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Summary

OCID:: ocds-h6vhtk-04044c
Published by:: University of Ulster
Authority ID:: AA20018
Publication date:: 29 September 2023
Deadline date:: 27 October 2023
Notice type:: Contract Notice
Has documents:: No
Has SPD:: No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:: N/A

Abstract

The Vision for Studio Ulster (SU) is to be a leading Commercial Centre of Excellence in Virtual Production (“VP”) in the UK and Ireland and to establish a ‘Tier 1’ Centre of Excellence in Research and Development and Innovation (R&D&I), in Real-time and Virtual Production, a rapidly developing suite of technologies and methodologies for screen content production.

Located on the North Foreshore in Belfast, the development of SU in conjunction with the Belfast Harbour Film Studio complex creates a unique blend of facilities, that will drive commercial activity and collaboration in R&D on an unprecedented scale involving all strands of production and technology professionals involved in the virtual production, film, broadcast, animation, games, VFX and immersive sectors.

The successful appointed Economic Operator will develop technical proposals for the equipment that will allow SUL to deliver on the final Business Plan objectives. The design solutions presented should be based on the Economic Operator’s IP and best practices from experience to date in the VP sector.

SU is a fully funded project, with Contracts for Funding executed and all associated legal agreements with Belfast Harbour in place.

The project benefits from £25.2m (£21m excluding VAT) through BRCD, both contributions to support the initial development of the SU VP studio and to part-fund life cycle replacement costs for the specialist VP equipment, within the first 10 years of operation. Ulster University has committed £3.6million from its own funds and has secured a further £2.9m from the UK Levelling Up Fund. These sums represent the total scale of the SUL investment, inclusive of miscellaneous costs for items outside of this Competition (loose furniture, fees, marketing, branding etc).

The successful tenderer will develop the design, procure, delivery, install, test and commission the specialist equipment and provide all necessary training to SUL in the operation of the equipment.

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

University of Ulster

Block X Room X031, Cromore Road

Coleraine

BT52 1SA

Telephone: +44 2870124515

E-mail: a.todd@ulster.ac.uk

NUTS: UKN0

Internet address(es)

Main address: www.ulster.ac.uk

I.3) Communication

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

https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:

https://e-sourcingni.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

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

Design, Development, Supply & Installation of Equipment for Studio Ulster

Reference number: project_27819

II.1.2) Main CPV code

32000000

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

Design, Development, Supply & Installation of Equipment for Studio Ulster

II.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 2 000 000.00 GBP

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

32000000

32200000

32210000

32220000

32230000

32240000

32260000

32270000

32300000

32310000

32320000

32330000

32340000

32350000

32400000

32410000

32420000

32430000

32500000

32510000

32520000

32530000

32550000

32560000

32570000

32580000

38651100

38651200

38651400

38651500

38651600

38653400

38810000

39113000

39121000

39122000

39134100

39156000

39294100

48210000

48220000

48311100

48318000

48331000

48332000

48333000

48520000

48710000

48720000

48730000

48750000

48760000

48770000

48780000

48790000

48810000

48820000

48910000

48920000

50340000

51610000

51620000

72000000

72100000

72200000

72500000

72600000

72800000

80300000

80500000

92224000

92225100

92226000

92370000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKN0

Main site or place of performance:

North Foreshore Film Studios, Giant’s Park, Belfast

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

SU is a fully funded project, with Contracts for Funding executed and all associated legal agreements with Belfast Harbour in place.

The successful tenderer will develop the design, procure, delivery, install, test and commission the specialist equipment and provide all necessary training to SUL in the operation of the equipment.

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: 20 000 000.00 GBP

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

End: 31/07/2024

This contract is subject to renewal: No

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

Envisaged minimum number: 3

Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:

1. Experience in in Design, Development, Delivery & Installation of large-scale VP facilities

2. Economic Operator Experience in Design, Development, Delivery & Installation of large MoCap studio

3. Economic Operator Experience in Design, Development, Delivery & Installation for integrated IT Infrastructure Solution

4. Economic Operator Key Team Member Experience

5. Economic Operator Experience in Development & Application of Highly Innovative Solutions to VP Pipeline

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: Yes

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options:

The final contract will include the requirement for all planned maintenance of the Equipment for a minimum 3-year period from the date of handover to the Client. This will include the provision of all necessary spares / replacement parts and consumables as required.

