Ministry of Information and Communication Technology EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Transcription

1 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Consultancy Services for SubmarineFibre Optic Connectivity in Rodrigues (Authorised under Section 24(2) of the Public Procurement Act 2006) Reference No. : MICT/Q3/2012/EOI 1.0 Introduction Rodrigues Island forms part of the Republic of Mauritius and is situated around 600 km to the North-East of the island of Mauritius. It has a population of about 40,000 inhabitants and the main source of income is Agriculture. Presently, telecommunications services particularly Internet Connectivity is poor with a connection of only 10 Mbps through satellite link.the ICT sector has now established itself as a pillar of our economy with a GDP contribution of 6.5% in However, the Island of Rodrigues has not been in the mainstream of this development due to, inter-alia, restrained bandwidth capacity. Government is therefore firmly committed to bring Rodrigues to the same level of development to Mauritius in the ICT field and firmly believes that, to achieve this objective, connecting Rodrigues to a submarine fibre optic cable is essential. The (MICT) intends to enlist the services of an Advisory Team with proven experience in the successful implementation of a similar project within the past five years. The team should comprise suitably qualified and experienced financial, technical and legal advisors. In this context, the MICT is inviting an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy services for (i) the preparation of tender documents for the connection of Rodrigues to Submarine Fibre Optic Cable and to advise in the procurement of an appropriate service provider (ii) to advise on management and operation of the cable (iii) to assist as a transaction adviser of the Government of Mauritius to set up the selected scheme for the provision of ICT services in Rodrigues when the submarine fibre optic cable would become operational.

2 2.0 Terms of Reference The terms of reference will include but not limited to:- 2.1 Engineering study Detailed technical and economic feasibility studies, assessing different alternatives and estimated costs for each of the following components: i) Submarine cable from Mauritius to Rodrigues; ii) iii) Landing station for the submarine cable both in Mauritius (including existing ones) and in Rodrigues; Backbone network in Rodrigues (terrestrial or wireless). A study of the base configuration including the potential landing sites in Rodrigues, its technical suitability, options as regards capacity to house more than one ICT provider or acceptability, including assessment of the landing beach, cable station location, terrestrial cable route, etc. The study will include but not be limited to: 1) preliminary route information, 2) assessment of offshore activities and hazards, 3) early survey site. The early survey site will be undertaken after confirmation from Government of Mauritius of which sites should be actually surveyed. Alongside the connection of Rodrigues to the submarine cable, the required inland backbone (backhaul) in Rodrigues has to be studied, with the current operators, and recommendations on how to upgrade same with the coming of the cable has to be made so that the same access, competition rules and pricing structure as currently prevailing in Mauritius is upheld. 2.2 Environmental and socio economic impact assessment Studies should be carried out to assess the potentially significant social and environmental impacts arising from laying the cable along in the shallow ocean waters where it will run in sensitive areas including marine parks and bathing areas. Both positive social impacts, including job creation and business opportunities, as well as negative social impacts must be analyzed. Proposals including specific components and related costs of measures to mitigateagainst the negative impacts should be prepared. A complete traffic estimate study for the Island of Rodrigues over a 10 to 15 year period. Three different scenarios (low, medium and high) shall be developed taking into account factors such

3 as: 1) the historical telecom and economic data; 2) expected growth rates; 3) end-user access technology. A description of the competitive environment and its impact on the ICT development in the island of Rodrigues. This study should take into account comparative advantage of Rodrigues which would allow a market positioning to attract an investor base over the next years. 2.3 Financial and contractual scheme The advisory team will assess the strengths and weaknesses of the private-public partnership (PPP) scheme envisaged by the government with regards to other potential contractual models to ensure the efficient maintenance of a public infrastructure, the commercial management of the cable available capacity, and fair access to third parties (open, non-discriminatory, and at reasonable price), within the framework of an efficient regulation. Among alternative schemes to be assessed, the consultant shall consider the creation of a Cable Company between the State and the main operators that would mutualise means and competences. 2.4 Market Sounding Exercise The Team must conduct a market sounding exercise to ensure that there is sufficient interest from the market to bid for the Project given the optimal technical, economic and contractual alternatives assessed. The feedback obtained from potential service providers would be used while drafting the procurement documents 2.5 Preparation of the Entire Procurement Documentation The Advisory Team must prepare a complete set of procurement documents in compliance with public sector procurement law, policies and guidelines and in accordance with best international practice. These documents include the Request for Proposals with indications on optimal solutions based on the studies listed above and other contractual agreements. 3.0 Time Frame The Consultancy Firm/ Team will be engaged for a period of 12-15weeks 4.0 Expression of Interest Expression of Interest should be brief and concise and include as minimum:- (i) A profile of the company and its audited financial statements for the last two years, its organisation and staffing; in case of associations between one or more firms, the

4 name, address and profile of the participating firm(s), and nature of the association (e.g. joint venture, subcontract and the like). The lead firm should clearly identified. (ii) (iii) Details of experience in similar assignments undertaken in the past five years, including name of clients, location, duration, description of assignments, value of services provided and firm s role in the assignment. CVs of personnel who could be available to work on the assignment, including academic qualifications, experience in managing similar projects, working experience in similar countries and proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in English. 4.1 Submission of EOI The EOI should be addressed to: The Chairperson, Departmental Tender Committee Level 9, Air Mauritius Centre, John Kennedy Street Port Louis Mauritius Interested firms should forward their Expression of Interest in two (2) copies and in sealed envelopes and should be deposited in the tender box or sent by registered mail/ courier so as to reach the by hours (local time) on 11 May 2012 at latest. The enveloped should be clearly marked Consultancy Services for Submarine Fibre Optic Connectivity in Rodrigues 5.0 Short Listing of Consultancy Firms The consultancy firm will have to meet the following minimum criteria:- (i) (ii) (iii) Corporate Strength: Annual turnover for each of the last two years of Rs 50 million or equivalent; Previous Experience: Experience in Similar assignments undertaken. This experience should include one (1) successful similar project and be supported by evidence; Personnel Capabilities: The team shall be comprised of the following experts: A Procurement Specialist to structure the Request for Proposals documents and act as Team Leader; An Economist or Financial Expert;

5 An ICT/ Telecommunications Engineer; and A Legal Expert. The key personnel within the Advisory team as mentioned above must possess skills and experience in the Information and Communications Technology field. However, the procurement specialist skills are required in structuring PPP scheme and may not need specific experience in ICT. Similarly, the legal expert must have experience with PPPs but need not have specific ICT experience. In both cases, however, preference will be given to those who do have specific ICT expertise. 6.0 Clarifications/ Queries All clarifications sought by the consultancy firm in respect of the Expression of Interest shall be addressed, at least 14 days before the deadline for submission of EOI in writing to: The Permanent Secretary 9 th Floor, Air Mauritius Building Port Louis Republic of Mauritius Fax No: (230) The queries and replies thereto will then be placed of the following web site : (without divulging the name of the firm raising the queries. A shortlist of three to six firms shall be prepared pursuant to the Expression of Interest exercise and these firms will in due course be invited to submit proposals for the consultancy. Date: 05 April 2012 Republic of Mauritius