Pre-purchase of Bulk Internet for Government
About This Opportunity
Invitation for Bids | Project: Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) | Method: Request for Bids | Ref: ZM-SZ-547791-NC-RFB
This is a services contract in the infrastructure, education and training and transport and logistics sectors. Located in Zambia, Africa, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums. Proposals must be submitted before July 2, 2026.
Published through WB - World Bank, a multilateral development bank that follows standardized international procurement guidelines. Projects funded by multilateral institutions are generally open to international bidders from eligible member countries for services in the infrastructure sector. Service contracts are typically evaluated on both technical quality and price, and may require bidders to demonstrate relevant experience and qualified personnel. Interested parties should review the full documentation on the original source before submitting their proposal.
Description
DIGITAL ZAMBIA ACCELERATION PROJECT
(DZAP
Specific Procurement Notice
Request for Bids
Non-Consulting Services
(Single Stage – Two Envelope)
Purchaser: Smart Zambia Institute (SZI)
Country: Zambia
Name of Project: Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)
Contract Title: Pre-Purchase of Bulk Dedicated International Bandwidth Capacity for Government:
1) LOT 1: Supply and Delivery of Primary International Internet Capacity (Internet Protocol Transit) for One Government Network
2) LOT 2: Supply and Delivery of Secondary (Redundant) International Internet Capacity (Internet Protocol Transit) for One Government Network
Grant No.: P505094
RFB Reference No.: ZM-SZ-547791-NC-RFB
Issued on: 20th May, 2026
1. The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has received grant financing from the International Development Association of the World Bank towards the cost for the Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) and Smart Zambia Institute intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for the pre-purchase of internet capacity. For this contract, the Borrower shall process the payments using the Direct Payment disbursement method, as defined in the World Bank’s Disbursement Guidelines for Investment Project Financing, except for those payments, which the contract provides to be made through letter of credit.
2. The Smart Zambia Institute (SZI) now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the Provision of International Internet Capacity. The services will be delivered nationwide across Zambia. The required Internet capacity is structured into two (2) Lots as follows:
1) LOT 1: Supply and Delivery of Primary International Internet Capacity (Internet Protocol Transit) for One Government Network
2) LOT 2: Supply and Delivery of Secondary (Redundant) International Internet Capacity (Internet Protocol Transit) for One Government Network
3. Bidders may submit proposals for one or both lots; bid evaluation and award will be on individual Lot basis. However, no single bidder will be awarded more than one lot, in order to preserve route diversity.
4. Bids from service providers with equivalent licenses in other jurisdictions are also eligible, provided that, if selected, they commit to obtaining the requisite license in Zambia and comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.
5. Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - Procurement in Investment Projects Financing” Seventh edition, September 2025” (“Procurement Regulations”) and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations.
6. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Smart Zambia Institute, office of the Head - Procurement & Supplies Unit (PSU) and inspect the proposal Documents at the address given at the end of this RFP below from 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours to 17:00 hours daily from Monday to Friday. Inspection of bids may also be made by examining of the copy of the Bid Document which is available on the Free Access Website Portal for Smart Zambia using the following link: https://www.szi.gov.zm. Official Bids to be used in preparation and submission of official bids may be obtained as provided in paragraph 8 below.
7. Bids will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation process set out in the bidding documents. The following weightings apply equally for each Lot; for Rated Criteria (including technical and non-price factors): 20% in compliance with the mandatory requirements for Rated Criteria in the Procurement Regulations, and for Bid Cost: 80%. These weightings are already reflected in the RFP.
8. The Request for Bids (RFB) document in English Language may be purchased by interested eligible Bidders upon the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Zambian Kwacha One Thousand (ZMW 1,000.00) or its equivalent in a freely convertible currency. The method of payment will be Bank / electronic transfer or Bank Certified Cheque Foreign bidders will be required to pay an extra amount to cover shipment. This is because the official document is a hard copy. For convenience only, RFB documents is available and can be downloaded for viewing purposes from the following Websites; www.szi.gov.zm.For convenience of preparation of bids, the RFB document will on request be sent by email to interested bidders upon sending proof of payment.
Account Name: SMART ZAMBIA e-GOVERNMENT DIVISION
Account Number: 5733219300210
Bank Name: Zambia National Commercial Bank
Bank Address: Government Complex, P.O. Box 30097, Lusaka
SWIFT Code: ZNCOZMLU
Bank Code: 084
Currency: ZMW
9. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before Thursday, 2nd July 2026, at 10:00 am local time. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. The bids must be submitted on an individual Lot basis, and for each Lot, two (2) sealed, clearly marked envelopes reading Technical Proposal and another marked Financial Proposal must be submitted. These Two (2) envelopes for each separate Lot will be further placed in an Outer Envelope, indicating the Lot Number, Name of the Procurement and Procurement activity Number and name of the bidder. The outer Bid envelopes marked “ORIGINAL BID”, and the inner envelopes marked “TECHNICAL PART” will be publicly opened in the presence of the Bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below on Thursday, 2nd July 2026, at 10:00 am local time. All envelopes marked “FINANCIAL PART” shall remain unopened and will be held in safe custody of the Employer until the second public Bid opening.
10. All Proposals for each Lot must be accompanied by a separate Bid-Securing Declaration in the format provided in the RFB document in Section IV – Bidding Forms.
11. Attention is drawn to the Procurement Regulations requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s beneficial ownership, as part of the Contract Award Notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form as included in the bidding document.
12. The address(es) referred to above is (are):
(a) Address for Inspection, seeking clarifications or information on the Bidding Documents
The Head - Procurement and Supplies Unit
Smart Zambia Institute
ICCC Office Suite, 1st Floor, Corner of Nationalist and Independence Avenue
P.O. Box 31998
Lusaka - Zambia
E-Mail: dzap_procurements@grz.gov.zm
(b) Address for Bid Submission
The National Coordinator
ICCC Office Suite
Office of the President, E-Government Division,
SMART Zambia Institute,
Corner of Nationalist Road and Independence Avenue
P.O. Box 31998,
Lusaka, ZAMBIA.
(c) Address for Bid Opening
SZI Board room
ICCC Office Suite, 1st Floor, Corner of Nationalist and Independence Avenue
Lusaka - Zambia
Data provenance
This notice is sourced from WB - World Bank and was originally published on May 20, 2026. Last refreshed 8 days ago. Reference: OP00445645. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.
About Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)
Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) has issued 11 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 2 currently open and 2 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Transport & Logistics, Education & Training, and Construction & Civil Works. All notices are published for Zambia. Notices are distributed via WB - World Bank. Most recent publication: June 11, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about this tender
Who is the contracting authority?
This notice was issued by Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP) in Zambia. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.
What type of contract is this?
This is a Services contract in the Infrastructure sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.
Where will the contract be performed?
The contract is for delivery in Zambia. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.
How can I submit a bid?
Visit WB - World Bank to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions. Quote reference OP00445645 when communicating with the contracting authority.
When does this tender close?
The submission deadline is July 2, 2026. You have 6 days left to prepare and submit your proposal to the contracting authority.
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