ICAP Announces Gallop Tender for IT Labs Setup & Infrastructure

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) has issued a significant tender — Tender No. ICAP/EXM/002/092025 — seeking reputable vendors to undertake the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of IT labs and supporting infrastructure. This initiative is part of ICAP’s drive to enhance its digital education and training facilities in multiple cities.

Below is a full breakdown of what this tender involves, who should apply, the schedule, how to bid, and why this matters.


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What the Tender Covers

ICAP needs vendors to provide comprehensive services related to IT labs. These include:

Supply of hardware: Computers (PCs/laptops), networking equipment (switches, routers, etc.), electrical cabling.

Installation and commissioning: Physically installing the equipment, setting up networks, ensuring systems are working.

Infrastructure work: Cabling, power, perhaps backup power or surge protection, network engineering.

Resident network engineering support: Ongoing or onsite support across multiple ICAP locations.


So it is not just hardware delivery — the vendor will need to provide full end-to-end setup, including functional installation and supporting infrastructure.


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Who Should Apply

Vendors interested in this tender should meet the following criteria:

Established and experienced in similar IT labs or infrastructure projects.

Capable of handling both the technical and electrical/network cabling aspects.

Able to provide “resident” or continuous support across more than one city (implying geographic reach).

Must be able to submit both technical and financial proposals (i.e. two-envelope system).



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Tender Schedule & Important Deadlines

Here are the key dates you need to know, if you plan to respond:

Activity Dates Time

Document Collection September 12 – 19, 2025 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bid Submission Deadline September 29, 2025 By 3:00 PM
Technical Bid Opening September 30, 2025 4:00 PM


So, bids must be submitted on or before September 29 by 3 PM. Documents can be collected between September 12 and 19.


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Bidding Procedure & Submission Requirements

ICAP is using a single-stage, two-envelope system, which is very common for tenders of this type. Here’s what that means in practice:

You prepare a Technical Proposal: this should include all technical responses and documentation regarding your capability, methodology, designs, compliance, quality assurance, etc. The technical proposal must be sealed in an envelope clearly labelled “Technical Proposal.”

You also prepare a Financial Proposal: this contains your pricing, payment terms, warranty, etc. This must be kept separate from the technical proposal, in a sealed envelope labelled “Financial Proposal.”

Both envelopes should be submitted together (both must arrive by the deadline), whether dropped off in person (ICAP’s facilitation center) or mailed.

After the deadline, the technical bids will be opened first (as scheduled, September 30 at 4:00 PM). The financial bids are generally opened only for those vendors whose technical proposals meet ICAP’s requirements.



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Collection of Tender Documents & Contact

To participate, you will need the full tender documents which contain detailed specifications, terms & conditions, evaluation criteria, etc. ICAP has made these available for collection during the above dates at its designated location.

Address / Contact for documents:

Manager Procurement
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan
Chartered Accountants Avenue, Block-8, Clifton, Karachi

Phone: 111-000-422
Email: procurement@icap.org.pk

These contact details are for any queries, clarifications, or document pickup. Make sure you allow enough time between queries and the submission deadline.


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Rights & Other Conditions

ICAP explicitly reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids without assigning any reason. So even well-prepared bids could be rejected if they do not meet internal criteria or if ICAP chooses to cancel/adjust the tender.

Vendors must strictly follow all submission protocols (labelling envelopes, sealing, timelines). Incomplete or late submissions are likely to be disqualified.



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Why This Tender Matters

This tender is important both for ICAP and for vendors in the technology / infrastructure space.

For ICAP, upgrading labs and infrastructure supports better training, exams, professional education and ensures the Cadre of chartered accountants have access to modern facilities. It also signals commitment to high standards, reliability, and infrastructure resilience.

For vendors, this is a substantial opportunity: supplying, installing, and supporting multiple labs means potentially sizeable contracts, recognition, and further work with educational or professional bodies.

Given the trend towards digital learning, high-speed networking requirements, redundancy, and dependable power, vendors who can offer not just hardware but efficient, stable infrastructure will have an edge.



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Tips for Preparing a Strong Bid

Here are a few suggestions to raise the chances of success:

1. Understand ICAP’s requirements in full — get the tender document early, read technical specs (number of computers, network speed, backup etc.), power and electrical layout, cabling standard, etc.


2. Demonstrate experience — include case studies of similar lab setups you have completed. Preferably in multiple locations, involving cabling, networking, support.


3. Offer warranties, service level agreements (SLAs) — vendors who guarantee uptime, quick support response, maintenance may score better.


4. Compliance with standards — safety, electrical codes, data/network security, etc.


5. Competitive but realistic pricing — financial proposals must be transparent, covering all costs (hardware, installation, labor, transportation, etc.) without hidden charges.


6. Local presence / logistics capacity — since ICAP expects installation across multiple cities, showing ability to execute in more than one location is crucial.




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How to Get Started

If you are considering applying:

First, visit the procurement or tenders section of ICAP’s website (icap.org.pk) to see if the tender documents are posted online. Sometimes there are downloadable PDFs or e-procurement portal notices.

If the documents are not available online, plan a trip (or assign a representative) to ICAP’s Karachi office between 12-19 September to collect the documents in person.

Start preparing your documentation and drawings early; technical proposals often require diagrams (network design, lab layout, cabling plan, power plan etc.).



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Conclusion

The ICAP Gallop Tender (ICAP/EXM/002/092025) offers a prime opportunity for infrastructure, networking, and hardware vendors to contribute significantly to the enhancement of educational facilities in Pakistan. With a clearly defined schedule, a two-envelope bidding system, and stringent requirements, this tender demands careful preparation. Vendors who move quickly, understand the specification, and deliver quality submissions stand a strong chance.