Public Access WiFi Service.

Renfrewshire Council has a requirement for a secure access Public WiFi platform to be provided within Key outdoor areas within Renfrewshire. In addition, a number of Council public buildings are in scope for public Wi-Fi provision including buildings that already have a public Wi-Fi service and new buildings to be enabled with the secure access platform.

This requirement will also meet many aspects of the Renfrewshire Council Digital Strategy, which entails the vision ‘In a Digital Renfrewshire we will make sure that everybody has the opportunity to reach their digital potential and maximise the wider economic, educational, health, social and cultural benefits for all. ’ and underpins Digital Participation as the Driver. Furthermore the Digital Strategy is underpinned by The Digital Participation Plan (2016). The plan was developed in partnership with over 40 different representatives from the public, private and third sector, and local academic institutions. Engage Renfrewshire our Third Sector Interface has been a key partner and supporter of the digital agenda. Other main drivers for this strategy are listed below -:

The primary objective of this Framework and resultant Contract therein is to have the necessary hardware and services procured and in place by early February 2017 to March 2017 at the latest (with the primary focus of the first stage of implementation being Paisley), to provide various areas within the Renfrewshire Council boundary area (Renfrewshire) with a public access WiFi platform for seamless connection to the web and various services therein, namely as set out below in the specifically noted areas within Paisley, Renfrew and Johnstone.

The procurement process and output for this requirement will include for the inclusion of various partner organisations, namely Renfrewshire Leisure Ltd, The University of West of Scotland, West College Scotland & NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (within the Paisley Area) being able to utilise the framework for their own requirements and thus allow for a seamless provision across all areas. This Specification has been prepared by the Renfrewshire Council with assistance from Farrpoint Limited and input from the Partners listed below. Tenderers are to note that Farrpoint Limited will assist Renfrewshire Council and the Partners in evaluation of Tenders.

In terms of overall user experience, the Council would ultimately like the service to:

— Offer some level of free access for end-users at the point of use, ideally permanently free;

— Offer good speeds within the core coverage areas;

— Offer a simple one-time registration mechanism.

In addition to providing access to the internet, the Council would like the platform to facilitate access to local information and enable low cost advertising for local businesses to provide a form of revenue generation.

The Council is willing to invest capital funding into the project and has secured some funding from Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) for indoor public Wi-Fi provision in 19 buildings. This will be in relation to the installation of hardware only; the on-going revenue cost will be factored into and included within the core budget. These building would also be treated as a priority within the project as there are restrictive timescales around the funds provided.

The Council would like this wireless service to have the ability to extend into additional premises as required in order to provide a seamless experience for end-users over an extended geographic footprint.