Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region

West Sussex County Council intends to procure a suitable delivery partner for the design, implementation and operation of a hybrid 5G and advanced wireless network and the delivery of agreed "Use Cases" across three site locations (Growers and Colleges).

The procurement will cover the following activities: • design, installation and testing of the hybrid 5G and advanced wireless network • solutions to address the identified "growing" use cases, associated benefits & costs savings • systems integration to ensure that the Use Case solutions and the network work together • capacity to deliver further Use Cases to expand the scope of the project over time • support for the colleges and growers to implement the Use Cases • hardware, software and devices to support the network and the Use Cases • ongoing maintenance & support participation in showcasing and network events at the college and grower sites and development of playbooks to encourage further use and innovation • an ecosystem of innovation partners to bring further value and showcase the advanced wireless network.

The opportunity will be open to all suitably qualified suppliers able to deliver the requirements over the long term, either as single suppliers or as a prime contractor utilizing third parties/ partners to deliver some of the elements.

In terms of timescales, the council intends to start a procurement in Jan 2024 with a view to awarding a contract by March / April 2024.

The awarded supplier would then be expected to deliver the advanced wireless infrastructure and use case implementation at all the sites, in time for the start of the academic year in Sept 2024.

It is anticipated that the term of the contract will be for 3 years, with a requirement to spend the DSIT funding in the first 18 months.

There may be opportunities during the contract period to add additional site locations if further funding is acquired.