1

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR THE DESIGN, SUPPLY, INSTALLATION,

COMMISSIONING, OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF INTERNET AND

BACKHAUL CONNECTIVITY TO FACILITIES 61 VILLAGES

1. Background

1.1 In 2020, the Botswana Government approved its Digital Transformation

Strategy (SmartBots), which is an action plan that delivers a smart

sustainable society for Botswana and Batswana. SmartBots adopts a whole

of government approach to transform the public sector to efficiently provide

services to citizens and businesses, reform the education system with a

focus on building the human capital towards a Knowledge-Based Economy

(KBE) and effectively monitor and evaluate programmes and projects to

ensure the attainment of the national visions and improved citizen

satisfaction. SmartBots strives to make it easy, seamless, and secure to

transact with the Botswana Government. Botswana will leverage the

SmartBots Strategy to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and move the country towards the KBE,

without leaving anyone behind.

1.2 As part of implementing SmartBots, government has started rolling out

various digitisation projects, key among them the Village Connectivity

Project. The project adopts a whole of government approach to provide

consolidated connectivity that is distributed to various facilities in a village

such as education institutions, dikgotla, health facilities and other

government facilities. Through this project, the Government will connect all

villages to high-speed broadband internet by 2022/23 in a phased approach

to ensure universal broadband in Botswana. The initial phase covers

villages with existing backhaul infrastructure followed by villages with

minimal to no backhaul infrastructure and electricity.

1.3 This Expression of Interest (EOI) is aimed at identifying solutions for

connecting 61 villages which have minimal to no backhaul infrastructure

and electricity to high-speed broadband.

2. Scope of Work

2.1 The Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public

Administration (MOPAGPA) wishes to invite competent Licensed Internet

Service Providers to express interest for the design, supply, installation,

commissioning, operation, and support of internet and backhaul

connectivity to the selected facilities (Schools, Dikgotla, Health Facilities,

any other Government facility) in 61 villages listed under Section 5. It

should be noted that this is an invitation to submit an Expression of Interest

and not an offer, therefore, nothing in this invitation is to be construed as

creating any binding contract.

2

2.1.1 The project requires the facilities to be connected to high-speed and

secure internet.

2.1.2 Interested companies are to propose the most suitable and affordable

technologies to connect these facilities in line with the Digital

Connectivity Standards for Villages and network design

considerations available at https://smartbots.gov.bw/.

2.1.3 Provide the high level and facility level network designs.

2.1.4 The proposed solution should demonstrate scalability to meet current

and future bandwidth requirements. The quality of service and

experience will be measured in accordance with BOCRA Quality of

Service and Quality of Experience Guidelines.

2.1.5 The service provider should propose internet and network security

mechanisms to be implemented.

2.1.6 Propose innovative and affordable off-grid energy solutions to

connect villages without power.

2.1.7 Develop a project rollout plan with clear tasks and timelines.

2.1.8 Stipulate how support and maintenance will be carried out.

2.1.9 Stipulate how skills transfer and training will be done for user

support personnel.

2.1.10 The interested service provider should demonstrate experience in

executing similar project and availability of skilled workforce.

2.1.11 Provide any other information relevant for the success of the project.

3. Eligibility Criteria

3.1 The EOI should be accompanied by the following certified and valid

documents:

3.1.1 Local companies should be registered with the Public Procurement

and Asset Disposal Board under the codes specified above subject to online registration verification.

3.1.2 Copy of a Valid Tax Clearance Certificate issued by BURS. Such

Certificate is subject to online registration verification.

3.1.4 Declaration Form for Tendering Purposes

3.1.5 Copy of BOCRA license

3.1.6 Properly completed Certificate of Authority of Signatory

3.2 Non-compliance with administrative requirements will render your bid

non-responsive and will result in disqualification.

4. Conclusion

4.1 MOPAGPA will shortlist (pre- qualify) based on the relevance of the

solution to the scope of work and the capacity of the company to maintain

and support the proposed solution.

3

Technical Requirements:

The bidder should demonstrate in the proposal adequate understanding of the

specified requirements as set onto the scope of the service above as 2.1 -2.12.

