Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
North Ayrshire Council
Cunninghame House, Friars Croft
Irvine
KA12 8EE
UK
Contact person: William Tomelty
Telephone: +44 1294324354
E-mail: williamtomelty@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM93
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00337
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Managed Wide Area Network (WAN)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72720000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
North Ayrshire Council (“NAC”) are looking to notify the market about the potential contract opportunity for a managed wide area network (“WAN”).
The purpose of this market engagement questionnaire is to give suppliers advanced notice of the contract, determine the best route to market, and to help shape the procurement process in terms of any minimum requirements set.
This procurement is not simply a technical refresh. NAC’s WAN is the backbone of its service delivery—supporting schools, corporate functions, libraries, cloud adoption, public safety, digital learning, and emerging smart technologies. It will also provide the foundation upon which NAC intends to build broader digital connectivity ambitions.
Suppliers should therefore view this opportunity through both a technical and strategic lens. While the immediate requirement is the delivery of a secure, resilient, high-performance WAN, NAC also intends to leverage this procurement to invite ideas, innovation, and additional value that can support wider digital, economic, and social outcomes across the region.
NAC are a strong believer in early supplier engagement to ensure the success of contracts. We would therefore like to encourage you to participate to ensure your feedback is captured and considered.
The questionnaire should be returned to William Tomelty, Procurement Team Manager (Sustainability) at williamtomelty@north-ayrshire.gov.uk before close of business 9th December 2025.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
32430000
32410000
32412100
32500000
32510000
32520000
32521000
32522000
32524000
45232332
45314000
50330000
50331000
50332000
64200000
64227000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM93
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The resultant procurement process will be carried out via Public Contract Scotland-Tender.
Exact dates have yet to be confirmed however, NAC’s current contract is due to expire September 2027.
It is imperative the new WAN is in place before this time to allow a seamless transition. We therefore hope to award by September 2026 (allowing a 12 months mobilisation period).
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
06/02/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Please refer to the Market Engagement Questionnaire for background detail, scope, objectives, digital ambition, expected outcomes, core technical outcomes and strategic outcomes.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=816722.
(SC Ref:816722)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
25/11/2025