Establishment of Cyber Operations and Defense Emulation Lab at Islamabad

This tender invites qualified firms to establish a Cyber Operations and Defense Emulation Lab at the National Cyber Emergency Response Team (nCERT) headquarters in Islamabad. The project is part of the Cyber Security for Digital Pakistan initiative, executed by NTISB under the Ministry of Information and Technology. The scope includes supply, installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of advanced hardware and licensed software solutions such as micro data center equipment, red team simulation tools, end-user computing devices, and video wall solutions. The lab will be equipped with high-performance servers, next-generation firewalls, core and access switches, wireless access points, and specialized red team toolkits to simulate adversary behavior and penetration testing. The technical requirements emphasize robust hardware with OEM-backed warranties, advanced network infrastructure supporting Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, and comprehensive security capabilities including intrusion prevention and multi-factor authentication. The lab will be located at L-Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, requiring onsite installation and commissioning. The project demands firms with at least three years of IT business experience, valid ATL status, and compliance with tax and registration requirements. Bidders must submit electronic bids via e-PADS and provide a bid security of PKR 0.8 million. Bidders should ensure compliance with PEC categories relevant to IT and security equipment, maintain valid FBR registration, and meet the 2025-26 fiscal year requirements for tax and licensing. The tender follows PPRA rules with a two-stage evaluation process: technical bids will be assessed first, followed by financial evaluation of technically qualified firms. The contract award will be based on the highest combined technical and financial score. Submission deadline is on the 2nd of March, 2026 at 1100 hours, with bid opening at 1130 hours on the same day. Bidders must submit original bid security instruments physically before the closing time at the address: National Cyber Emergency Response Team (nCERT), L-Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad. Electronic bids must be uploaded on http://eprocure.gov.pk. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for 19th February, 2026 at 1100 hours at the same location. Pro-Tip: Make sure to carefully review the technical specifications in Annex-I and ensure all OEM warranties and licenses are clearly documented. Missing or incomplete bid security instruments will lead to disqualification. Also, verify your ATL status and tax registrations to avoid common pitfalls during bid evaluation.