Qualification system – utilities
This notice is a call for competition
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Achilles Information Ltd
30 Western Avenue
Abingdon
OX14 4SH
UK
Telephone: +44 1235861118
E-mail: UVDB@achilles.com
NUTS: UKJ14
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.achilles.com
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.achilles.com/uvdb
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.6) Main activity
Other: UVDB mainly covers utility entities in the fields of electricity, gas and water, but also utility entities in the fields of port and airport related activities and postal services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
UVDB (Utilities Vendor Data Base) — Services
II.1.2) Main CPV code
50000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
51000000
55000000
60000000
63000000
64000000
65000000
66000000
70000000
71000000
72000000
73000000
75000000
76000000
77000000
79000000
80000000
85000000
90000000
92000000
98000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
Main site or place of performance:
Contracts awarded by subscribing utility entities will be mainly for performance within the UK, although contracts may be awarded for other locations.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Description of the procurement: the Utilities Vendor Database (UVDB) scheme is a qualification system under Article 77 of Directive 2014/25/ EU, which is operated by Achilles Information Ltd. The UVDB provides a common system for subscribing utility entities to select suppliers for invitation to participate in regulated procurement procedures. The utility entities which subscribe to the scheme are given at the following URL: https://pages.achilles.com/uvdb_qualification_system_notice?hs_preview=DSymNrgH-12157224232
The UVDB may also be used in the compilation of tender lists below the EU thresholds. The subscribing utility entities may alternatively make separate calls for competition in OJEU for certain individual requirements. The UVDB is based on a coding system for works, supplies and services against which suppliers are registered on the system. The full list of UVDB product codes is available at the following URL: https://pages.achilles.com/uvdb_qualification_system_notice?hs_preview=DSymNrgH-12157224232
Vendors not already registered on the UVDB should apply to Achilles using the contact details at Section l.1 in order to ensure that their details are available to subscribing utility entities.
Vendors already registered on the UVDB must ensure that their registration details are up to date in order to remain visible to the utility entities subscribing to UVDB. This can be done by visiting http://my.achilles.com and logging in using their unique login details.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.8) Duration of the qualification system
Indefinite duration
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
Yes
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.9) Qualification for the system
Conditions to be fulfilled by economic operators in view of their qualification:
UVDB registration will be the first stage of qualification. You can join via http://www.achilles.com/uvdb
Having completed the registration, you will be asked to pay your annual subscription to UVDB. The current subscription rates are available at the following URL: http://www.achilles.com/uvdb
After your payment, your account will be activated providing you access to the full pre-qualification questionnaire.
Methods according to which each of those conditions will be verified:
Vendors of products considered to be high risk may be required by individual subscribing utility entities to undergo an independent audit covering health, safety, environment and quality systems under the Verify scheme. Further information, including the types and costs of audit are available via: https://pages.achilles.com/uvdb_verify_audit?hs_preview=pyvNPuTw-12661344369
In appropriate circumstances some utility contracting entities will apply a minimum scoring mechanism. Verify is not independent and vendors must have a subscription to UVDB.
SSE plc have an additional level of risk assessment via their own systems, which links directly to UVDB. http://sse.com/potential-suppliers/
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Where relevant, such conditions will be stated in the procurement documents.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used
Additional information about electronic auction:
The subscribing utility entities reserve the right to conduct procurements under UVDB using electronic auctions.
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2019/S 212-521277
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Contact details for each individual procurement will be provided by the subscribing utility entity in the specific procurement documents.
Information referenced in Section III.2) of this notice will, where relevant, be provided in the specific procurement documents by the subscribing utility entity.
The award criteria as referenced in Section II.2.5) may for certain procurements covered by this notice be on a price-only basis.
Electronic workflows, as referenced in Section VI.2) may be employed by some or all of the subscribing utility entities.
Subscribing utility entities may reserve contracts as referenced in Section III.1.5).
Details of the contact for review procedures covered by Section VI.4.1) will be provided by the subscribing utility entity.
UVDB may be used by subscribing utility entities to establish dynamic purchasing systems.
This Notice cancels and supersedes all previous qualification system notices for services for UVDB.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
See section VI.3
See section VI.3
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
For contracts subject to the EU Procurement legislation, utilities are required to incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the proposed award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. That notification is required to provide full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provides time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.
Where the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (SI 2016 No 274) apply, provision is made for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of duty under the regulations to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
Where the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (SSI 2016 No 49) apply, provision is made for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of duty under the regulations to take action in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
10/09/2020