Superfast Dorset - Phase 4

This notice is for Prior Information Only and is used to invite organisations to contribute (be 'Contributors') to a market consultation ('Consultation') prior to commencement of any procurement(s).

Dorset County Council, on behalf of the Superfast Dorset partnership with the backing of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, is commencing an open procurement for superfast broadband infrastructure.

There is the opportunity, through secured funding (derived from a DefRA grant, underspend in existing contracts, and Gainshare results of previous and existing superfast contracts) to complete ambitions of as close as possible to 100% coverage in Dorset by building superfast broadband infrastructure to a prioritised list of premises in hard to reach areas of Dorset. Overall public funds available will be in the order of £6M - £11M.

Throughout December, and possibly early January too (depending on responses), there will be supplier engagement meetings held to discuss how we might structure the procurement to ensure the most interest from the widest variety of suppliers. We will be looking at creative/innovative solutions for the premises in the identified areas.

An invitation to tender is being developed and your input into this process is sought to help us build a clear understanding of:

• Procurement approach; intervention scale

• Technical and commercial delivery models

• Market appetite and capacity/ability to deploy superfast networks to these harder to reach areas

• Levels of private sector investment

• Engagement with State Aid requirements

• Any concerns the market has about returning a bid

• Factors we can influence to make the opportunity more attractive

We will be directly contacting suppliers to arrange meetings, but to ensure you are a priority in this activity, please email superfast@dorsetcc.gov.uk to show interest and request a meeting.

An Open Market Review (OMR) document will be published on the project website:

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/business-consumers-licences/superfast-dorset/about-superfast-dorset/state-aid.aspx