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

Ulster University welcomes interest from all suitable potential providers. However, interested parties are advised that they must ultimately satisfy the minimum requirements at Stage 1 (selection) that will be set out in the procurement documents, in order to be selected to proceed to Stage 2 (dialogue) of the procurement process.

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 stated in the procurement 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

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Competitive dialogue

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: 27/10/2023

Local time: 23:59

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

IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 9 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

VI.3) Additional information

Market sounding exercise was undertaken in 2 stages; the initial exercise was concluded in February 2020 by the Ulster University for the purpose of ascertaining the potential scope, scale, technical nature, and costs associated with the various element of the Virtual Production equipment and associated systems on the Studio Ulster project consistent with the project budget.

This exercise was conducted by university client advisor and Industry advisors with a range of potential suppliers and users in the industry. This exercise was aimed at identifying requirements for hardware, software and systems to support a Virtual Production facility.

Consultations were conducted in 3-pronged approach as follows.

1. Hardware – consultation with suppliers of this technology to help inform the technical & spatial requirements for the building, services and budget.

2. Software/systems – consultation with specialist suppliers and demos of software solutions on the market.

3. End Users engagement. Based on first 2 steps indicative technical specification was formulated and shared with end users (specialist in their respective fields) to validate findings from previous steps.

The second phase of pre-market engagement was undertaken in between September to December 2021 by the project team in order to inform the procurement strategy. This process was a questionnaire-based process accessed via the University webpage.

These market sounding exercises have culminated in the current procurement approach and technical performance requirements.

Ulster University shall include the information shared with suppliers during the marketing sounding exercise along with summary of key findings within the PQQ stage of the process.

The University also undertook a Competitive Dialogue competition between late 2022 and July 2023 seeking an Operator and Delivery Partner; this Competition included the Operation of the Commercial facilities of Studio Ulster for a period of no less than 10 years, as well as the design, supply, and installation of the specialist equipment itself. A number of market factors resulted in this competition concluding without identifying an appointable bidder. SUL will now be expanded to operate all aspects of the facility.

The quantities, which it is anticipated will be required under this Contract, shall be set out in the final tender stage of the competition within in the Commercial Submission. This information is given for the guidance of the tenderer and is not deemed to be a condition of Contract or a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No compensation will be payable to a tenderer should the actual demand be less than that stated.

Further, the delivery of service as to be provided by this tender is demand led. Changes which may affect the demand may include, but are not limited to, technological upgrades / changes within the virtual production marketplace. Such changes may result in unanticipated workload growth which is higher than the levels accounted for within this tender. To be able to offer continuing service delivery as provided for by this tender the University reserves the right to commission additional product volumes over the life of the contract period, including any extension period(s) if utilised. This clause is to provide compliance with paragraph 72(1)(a) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland

Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street

Belfast

BT1 3JY

VI.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

Ulster University will incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. 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. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (Northern Ireland).

