Newcastle City Council
COMMUNITY AND HOUSING DIRECTORATE
Communal TV Aerial Phased Renewal
'Into the Digital Era'
Applications are invited from suitably experienced service
providers who
wish to be considered for inclusion on a select list to enter into
a
partnering arrangement for the replacement of existing communal
aerial
systems with digital networks. Service providers are to have the
capacity
to carry out the programme at an estimated value of approximately
£1.2m.
The city council has some 5954 properties in 85 blocks, which are
served by
communal TV aerials. These aerials and distribution systems are
coming to
the end of their useful life. The aim of the partnering arrangement
is to
provide replacement systems in line with the government's plans to
change
television from analogue to digital between 2006 and 2010. It also
aims to
increase access to the internet and other information services to
tackle
social exclusion.
The scope of the works is to include design, installation,
project
management and partially resourcing the new infrastructure
necessary to
make these homes 'digitally ready' for switchover and prepare them
for
e-government service delivery. The range of services to be provided
to
residents' homes is to include terrestrial analogue television
signals, RSL
(Restricted Service Licence) analogue television signals,
terrestrial
digital signals, FM radio signals, Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB),
CCTV
services and internet access through set top boxes.
Applicants should submit details of similar recently completed
schemes,
stating locations, value and client together with the names and
addresses
of two referees to Mr B Hunter, City Design, Block C, 2/10
Archbold
Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1BZ, to be received no later than
29
October 2003. A shortlist of service providers will then receive
a
performance specification, which will be evaluated on a price and
quality
basis leading to the appointment of the partnering organisation
with a
view of starting on site in April 2004.