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Cymraeg

Contract Notice

ITT for a Comprehensive AI Knowledge Assistant Solution

  • First published: 08 August 2024
  • Last modified: 08 August 2024
  • Version: N/A

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To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

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Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-h6vhtk-04885a
Published by:
Energy Saving Trust Ltd
Authority ID:
AA71785
Publication date:
08 August 2024
Deadline date:
06 September 2024
Notice type:
Contract Notice
Has documents:
No
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
N/A

Abstract

Energy Saving Trust is seeking to appoint a supplier to provide an AI supported federated enterprise search capability, in short, an AI Knowledge assistant for all of Energy Saving Trust's digital assets. This includes but may not be limited to our website portfolio, Microsoft SharePoint and Office, CRM systems, Intranet, inhouse applications and selected Shared Drives. The content source landscape is dynamic and will change over time. Internally it needs to be available to all employees and in part to contracted advice staff and function as an effective answer engine. Integration into our websites for customer service purposes needs to be included. The application hosting will ideally be on the Energy Saving Trust's Azure tenant and the cost needs to be included in the bid.

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

Energy Saving Trust Ltd

Prospect House, 5 Thistle Street

EH2 1DF

Edinburgh

UK

Telephone: +44 1315557900

E-mail: maddalena.galloni@est.org.uk

NUTS: UKM75

Internet address(es)

Main address: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA14923

I.2) Joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

I.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk


Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address


Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk


Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:

www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk


I.4) Type of the contracting authority

Other: Not for Profit

I.5) Main activity

General public services

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

ITT for a Comprehensive AI Knowledge Assistant Solution

Reference number: EST/ITT/AIK/0824

II.1.2) Main CPV code

48000000

 

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

Energy Saving Trust is seeking to appoint a supplier to provide an AI supported federated enterprise search capability, in short, an AI Knowledge assistant for all of Energy Saving Trust's digital assets. This includes but may not be limited to our website portfolio, Microsoft SharePoint and Office, CRM systems, Intranet, inhouse applications and selected Shared Drives. The content source landscape is dynamic and will change over time. Internally it needs to be available to all employees and in part to contracted advice staff and function as an effective answer engine. Integration into our websites for customer service purposes needs to be included. The application hosting will ideally be on the Energy Saving Trust's Azure tenant and the cost needs to be included in the bid.

II.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 260 000.00  GBP

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

48000000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UK

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

Energy Saving Trust is seeking an AI-supported federated enterprise search capability, here called AI Knowledge Assistant, to enhance the accessibility and usability of Energy Saving Trust's digital assets.

The solution must integrate seamlessly with various platforms, including website CMS like WordPress, Microsoft SharePoint, Office, CRM systems (MS Dynamics, Salesforce), the Intranet, in-house applications, and selected shared drives. It must offer extensive data source connectivity and data enrichment through AI and machine learning.

By connecting all employees (app. 500) and contractors (120-200) to relevant knowledge, the AI Knowledge Assistant will save time, improve efficient onboarding, facilitate the discovery of knowledge sources, and help close knowledge gaps.

Leveraging advanced natural language processing (NLP), the system must understand and process complex queries in multiple languages, ensuring high search relevance and accuracy.

Customization and flexibility are essential, with options for adaptable workflows, customizable data fields, and user permissions to meet specific business needs.

Security and compliance are paramount, requiring robust encryption, role-based access controls and adherence to regulatory standards like GDPR, HIPAA, EU AI Act.

The solution must offer a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation, customizable dashboards, and support for various user roles and the ability to be integrated in the flow of work, i.e. MS Teams

High performance, scalability, and efficient data processing capabilities are crucial, ensuring the system can handle increasing data volumes and user bases without degradation.

Comprehensive customer support, transparent pricing, and flexible deployment options are also required, including hosting on Energy Saving Trust's Azure cloud tenant. The latter needs to be included in the pricing.

The AI Knowledge Assistant should provide advanced data visualization, robust analytics capabilities, and support for all standard content formats, including search in audio and video.

The supplier should demonstrate commercial sustainability, strategic partnerships, and high user satisfaction ratings, supported by positive reviews and testimonials.

Accessibility features must comply with standards like WCAG and Section 508 for US organisations, ensuring usability for individuals with disabilities.

Externally, the AI Knowledge Assistant must be able to enhance customer service by integrating with the website as an AI-powered chatbot, providing instant and accurate responses to queries. This tool should help Energy Saving Trust engage effectively with individuals, businesses, communities, and governments, promoting energy efficiency, conservation, and sustainable energy use.

Engagement channels include online resources, tools, websites, phone helplines, email, local events, workshops, partnerships, grants, social media, and newsletters. The AI Knowledge Assistant will support advisors in these engagement efforts by providing comprehensive, accessible, and efficient access to information across all digital assets, ultimately contributing to energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Extra requirements of the contract are WordPress plugin development for integration with most of our websites and integrations with a customised Microsoft Dynamics installation and our in-house application eco-system.

The commencement date of the project is the 14th of October 2024. The maximum budget including estimated hosting costs is GBP260k (GBP65k per year for a period of 4 years) with annual renewal.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 260 000.00  GBP

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

As described in the ITT.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1) Conditions for participation

III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions:

As described in the ITT.

III.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


III.2) Conditions related to the contract

III.2.2) Contract performance conditions

As described in the ITT.

III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

IV.2) Administrative information

IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 06/09/2024

Local time: 12:00

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

EN

IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date: 06/09/2024

Local time: 12:00

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

VI.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

VI.3) Additional information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=774414.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

(SC Ref:774414)

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive

Edinburgh

EH11 3XD

UK

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

07/08/2024

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
48000000 Software package and information systems Computer and Related Services

Delivery locations

ID Description
100 UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
maddalena.galloni@est.org.uk
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.
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