Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy scheme Lot 6 (Scotland): Orkney and Shetland

The Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy scheme forms part of Project Gigabit. Project Gigabit is a UK Government funded programme aimed at supporting the build of gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure in areas of the UK which are unlikely to attract commercial investment within a reasonable timeframe, if at all (referred to as the final 20% (f20)). Building Digital UK (BDUK) is an executive agency of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. BDUK is targeting market interventions in f20 areas of the UK through the award of subsidised contracts to support the build of gigabit-capable networks providing long-term, sustainable wholesale gigabit broadband infrastructure in the hardest to reach parts of the UK. As part of Project Gigabit, the Scottish Government is working with BDUK to deliver contracts to suppliers delivering gigabit-capable wholesale infrastructure in Scotland. This procurement approach is a successor to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme and will work in parallel with the Scottish Government’s current Reaching 100% (R100) programme. Regional Supplier Contracts are intended to be for procurements for larger numbers of premises than those covered under contracts placed under the Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy Dynamic Purchasing System or where the procurement value is greater than anticipated under the Dynamic Purchasing Scheme. This procurement is for the award of a Regional Supplier Contract in the geographic area of Orkney and Shetland Islands. It concerns the delivery of a gigabit-capable network for an estimated total number of 13,550 premises. The contract will remain in force for approximately 11 years comprising a build period of approximately 4 years, followed by an operational period of at least seven years. It is the intention that the build period will be completed by the end of 2029 . The provision of subsidy will be provided in accordance with the UK subsidy control regime. The Invitation to Tender documentation is provided as part of the procurement documents during the first stage of this two stage Restricted Procedure process for information purposes, but bidders do not need to respond to the Invitation to Tender documentation as part of their Single Procurement Document (SPD) submissions. Bidders that qualify to participate in the second stage of the process following Scottish Government's assessment of their SPD submissions will be notified by Scottish Government and will be invited to submit a tender in accordance with the Invitation to Tender documentation.