Procurement of Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Hardware Appliances (HA Pair) Without Security Licenses for SAARC Office G-10

Pakistan Revenue Automation Pvt Limited (PRAL) invites sealed bids through the e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (EPADS) v2.0 for the procurement of Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Hardware Appliances (HA Pair) without security licenses for the SAARC Office located in Sector G-10, Islamabad. This procurement is planned for the financial year 2026-27 and aims to enhance network security infrastructure with high availability firewall appliances. Items being procured: - Next-Generation Firewall appliance, hardware only (Active/Standby HA pair), quantity 2 - 10G SFP+ optics / DAC cables for core connectivity, quantity as per actual requirement - 10G SFP+ (OEM specific), quantity as per actual requirement - 1G SFP (OEM specific), quantity as per actual requirement - Rack mounting kit, power cords and console cable, 2 sets - Allied accessories (patch cords, cables etc.), quantity as per actual requirement The scope includes supply, installation, configuration, integration, testing, and commissioning of the HA firewall pair. The firewall appliances shall be deployed as a redundant pair at the campus edge and act as the gateway for the LAN, operating in High Availability Active/Standby mode. Both units must be identical in OEM, model, firmware, hardware configuration, and licensing. The solution requires integration with campus switches, Active Directory, RADIUS, and existing network infrastructure. The bidder must provide all required optics, cables, rack mounting hardware, and power cords. Configuration documentation, network diagrams, policy matrix, test reports, and knowledge transfer/training for PRAL staff are mandatory. Eligibility criteria include OEM experience of at least 15 years in enterprise-grade NGFWs, presence in Gartner Magic Quadrant, deployment at 10+ customer sites in last 5 years, and authorized partnership with OEM in Pakistan providing 24x7 technical support and next business day hardware replacement. Bidders must submit a Manufacturer Authorization Form (MAF). Bid security of PKR 120,000 is required. Delivery timeline is 8-10 weeks from issuance of Purchase Order. Bids must be submitted electronically via EPADS v2.0 before 3:00 PM on October 23, 2026. Manual submissions will not be accepted. Technical and financial bids will be opened on the same day at 3:30 PM. Bidders must register on EPADS v2.0 to participate. A practical tip for bidders: Ensure full compliance with the technical specifications and submit all required documentary evidence including OEM datasheets, authorization letters, and client references to avoid disqualification during technical evaluation. Early registration on EPADS and timely submission of bid security in original form to the specified address in Islamabad is crucial for eligibility. This procurement follows the Single Stage Two Envelope procedure with Least Cost Based Selection (LCBS) technique in accordance with Public Procurement Rules, 2026.