Supply, Installation, Configuration, and Commissioning of Enterprise-Grade Next Generation Firewall Solution

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Islamabad, is procuring an Enterprise-Grade Next Generation Firewall Solution to enhance its cybersecurity infrastructure. This procurement is for the supply, installation, configuration, and commissioning of a high-performance firewall system with comprehensive security features. The procurement is planned for the financial year 2026-27 and will be executed in Islamabad. Items being procured: - Enterprise Grade Firewall with 3 years license (Qty: 1) - Log Analyzer with 3 years support (Qty: 1) The technical scope includes hardware-based firewall with performance specifications such as firewall throughput of 39 Gbps or higher, IPsec VPN throughput of 20.5 Gbps or higher, IPS throughput of 7 Gbps or higher, NGFW throughput of 6.3 Gbps or higher, threat protection throughput of 5.5 Gbps or higher, SSL inspection throughput of 1.45 Gbps or higher, and support for 6.5 million concurrent TCP sessions. The firewall must have dual AC power, multiple GE copper and SFP ports, onboard SSD storage of 120 GB, and USB 3.0 ports. Security features include IPS, advanced malware protection, application control, URL filtering, web filtering, antispam, DNS and video filtering with 3 years OEM-backed warranty and support. The solution must support IPv4 and IPv6 firewall policies, static and policy-based routing, OSPF and BGP protocols, active-passive and active-active high availability, QoS techniques, site-to-site IPsec VPNs, SSL content scanning, signature and anomaly-based IPS detection, and extensive logging facilities. Performance SLA settings for WAN interfaces and per-packet load balancing among IPSec tunnels are also required. Eligibility criteria include valid OEM authorization, ownership or operation of a Tier-III certified data center in Pakistan, minimum annual turnover of PKR 10 million for the last three years, and PTA-licensed Tier-1 ISP status with submarine cable landing station rights. Bidders must submit a bid security of PKR 500,000 and successful bidders must provide a 10% performance security. The contract duration is 120 days from commencement. The technical bid must include CNIC, active NTN and STRN status, affidavit of non-blacklisting, and OEM authorization letter. Bids must be submitted online via EPADS v2.0 by August 10, 2026, 11:00 AM, with bid opening at 11:30 AM the same day. Manual bids will not be accepted. The submission address for bid security is the Director Purchase and Procurement Office, NIH, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad. A practical tip for bidders: Ensure timely registration on EPADS v2.0 and submit all required documents in the prescribed formats to avoid disqualification. Pay special attention to the OEM authorization letter and financial documents to meet the eligibility criteria. Early submission of bid security in hard copy is mandatory before the deadline to validate your bid. This tender offers a significant opportunity for qualified firms to supply a critical cybersecurity solution to a premier national health institute in Islamabad. Bidders are advised to carefully review the detailed technical specifications and evaluation criteria to prepare a compliant and competitive bid.