VR-Group: Maintenance and support services of telecommunications network devices - Invitation to participate

The subject of the procurement is the provision of maintenance and support services for telecommunications network devices and related network services (hereinafter the "Service"). The procurement covers comprehensive maintenance, monitoring, support and operational services for VR's telecommunications network environment, including network devices located in datacentres, offices, rolling stock (trains and buses) and other operational locations. The Service also includes the maintenance of certain related network services required for the operation of the telecommunications environment. The Service includes, but is not limited to, the following: - Service transition and implementation; - 24/7 monitoring of the telecommunications network environment; - Incident management and fault resolution; - Replacement of failed network devices in accordance with the agreed service levels; - Device configuration changes and other agreed maintenance activities; - Network monitoring, preventive maintenance and operational support; - Service management and designated service management personnel; - Maintenance of network documentation; - Reporting, including service level, capacity and operational reporting; - Integration with VR's agreed service management and ticketing solutions; - Other maintenance, support and expert services related to the telecommunications network environment, ordered separately where required. The procurement concerns maintenance and support services only. Ownership of the telecommunications network devices, software licences and the overall network architecture shall remain with VR. VR is responsible for the procurement of network devices and strategic network architecture, while the selected Supplier shall provide the Services in accordance with the agreed contractual responsibilities. The Service is intended to support VR Group's operations in Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Latvia. The Service may also be extended to other VR Group companies or countries during the contract period. A more detailed preliminary description of the procurement is set out in Annex 1 – Preliminary Description of the Procurement. The subject of the procurement described herein is preliminary and may be further specified, clarified and supplemented during the negotiated procurement procedure. The final scope of the procurement, the detailed requirements and the contractual terms will be set out in the Final Invitation to Tender and its annexes.Main features of the procedureA candidate must fulfil all suitability requirements set out in the contract notice and its annexes in order to be admitted to the procurement procedure. The suitability requirements are specified in the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) and other procurement documents attached to the contract notice. In order to ensure an efficient and manageable negotiation procedure, the number of candidates invited to participate in the negotiations is limited to a maximum of five (5). Where more than five (5) candidates fulfil the suitability requirements, the Contracting Entity will reduce the number of candidates by comparing the references submitted by the candidates to the extent that they exceed the minimum requirements. The comparison will be carried out in accordance with the selection criteria described under section "Grounds for Decision" of this Invitation to Participate and in Annex 2 – Reference Form. Where five (5) or fewer candidates fulfil the suitability requirements, no comparison of references will be carried out, and all such candidates will be invited to participate in the negotiation procedure. If the comparison of references results in a tie for the fifth place, all candidates obtaining the same score as the candidate ranked fifth shall be invited to participate in the negotiation procedure. Consequently, the number of candidates invited to participate may exceed five (5). If required under VR Group's internal governance procedures, the procurement decision shall be subject to the approval of the competent decision-making body of VR Group. If such approval is not obtained, the Contracting Entity reserves the right to suspend or discontinue the procurement procedure in accordance with applicable legislation. The procurement procedure may also be suspended or discontinued on any other grounds permitted under the applicable procurement legislation.