Procurement of High Availability for Network Equipment and Server Storage Upgrade

This tender from Export-Import Bank of Pakistan in Islamabad calls for procurement of High Availability (HA) solutions for existing Fortinet network equipment and an upgrade of server storage. The scope includes supply, installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of HA for firewall and switching infrastructure, along with upgrading Dell PowerEdge R750 servers with enterprise-grade storage. The project aims to ensure fault tolerance, continuous network availability, and improved operational resilience for the Bank's critical IT infrastructure. The vendor must provide a turnkey solution including FortiGate firewalls, FortiSwitches, FortiAPs, licenses, cables, and support services. The server upgrade requires installation of minimum 3 TB usable storage per server with Dell ProSupport for two years. Delivery and installation are to be completed within six weeks of contract signing, with one year warranty and support obligations. The project involves technical challenges such as seamless failover configuration, synchronization, and disaster recovery readiness. Bidders must be registered with FBR, on the Active Taxpayer List, and possess relevant experience with at least five clients in similar services over the last five years. Authorization certificates from Fortinet and Dell are mandatory. PEC category and FBR compliance are essential, and bidders should ensure all documentation including Earnest Money Declaration is in order. The financial year 2026 funds are reserved for this procurement. Submission deadline is 30th March 2026 at 11:00 AM PST via EPADS online portal only. Bids will be publicly opened the same day at 11:30 AM at EXIM Bank Head Office, Evacuee Trust Complex, Islamabad. Physical bids or manual submissions are not accepted. The office address for correspondence is 5th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad. Pro-Tip: Ensure to carefully review the detailed technical specifications and include all required manufacturer authorizations and client references. Missing documentation or failure to comply with EPADS submission rules may lead to disqualification. Also, verify the warranty and support terms to avoid post-award issues.