Acquisition of In-Country Cloud Based Email with Archiving Solution for 5000 Mailboxes

ZTBL Islamabad invites bids for acquiring an in-country cloud based email solution with archiving for 5000 mailboxes and 15TB storage, ensuring data residency within Pakistan. The solution requires a robust cloud service provider operating primary and disaster recovery sites in different seismic zones of Pakistan. The system must support Microsoft Exchange 2016 environment integration, customizable mailbox sizes, shared and resource mailboxes, and dynamic distribution groups. Archiving must comply with regulatory standards, retaining emails for at least 10 years with monthly backups. Advanced security features include spam filtering, advanced threat protection, encryption, litigation hold, and compliance auditing aligned with ISO27001 and SBP guidelines. Migration services must ensure zero disruption with coexistence support and rollback strategies. User access should support Outlook desktop, webmail, mobile apps, MFA, and conditional access policies. The solution demands 99.9% uptime SLA, backup and point-in-time recovery, and disaster recovery with RPO ≤ 15 minutes and RTO ≤ 1 hour. Administration requires centralized control, role-based access, self-service password reset, mail flow rules, and reporting. Integration with third-party apps and Teams/Calendar is essential. The bidder must have in-house capability for configuration, management, and support with quarterly payments post-activation. Bidders must hold valid PEC registration, FBR compliance, and meet FY 2025-26 requirements. Ensure bid security and performance guarantees are in place. The tender follows Least Cost Based Selection (LCBS) with a 150-day bid validity. Technical bids must score 100% to qualify. Submit bids online via EPADS v2.0 by the deadline of 16th April 2026 at 11:00 AM. Bid opening will be live on the same day at 11:30 AM. Physical submission of bid security is required at ZTBL Head Office, Room #204, 2nd Floor, Zero Point, Islamabad. Ensure all documents including technical compliance sheets and OEM authorizations are complete. Pro-Tip: Double-check the bid security submission process; failure to submit the original bid security physically before the deadline leads to disqualification. Also, verify your EPADS registration well in advance to avoid last-minute issues.