---
title: "Connected Communities Field Support Services"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE"
published: "2020-12-16"
---

# Connected Communities Field Support Services

Buyer: HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730.json)

## Summary

The procurement process is initiated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the "Connected Communities Field Support Services." Located in Inverness, HIE is focusing on providing services related to the Western Isles Connected Communities Broadband Network (CCBN). The current procurement stage is awarded, with the contract signed on 3 April 2017, entailing a duration of 1,320 days and a total contract value of £885,022. The procurement method is classified as limited due to the technical capabilities required, with the contract being essential for servicing both public and private sector customers across the Western Isles.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses experienced in technical service provision, particularly those in the telecommunications and IT sectors. Companies that are adept at field maintenance, equipment installation, and network administration may find a suitable match. Furthermore, businesses with the capability to meet stringent service level agreements and hold necessary local accreditations stand to be well-suited for future opportunities, as HIE intends to allow for the progression of new suppliers to gain the required qualifications for this contract.

## Notice

The Western Isles Connected Communities Broadband Network (CCBN), currently owned & operated by HIE, delivers wholesale broadband access to 5 public sector & 2 private sector customers. It delivers broadband services to both public & private sector providers, inc. residential customers, throughout the Western Isles. In order to support the continuing operation of the CCBN, HIE require a supplier to assume responsibility of field maintenance (proactive & reactive) & the installation & commissioning of CPE. The supplier will be responsible for the future installation, commissioning & decommissioning of equipment required to support the ongoing operation of the network as a result of the DSSB fibre enabled infrastructure rollout (inc.reconfiguration of existing network equipment). HIE are formulating an exit strategy from the CCBN & the supplier will work with HIE in order to achieve this aim.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The Western Isles Connected Communities Broadband Network (CCBN), currently owned and operated by HIE,delivers wholesale broadband access and services to public and private sector customers inc. residential customers, throughout the Western Isles. HIE are formulating an exit strategy from the CCBN and the supplier will work with HIE in order to achieve this aim.

Options: These services will be required from May 2017 for an initial period of 1 year, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Framework agreement, with HIE having the option to extend for a period or periods together not exceeding 2 calendar years following the Initial Term.

### Procurement Information

Under Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Article 32 2(b)(ii)- competition is absent for technical reasons. HIE are bound by critical Service Level Agreements in relation to these services which includes public sector customers (eg Western Isles NHS & Police Scotland). These include, across all of the Western Isles, on site response times of max 4 hours. In addition, access to a number of key local sites can only be undertaken when individuals with specialist skills are accompanied by the specialist mast/tower management company Wireless Infrastructure Company (WIC) and/or individuals have the necessary accreditations received from WIC. This accreditation is currently only held by 3 locally based individuals. Rigorous training and examination and high costs are associated with this accreditation (c6 months & GBP 30k for the min 3 individuals required). The only supplier who both holds the required accreditiation and can meet the 4hr response time is Ontime IT and Comms Ltd. and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. There is objectively only one economic operator that can perform the contract. As the HIE Superfast Broadband project rolls out it is anticipated that demand for these services will diminish significantly. It is not foreseen it would be commercially viable for another supplier to put in place the on-island required services, systems and accreditations in order to respond to critical SLA response times. However, HIE intent to award this Framework on a 1+1+1 year basis to allow other potential suppliers, should they wish, to achieve this accreditation and make themselves known to HIE. It is therefore currently considered that the proposed award of contract to Ontime IT and Comms Ltd currently meets with the requirements of Regulation 33(1)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC402486 |
| Notice type | OJEU - F20 - Modification Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Dec 2020 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 3 Apr 2017 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £885,022 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE |
| Locality | INVERNESS |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode | IV2 5NA |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands |
| ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands |
| Local authority | Highland |
| Electoral ward | Inverness South |
| Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire |
| Delivery location | TLM64 Na h-Eileanan Siar |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ONTIME IT & COMMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services
- 64 - Postal and telecommunications services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 45314000 - Installation of telecommunications equipment
- 50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment
- 50331000 - Repair and maintenance services of telecommunications lines
- 50332000 - Telecommunications-infrastructure maintenance services
- 64200000 - Telecommunications services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

## Release History

- 16 Dec 2020 at 00:00 - AwardUpdate - OJEU - F20 - Modification Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC402486
- 26 Apr 2017 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR281188
- 8 Mar 2017 at 00:00 - Award - OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR276310

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR276310
  Connected Communities Field Support Services - The Western Isles Connected Communities Broadband Network (CCBN), currently owned & operated by HIE, delivers wholesale broadband access to 5 public sector & 2 private sector customers. It delivers broadband services to both public & private sector providers, inc. residential customers, throughout the Western Isles. In order to support the continuing operation of the CCBN, HIE require a supplier to assume responsibility of field maintenance (proactive & reactive) & the installation & commissioning of CPE. The supplier will be responsible for the future installation, commissioning & decommissioning of equipment required to support the ongoing operation of the network as a result of the DSSB fibre enabled infrastructure rollout (inc.reconfiguration of existing network equipment). HIE are formulating an exit strategy from the CCBN & the supplier will work with HIE in order to achieve this aim.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR281188
  Connected Communities Field Support Services - The Western Isles Connected Communities Broadband Network (CCBN), currently owned & operated by HIE, delivers wholesale broadband access to 5 public sector & 2 private sector customers. It delivers broadband services to both public & private sector providers, inc. residential customers, throughout the Western Isles. In order to support the continuing operation of the CCBN, HIE require a supplier to assume responsibility of field maintenance (proactive & reactive) & the installation & commissioning of CPE. The supplier will be responsible for the future installation, commissioning & decommissioning of equipment required to support the ongoing operation of the network as a result of the DSSB fibre enabled infrastructure rollout (inc.reconfiguration of existing network equipment). HIE are formulating an exit strategy from the CCBN & the supplier will work with HIE in order to achieve this aim.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC402486
  Connected Communities Field Support Services

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.hie.co.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/inverness-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000482730.json.