Publication
National Broadband Plan
- Published on: 7 May 2019
- Last updated on: 3 May 2019
The National Broadband Plan Preferred Bidder Announcement
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's plan to deliver high speed broadband services to all businesses, farms and households in Ireland. It will ensure that everyone in Ireland will have equal access to a high speed broadband service.
In May 2019, the government approved the appointment of a "Preferred Bidder". This is the final step in the NBP procurement process before a contract is awarded and deployment begins in the State intervention area. It means that the bidder has passed the rigorous evaluation process carried out by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
To learn more about the NBP and what "Preferred Bidder" means, more information can be found in our press release, in our slide presentation, in Delivering the National Broadband Plan, in our video on the benefits high speed broadband can bring, and our What is the National Broadband Plan? pamphlet.
Documents related to the National Broadband Plan will be published here, including updates as available.
Documents from Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
| Document | Topic | Description | |
| 1 | Project Information Memorandum PIM December 2015 | Procurement process | The PIM sets out the Department’s requirements (in 2016) for the NBP and indicates how the Department expected to run the procurement process. The PIM, together with the PQQ, provided parties with an overview of the project so that potential bidders could: • Understand the background to the project • Understand the procurement process being employed for the award of contracts, the estimated timeframes involved and the tasks to be carried out by those bidders participating in the procurement process; and • Evaluate whether they wish to participate in the procurement |
| 2 | Pre-Qualification Questionnaire PQQ December 2015 | Procurement process | The PQQ is a questionnaire to be completed by the bidders responding to questions arising from the requirements set out in the PIM |
| 3 | Volume 1: Final Tender version September 2018 - Instructions to bidder | Procurement process | Volume 1 is a set of instructions to the bidder to assist the preparation and submission of a response to the Invitation to Submit Final Tender in accordance with the requirements of the Department in relation to the NBP |
| 4 | Volume 2: Final Tender version September 2018 – Evaluation Methodology | Procurement process | Volume 2 is the methodology and evaluation criteria to be used by the Department in its evaluation of the Final Tender. |
| 5 | Contract Synopsis | Contract | Summary document setting out at a high level the provisions of the Contract and the protections to the State. |
| 6 | Volume 4: Final Tender version September 2018 – Financial Requirements | Procurement process | Volume 4 sets out the requirements to the bidder for the completion of the financial elements of the Final Tender, including the Project Financial Model and Project Cost Model |
| 7 | Single Bidder Solution Assessment December 2018 | Robustness of Cost and Technical solution | A report prepared by KPMG to inform the Department's assessment of whether it considers the Final Tender to be an acceptable outcome for Government, by reference to the Public Spending Code |
| 8 | Technical Solution Assessment Methodology Report November 2018 | Robustness of Cost and Technical solution | A report prepared by Analysys Mason in support of the KPMG SBSA report to inform the Department's assessment of whether it considers the Final Tender to be an acceptable outcome for Government, by reference to the Public Spending Code |
| 9 | Cost Benefit Analysis Report April 2019 | Cost Benefit Analysis | The final Cost Benefit Analysis report prepared by PwC in line with the Public Spending Code, following submission of the Final Tender and incorporating updated data such as 2016 CSO data |
| 10 | Benefits Report February 2019 | Cost Benefit Analysis | A narrative report on the non-quantitative benefits of delivery of the NBP, prepared by PwC |
| 11 | NBP Technology Options Paper December 2018 | Technical Document | **Report on the comparative benefits of 5G versus Fibre as a technology solution for the NBP, prepared by Analysys Mason |
| 12 | “XGS PON VfM Analysis” November 2018 | Technical Document | Analysis of the suitability of the bidder’s technology choice to meet the requirements of the NBP, prepared by Analysys Mason |
| 13 | Project Reappraisal Report May 2018 | Procurement process/Public Spending Code | A Project Reappraisal, prepared by KPMG, in line with the Public Spending Code to assess the Department's options before making a decision whether or not to continue with the procurement following eir's withdrawal |
| 14 | Contingency Planning Report 2018 | In 2018, alternative options to deliver the NBP were considered. That exercise considered additional short term and longer term options with regard to the NBP. | |
| 15 | Contingency Plan Report 2019, Report, Comparative Table | Procurement process | In 2019, building on the findings and initial analysis carried out in 2018, a number of options were developed further. Options considered included a phased approach based on two selected deployment areas; a separate build based on a €1 billion budget; and backhaul only. These internal analyses were shared with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. |
| 16 | Ownership Report - Internal DCCAE Document June 2016 | Ownership of NBP network | Report prepared by the Department on ownership. The public consultation in July 2015 on the Intervention Strategy included five alternative Ownership options. By December 2015 and the launch of procurement, Government decision narrowed the options to two models: the Gap Funding model and the full concessionaire model. As part of this decision, the Government asked the Minister to revert prior to the commencement of the competitive dialogue process, with further analysis and consideration of the two options short-listed. This document sets out this analysis and provides a final recommendation. Government decision in July 2016 chose the Gap Funding model. |
| 17 | Environmental Reports (October 2018),Addendum to Intervention Strategy, SEA Statement, Natura Impact Statement | Strategic Environmental Assessment /Appropriate Assessment | Reports, prepared by environmental consultants RPS, detailing the conclusions of the SEA and AA consultation process. Includes Addendum to Intervention Strategy, SEA Statement and Natura Impact Statement. |
| 18 | Correspondence between Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform | Correspondence | Letter dated 16 April 2019 from Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the NBP Response dated 24 April 2019 from Secretary General, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment |
| 19 | FTTH technology market adoption and suitability for the NBP July 2018 | Technical document | Analysis of global trends relating to operator choice for FTTH and strengths and weaknesses of competing FTTH technology choices, prepared by Analysys Mason |
Documents from Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
| Records | Date | |
| 1 | eSubmission PER-00431-19: DPER Obs on the Draft Memo for Government on the National Broadband Plan | 3 May 2019 |
| 2 | Letter from D/PER SG to D/CCAE SG | 16 April 2019 |
| 3 | eSubmission PER-00309-19: Note for Minister on National Broadband Plan | 4 April 2019 |
| 4 | eSubmission PER-00154-19: Briefing on the National Broadband Plan for Meeting with Minister Bruton | 21 February 2019 |
| 5 | eSubmission PER-0040-19: National Broadband Plan | 17 January 2019 |