Provision of Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Solution for NUST H-12 Campus Islamabad

The National University of Science and Technology Islamabad (NUST) invites bids for the provision of a comprehensive Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution for its H-12 Campus in Islamabad. This procurement is planned for the financial year 2026-27 and aims to enhance the university's cybersecurity infrastructure with advanced threat detection and response capabilities. Items being procured: - Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution with licenses for 900 endpoints - Onsite support services throughout the contract period The scope includes a scalable, interoperable XDR platform capable of centralized threat detection, investigation, response, and security operations across multiple domains including endpoints (Windows, Linux, macOS), cloud workloads, remote workforce, and mobile devices. The solution must support AI/ML-driven analytics, detection of malware, ransomware, zero-day attacks, APTs, credential theft, phishing, and more. Endpoint protection features such as NGAV, anti-ransomware, behavioral detection, exploit prevention, and device control are required. A centralized security operations console with real-time monitoring, incident management, role-based access, and audit logging is essential. The solution should enable advanced threat hunting, automated response actions including endpoint isolation and remediation, and integration with SOC workflows. Additional capabilities include threat intelligence feeds, vulnerability management, asset visibility, encryption, compliance reporting, and support for on-premises, cloud-hosted, or hybrid deployment models. Eligibility criteria require bidders to be registered with SECP, FBR, active on the tax payer list, not blacklisted or under litigation, and authorized OEM dealers for the XDR solution. Bidders must submit a bid security of 3% of the quoted value and comply with all documentation requirements as per the tender. The tender will be conducted through a single stage-one envelope procedure using Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS). The technical bid must score at least 70% to qualify. The bid submission deadline is Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM via EPADS v2.0. Manual submissions are not accepted. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the P&LP Directorate, Near NT Park, NUST H-12 Campus, Islamabad. Bidders are advised to carefully follow the instructions for bid preparation and submission. The contract includes OEM-backed 24x7 technical support, software updates, training for technical staff, and knowledge transfer sessions. The delivery period including installation, commissioning, and training is 4-6 weeks from the date of purchase order. A practical tip for bidders: Ensure your bid is complete with all required documents, properly indexed and highlighted to facilitate evaluation. Register early on EPADS v2.0 and submit your bid well before the deadline to avoid disqualification due to late submission.