The Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) Network is preparing to release a two stage Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ)/Request for Proposal (RFP) process this spring to begin investing nearly $300 million in building broadband for everyone in Southwestern Ontario, Caledon, and Niagara Region.
The network will be competitively bid and designed through a multi-stage RFPQ/RFP process. The RFPQ process will contain two stages and will be used to establish a list of pre-qualified Telecom Service Providers to submit proposal(s) in response to subsequent RFP(s) for the network construction.
The RFPQ is expected to be released on or about May 12, 2017 with the primary focus being on stage one of the process. Stage one of the RFPQ process will require Telecom Service Providers to share information about the exact location of their existing infrastructure and known service gaps, as well as their business structure and financial plans. The RFPQ will begin the process of establishing critical network standards and eligibility criteria for building the SWIFT network.
The location and amount of fibre-optic infrastructure built in each community will be determined by the final overall design of the project, as informed by the RFPQ process. The final proposed project design will be released through RFP in late 2017 and confirmed when Telecom Service Providers are selected to build out the project. In order to participate in the RFP, Telecom Service Providers must participate and be pre-qualified through the RFPQ process.
SWIFT is using this multi-stage process to ensure the goals of the project are achieved within our projected timeline. Because responding to the RFPQ will require a significant amount information sharing, time and effort, it is important that interested Telecom Service Providers begin preparing to respond well in advance of the anticipated May 14, 2017 release of the RFPQ. We are sharing this update to provide as much advance notice of the RFPQ/RFP process as possible and to proactively prevent delays in building the network.
The RFPQ and RFP(s) will be posted on Bonfire along with details of all bid opportunities posted on www.biddingo.com/simcoe as they are released and will be shared through our website and mailing list.
Over the coming weeks, SWIFT will be sharing more information for service providers and potential network members here on our website. Make sure to check back frequently for new information as it is made available.
Keep in touch and stay informed:
We encourage our member municipalities and organizations and local service providers to reach out to SWIFT staff to stay informed and help us support local initiatives where possible.
To stay up to date with news, updates on the RFPQ/RFP process, bidding opportunities, and more, please subscribe to our mailing by clicking the ‘Contact’ link in the top menu of this site or by visiting www.swiftruralbroadband.ca/contact
