TF 06-17-639 - Telecommunications Maintenance Services

The initial term of the maintenance agreement is to be for a period of three (3) years with an option to renew on a yearly basis for an additional two (2) years, subject to satisfactory annual review.

Background and Purpose  

McMaster University invites qualified suppliers to submit proposals for Telecommunications Maintenance Services in accordance with the terms of this Proposal Call. 
Telecommunications Maintenance Services includes:

• The Hardware and software components of two Nortel switches, the CS1000E (in the process of being decommissioned) and the CS1000M as well as Avaya Aura consisting of System Manager, Session Manager and Presences.  Both CS1K systems are at software release 7.5 and Avaya Aura is at release 6.5
• The hardware and software of a CallPilot High Availability voice mail system running at software release 5.0.
• The hardware and software of Contact Center running at software release 6.0.

• Review the McMaster telephone system maintenance strategy in light of changing technology and McMaster’s technology refresh plans. The ubiquity of smart phones in the University population and the commonplace use of Unified Communications, including voice and video applications is changing the way our clients think about telephony, with multiple communication methods increasingly vital to them in their collaborative work and study.
• In a climate of economic restraint and fiscal prudence, seek the most cost-effective strategy for maintenance, which continues to provide the reliability required by the University community in TDM, VoIP and SIP telephony equipment, as well as emerging technologies.
• Invite competitive bids to ensure that McMaster University attains the best solution for its maintenance and growth strategy.
• Evaluate new and different approaches to providing support and maintenance to ensure that the best use of McMaster and maintenance vendor technical personnel is being made. 
• The PBX remains an essential component of the campus telephony system even as VoIP and SIP installations increases, as such the timely diagnosis of faults and installation of replacement parts for the equipment listed in Appendix A of this RFP is a primary concern.