Request for Clarification – Tender P96286 (Procurement of Network Routers)

Dear Sir/Madam,

To ensure strict compliance and accurate pricing for the above-referenced tender, we request your official clarification on the following specific points prior to the September 1 deadline:

Payment Period: What is the exact number of calendar days allowed for payment processing from the date of final delivery acceptance and invoice submission? Is an advance/mobilization payment permitted?

Installation Scope: The Price Schedule lacks an installation line item. Please clarify if "installation" means: (i) physical rack-mounting and power-on only, or (ii) full software configuration (OSPF, BGP, MPLS, VPN, SD-WAN) and network integration for go-live?

Optics/Transceivers: The spec requires "2 x 10G SFP+". Does this include the physical 10G optical transceivers and fiber patch cords, or only the router's built-in interface ports?

Software Licensing: Is the required enterprise OS (IOS XE/equivalent) a Perpetual License, or a recurring annual/biennial subscription license? Please specify the exact subscription duration if applicable.

Part Number Equivalency: The spec specifically lists "C-NIM-8T" (a Cisco part number). If offering an "equivalent" brand, will a functionally equivalent 8-port Gigabit Ethernet module from that brand be accepted, or is the exact Cisco NIM mandatory?

Existing Infrastructure: To verify interoperability, please disclose the brand and series of the existing core network equipment currently deployed at the AGPR Data Centre.

Response to Queries

Payment Period: Payment will be made within one month of successful delivery by the Supplier and issuance of a satisfactory report by the Procuring Agency, subject to the quarterly release of funds by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), if applicable.

10G SFPs: 10G SFP modules are required and shall be included in the scope of supply.

Licensing: Perpetual licenses are required.

Installation: Only rack installation, power-on, and basic physical installation of the equipment are required. No additional configuration or commissioning is required.

Equipment/Card Compatibility: The proposed equipment is Cisco or equivalent. Accordingly, the SFP/card shall also be Cisco or equivalent, and must be fully compatible with the proposed equipment.