Pipeline Framework: Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region

A pipeline has been launched for Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region.The contract start Date is 31 March 2024. Approach to market date is 22 January 2024.West Sussex County Council intends to procure a suitable delivery partner for the design, implementation and operation of a hybrid 5G and advanced wireless network and the delivery of agreed “Use Cases” across three site locations (Growers and Colleges).The procurement will cover the following activities:design, installation and testing of the hybrid 5G and advanced wireless networksolutions to address the identified “growing” use cases, associated benefits & costs savingssystems integration to ensure that the Use Case solutions and the network work togethercapacity to deliver further Use Cases to expand the scope of the project over timesupport for the colleges and growers to implement the Use Caseshardware, software and devices to support the network and the Use Casesongoing maintenance & supportparticipation in showcasing and network events at the college and grower sites and development of playbooks to encourage further use and innovationan ecosystem of innovation partners to bring further value and showcase the advanced wireless network.The opportunity will be open to all suitably qualified suppliers able to deliver the requirements over the long term, either as single suppliers or as a prime contractor utilizing third parties/ partners to deliver some of the elements.In terms of timescales, the council intends to start a procurement in Jan 2024 with a view to awarding a contract by March / April 2024. The awarded supplier would then be expected to deliver the advanced wireless infrastructure and use case implementation at all the sites, in time for the start of the academic year in Sept 2024. It is anticipated that the term of the contract will be for 3 years, with a requirement to spend the DSIT funding in the first 18 months.There may be opportunities during the contract period to add additional site locations if further funding is acquired.This is a potential opportunity from the government, and the pipeline gives advance notice of an opportunity that might be offered by the public sector in the future – allowing potential suppliers to plan accordingly. When a public sector organisation publishes a pipeline notice, it does not necessarily mean that an opportunity will be offered in the future.For more information contact: West Sussex County Council, County Hall,West Street, Chichester PO191RQ. Tel: 0330 222 5702. Email: rachel.ayres@westsussex.gov.uk (Rachel Ayres)