Services of Wide Area Network (WAN) Connectivity on Layer 3 MPLS for Backup

SBP Banking Services Corporation (SBP BSC) Karachi invites qualified bidders registered on EPADS 1.0 for the procurement of Services of Wide Area Network (WAN) Connectivity on Layer 3 MPLS for Backup. This tender is for a comprehensive 5-year contract to provide dual/redundant fiber optics based last mile connectivity between SBP's Main Data Center in Karachi and Disaster Recovery Data Center in Hyderabad, along with backup connectivity for countrywide SBP BSC offices. Items being procured include: - Dual fiber with dual rings metro connectivity at aggregation sites (MDC Karachi and DR Hyderabad) - Separate Layer 2 MPLS point-to-point replication link of 500 Mbps between MDC and DRDC - WAN connectivity bandwidths ranging from 25 Mbps to 300 Mbps for multiple SBP BSC offices across Southern, Central, and Northern regions including Karachi, Hyderabad, Multan, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Muzaffarabad, and others - Provision for satellite link backup for Quetta and Muzaffarabad offices if fiber optics unavailable The scope includes design, implementation, integration with SBP network infrastructure, operational acceptance testing, and 5 years of post-acceptance support and maintenance. The service provider must have a 24x7 NOC, assign a dedicated project manager, and comply with strict SLA requirements including response and resolution times for connectivity issues. Technical specifications require Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, avoidance of NTC and Wateen fiber infrastructure for backup, and compliance with detailed bandwidth and site requirements. Eligibility criteria include valid PTA license, proven fiber and MPLS infrastructure, experience with at least five financial institutions in Pakistan, minimum annual turnover of PKR 800 million, and registration with FBR and ATL status. Bids must be submitted electronically via EPADS by 03 November 2026 at 11:00 AM with a bid security of PKR 1,000,000. Original bid security must be delivered physically by the deadline. Technical proposals will be evaluated first, followed by financial proposals of technically qualified bidders. The contract will be awarded to the most advantageous bidder offering the lowest evaluated cost. Bidders should carefully review the detailed bidding documents, technical specifications, and terms and conditions available on EPADS. Submission must follow the Single Stage Two Envelope Procedure. The contract includes performance security of 5% of contract value and payments will be made in ten equal half-yearly installments over 5 years. The Procuring Agency reserves the right to reject any or all bids. A practical tip for bidders: Ensure your fiber infrastructure and MPLS network fully comply with the backup and redundancy requirements, and provide clear evidence of your capability to deliver and maintain the required bandwidths across all specified SBP locations. Early engagement with SBP technical teams for clarifications and site readiness is recommended to avoid delays in operational acceptance.