Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
University of Northampton
University Drive
Northampton
NN1 5PH
UK
Contact person: Julia Gough
Telephone: +44 1604892663
E-mail: julia.gough@northampton.ac.uk
NUTS: UKF24
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.northampton.ac.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofnorthampton/
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofnorthampton/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofnorthampton/
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
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:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofnorthampton/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
ITT266 Virtual Learning Environment Solution
Reference number: ITT266
II.1.2) Main CPV code
48160000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The University of Northampton is seeking to acquire a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) solution (live, test and staging). It is envisaged that the contract length will be 5 years with the option to extend at the discretion of the University for a further 5 additional 1 year extensions. With a contract start date of August 2019 The current VLE has been a key product at the University supporting learning and teaching and is the key backbone of NILE (Northampton Integrated Learning Environment) and is fed directly from the Student Record System (QLS) to ensure access for all students. Courses are structured on NILE and this provides content, communication and engagement functionality to provide the University blend of virtual and face to face support which underpins University Active Blended Learning (ABL).
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKF24
Main site or place of performance:
Northampton
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of Northampton is seeking to acquire a virtual learning environment solution (live, test and staging) for the following 5 years with a possibility of 5 additional 1 year extensions. The VLE has been a key product at the University since 2002. It has been the key product supporting learning and teaching during this time and been the subject of several reviews to confirm that it continues to meet the core objectives of the institution. The current license expires in August 2020, and this tender allows Northampton to evaluate the market against the University requirements. NILE (Northampton Integrated Learning Environment) is the name provided to the VLE and this is fed directly from the Student Record System (QLS) to ensure access for all students. Courses are structured on NILE and this provides content, communication and engagement functionality to provide the University blend of virtual and face to face support which underpins University Active Blended Learning (ABL). During 2017/18 academic year, we had a head count of 16 800 students which equates to 9953 FTE. In addition, we have around 1 000 staff of which approximately 500 are academic. Supplementary systems add additional functionality to NILE such as Turnitin (originality checking and additional marking tools); Kaltura (video streaming); Wordpress (static web content), Publishers (ebook content), Talis (Library system integration) and Xerte (Learning Object development). NILE forms a key part of the Northampton student digital experience with the majority of assessments now being supported through the product, along with in course communication delivered along with all virtual engagement.
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:
1 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 60
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract may be extended entirely at the University discretion for further 5 additional 1 year extensions.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
Criteria will be stated in the procurement documents.
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Tender is published on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofnorthampton/. Register your organisation, once accepted you can access the tender documents. Contract value in II.1.5 and II.2.6 is an estimate based on 200 000 GBP per year for contract length.The University envisages entering a 5 year contract with the option to extend entirely at the University discretion for further 5 x 1 year extensions.
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:
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
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
29/04/2019
Local time: 08:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
13/05/2019
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
The University reserves the right to cancel or amend the tendering process at any stage, not to award the contract in whole or in part and does not bind itself to accept any tender. The University shall not be liable in any circumstances for any costs or expenses incurred by any prospective service provider in responding to this notice or in tendering for the proposed contract.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The procurement process will incorporate a standstill period at the point that notification of the proposed award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. That notification will provide information on the award decision as is required by Regulation 86 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
22/03/2019