Managed Service Provider for WAN Circuits (Soft Market Testing Exercise)

The University of Southampton is seeking to appoint a managed service provider to provide leased WAN (wide area network) circuits between University campuses and remote sites. The managed service provider will be responsible for the provision, installation, support and management of the University's WAN circuits. Connections to the JANET network are not in scope for this procurement. The purpose of this PIN notice is to conduct a Soft Market Testing Exercise to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and provide impartial information to the University with no commitment to themselves or the University. Further information on the University's approach to Soft Market Testing can be found by accessing the Soft Market Testing Exercise documents hosted on the University's e-Tendering software (In-Tend) at the address below: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton/aspx/Home Additional information: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool (In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton) to manage this Soft Market Testing Exercise and to communicate with participating organisations. All documentation in relation to this Soft Market Testing Exercise can be downloaded from In-Tend. Participating organisations are advised that there will be no hard copy document issued to organisations and all communications with the University including the submission of Soft Market Testing Questionnaires will be conducted via In-Tend. Regular monitoring of In-Tend is the responsibility of the participating organisation. If you are not already registered as a supplier with the University of Southampton, you will need to register in In-Tend in order to access the soft market testing documentation. Once you have logged in: click on 'Tenders'; locate the relevant project; and click 'View Details'. Once you are in the project screen, you will be able to register your company against the project and access all documentation by clicking 'Express Interest'. Further instructions for the submission of soft market testing questionnaires are below. To submit your return, please follow the instructions below: 1. Log In 2. Click 'Tenders' 3. Locate the relevant project 4. View Details 5. Click on the tab relating to the relevant project stage (e.g. 'Soft Market Testing Exercise') 6. Click on the 'Attach Documents' button and upload your return. 7. Check ALL your response documents are uploaded and displayed in the "My Tender Return" panel. The system will only permit your organisation to make one return. 8. Click the red "Submit Return" button. Please note that, to preserve the integrity of the soft market testing exercise, all queries must made be via the correspondence function within In-Tend. The deadline for the return of completed Soft Market Testing Questionnaire is 22/10/2021 at 12:00 noon (GMT). This Prior information Notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement marketengagement and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the future. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the PIN event and a response to this PIN does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this event or any future procurement. This PIN does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this PIN and the University will not accept any proposals offered in response to this PIN. The University of Southampton is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to the PIN or attending any briefing day (if applicable). Any procurement of any services, supplies or works by the University of Southampton will be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.