Dorset Strategic Digital Infrastructure

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to consult the market on a proposal under consideration for Dorset Council to achieve co-investment in construction of digital infrastructure – specifically duct and dark fibre - over which wholesale access services may be provided for third party utilisation, as a long-term revenue generating asset. The long-term revenues (based on current and future potential demand) are yet to be fully quantified but are estimated to be between c.£90m to c.£300m (depending on the realisation of the project over a 30-year period.)

Dorset Council is seeking to engage with prospective partners or organisations with potential interest in this proposal as an investor, delivery partner, operator / wholesaler or built network customer. Such interest may comprise:

• Investing in the design and build of the entire route and refresh and/or upgrade technology assets during the term of any Agreement

• Operation and maintenance of a wholesale open access backhaul network

• Providing commercial access to both passive (dark fibre and other structural assets) and active (high-capacity wavelengths or Ethernet) connectivity services

• Managing all future potential extensions to the spine

• Using the network and services to provide digital connectivity

Further information on this proposal is available to interested parties registering an interest.

To register your interest please follow the links for this opportunity on the Council’s e-tendering portal Supplying the South West Portal - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=f87bc948-b921-f011-8136-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21

GENERAL NOTES

No information provided in response to this market engagement exercise will be used by the Council in assessing providers in the event of any subsequent procurement process, should this follow this market engagement exercise.

Interested parties are encouraged to register on the Central Digital Platform.

Dorset Council reserves the right not to pursue any procurement to which this notice relates.

Dorset Council shall not be liable for any costs or losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein.

The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is either preliminary in nature or estimated and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Contract start/end dates, financial values and options are therefore provisional only for the purposes of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice and may be subject to revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is being made and no liability is or will be accepted by the Council at any time as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of the contents of this notice or any document referred to in this notice. Any liability however arising is expressly disclaimed.

No expenses incurred in responding to this soft market testing will be reimbursed by the Council.