1. INTRODUCTION
\nThe Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC) is an association of electric services, dealers, manufactures and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean region, Central and South Americas and Globally. The CARILEC Secretariat (based in Saint Lucia) endeavors to improve communication among its members, providing technical information, training, capacity building, conference and other services. The Secretariat plays a leading role in electric utility advocacy, growth and sustainability in the Caribbean region, Central and South Americas.<\/p>\n
1.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
\nCARILEC is seeking proposals from suitably experienced and qualified bidders for an enterprise level Unified Communications (UC) Solution to be installed and configured at CARILEC\u2019s main office at Sans Souci, Castries. UC is an increasingly important investment for CARILEC, which is looking to improve productivity and responsiveness while reducing its Information Communications Technology (ICT) costs. The convergence of voice, video, and data communications around a shared network infrastructure allows CARILEC to simplify the way in which they communicate through digital media.<\/p>\n
In addition to traditional methods of digital communication such as voice calls and messaging, there is an ever increasing need for collaboration and integrated productivity solutions which shall enable its users to communicate from anywhere, using any device, on any network (Internet included for overseas business travels) in a cost-effective, reliable and secure manner. The solution shall deliver people-centric user and administrative experiences while supporting the full range of collaboration services including video, voice, Instant Messaging (IM) and presence, messaging and mobility on any third-party devices.<\/p>\n
CARILEC has plans for a new modern building and anticipates that any investment made in technology presently will serve their needs in the future. It is anticipated that this building will facilitate space rental to other entities. CARILEC would like to make available the UCS available to its tenants at an all-inclusive rate thereby making their rental offerings even more attractive. The bidder is expected to make significant allowance for this functionality in their proposal.<\/p>\n
1.2 OVERALL OBJECTIVES<\/p>\n
a. Extending flexibility that fits CARILEC\u2019s business requirements. The solution shall offer a centralized appliance or server based system capable of multiuser tenanting with a minimum capacity of 100 users. This shall also include fixed to mobile convergence improvements to help integrate mobile and desk phones using standards-based IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) integration and the provision of a common feature base, regardless of the device or the operating system that is used.<\/p>\n
b. Least cost routing (LCR) through partial PRI or SIP trunk connectivity to the local exchange and the internet. Additionally capability for fixed to mobile plans and international direct dialling.<\/p>\n
c. Cost avoidance through LCR and Dial via Office Reverse Call-back (DVO-R) is a major requirement especially for frequent travellers to assist in the reduction of roaming charges.<\/p>\n
d. Security is a major consideration for CARILEC which needs to balance the restrictiveness of a highly secure environment with the greater collaboration, mobility and productivity that an open system affords.<\/p>\n
e. Suitably customized mobile plans which take into consideration the general calling patterns of CARILEC\u2019s employees and their current data usage.<\/p>\n
f. Reliable mission critical internet service which can facilitate software as a service (SaaS), online training, video and audio conferencing and VoIP.<\/p>\n
g. CARILEC focused maintenance agreements which provide suitable key performance indicators for monitoring service delivery, response times, quality and availability.<\/p>\n
1.3 STRUCTURE OF RFP<\/strong><\/p>\n This RFP is divided into five Lots, Responses to this RFP may be for any one of the Lots or a multiple of the Lots. The lots are described as follows:<\/p>\n \u00b7 Lot 1<\/strong> speaks to a proposal for the purchase of a Unified Communication System along with a 3-5 year term maintenance contract.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Lot 2<\/strong> speaks to the provision of a partial PRI or SIP trunks for interconnection with the local and international network. Also included in this lot is the provision of a Fixed to mobile calling service to facilitate least cost routing.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Lot 3<\/strong> speaks to the provision on lease terms of a fast and reliable internet service capable of meeting the mission critical nature of CARILEC\u2019s business.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Lot 4<\/strong> speaks to the provision of customized mobile plans designed for maximum efficiency, productivity with cost reduction.<\/p>\n \u00b7 Lot 5<\/strong> speaks to the provision of an upgraded ICT environment with all the essential enhancements of a modern ICT infrastructure.<\/p>\n It is therefore not anticipated that all contracts will be signed with a single provider although that is a possibility. Further to any contract awarded under this RFP, it is anticipated that the features mentioned will be implemented with utmost care and detail. All responses to this RFP are to be submitted no later than Friday, 5th <\/span>April, 2019 at 4:00 pm<\/span>. (Please note the original deadline for submission has been extended to Friday 26th April, 2019).<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n