises are enabled with fibre to the premise (otherwise known as FTTP connectivity), which compares poorly with counterparts in Europe such as Spain and Portugal (71 % and 89 % of premises respectively with FTTP). Outside of London, Leeds has an opportunity to become a Gigabit City of scale ahead of other cities.
Leeds City Council is going to market for a provider to build and deliver a full fibre gigabit capable network to the Council and partner buildings across the Leeds metropolitan district. Using the Council’s own network service requirements as the ‘Anchor Tenant’, the Council will seek to accelerate the wider roll out of FTTP to residential and commercial premises adjacent to Council buildings and routes. It is the Council’s ambition to make the Leeds metropolitan district the largest gigabit and 5G capable city outside of London, attracting increased inward investment, increasing the competitiveness of existing businesses and helping to close the digital/social divide in some of the City’s poorest areas.
The Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy articulates an ambition to improve the digital connectivity position of the city. To achieve its vision of ‘A compassionate city with a strong economy’, Leeds City Council is committed to tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. Connectivity is recognised as a foundation layer which underpins the Council’s wider digital inclusion objectives and is referenced in the Best Council Plan 2018 to 2021, the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy and Smart Leeds:
— improving access to and take up of good quality connectivity options by residents will allow the Council and its partners to explore more widespread digital and telehealth solutions, initiatives to reduce social isolation, and enhanced use of sensors to support independent living,
— improving operating conditions for businesses — supporting both the Inclusive Growth Strategy and the city region strategic economic plan and emerging digital framework to encourage the development of the existing digital and tech sector and all business, irrespective of their activity, to invest in and utilise digital technologies to improve productivity,
— widespread proliferation of full fibre networks would also allow for greater use of environmental sensors to support work around traffic management and reducing pollution and support the recent climate emergency declaration made by the Council in reducing emissions to net zero by 2030.
As a large organisation with significant connectivity requirements and a large asset base, the Council is seeking to influence the infrastructure position of the city. The Council’s extensive assets and requirements reaching circa 1 400 sites creates an enabling backbone of fibre-optic broadband connectivity to parts of the district which may not have previously benefitted from commercial investment programmes by incumbent operators.
The infrastructure will be assured to CESG Assurance Scheme (Telecoms) and provide WAN (Wide Area Network) connectivity to replace the Council’s existing network including requirements to migrate CCTV and Urban traffic management control services.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
21 100 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 84
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Initial contract term of 7 years with one (1) option to extend for a further 3 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 3
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
Standard selection questioner (SSQ) will be used. See Part 1, Tender instructions and Part 5, Full Fibre SSQ selection criteria. Documents can be downloaded from https://www.yortender.co.uk/
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No