Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The University of the Arts London
5th Floor, Granary Building, 1 Granary Square
London
N1C 4AA
UK
Contact person: Asif Siddiqui
Telephone: +44 2075148741
E-mail: a.siddiqui@arts.ac.uk
NUTS: UKI
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.arts.ac.uk
I.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Accounting-and-auditing-services./9F2W465N79
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Accounting-and-auditing-services./9F2W465N79
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
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
External Audit Services.
Reference number: UAL167032016
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79210000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Provision of External Audit Services for the University of the Arts London and associated entities.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79212000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKI
Main site or place of performance:
London.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of the Arts London (UAL) seeks Expressions of Interest from organisations wishing to provide External Audit Services to the University for a period of 4 years, with the option of 2 extensions of 12 months each. This is subject to formal re-appointment by the University's Audit Committee on an annual basis.
Background:
Operating at the heart of the world's creative capital, UAL is a vibrant international centre for innovative teaching and research in arts, design, fashion and communication. As a creative university, our future is formed by the imagination, energy and skills of our staff, students, alumni and of the many academics from other institutions who work closely with us each year.
UAL is Europe's largest specialist arts and design university, attracting more than 19 000 students from more than 110 countries. UAL is built upon the specific histories, identities and achievements of its six constituent Colleges, and their long tradition of engagement with creative, intellectual and professional life:
The 6 Colleges are:
Camberwell College of Arts,
Central Saint Martins,
Chelsea College of Arts,
London College of Communication*,
London College of Fashion,
Wimbledon College of Arts.
UAL is 1 of the world's most renowned institutions for education in arts, design, fashion and communication. Our critical mass and reputation allow us to influence the creative and cultural economy in the UK, Europe and beyond. Our staff and students are immersed in the cultural life of London, and connected into the city's national and global networks. We are continually invigorated by these connections and contribute to their future development.
We actively influence global cultural debates through the diversity and international reach of our staff, students and alumni. Our University not only awards more than 7 500 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees each year but also delivers short creative courses and executive education to over 20 000 students, generating through its subsidiaries additional annual income of over 10 000 000 GBP.
The main contact within the University will be the Director of Finance, through whom arrangements will be made for the conduct of the external audit and with whom issues arising from the audit will be cleared.
The External Audit team will report to the Audit Committee.
The audited financial statements for the University and its subsidiary entities are approved by the Court of Governors of the University and submitted to HEFCE by 30 November each year.
The financial statements are normally reviewed by the Audit and Finance Committees during early November and are approved by the Court of the University in mid-November each year.
The External Auditor will be expected to meet this timetable for all financial statements requiring audit. The External Auditor will be required to report by way of a Management Letter, in accordance with auditing standards and the HEFCE Accountability and Audit Code of Practice.
Expectations of the external auditor:
The University expects any provider if invited to tender to:
— Adhere to the standards set out in the HEFCE's Memorandum of Assurance and Accountability;
— Comply with the appropriate Auditing Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including the requirements of the Higher Education SORP;
— Provide suitably qualified and experienced staff;
— Promote continuity of staffing;
— Ensure that the staff employed will be competent and receive appropriate training;
— Attend meetings of the Audit Committee.
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:
650 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
The contract term will be 4 years (although this is subject to re-appointment annually) with the option to extend for 2 further periods of 12 months each at the University's discretion.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged number of candidates: 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
The 5 highest scoring capable candidates (who meet the mandatory selection criteria and achieve the minimum PQQ score of 80 % as set out in the procurement documents) will be invited to tender. In the event of a tie, candidates will be ranked according to the score achieved in the highest weighted section; if this is also a tie then scores achieved in the 2nd highest ranking section, and so on. Should this process result in a tie then all candidates tied for 5th place will be selected to progress to the tender stage.
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:
Please see tender documents.
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.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Participation is reserved to a particular profession: Yes
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:
In line with the HEFCE Audit Code of Practice the qualifications required for external auditors of higher education corporations are as set out in paragraph 59(b) of Schedule 8 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. For other entities, the requirements are the same as under the Companies Acts. Auditors should be registered with 1 of the appropriate professional bodies.
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:
01/06/2016
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
Date:
17/06/2016
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: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
4 years.
VI.3) Additional information
The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement. Respondents are required to follow the instructions below to register their interest to participate and respond to the opportunity:
1. Respondents must follow the link: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/9F2W465N79 to register and access the procurement documents. If you are already registered you will not need to register again, simply use your existing username and password to login. Please note there is a password reminder link on the homepage. Respondents must log in, go to your Response Manager and add the following tender-box access code: 9F2W465N79. If you experience any technical difficulties please contact the Delta eSourcing help desk on T. 08452707050 or email: helpdesk@delta-esourcing.com
2. Respondents are instructed to submit any questions arising by using the ‘email buyer’ facility within the Portal by no later than 17:00 on 26.5.2016. Please note any questions relating to the process raised outside of this facility will not be responded to. Similarly, answers to the questions submitted will be communicated to all participants in a standard format and without reference to the originator, through the Portal.
3. Respondents are required to allow plenty of time when responding to this notice prior to the closing date and time, specifically in relation to the process of uploading your submission through the portal.
4. PQQ Responses must be written in English and uploaded through the Portal electronic tender-box bearing access code 9F2W465N79, before the scheduled closing date on.
5. Failure to upload a response by the closing date and time stated above (including all associated documents) through the Portal will result in automatic disqualification from the process.
6. The University is not obligated to extend the closing date and time and equally reserves the absolute discretion to receive submission outside of the scheduled closing date and time under exceptional / mitigating circumstances. In the event a formal extension of time is granted beyond the scheduled closing date, this will result in the electronic tender-box closing date being reset and all respondents will be notified accordingly.
7. Respondents are hereby instructed to ensure that no members of the University are contacted directly and/or indirectly, as a result of or in relation to this tendering exercise; unless prior consent has been granted in writing by the University's Procurement Department.
8. Respondents are required to note that canvassing will lead to disqualification; any information and/or documents submitted in response to this invitation must relate to the tenderer only.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Accounting-and-auditing-services./9F2W465N79
To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/9F2W465N79
GO Reference: GO-2016429-PRO-8139409.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The University of the Arts London
1 Granary Square, 5th Floor
London
N1C 4AA
UK
Telephone: +44 2075148741
E-mail: a.siddiqui@arts.ac.uk
Internet address(es)
URL: http://www.arts.ac.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
29/04/2016