PIN Notice
This is a prior information notice (PIN) only: publication and call for competition will only be conducted when final approval is given for programme design and funding.
The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) intends to fund the provision of a new submarine fibre optic cable for the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. The new cable will link with the neighbouring islands of Antigua and St Kitts and Nevis. Due to volcanic activity the island has been without fibre optic connectivity since 1997 and has since relied on a precarious and expensive microwave link with Antigua. The lack of fibre connectivity has been one of the main constraints affecting Montserrat’s prospects for economic growth.
The key outputs envisaged for this programme are:
- The provision of a submarine cable, laid between Montserrat and Antigua and Montserrat and St Kitts and Nevis. This will require the necessary preparation works, including but not limited to obtaining required permissions and Environmental Impact Assessments. The cable will be the property of the Government of Montserrat.
- The laid fibre optic cable connected to landing site and ready for connection to on island infrastructure.
- The provision and maintenance of effective fibre optic service for the island of Montserrat.
- Effective communications and partnership with key stakeholders: DFID, Government of Montserrat Department of Information Technology and E-Government Services (DITES), Government of Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis.
DFID would like to ask the market a series of guiding questions about the tender and would like a written response to them. These questions can be found on the DFID Portal https://supplierportal.dfid.gov.uk/selfservice/ using the reference number PO 7271. Further information and supporting documentation is available via the supplier portal.
Parties interested in submitting a written response or requiring any other information should register interest via the DFID Portal. Written responses should be received no later than 14:00 UK time on Monday 10th August 2015 and should be no more than 5 A4 pages in length in Arial font 12.
After we have reviewed the written responses a Partners/Suppliers Information Day is planned at DFID’s offices in Brades and Whitehall with the aim of further gauging interest in the project, engaging with the market to gain expert opinion, exploring possible approaches and increasing DFID’s knowledge on how best to proceed with this programme.
This is Information Day is indicatively planned for Thursday 27th August (9:30 local time and 14:30 UK time), and will be confirmed within the coming days. The two hour session will include a presentation and Q&A session regarding the programme and the services required. This will be an opportunity for interested parties to learn more about DFID, the role expected of any appointed supplier, and to discuss innovative approaches to programme delivery
Partners/Suppliers are encouraged to register on the DFID Portal and use the ‘Dialogue/ Clarification’ function on the DFID Portal in advance of this meeting to raise initial questions or recommendations.
For logistical reasons, the deadline to register an intention to attend the engagement session is Monday 24th August. Attendance should be confirmed via the ‘Dialogue/ Clarification’ function on the DFID Portal.
