The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is commencing procurement for the establishment of a high speed broadband network with minimum service requirements under the National Broadband Plan (‘NBP’).This contract notice is for a ‘service concession’ whereby a contractor(s) will design, finance, develop, construct, operate, maintain and exploit a wholesale Next Generation Access network and associated services within the NBP Intervention Area (‘IA’), which currently covers over 750 000 premises. More details are set out in the Project Information Memorandum.

The NBP's vision is to connect all Ireland's communities by dealing definitively with the broadband connectivity challenge in rural areas by stimulating investment at a wholesale level. This allows retail service providers to access network infrastructure and to compete on a level playing field in supplying retail services to end users in the IA.

Two Ownership Models are included within the procurement, subject to the Ownership Model Determination (see Section 5 of the PIM) as follows:

— Commercial Stimulus Model (private sector build, finance, own, operate and maintain with obligations)

— Concession Model (private sector finance, build, operate and maintain with asset reversion)

The IA is split into two geographic areas and a combined area as follows:

— Lot Area A: Southern Intervention Area

— Lot Area B: Northern Intervention Area

— Lot Area C: Combined Northern and Southern Intervention Area.

Bidders can opt for the Lot Areas individually or for the entire IA on either or both of the Ownership Options.

As there are 2 Ownership Models, separate lots have been created for each of these areas utilising the different Ownership Models. The Government will shortlist one Ownership Model at the end of pre-qualification.

The contract(s) will involve European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding and will be subject to any requirements arising under ERDF funding conditions.