Clarifications on questions raised by some of the potential bidders

Subject: Invitation for Prequalification NO: RDB/ICT/RCIP/54/11- supply of Internet
connection bandwidth to RDB-ICT/Kigali-Telecom house.

Question 1: The introduction letter of the invitation for prequalification see text: as part of the prequalification, will you require the bidder to indicate the amount of bandwidth capacity to be provided? Please elaborate further
Answer:
At this stage, the Bidders are required to provide information in accordance to the section III of
the prequalification document (Qualification Criteria and Requirements). It is not necessary to
indicate the amount of bandwidth capacity to be provided. That quantity will be provided after
being prequalified & shortlisted.

Question 2: I refer to part 2 of the Works requirements: the proposed circuit activation should be
done within 4 weeks after contract signing, when will RCIP/RDB be expecting expect service
delivery? Please provide us with estimated calendar month if possible
Answer:
It is expected that the contract will be signed probably end August or beginning September 2011.

 

Question 3: Please provide us with the address of termination point of both Rwanda/Uganda boarder and Rwanda/Tanzania boarder.

Answer: Address details will be provided in the final bidding document(s).

 

Question 4:Will the termination location be at a RDB Point of Presence (POP) or will RDB require the potential supplier to set up a co-location with active equipments

Answer: Both termination locations will be Points of Presence of RDB. There is no requirement for co-location with other (potential) supplier(s).

 

Question 5: Is submarine cable diversity required between Lots 1 & 2?

Answer: For reasons of protection, RDB envisages that cable diversity will be a requirement. Detailed technical requirements for both lots will be published in the final bidding document(s).

Question 6: May we assume that that handoffs required is SDH also, i.e. STM-1/4/16/64?

Answer: At this stage, RDB cannot give a definite answer on the detailed technical requirements, which will be published in the final bidding document(s). Interface specifications which are currently under consideration are 1 or 10 Gigabit-Ethernet and/or SDH.

 

Question 7: Is terrestrial protection required separately for each Lot, or can we assume that Lot 1 will be considered protection for Lot 2 and vice versa? They make a reference to redundancy and QoS. There is no stated value for QoS. We need this clarity.

Answer: Both terrestrial routes (Lot 1 and Lot 2) will each be unprotected routes (both lots serve as protection for each other). Further details, e.g. on redundancy and QoS will only be published in the final bidding document(s).

 

Question 8: Confirmation that both Lots are independent and active circuits from technical perspective, i.e. no load-sharing/switching functionality required.
Answer: Yes, both lots are independent active circuits.

 

Question 9:Is lease or IRU preferred, or doesn’t matter?

Answer: At this stage of pre-qualification, “Lease” or “IRU” does not matter.

 

Question 10: Kindly advice can the pre qualification document be submitted in the form of soft copy via email or it has to be submitted by courier.

Answer: As the public opening of prequalification applications is not necessary, you can send your application by email or send them by courier or bring them to our office but you make sure that they reach us before the deadline.

Question 11: Please clarify the following on the Form ELI-1.2:
a) Is the articles of Incorporation the same as Certificate of Incorporations
Answer:  Yes

b)What are the alternative documentation required for partners to the above?

Answer:  Documents of Constitution

 

Question 12: For lot 1 and 2 will the bidder be required to submit one document for both lots or will the bidder be submitting two separate applications for lot 1 & 2

Answer: the bidder can submit one document but he has to clarify if he is bidding for lot 1 or lot 2 or both lots .

Question 13: For lot 1 and Lot 2 reference is made to backhaul providers that provide exclusive backhaul service for their routes. If the backhaul provide is also bidding as a principal bidder, the above section restrict the backhaul provider from being engaged by other potential bidders, this applies for both Uganda and Tanzania routes. Please provide us your position.
Answer: Due to the nature of our region where no one or few operators may have fully their own network, the Applicant can be a subcontractor while submitting an application individually or as a partner of a joint venture.

 

Question 14: Can bidder be a principal bidder in Lot 1 and at the same time be a subcontractor in Lot 2?
Will a bidder need to submit a 2 bid applications: one for lot 1 and second for Lot2?

Answer: Due to the small number of cable operators in the region, the Applicant on a bid can also be a subcontractor in other bids. It is just crucial that you abide to the principle of not presenting 2 bids ie: Being main bidder and also member of a Joint Venture on the same lot. It is hence possible to be a bidder on one lot and part of a Joint Venture on the other lot. In case an applicant wants to participate to both lots, a single application specifying it will be enough. However, since the minimum turnover is $ 10 million per lot, the applicant will have to make sure that he complied to the minimum which becomes $20 million on both lots.

 

Question 15: where can a bidder find other information related to this tender (a soft copy of the prequalification document, addendum and all clarifications provided to this tender).

Answer: Please go to www.rdb.rw/rcip

 

Question 16: Does the capacity mentioned in the tender include includes IP transit in London, Amsterdam, Singapore or Marseilles?

Answer: Yes. However, this will be clearly defined in the final tender document.

Question 17: Should we provide bandwidth offers at this stage?

Answer: No. This is only prequalification stage which allows us to select those meeting the minimum requirements of the prequalification document. Enough time (around 2 months) will be provided to selected bidders to prepare their offers.

 

If you need more clarifications contact us at rcip@rdb.rw

 

Last updated on 30 Mar 2011