Network redundancy and wireless infrastructure enhancement

Compulsory site inspection and evaluation of existing infrastructure must be completed before submitting a quotation. The QCTO has one site in Hatfield, Pretoria. No specific date or time for the site inspection is stated.

A compulsory site inspection and evaluation of the existing infrastructure must be completed before sending a quotation. The QCTO has one site in Hatfield, Pretoria.

Technical enquiries: Mr Shebambo Mahlodi, Tel: 012 003 1829, Email: [email protected]. Mr Radebe Siyabonga, Tel: 012 003 1856, Email: [email protected].

Quotations must be submitted before the closing time. The site inspection and evaluation of the existing infrastructure is compulsory before sending the quotation. All returnable forms and documents must be completed, signed, and submitted with the quotation.

Bidders are scored out of 100 points across six criteria. To qualify, a bidder must score 85/100 or above. Criteria: 1. Detailed project plan (10 points) – comprehensive plan demonstrating experience in deploying, configuring, and supporting Cisco Catalyst switching, wireless controllers, and high availability solutions. 2. References from similar projects (15 points) – reference letters on client letterhead, dated, signed, and no more than six years old; 5+ references = 15 points, 3-4 = 10 points, 2 = 5 points. The bidding company must be a registered Cisco equipment reseller. 3. Lead Cisco Security Engineer (25 points) – must hold a valid CCIE Security number and have a minimum of five years' Cisco network experience; no CCIE = 0 points. 4. Lead Network Engineer (Routing and Switching) (20 points) – must hold a valid CCIE Routing and Switching number and have a minimum of five years' Cisco network experience; no relevant certifications = 0 points. 5. Wireless Specialist (10 points) – must hold a Cisco wireless certification (e.g., CCNP Wireless or equivalent) and have a minimum of five years' experience in wireless controller deployment and Wi-Fi survey/design; no relevant certification = 0 points. 6. Wireless survey equipment reseller or certified resource (20 points) – must be a registered reseller OR have a resource certified in the product to be used; otherwise 0 points.

Scope of work: Supply and delivery of two (2) Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-E switches, each with Cisco DNA Advantage licensing, and one (1) Cisco Catalyst CW9800L Wireless Controller for redundancy with the existing wireless controller. Include all necessary accessories (transceivers, cabling, associated components) for full integration. Installation: rack mounting and physical installation in the data centre, including power connections, network connectivity, and integration with minimal disruption. Configuration: configure the two core switches in a high-availability redundant architecture (e.g., StackWise Virtual or equivalent), including redundant uplinks, link aggregation (LACP), and VLAN segmentation. Automatic failover to the secondary switch must occur with minimal disruption. Professional Wi-Fi survey: conduct a comprehensive wireless site survey across approximately 5,478 m² across 3 floors, using enterprise-grade specialised survey equipment. Include RF coverage mapping, heat map creation, identification of coverage gaps, dead zones, and sources of interference. Provide a detailed report with recommendations for optimising access point placement and improving coverage. Testing and validation: verify core switch redundancy and failover, wireless controller high availability and switchover, overall network stability and performance, and validate coverage improvements against survey results. Documentation and handover: deliver updated network architecture diagrams, detailed configuration records, the full Wi-Fi survey report, and conduct knowledge transfer sessions for QCTO IT staff. Deliverables: fully implemented redundant core switching environment, configured wireless controller high availability solution, completed Wi-Fi survey report with recommendations, updated network documentation and diagrams, and test and validation report.

The service provider must supply and install two Cisco Catalyst C9300X-24Y-E switches with Cisco DNA Advantage licensing and one Cisco Catalyst CW9800L Wireless Controller. Installation includes rack mounting and physical installation in the data centre, with power and network connectivity. Configuration must implement a high-availability redundant architecture (e.g., StackWise Virtual), redundant uplinks, LACP, and VLAN segmentation, with automatic failover. A professional Wi-Fi survey must be conducted across approximately 5,478 m² across 3 floors, including RF coverage mapping, heat maps, identification of gaps and interference, and recommendations. Testing and validation must verify redundancy, failover, and coverage improvements. Documentation and handover must include updated network diagrams, configuration records, the Wi-Fi survey report, and knowledge transfer sessions.

Lead Cisco Security Engineer must hold a valid CCIE Security number and have a minimum of five years' Cisco network experience. Lead Network Engineer (Routing and Switching) must hold a valid CCIE Routing and Switching number and have a minimum of five years' Cisco network experience. Wireless Specialist must hold a Cisco wireless certification (e.g., CCNP Wireless or equivalent) and have a minimum of five years' experience in wireless controller deployment and Wi-Fi survey/design. The bidding company must be a registered Cisco equipment reseller and either a registered reseller or have a certified resource in the wireless survey product to be used.

Testing and validation must verify core switch redundancy and failover, wireless controller high availability and switchover, overall network stability and performance, and validate wireless coverage improvements against survey results. Comprehensive documentation including updated network architecture diagrams, configuration records, and the full Wi-Fi survey report must be delivered.

The bidding company must be a registered Cisco equipment reseller. The bidding company must be a registered reseller OR have a resource certified in the wireless survey product to be used. Post-implementation support plan (3 months warranty), availability of technical support, and SLA commitments for uptime and issue resolution are required.

Post-implementation support plan includes a 3-month warranty. The service provider must ensure availability of technical support and commit to SLA uptime and issue resolution.

Six criteria with points: 1. Detailed project plan (10 points) demonstrating experience in deploying, configuring, and supporting Cisco Catalyst switching, wireless controllers, and high availability solutions. 2. References from similar projects (15 points) – reference letters on client letterhead, dated, signed, no more than six years old; 5+ references = 15 points, 3-4 = 10, 2 = 5. The bidding company must be a registered Cisco equipment reseller. 3. Lead Cisco Security Engineer (25 points) – CCIE Security with valid number and 5+ years Cisco experience; no CCIE = 0. 4. Lead Network Engineer (20 points) – CCIE Routing and Switching with valid number and 5+ years experience; no relevant certifications = 0. 5. Wireless Specialist (10 points) – Cisco wireless certification (e.g., CCNP Wireless) and 5+ years experience in wireless controller deployment and Wi-Fi survey/design; no certification = 0. 6. Wireless survey equipment reseller or certified resource (20 points) – must be registered reseller or have certified resource in the product; otherwise 0. To qualify, bidder must score 85/100 or above.