Written answers

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

National Broadband Plan

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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502. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which the only remaining bidder for the national broadband plan is compliant with the process in view of the changes that the consortium has undergone since the process commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39420/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I have been advised by my Department that the bidder in the National Broadband procurement process is led by Granahan McCourt and that the bidder has nominated a number of key subcontractors including enet, Nokia, Actavo, the Kelly Group and KN Group to assist in the delivery of the National Broadband Plan Contract.

Bidders wishing to participate in the ongoing NBP procurement process had to pre-qualify in order to participate in that process. Only those bidders that could demonstrate they had the necessary economic and financial standing, together with the required technical and professional capability, were allowed to participate in the procurement. I understand from my Department that the bidder which submitted its Final Tender to my Department on 18 September 2018 met these relevant thresholds set out for the procurement process.

My Department is evaluating the Final Tender submission. This is a significant milestone as the NBP procurement process has now entered its final stage.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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503. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if bids or expressions of interest have been received to date since the bidding process for the national broadband plan closed; if he has had engagement with the remaining consortium bidding for the project by phone, email, letter or meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39421/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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As I informed the House on 18 September my Department received the Final Tender submission from the bidder in the National Broadband Plan State led intervention procurement process on that date. Since receipt of that Final Tender on September 18 no further bids or expressions of interest have been received and I have had no engagement with the bidder.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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504. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has consulted with his officials regarding discontinuing the bidding process for the national broadband plan and retendering the project; if he has received written and-or verbal advice or reports from his officials on this course of action; the estimated cost of retendering the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39424/18]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Following eir's withdrawal from the NBP procurement process earlier this year, leaving a single remaining bidder, I understand my Department's procurement team conducted a project re-appraisal exercise in line with the Public Spending Code. The re-appraisal exercise identified the preferred option as continuing with the procurement process.

My Department is currently evaluating the Final Tender submission received from the bidder on 18 September 2018. This is a significant milestone as the NBP procurement process has now entered its final stage.

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