ITO - Network Hardware and Field Services

Overview CITEC is seeking suppliers to establish a contemporary replacement arrangement for network hardware supply, maintenance, support and lifecycle management across CITEC's IP-VPN, Inter-Data Centre and Point-to-Point Optical Transport services. Purpose The procurement will replace ageing network infrastructure, introduce modern technologies and network management capabilities, and maintain a reliable, resilient and scalable network environment to meet CITEC and Queensland Government agency requirements over the next five to eight years, including supporting future agency participation. Through this procurement, CITEC will establish the contractual arrangements necessary to maintain a resilient, supported and scalable network environment for existing customers, while providing the flexibility and capacity to support additional Queensland Government agencies seeking access to CITEC network services. Objectives End-of-life infrastructure by replacing ageing network assets with contemporary network components Enable future capability by implementing new technologies and network management capabilities that support CITEC and agency business requirements over the next five to eight years Maintain service continuity and supportability by ensuring appropriate levels of hardware, software, support and maintenance capability are maintained throughout the network lifecycle Scope This Invitation to Offer (ITO) is divided into four parts, reflecting the key categories of network infrastructure, equipment and associated services required by CITEC. Suppliers may submit a tender for any single part, multiple parts, or all four parts, in any combination, based on their capabilities and areas of expertise. Part A: Network Hardware, Support and Associated Services Covers the supply of network hardware and associated manufacturer support, maintenance and lifecycle services required to support CITEC's existing and future network environments. The scope includes: Supply of network hardware, including core, data centre, metropolitan, wide area, local area and wireless network infrastructure Manufacturer-provided warranty and maintenance arrangements for hardware supplied under the Contract Management of manufacturer provided warranty and maintenance arrangements for existing hardware purchased and not purchased under the Contract Support and maintenance of existing hardware where manufacturer warranty or maintenance arrangements have expired Hardware support services required to meet CITEC's service commitments to its clients, including helpdesk and technical support services, product configuration services, product delivery and logistics services, product installation services, and related hardware and software management services Supply of element management software and other network-related software required to support the relevant hardware and network environments Provision of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions where required by CITEC Upgrade or replacement of network products and services, including detailed design, hardware and software installation and configuration, testing, commissioning and production release Training services to support the effective implementation, operation and management of network products and services ICT professional and contracting services to support CITEC's network operations and related requirements, as required from time to time Part B: Optical Network Infrastructure and Services Covers optical network requirements, including the supply of optical equipment and associated technology, together with technical support and field services, intended to support current requirements and future optical network availability, capacity and capability. The scope includes: Optical multiplexing equipment providing wavelength division multiplexed transport across CITEC's dark fibre services, supporting connectivity between core and data centre sites and the transport of Ethernet and Fibre Channel services (the existing environment includes Adtran Networks FSP 3000 equipment) Optical line system supporting CITEC's transport, management and protection requirements, with interoperability with CITEC's existing optical network environment Part C: Break-Fix Replacement Services Covers the supply and replacement of network equipment and components required to respond to break-fix incidents and restore network services. The scope includes: Provision of hardware replacement services at customer sites Supply of CITEC owned equipment for the installation and replacement of failed network hardware and associated components Provision of appropriately skilled and qualified personnel to undertake hardware replacement and associated services Asset management to ensure like-for-like replacement hardware, including consideration of installed memory, interface cards, modules and other hardware enhancements Connection, configuration and testing of replacement hardware to restore the affected network service Product delivery and logistics services Provision of ad hoc hardware support services on a time and materials basis where requested by CITEC Hotswap services, including management and maintenance of the customer-owned hotswap pool, deployment of replacement hardware after a break-fix event, removal and replacement of failed hardware, installation, connection and testing, restoration of the affected network service, and return of repaired or replacement equipment to the hotswap pool Part D: Other Network Equipment and Services Covers future capability and other equipment, technologies and associated services that may be required by CITEC from time to time, including equipment and capabilities such as virtual laboratory environments, firewalls and other network or technology solutions that fall outside the specific scope of Parts A, B and C. The scope includes: Firewall equipment and services supporting security and controlled interconnection capabilities across the PSN and Queensland Government Network (QGN) environments, with stateful inspection, security services and controlled interconnection through virtual firewall instances with separate routing and forwarding capabilities, including the ongoing supply, lifecycle management, maintenance, upgrade and expansion of firewall capabilities Out-of-band management capabilities, laboratory and virtual laboratory environments, and other network equipment and technologies required from time to time Scope and Scale Network equipment across PSN agency locations is currently at varying stages of its seven-year lifecycle, and CITEC anticipates a progressive replacement program across the installed network equipment base over the term of the resulting contract. Network equipment is deployed across more than 1,900 locations throughout Queensland, with the volume and configuration of equipment at each site varying according to operational requirements, site size and service needs. An estimate of the quantities of installed equipment at CITEC and PSN locations is as follows: Switch: 7000 (Year 4) Router: 3000 (Year 1) Wireless Access Point: 8500 (Year 3) Optical Multiplexer: 16 (Year 3) Demand under the resulting contract is expected to arise progressively over time, with the timing, sequencing and volume of procurement activity depending on agency requirements, asset lifecycle considerations, funding availability and other operational factors over the contract term. Day-to-day procurement during the contract term will also include the provision of equipment for new CITEC locations, together with the renewal of manufacturer-provided support, maintenance and licensing arrangements over the term of the contract. Contract Terms and Conditions The initial term of the contract arising from this ITO is expected to be five years Up to three further one-year extension options are available, exercisable at the principal's discretion and subject to satisfactory supplier performance Enquiries Contact Name: Karen Grant-Taylor Position: Senior Procurement and Contracts Officer Primary phone: 07 3034 2059 Email: karen.grant-taylor@citec.qld.gov.au