Bidders proposal requirement Relevance

(a) Bidders product or solution relevance to the overall Terms of Reference and additional suggestions

30

b) Technical approach, Implementation plan and methodology 10

c) Explain how the various stages of the solution/assignment/project as laid down in the scope with clear timelines and work schedule for each deliverable are going to be implemented (See bullet 2.8)

10

d) Experience and Capability of the Bidding Firm in the Telecommunications/Information Communications and Technology (related to the assignment) Submit previous projects done with references.

Bidders Profile / portfolio must be submitted

10

e) Key Personnel (Qualification and Experience of Key Personnel With Clear Roles of Different Members of the Team)

20

f) The bidder should demonstrate and submit a maintenance and support plan for the proposed solutions within warranty. The details and the proposed duration of the support services should also be indicated.

5

g) The bidder should also submit and describe a list of product licenses required for each solution

10

h) The Bidder should indicate how knowledge is going to be transferred to the technical staff (PE), and commit to sending them for a recognized vendor training in each key area.

5

Overall Marks 100

4.2 This is Part A of the procurement process and pass rate for this stage is 85%

and above. Successful bidders will be invited for Part B which will be the

tender document (Invitation To Tender) for the intended solution.

4.3 Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing, the Government of Botswana is

not bound to incur expenses in the preparation thereof. It should also be

noted that the Government of Botswana is not obliged to invite to

participate in the subsequent bidding process any particular companies

that expressed an interest in this project.

4

5. Locations

Village District Village District

1 Chadibe 2 Central District 31 Natale Central District

2 Mandunyane Central District 32 Mmaphashalala Central District

3 Shashe-Mooke Central District 33 Dimajwe Central District

4 Thabala Central District 34 Toromoja Central District

5 Shashe/Semotswane Central District 35 Mafongo/Hubona Central District

6 Chadibe 1 Central District 36 Bokaa Kgatleng District

7 Radisele Central District 37 Rasesa Kgatleng District

8 Mosolotshane Central District 38 Morwa Kgatleng District

9 Xhumo Central District 39 Modipane Kgatleng District

10 Mabesekwa Central District 40 Kopong Kweneng District

11 Marapong Central District 41 Lentsweletau Kweneng District

12 Nswazwi Central District 42 Moshaweng Kweneng District

13 Ratholo Central District 43 Ditshegwane Kweneng District

14 Mosetse Central District 44 Boatlaname Kweneng District

15 Mogapi Central District 45 Sesung Kweneng District

16 Kutamogoree Central District 46 Dutlwe Kweneng District

17 Matsitama Central District 47 Shadishadi Kweneng District

18 Kobojango Central District 48 Matshelagabedi North East District

19 Marobela Central District 49 Themashanga North East District

20 Mokubilo Central District 50 Moroka North East District

21 Kodibeleng Central District 51 Ditladi North East District

22 Kudumatse Central District 52 Senyawe North East District

23 Mmatshumo Central District 53 Mosojane North East District

24 Goshwe Central District 54 Mogobane South East District

25 Pilikwe Central District 55 Magotlhwane South East District

26 Makwate Central District 56 Lotlhakane Southern District

27 Matobo Central District 57 Manyana Southern District

28 Seolwane Central District 58 Ranaka Southern District

29 Maape Central District 59 Pitsane Siding Southern District

30 Mokoboxane Central District 60 Sese Southern District

61 Mokobeng Central District

5

Republic of Botswana

TENDER

RETURNABLE

DOCUMENTS

TENDER SCHEDULES

CERTIFICATE OF

AUTHORITY OF

SIGNATORY

Indicate the status of the tenderer by ticking the appropriate box hereunder. The tenderer must complete the certificate set out below for the relevant category.

A

COMPANY

B

PARTNERSHIP

C

JOINT VENTURE

D

SOLE PROPRIETOR

A. Certificate for company

I,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _._ _ _ , chairperson of the board of directors of _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _., hereby confirm that by resolution

of the board taken on _ _ _ _ _ 20…., Mr/Ms _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , acting in the capacity

of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, was authorised to sign all documents in connection

with this tender offer and any contract resulting from it on behalf of the company.

As witnesses:-

1._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Chairman 2._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date

B. Certificate for partnership We, the undersigned, being the key partners in the business trading as _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ hereby authorise Mr/Ms _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,

acting in the capacity of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, to sign all documents in

connection with the tender offer for Contract _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and any

contract resulting from it on our behalf.