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

27/09/2023

Coding

Commodity categories

ID	Title	Parent category
32330000	Apparatus for sound, video-recording and reproduction	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
48710000	Backup or recovery software package	Software package utilities
48720000	Bar coding software package	Software package utilities
32210000	Broadcasting equipment	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
38651200	Camera bodies	Cameras
38651100	Camera lenses	Cameras
38651500	Cinematographic cameras	Cameras
32570000	Communications equipment	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
72800000	Computer audit and testing services	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
48910000	Computer game software package, family titles and screen savers	Miscellaneous software package and computer systems
72600000	Computer support and consultancy services	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
39134100	Computer tables	Computer furniture
72500000	Computer-related services	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
48333000	Contact management software package	Scheduling and productivity software package
39122000	Cupboards and bookcases	Tables, cupboards, desk and bookcases
32580000	Data equipment	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
32260000	Data-transmission equipment	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
39121000	Desks and tables	Tables, cupboards, desk and bookcases
38651600	Digital cameras	Cameras
92224000	Digital television	Television services
32270000	Digital transmission apparatus	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
48311100	Document management system	Document management software package
32560000	Fibre-optic materials	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
92225100	Film-on-demand television	Interactive television
48770000	General, compression and print utility software package	Software package utilities
72100000	Hardware consultancy services	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
80300000	Higher education services	Education and training services
38810000	Industrial process control equipment	Industrial process control equipment and remote-control equipment
39294100	Information and promotion products	Apparatus and equipment designed for demonstrational purposes
48810000	Information systems	Information systems and servers
51610000	Installation services of computers and information-processing equipment	Installation services of computers and office equipment
51620000	Installation services of office equipment	Installation services of computers and office equipment
38651400	Instant print cameras	Cameras
48220000	Internet and intranet software package	Networking, Internet and intranet software package
72000000	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support	Computer and Related Services
32410000	Local area network	Networks
39156000	Lounge and reception-area furniture	Miscellaneous furniture and equipment
32340000	Microphones and loudspeakers	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
39113000	Miscellaneous seats and chairs	Seats, chairs and related products, and associated parts
48520000	Multimedia software package	Communication and multimedia software package
32420000	Network equipment	Networks
48210000	Networking software package	Networking, Internet and intranet software package
32400000	Networks	Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
48920000	Office automation software package	Miscellaneous software package and computer systems
32350000	Parts of sound and video equipment	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
48331000	Project management software package	Scheduling and productivity software package
38653400	Projection screens	Apparatus for photographic laboratories
32310000	Radio broadcast receivers	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
32230000	Radio transmission apparatus with reception apparatus	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
32000000	Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment	Technology and Equipment
50340000	Repair and maintenance services of audio-visual and optical equipment	Repair, maintenance and associated services related to personal computers, office equipment, telecommunications and audio-visual equipment
32530000	Satellite-related communications equipment	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
48318000	Scanner software package	Document creation software package
48332000	Scheduling software package	Scheduling and productivity software package
48730000	Security software package	Software package utilities
48820000	Servers	Information systems and servers
72200000	Software programming and consultancy services	IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
92370000	Sound technician	Entertainment services
48750000	Storage media loading software package	Software package utilities
48780000	System, storage and content management software package	Software package utilities
32520000	Telecommunications cable and equipment	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
32500000	Telecommunications equipment and supplies	Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
32550000	Telephone equipment	Telecommunications equipment and supplies
92226000	Teleprogrammation	Television services
32320000	Television and audio-visual equipment	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus
32300000	Television and radio receivers, and sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus	Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
32240000	Television cameras	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
32220000	Television transmission apparatus without reception apparatus	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television
80500000	Training services	Education and training services
32200000	Transmission apparatus for radiotelephony, radiotelegraphy, radio broadcasting and television	Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
48790000	Version checker software package	Software package utilities
48760000	Virus protection software package	Software package utilities
32430000	Wide area network	Networks
32510000	Wireless telecommunications system	Telecommunications equipment and supplies

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:: a.todd@ulster.ac.uk
Admin contact:: N/a
Technical contact:: N/a
Other contact:: N/a

Further information

Date	Details
No further information has been uploaded.

Design, Development, Supply & Installation of Equipment for Studio Ulster

Contents

Summary

Abstract

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

I.3) Communication

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

I.5) Main activity

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

II.1.2) Main CPV code

II.1.3) Type of contract

II.1.4) Short description

II.1.5) Estimated total value

II.1.6) Information about lots

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

II.2.3) Place of performance

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.6) Estimated value

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

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

II.2.10) Information about variants

II.2.11) Information about options

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

II.2.14) Additional information

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

III.1.2) Economic and financial standing

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

III.2) Conditions related to the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

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

IV.2) Administrative information

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

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

IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

VI.3) Additional information

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

VI.4.3) Review procedure

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

Coding

Commodity categories

Delivery locations

Alert region restrictions

About the buyer

Further information