Official UK procurement notice
Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Connectivity Services
Authority: North Lanarkshire Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement description"The Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services to ensure it has access to unlock the potential for cost savings, improved productivity, enhanced service delivery and ensuring the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens.
The Council is therefore procuring a long term single supplier Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to:
i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire,
ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks,
iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and
iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes.
The Framework Agreement will enable the Council (and any of the contracting authorities identified at Section VI.3) to access the following initial and future ICT services from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement:
Initial Services
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1)
- Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2)
- Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3)
- Internet access (Call-Off 4)
- Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5).
Future ICT Services may include:
- Pilot / concept projects.
- Traffic light connectivity
- Active bandwidth services to Analogue only sites
- Enterprise telephony (fixed, cellular, analogue circuit replacement)
- Social / affordable broadband
- Private 5G
- Provision of Public WiFi in Corporate and Education sites
- Internet of Things (IoT) networks and other ‘Smart Place’ initiatives to support the Councils digital ambition
- Data centre services
- Azure Express Route services
- Security services
- Cloud connectivity
- Remote access
- Network services.
from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement.
- Recurrence: The Council currently envisages deciding whether to invoke the available options to extend the Framework Agreement or to procure a new contract approximately eighteen (18) months prior to the expiry of the initial term.
CPV: Computer support and consultancy services · Data network management and support services · Data network management services · Data network support services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Information technology services · Integrated telecommunications services · Internet network · Internet services · Local area network · Local area network services · Maintenance and repair of data network equipment · +7 more
How this framework works
From the published notice- Places
- up to 1 suppliers · 3 bids received (3.0 per place) · 1 appointed (full)
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1"North Lanarkshire has a vision for inclusive growth and prosperity for all and an…AwardedRenewalPublished value£150,000,000
"North Lanarkshire has a vision for inclusive growth and prosperity for all and an ambition for North Lanarkshire to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.
It is to this end that the Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services through a procurement of a long term, single supplier Framework Agreement to enhance the provision of digital infrastructure across North Lanarkshire.
The Council require to deliver a step change in connectivity services, primarily through the provision of symmetrical fibre connectivity to its schools, public buildings and strategic assets ensuring that the Council has access to the latest and fastest digital connectivity services, unlocking the potential for cost savings, improved productivity and enhanced service delivery, ensuring that the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens.
The Council intends to utilise the Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to:
i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire,
ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks,
iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and
iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes.
The purpose of establishing the Framework Agreement is is to source a long term partnership with a
Service Provider to deliver the Council’s connectivity needs, both now and well into the future while stimulating the commercial deployment of gigabit capable networks in unserved areas.
Initial call-off contracts under the proposed Framework Agreement will cover the provision of the following connectivity services:
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1)
- Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2)
- Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3)
- Internet access (Call-Off 4)
- Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5).
It is anticipated that additional services such as concept pilots, mobile telephony, fixed telephony, traffic lights, IoT etc may be required in the future, although the Council does not guarantee the award of future call-off contracts.
The Council reserves the right to modify the scope of ICT Services in the future as our needs evolve.
The estimated value of the Framework Agreement is 150,000,000 GBP over the proposed duration of the Framework Agreement (including all extensions) but there is no guarantee of this level of business and spend through the Framework Agreement.
TUPE - 4.8.1 Candidates should note that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/246) ("TUPE") will not apply to the Framework Agreement or for the initial call-off contracts but may potentially apply to future call-off contracts. Further information on TUPE is provided in Section 4.8 of the ITC document.
Further details of this opportunity are set out in the procurement documents.
Please see Section V1.3 for details relating to the SPD and other procurement documents being released at this stage. Additional information: Candidates should read and refer to the Instructions to Candidates for completing the SPD document (ITC). Failure to comply with the ITC may result in a Candidate's SPD submission being rejected.
Candidates may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 80
- Price: 20
- Suitability
Candidates shall be required to satisfy minimum standards and to provide proof of suitability:
(a) in response to SPD Question 4A.2 to provide confirmation on that they are registered under the Electronic Communications Code:
www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-andi… ↗
information-for-industry/policy/electroniccomm-
code/register-of-persons-with-powersunder-
the-electronic-communications-code
- Economic & financial standing
Candidates shall be required to satisfy minimum standards and to provide proof of economic and financial standing:
(a) in response to SPD Question 4B.1.1 to demonstrate that they have a general yearly turnover of 11,250,000.00 GBP for their latest two financial years where audited accounts are available; and/or
(b) in response to SPD Question 4B.3 - where turnover information within SPD (Scotland) Part 4B.1.1 is not available for the time period requested, the Candidate must have been set up / registered and / or started trading within three (3) years of the date of publication of the Contract Notice; and
(c) If Candidates have indicated in the SPD questions 4B.1.1, 4B.3, 4B5.1 and 4B5.2 that they are reliant on another organisation to satisfy the minimum economic and financial standing criteria (either as part of the wider group or a separate entity), and provided parent company accounts (or accounts of another organisation relied upon for economic and financial standing), they must confirm the following:
- the parent company (or another organisation) would be willing to provide a guarantee if necessary; or
- if a parent company (or another organisation) will not provide a guarantee, the Candidate would be able to obtain a guarantee elsewhere (e.g. from a bank).
