WYOMING, ON – 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 as it prepares to invest nearly $300 million in building out broadband in southwestern Ontario, Caledon, and the 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 (TSPs) 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 will require TSPs 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 TSPs are selected to build out the project. In order to participate in the RFP, TSPs must participate and be pre-qualified through the RFPQ process.
SWIFT said that it is using this multi-stage process to ensure the goals of the project are achieved within its projected timeline. Anticipating that responding to the RFPQ will require a significant amount information sharing, time and effort, SWIFT encourages interested TSPs to begin preparing to respond well in advance of the release of the RFPQ.
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 SWIFT's website and mailing list.
