Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Seilwaith Digidol / Digital Infrastructure, Parc Cathays / Cathays Park
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
UK
E-mail: nextgenerationbroadb1@gov.wales
NUTS: UKL
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://gov.wales
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
The Future of Fibrespeed - Beyond 2025
II.1.2) Main CPV code
64200000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Fibrespeed network, is a fibre network owned by the Welsh Government and operated by Fibrespeed Ltd on its behalf. The existing contract to operate the network is due to expire on 31st March 2025. Welsh Government are using this prior information notice (PIN) to commence engagement with the market to explore the possible options for the future of the network beyond the existing contract term.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
32412100
32000000
32500000
32520000
32510000
32522000
32523000
32524000
32562200
45314000
45232332
50330000
50332000
64227000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
Main site or place of performance:
North Wales
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The 411km fibre live network comprises a single duct, with extensive break out points and a 96-fibre cable. The network features 13 Points of Presence and extends west to east between Parc Cybi, Holyhead, Anglesey, and Manchester Reynolds House colocation facility. The network also has 8 wireless masts ranging in height from 15m to 25m distributed across several PoPs, with associated colocation capability that can provide fibre infrastructure or wireless connectivity across adjacent business parks, alongside 10 carrier neutral connectivity sites. In addition to the main network route, there are also additional duct and fibre network assets with multiple interconnect points built to the same specification extending south between Caernarfon and Pwllheli that are not currently live but that are ready for service (together, and defined hereinafter as, "the Network")
The Welsh Government is looking to ascertain if there is market interest in one or both of the following options:
1) Purchasing the Network out-right
2) Operating the Network via a commercial agreement with the Welsh Government
If applicable, (i) please confirm your interest in one or both of the above options; and (ii) by way of a brief summary, set out the reasons for your interest in one or both of the above options (as the case may be): to NextGenerationBroadB1@gov.wales by 14:00 on 08th September 2023.
Further information is set out in a memorandum of information available to download via this PIN.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/01/2024
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 note - this PIN: (i) is not a call for tenders or a pre-qualification exercise, (ii) does not commit Welsh Government to undertaking a procurement exercise; and (iii) is intended for market engagement purposes only. A nominal value of 1.00 GBP has been included in the estimated total value section of this PIN for the purposes of administration and is subject to change should Welsh Government decide to issue a procurement for any of the requirements noted in the PIN. An indicative estimated date of publication of contract notice has also been provided (section II.3); this date is subject to change should Welsh Government decide, at its sole discretion, to commence a procurement exercise (if any) for all or part of the requirements noted in the PIN. The Welsh Government reserves the right to proceed on whichever basis it considers most appropriate. The Welsh Government will not meet any costs or liabilities incurred by organisations responding to this PIN or participating in the market engagement exercise.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=132892.
(WA Ref:132892)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
14/08/2023