Insurances
(d) in response to SPD Question Ref 4B.5 Candidates must confirm they already have or can commit to obtain prior to commencement of the contract to obtaining the following insurances and associated finan…
- Technical & professional ability
In response to SPD: Question Ref 4C.1.2 Candidates are required to provide examples that demonstrate that they have the relevant experience to deliver the services as described in section II.2.4 of the Contract Notice.
Candidates are required to provide suitable responses to the questions set out in the ITC(Appendix 3), demonstrating that they have the required minimum standards of eligibility and technical and professional ability.
If the Candidate is a Consortium or Joint Venture or proposes to use Key Sub-Contractors, a single composite response on behalf of all Consortium/Joint Venture members/Key Sub-Contractors must be submitted for Question Ref 4C.1.2.
Question 4C.1.2 carries an overall weighting of 100%. This question is divided into six (6) separate questions listed below. Candidates are required to provide a response to each of the questions. Candidates must achieve a minimum (unweighted) score requirement of two (2) for questions 1a, 1b, 2, 5 and 6. below. There is no minimum score requirement for questions 3 and 4.
In response to Question 4C.8.1 - Candidates will be required to confirm their average annual manpower for the last three years.
In response to SPD Question 4C.8.2 - Candidates will be required to confirm the number of managerial staff in their organisation for the last three years.
In response to SPD Question 4C.10 - Candidates will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract any Call-off Contracts and, if so, for what proportion of the C…
Minimum: Candidates unable to meet the minimum score requirements for 4C.1.2 will be assessed as a FAIL and will be excluded from the competition: 1a. Technical and Professional Ability (Case Study 1) - (weighting = 5%); 1b. Technical and Professional Ability (Case Study 2)- (weighting = …
- Successive reduction
- Candidates will be reduced successively across stages
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Connectivity Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 1 suppliers, not a single contract.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Competitive procedure with negotiation
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- 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
Yes · The Council currently envisages deciding whether to invoke the available options to extend the Framework Agreement or to procure a new contract approximately eighteen (18) months prior to the expiry of the initial term.
- First published
- 18 May 2021, 11:05 BST
- Last source update
- 12 Apr 2022, 15:43 BST
- Authority reference
NLC-CPT-21-016- FTS notice number
2022/S 000-009773- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02b211Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Performance terms
Where bidders are bidding as part of a group (e.g a consortium), the Council reserves the right to require bidders to assume a specific legal form for the purpose of the award of the Framework Agreement (e.g. establishing a special purpose vehicle (‘SPV’).
Furthermore, where a Candidate relies upon the capacities of other entities with regard to criteria relating to economic and financial standing, the Council reserves the right to require that the Candidate and those entities to be jointly and severally liable.
- Review procedure
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. In accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the Council will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on the award of the Framework Agreement is communicated to bidders.
Publisher note: Section I.2 – Other contracting authorities who can use the Framework Agreement include, but may not be limited to: (a) Fusion Assets Ltd; (b) North Lanarkshire Properties LLP; (c) Routes to Work; (d) North Lanarkshire Municipal Bank Ltd; (e) North Lanarkshire affiliated local Housing Associations, including but not limited to West Of Scotland Housing Ass, Clyde Valley Housing Ass and Sanctuary Housing Ass; and (f) Any other future Council-affiliated ALEOS, established throughout the duration of the proposed FA. Section I.3 - Access to the procurement documents: The Instructions to Candidates (ITC) and the other procurement docs being released at this stage can be accessed via PCS-T Supplier Attachment Area. The draft Invitation to Tender (ITT) is being released at this stage to explain the proposed approach to the procurement process and does not amount to an invitation to submit an Initial Tender. Additional information on the procurement is located in the PCS-T Supplier Attachment Area. It is in each Candidate’s interest to access the information as soon as possible. The services described in II.2.4 may be delivered Across the geographical boundaries of North Lanarkshire Council area. Part II – Information Concerning the Bidder A: Information About the Bidder; B: Information About Representatives of the Bidder; C: Information About Reliance on the Capacities of Other Entities; and D: Information Concerning Sub-contractors on Whose Capacity the Bidder Does Not Rely. Minimum level(s) of standards required: The information required in Part II of the SPD is for information only and therefore will not be assessed. Candidates must ensure that they submit appropriate SPDs completed by other members of the group, if they are submitting a SPD as part of a group and others on whose capacity they rely, to satisfy any aspect of the SPD. Part VI – Concluding statements Minimum level(s) of standards required: Candidates unable to complete this part of the SPD may be excluded from the Procurement. Disclaimer The Council is not liable for any costs incurred, including in respect of expressing an interest, participating in negotiation or in tendering for this opportunity. The Council reserves the right to terminate the procurement (or any part of it) at its own discretion. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this procurement exercise. The Project code is 18666. For more information see:http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see:http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2361 (SC Ref:690166)
How it was run
Official noticeTender documents are also served through a separate tool: http://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ↗
- Appointment period ends
- 17 Jun 2021, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bid validity
- 360 days from the deadline
Timeline
17 Jun 2021 → 12 Apr 2022 · 3 dates- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown17 Jun 2021, 12:00 BST
- Invitations to tender expected1 Jul 2021, 00:00 BST
- Notice published12 Apr 2022, 15:43 BST
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Status changed to complete12 Apr 2022, 15:43 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast1 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
Contract 009773-2022-NLC-CPT-21-016-1
- Signed
- 4 Feb 2022
- Value
- £150,000,000
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad | 1 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Court of SessionReview body
Framework contractors & participating bidders
1 commercial party on the notice- Commsworld LtdFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.