NAME ADDRESS SIGNATURE DATE

NOTE: This certificate is to be completed and signed by all of the partners. Attach additional pages if more space is required.

C. Certificate for Joint Venture

We, the undersigned, are submitting this tender offer in Joint Venture and hereby authorise

Mr/Ms _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, an authorised signatory of the company _ _ _ _ _ _

6

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , acting in the capacity of lead partner, to

sign all documents in connection with the tender offer for Contract _ _ _ _ __ _ _ and any

contract resulting from it on our behalf.

This authorisation is evidenced by the attached power of attorney signed by legally authorised

signatories of all the partners to the Joint Venture.

Furthermore we attach to this Schedule a copy of the joint venture agreement which

incorporates a statement that all partners are liable jointly and severally for the execution of the

contract and that the lead partner is authorised to incur liabilities, receive instructions and

payments and be responsible for the entire execution of the contract for and on behalf of any

and all the partners.

NAME OF FIRM ADDRESS AUTHORISING SIGNATURE, NAME &

CAPACITY

Lead partner

D. Certificate for sole proprietor. I, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , hereby confirm that I am the sole owner of the business trading as _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

As witnesses:- _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Signature: Sole owner 2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Date

7

Republic of Botswana

TENDER

RETURNABLE

DOCUMENTS

TENDER SCHEDULES

CURRICULUM VITAE OF

KEY PERSONNEL

Name: Date of Birth:

Profession: Nationality:

Current Position: Years with the firm:

Qualification and Experience:

Education:

Professional Membership

Experience Record

Languages:

Certification:

I, the undersigned, certify that to the best of my knowledge and belief, this data correctly describes me, my qualifications and my experience.

____________________________________________________ Date: ___________

[Signature of authorized representative of the Tenderer]

8

Republic of Botswana TENDER RETURNABLE DOCUMENT

TENDER SCHEDULES T2.2 GM DECLARATION FORM FOR TENDERING PURPOSES

Declaration to establish that Directors, shareholders, partners, members have not participated through any other bid for the same tender. PART A I, ____________________________ (full name), in my capacity as .................................... (state position in Entity) hereby declare that on my behalf, and on behalf of the owners, partners / directors/ shareholders /administrators and/or Other (Please specify) .................................................... of:............................................................................................................. (name of Entity ) of :................................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................(Postal/physical address) that, in connection with the enclosed tender,

All information contained herein is true and not misleading, and it is to the best of my knowledge factual and binding on the Entity and/or its Representatives. I state that the (State Name of Entity) ......................................................... and/or its representatives confirm that they have not, through other entities, participated in the same tender and offer the same products in response to the same items. NOTE THAT: In the case of competing franchises, the franchises may bid for the same item but with different products. Item means the commodity required by the procuring entity indicated in the ITT. Product means the commodity offered by the bidder.

I declare and confirm that the Entity and/or its Representatives have in fact not participated in the same tender and offered the same products in response to the same items, through any other registered company or other entity. I hereby provide a current list of Directors/ Administrators/ Partners/ Members and/or Shareholders for the Company/Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/Statutory Body and/or other (Please specify) ...................................

DIRECTORS/MEMBERS/ PARTNERS NAME

and/OR Other (Please Specify)...................... CAPACITY IN ENTITY NATIONALITY PERCENTAGE OF

SHAREHOLDING

1

2

3

9

4

5

6

7

SHAREHOLDERS NAME NATIONALITY PERCENTAGE OF SHAREHOLDING

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

If more space is required attach additional sheet. Note that Public companies should state which stock exchange the company is listed under.

I further acknowledge that should any of the directors, partners, and shareholders, members/administrators /(others please specify) be found to be associated in a similar or other manner in another company/entity, participating in this tender and offering the same products in response to the same items, this shall disqualify this Company/Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/Statutory Body, and whichever company or other entity the said director/partner/shareholder/member and/or administrator is consequently involved in.

I further acknowledge that should the Company /Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/ Statutory Body or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries be found to have participated in the same tender and offered the same products in response to the same items, the said Company/Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/Statutory Body/(others please specify) and its affiliates and/or subsidiaries shall be disqualified.

The Company/Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/ Statutory Body/(others please specify), through its agents, employees or directors has not illegally communicated with any member of the procuring department or the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board, except as may be permitted in the relevant “instructions to tenderers” or by law.

The Company/Partnership/ Society/Joint Venture/ Private Foundation/Statutory Body/(others please specify), through its agents, employees, partners, members, administrators and/or directors has not paid or offered to pay any consideration, favour or promise to any member of the procuring department or any person employed by or associated with Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) or its Committees.

I declare that this tender is submitted by us in our own right and we have not colluded in any way with any other potential tenderer in the production and submission of this tender other than in the establishment of a joint venture or sub-contractor arrangement as fully and correctly declared in the tender.

I acknowledge that if after the award of this tender any of these declarations are found to be false then any contract(s) between ourselves and the procuring department and/or PPADB shall be

10

terminated forthwith and we may be barred from future tendering for government services and liable to possible prosecution. I confirm that our entity has undertaken not to collude to withdraw from a tender award, only for the reason that an unsuccessful bidder be awarded the tender. I confirm further that the entity has undertaken not to engage in frivolous complaints and litigation that frustrates project implementation.

SIGNED: ............................................................. NAME: ............................................ DATED:......................................... ........................................................................................... Entity

Stamp

PART B

1. Declaration to establish Eligibility for Reservation and Price Preferences for 100% Citizen

Owned Contractor / Companies and other Entities. 2. The declaration shall be signed by all Businesses tendering for reserved contracts and

contracts subject to preferences, as a condition of each tender. 3. The 100% citizenship requirements for shareholders, etc contained therein shall not withstand any previous consents and practice, be pre condition for the award of any reserved tender. Definition 4. The following definitions shall apply to this declaration: 100% Citizen Owned Contractor / Company: a natural person or an incorporated company wholly owned and controlled by persons who are citizens of Botswana. Control: the possession and exercise of legal authority and power to manage the assets, goodwill and daily operations of a business and the active and continuous exercise of managerial and financial authority and power in determining the policies and directing the operations of the business. Net Amount: the financial value of the Contract at the time of the award of the Contract, exclusive of sales tax which the law requires the Employer to pay to the Contractor.

11

Owned: Having all the customary incidents of ownership, including the right of disposition, and sharing in all the risks and profits commensurate with the degree of ownership interest or shareholding as demonstrated by an examination of the substance as well as the form of ownership arrangements 5. The company operates banking and savings accounts, the only authorised signatories are: i.…………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………. (Bank Name and Name of signatory) (Omang No. /Passport) ii.…………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………. (Bank Name and Name of signatory) (Omang No. /Passport) ii.……………………………………………… ………….. …………………………………………………………. (Bank Name and Name of signatory) (Omang No. /Passport) iv.………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………. (Bank Name and Name of signatory) (Omang No. /Passport) 6. Undertakings

The Tenderer confirms that it is a 100% Citizen owned contractor/company and undertakes

to remain a Citizen Contractor for the duration of the Contract. The Tenderer further undertakes not to subcontract more than 25% of the Net Amount to non-Citizen Contractors in the performance of the Contract.

7. Sanctions relating to reserved treatment

Any changes in Ownership or Control which violate the definition of a Citizen Contractor or the subcontracting of more than 25% of the Net Amount of the Contract to non-Citizen Contractors shall be sufficient reason for the Procuring Department to terminate the Contract.

8. All the shareholders of …………………………………………………………………………………..(Name of company) have read this declaration and agree to its contents.

12

a) All the shareholders hereby give consent verification of the information provided above and understand that this may include but not limited to the verification of assets, liabilities, accounts, bonds and undertake to notify the competent authorities of any change to the information provided in this Declaration within seven days of such occurrence.

b) I understand and declare that each matter here deposed to is essential for the tender validity of ………………………………………. (Name of company)’s

NB: The Procuring Entity reserves the right to confirm the authenticity of the information provided above. THUS SIGNED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME COMMISSIONER OF OATHS AT _______________________ ON THIS _______ DAY OF ___________________ 20____, AT ____AM / PM, THE DEPONENT HAVING ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS THE CONTENTS OF THIS DECLARATION AND THAT IT IS BINDING ON HIS CONSCIENCE.

____________________________ COMMISSIONER OF OATHS CAPACITY:

DECLASSIFICATION OF INFORMATION Pursuant to section 93 of the PPADB Act, the bidders should indicate the kind of information they would not want disclosed to third parties. NB: This is not a disqualifying factor and shall not be used for evaluation