Nationwide private apn solution for electoral commission (iec) – 2,500 to 100,000 devices

The Electoral Commission (IEC) seeks a flexible, consumption-based Access Point Name (APN) solution to connect 2,500–100,000 devices (currently 41,500: 40,000 VMDs, 1,500 laptops, +16,000 tablets) nationwide. The solution must provide secure mobile internet connectivity (3G or better) across all 23,000+ voting stations, with alternative mechanisms (roaming, satellite, radio) for areas with poor coverage. The contract is for 5 years (60 months) and must support seasonal scaling without financial penalties or functionality loss. The APN will enable remote field workers to access IEC’s network securely for elections, voter registration, and campaigns.

Closing date and time: 2026-07-09T11:00:00.000Z. Enquiry cut-off date: published on VotaQuotes platform. Briefing session details: published on e-Procurement website. Implementation must be completed within 6 months of Purchase Order (PO) receipt, with SIM card swapping within 1 month of PO receipt.

Submission address: Electoral Commission’s Tender Box, Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157. Enquiries: Submit exclusively via VotaQuotes platform (www.votaquotes.elections.org.za). No telephonic, email, or other communication accepted.

Submit bids in the Electoral Commission’s Tender Box at Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157 by the closing date and time. Clearly mark submissions: 'For the attention of Procurement and Asset Management Department – Auction Number: 0010566886'. Required documents: detailed APN solution proposal with architecture, Appendix A (Technical Bid Response Sheet), Appendix D (Network Data Coverage), Appendix D1 (Summary Data Coverage), Appendix D2 (Coverage Gap Solutions), Appendix D3 (Other Technical Requirements), Appendix B (Pricing Schedule) with sub-appendices (B1-B5), 5 references of similar work, proof of APN service experience (minimum 3 years), service structure/service levels, ICASA license copy, example SLA, link to interactive data coverage map, and implementation project plan. Failure to submit all required documentation by the deadline will invalidate the bid. All enquiries must be submitted via the VotaQuotes platform (www.votaquotes.elections.org.za). No other communication methods accepted.

Scope: Private APN solution for 2,500–100,000 devices (41,500 baseline: 40,000 VMDs, 1,500 laptops, +16,000 tablets). Requirements: nationwide 3G+ coverage (95% minimum across 28,495 voting stations), alternative connectivity (roaming, signal boosters, satellite/radio) for gaps, seamless failover, SD-WAN backhaul (300 Mbps baseline, upgradeable to 2 Gbps, burstable), dual diverse fibre links (HSRP/VRRP), 99.99% availability during elections (99% baseline otherwise), QoS management, APN management platform (SIM provisioning, usage limits, reporting), shared firewall for internet breakout (300 Mbps, upgradeable to 5 Gbps), virtual DNS hosting, support for VoIP/MDM/cloud migration, IP address blocks for different device groups, security audits/vulnerability assessments, OTA security, and 48-hour SIM activation. Must integrate with IEC’s Radius Server and Active Directory. Solution must accommodate 5-year-old VMDs and seasonal scaling without penalties.

Bidder must: have at least 3 years’ APN service experience (5+ years preferred), provide proof via letter-headed document or profile, and allocate a service manager/account manager for escalations. During heightened election periods (12 months pre-election to 10 days post-results), 24/7 support (including weekends/public holidays) is required. Monthly SLA meetings mandatory. Bidder must demonstrate ability to manage 40,000+ legacy VMDs and support IEC’s mandate for free/fair elections.

Bidder responsibilities: Ensure solution meets all technical/functional specifications, is fully operational without additional dependencies, and is in good condition. IEC may: request facility inspections, require solution demonstrations/presentations, and select the best technical/financial investment. Quality control conditions are mandatory; non-compliance disqualifies bids. Successful bidder must warrant solution alignment with specifications and provide monthly performance reports.

Pricing must be consumption-based with flexibility for seasonal fluctuations. Baseline: 10 GB/SIM/month (unlimited acceptable if cost-effective). Total bid price (Appendix B) must include all costs (hardware, software, licensing, implementation, delivery, warranties, maintenance, data) for 60 months, inclusive of VAT. Sub-appendices required: B1 (device count fluctuations), B2 (data usage), B3 (backhaul bandwidth: 300 Mbps baseline, upgradeable to 2 Gbps), B4 (internet breakout bandwidth), B5 (device on-boarding). Prices firm for 180 days; post-award adjustments ≤ CPI. Monthly invoicing.

Pricing: Consumption-based model with baseline of 10 GB/SIM/month (unlimited option acceptable if cost-effective). Total bid price must be firm for 180 days (inclusive of VAT) and cover 60 months. Include: hardware/software/licensing, implementation, delivery to Centurion, warranties, maintenance, data costs, and all once-off/monthly costs. Flexible pricing required for: device count fluctuations (Appendix B1), data usage (B2), backhaul bandwidth (B3: 300 Mbps baseline, upgradeable to 2 Gbps), internet breakout bandwidth (B4), and device on-boarding (B5). Inflation adjustments allowed post-year 1 (≤ annual CPI). Monthly invoicing. IEC reserves right to adjust quantities/costs.

Mandatory: Valid ICASA I-ECNS or I-ECS license (bidder’s name and partnership level must be clear). Minimum 3 years’ APN service experience (5+ years preferred). Submit 5 contactable references for similar scope/services (customer name, contact details, service description, value, bandwidth, device count). Complete Appendices A, D, D1, D2, D3, B, B1-B5. Comply with all statutory/regulatory telecom requirements. Successful bidder may require security clearance. Non-disclosure agreement and SLA mandatory. Preference for bidders with own network. Due diligence audits apply.

Bidder must address: power mitigation infrastructure for towers covering voting stations (given load shedding challenges), and environmental feasibility for temporary connectivity solutions (e.g., satellite/radio) in areas with poor coverage. IEC will provide technical resources for setup/configuration of its systems, but bidder must handle initial equipment configuration and environmental requirements.

Contract duration: 60 months (extendable at IEC’s discretion). Terms include: SD-WAN backhaul (300 Mbps baseline, upgradeable to 2 Gbps, burstable), dual diverse fibre links with automatic failover (HSRP/VRRP), 99.99% availability during election periods (99% baseline otherwise), monthly SLA meetings, and performance reports (uptime, utilization, SLA targets). IEC reserves right to: use own SD-WAN firewalls, adjust bandwidth/device counts, inspect bidder facilities, and terminate for non-compliance. Contract is consumption-based with monthly invoicing. Inflation adjustments allowed post-year 1 (≤ CPI). Non-disclosure agreement and security clearance required for personnel.

Bid evaluation will prioritize: technical compliance with minimum specifications, nationwide data coverage (95%+ 3G/equivalent across 28,495 voting stations), flexibility for device scaling (2,500–100,000), and cost-effectiveness. Bidders must refer to Appendix E for detailed criteria. Preference given to: bidders with own networks, higher coverage percentages, and unlimited data options. Adjudication may include shortlisting, presentations, demonstrations, and proof of concept (POC). Final award subject to SLA negotiation and due diligence. Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (2000) and Regulations (2022) apply.