Universal Service Provision Fund
Invitation to Tender for Backbone Transmission Infrastructure (BTRAIN) Project
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 2012 appropriation to facilitate the project implementation of connections to National Transmission Backbone Infrastructure through the deployment of Optic Fibre Cable under its Backbone Transmission Network (BTRAIN) Project.
Objectives of the Project
The BTRAIN project is designed to address the dearth and inadequacies of backbone networks and transmission links in unserved and underserved areas in Nigeria as well as accelerating the build-out of backbone transmission infrastructure in rural and semi urban areas. The selected bidders will be required to roll-out and operate Optic Fibre Cable in different parts of the country.
The transmission infrastructure to be deployed in this phase is estimated to cover 3000km nationwide and would be implemented in six (6) lots covering the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, to ensure the attainment of the objectives of fast tracking Optic Fibre Cable roll out in the selected locations nationwide.
The Lots in the BTRAIN 2012, coverage areas and the distances are as follows: Lot 1: North West Zone (600Km)
Lot 2: North East Zone (600Km)
Lot 3: North Central Zone + FCT (600km)
Lot 4: South East Zone (400Km)
Lot 5: South-South (400km)
Lot 6: South West Zone (400km)
Subsidy/Incentives
In consideration of the above objectives, the USPF has set aside sufficient funds in the 2012 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 General
Interested Persons/Companies/Consortium must have necessary competences and possess the following:
a. Evidence of incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission. Companies must enclose certificate of incorporation and form CO7.
b. Submit Articles and Memorandum of Association of their Company, which must show that the Company has ICT related activities as part of its objectives
c. Must have three year Tax Clearance certificates (2009, 2010 and 2011).
d. Evidence of Value Added Tax (VAT) registration certificate and past remittances.
e. Audited accounts for the last three years.
f. Provide verifiable evidence of financial capacity to execute the project.
g. Have a proper understanding of telecommunications solutions for rural areas.
h. Company profile and organizational structure, including names and resume of key personnel and technical staff with addresses and phone numbers
i. Detail evidence of compliance with Pension Act 2004 including evidence of remittances and ITF contribution.
j. 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.
Specific conditions:
In addition to the general eligibility, the prospective Persons/Companies/Consortium shall also be required to posses the following minimum competencies:
a. A relevant license issued by NCC to provide service in this area of assignment.
b. Demonstrate the ability to interconnect to one or more existing OFC network
c. Provide proof of ownership, successful management and operation of an OFC network for at least the last three (3) years.
Tendering Instructions
Interested proponents are required to collect detailed tender documents from the procurement department of the USPF secretariat upon the payment of a non-refundable tendering fee of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00), per lot, issued in bank draft in favour of the Universal Service Provision Fund. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security (Bid Bond) of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000.00) per lot, valid for 180 days, effective from date of closing of bid submission.
The tendering fee receipt and Bid Bond must be submitted in separate envelops for each lot and marked TF/LOT/No and BB/LOT/No respectively. (Please insert appropriate lot number)
The Technical and Financial proposals must also be in separate envelopes and must be marked clearly
USPF/RFP/BTRAIN/2012/TECHNICAL/L OT/No and
USPF/RFP/BTRAIN/2012/FINANCIAL/ LOT/No respectively. (Please insert appropriate lot number). Only tenders that meet technical qualification will have their financial bids opened. Unqualified technical bids will have their financial bids returned.
All tender documents must be Hand Delivered on or before Tuesday 13th November, 2012, by 2.00 pm. to the following address:
Office of the Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
USP Secretariat 9th floor
Nigerian Communications Commission
Plot 423 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama – Abuja
All proponents are to note that failure to comply with the tendering instructions shall lead to disqualification.
For further clarification on the RFP, please email: uspfbids@ncc.gov.ng
Signed:
Secretary
Universal Service Provision Fund
