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Published 30 Sept 2024, 12:53 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Data Service Framework · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS

Framework agreementServicesNegotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Framework ceiling (notional)£4,000,000framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 8 Nov 2024

What is being bought

Published requirement description

BHC is undergoing a digital and data transformation programme aimed at delivering best practice data management processes, data governance and data analytics to connect the different business areas and current approaches across the organization. A key element of the programme is to consolidate and standardise the approach to data analytics, business intelligence and reporting by providing a centralised data platform. This will aim to overcome siloed reporting, manual data exchange between areas of the business to augment the data they have and provide an opportunity for BHC to grow its capability and excellence using a common toolset. BHC is therefore conducting this procurement process to establish a framework of service providers that can support it, when requested, in the delivery of data services to meet these objectives.

The framework will establish a select list of service providers to enable BHC to instruct a wide range and variety of data services in relation to the Microsoft suite of products, referred to as "Work Packages". The services required from successful framework service providers under any Work Packages instructed by BHC will likely comprise:

  1. Cloud platform: Design, implementation, operations and maintenance of Microsoft Azure cloud platform for data and analytics workloads to include cybersecurity, cost control, change management, network connectivity to on-prem data sources and other 3rd party hosted systems and end user access.
  2. Data platform: Design, implementation operations and maintenance of a Microsoft Azure hosted (F-SKU) Microsoft Fabric and Purview Data Governance data and analytics platform. To include sourcing data from on-premise and 3rd party hosted data sources, ETL/ELT, data lake, data warehouse, OneLake deployment and data governance, DataOp's processes. Additional Azure services can be used/referenced where used to compliment Microsoft Fabric and achieve more complex requirements.
  3. Analytics: Design, implementation, operations and maintenance of governed self-service enterprise reporting environment built using Power BI and Microsoft Fabric.
  4. Generative AI solutions: Design, implementation, operation and maintenance of custom generative AI solutions leveraging Azure hosted datasets (ideally withing Fabric OneLake) and built using the Azure custom copilot stack e.g. Azure AI studio, AI Search, Azure OpenAI and other Azure hosted LLM's, Azure app service etc.

Bidders should note however that the award of a place on the framework does not guarantee a bidder any, or any minimum volume of, business. BHC will have the option, at its discretion, to use the framework to instruct specific Work Packages. Whilst estimated potential volumes and types of services/Work Packages are provided as part of the PQQ document (made available to bidders as set out in this contract notice) and within this contract notice, BHC is not under any obligation (express or implied) to utilize the framework and does not make any commitment or guarantee that it will instruct any, or any minimum value or volume of, services or Work Packages. All appointments to the framework will be made on a non-exclusive basis. Furthermore, BHC reserves the right, at its discretion, to make appointments for the same or similar services and Work Packages outside of the scope of the framework at any time.

Instruction of all services under the framework will be subject to prior BHC internal approval and approval of budget (dependent on the value of the Work Package/services involved, such approval will be provided at either CEO or Board Committee level). BHC also reserves the right, prior to instructing any particular services/Work Packages, to change the order and priority of services/Work Packages under the framework at any time at its discretion.

CPV: Data services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 5 suppliers

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1Further background information about the project, BHC's services requirements and…Published value£4,000,000

Further background information about the project, BHC's services requirements and objectives is set out within the PQQ document made available to bidders as set out in this contract notice.

BHC is seeking to enter into a framework agreement with suitably qualified and experienced professional IT service providers for the provision of the services described in the PQQ. It is currently anticipated that any framework agreement entered into by BHC will be for an initial three (3) year period. BHC shall have the option, acting at its discretion, to extend on an annual basis thereafter on up to two (2) subsequent occasions of 12 (twelve) months each time, up to a maximum total period of five (5 years).

Any services instructed under the framework will be instructed following a mini-competition between eligible framework providers. Prior to any services being put out to mini-competition, a detailed analysis of BHC's requirement will be undertaken to determine the more precise scope of services required for that Work Package.

Delivery: Northern Ireland · Belfast Harbour Estate
Extensions: It is currently anticipated that any framework agreement entered by BHC will be for an initial three (3) year period. BHC shall have the option, acting at its discretion, to extend on an annual basis thereafter on up to two (2) subsequent occasions of 12 (twelve) months each time, up to a maximum total period of five (5 years).Second stage: up to 10 candidates invited to tenderVariant bids: not allowed

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
Legal form for consortia
Subject to the status and involvement of the parties, BHC may require the parties to commit to joint and several liability in respect of the contract. Alternatively, BHC may require the lead operator to take total responsibility or a consortium to form a legal entity before entering into any contract.
Successive reduction
Candidates will be reduced successively across stages
What this means for your bid
  • “Data Service Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 5 suppliers, not a single contract.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0025 Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/25/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
30 Sept 2024, 12:53 BST
Last source update
30 Sept 2024, 12:53 BST
FTS notice number
2024/S 000-031171
Classification (CPV)
Data servicesIT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN06)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04a41e Find a Tender
Review and risk notes
Review procedure

BHC will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the framework agreement is communicated to all shortlisted bidders. The standstill period provides time for unsuccessful bidders to challenge the award decision before the framework agreement is entered into. The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 (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).

Publisher note: BHC reserves the right at any time to: - reject any or all responses and to cancel or withdraw from this procurement at any stage; - award a framework agreement without prior notice; - change the basis, the procedures and timescales set out or referred to within the procurement documents; or - require a bidder to clarify any submissions in writing and/or to provide additional information. Bidders who wish to participate in this procurement will be required to provide contact details before downloading the PQQ document. Bidders who fail to provide their details to BHC or register in this manner will not receive any clarifications or updated information provided by BHC during the procurement process. The costs of responding to this notice and participation in the process will be borne by each bidder. All discussions and correspondence will be deemed strictly subject to contract until a formal contract is entered into. The formal contract shall not be binding until it has been signed and dated by the duly authorised representatives of both parties.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: portal not identified
Language: EN
Appointment period ends
8 Nov 2024, 12:00 GMT
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages
en
Deposits and guarantees

BHC reserves the right to require bonds, deposits, guarantees or other forms of undertaking or security to ensure proper contractual performance.

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

30 Sept 2024 → 8 Nov 2024 · 2 dates
  1. Notice published
    30 Sept 2024, 12:53 BST
  2. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    8 Nov 2024, 12:00 GMT

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

BELFAST HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS

Contracting authorityPort-related activities Harbour Office,Corporation Square, BELFAST, Northern Ireland, BT13ALContact email Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • High Court of Justice in Northern IrelandReview body Belfast

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria