Find a TenderAwarded
Published 17 Jun 2021, 22:45 BST

Official UK procurement notice

S1110 (2020) Mobile Telecoms Services

Official notice

Authority: Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited (Public body)

Framework agreement4 lotsServicesNegotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Framework ceiling (notional)Value not publishedframework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Awarded 15 Jun 2021
Lots 4see the lot list below

What is being bought4 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The contracting entity intends to establish a framework arrangement for the provision of mobile telecom services. The framework agreement will be for a period of three (3) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two (2) years, with a total potential duration of five (5) years for any of lots 1 and 2 or lot 4 and for a period of five (5) years, with the option, exercisable exclusively by NIE Networks, to extend the contract for up to a further three (3) years for lot 3, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years for lot 3.

CPV: Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) services · Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) services · General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) services · IP telephone services · Internet service providers ISP · Mobile-telephone services · Multimedia Message Service (MMS) services · Short Message Service (SMS) services · Telecommunications services · Telephone and data transmission services · Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) services · Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) services

Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure

4 lots · no lot values published · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Provision of Voice and Data ServicesAwarded

All works and services as per the key activities below:

NIE Networks requires economic operators to provide a solution capable of supporting NIE Network’s mobile calls, texts and mobile data requirements which are primarily consumed within the UK. International roaming for voice, text and data services are also required by NIE Networks with particular emphasis on roaming services

within the Republic of Ireland.

The services required will also include, the following:

  • fixed subscription and call tariffs for each voice and/or data connection in the contract;
  • a fixed price subscription for each voice connection over the term of the contract. Each subscription should

include unlimited calls and texts;

  • a fixed price subscription for a data bundle to be added to an existing voice connection;
  • a fixed price subscription for each data only connection over the term of the contract;
  • NIE Networks preference is for a solution that allows a consolidated data allowance to be shared by all eligible

data connections in the contract. To avoid excess data charges from being incurred NIE Networks preference is

to purchase an annual data allowance and draw down on this each month;

  • NIE Networks also requires a fixed price subscription for data connections that for business reasons may be

excluded from the consolidated data allowance.

If this lot is awarded the contracting entity will enter into a framework agreement with one economic operator for

this lot (in the form attached at Appendix M of the tender documents) with call-off contracts allocated on a direct award basis, as set out in the call-off procedure (in Appendix C of the tender documents).

Delivery: Northern Ireland · Northern Ireland
Extensions: Each framework agreement will be for a period of three (3) years for either lots 1, 2 or 4 and five (5) years for lot 3 with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two (2) years, with a total potential duration of five (5) years for lots 1, 2 or 4 and three (3) for lot 3, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity will not award a framework agreement for all four (4) lots. It is the contracting entity’s intention, following conclusion of the procurement process, to award either: 1) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator(s) for each of lot 1 and lot 2 and lot 3; or 2) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator for lot 3 and lot 4. The procurement documents detail the criteria and process to be adopted to determine whether the contracting entity awards separate framework agreements for lots 1 and 2 and 3 or a single framework agreement for lot 3 and lot 4. The choice between lots will be based on the basis of both the quality and price proposals put forward by economic operators
Lot #2Provision of Mobile Devices Hardware and AccessoriesAwarded

Description: all works and services as per the key activities below:

NIE Networks requires economic operators to provide a solution for the supply of equipment (mobile phones,

tablets and data dongles), accessories (cases, screen protectors, chargers and charging cables) and car kits

including fitting.

The services required will include the following:

  • an online ordering portal to facilitate orders from an agreed list of mobile phones, tablets, dongles, mobiles and

tablets purchased will primarily be Apple devices with a smaller number of basic and android type phones;

  • an online ordering portal to facilitate orders from an agreed list of mobile accessories such as cases, screen

protectors, chargers and cables;

  • an ordering process to facilitate orders for the supply and fitting of car kits;
  • the ability to track orders to determine their status with regards to processing, delivery and invoicing is

essential.

If this lot is awarded the contracting entity will enter into a framework agreement with one economic operator

and a reserve economic operator for this lot (in the form attached at Appendix M of the tender documents) with

call-off contracts allocated on a direct award basis, as set out in the call-off procedure (in Appendix C of the

tender documents).

Delivery: Northern Ireland · Northern Ireland
Extensions: Options: yes Description of options: Each framework agreement will be for a period of three (3) years for either lots 1, 2 or 4 and five (5) years for lot 3 with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two (2) years, with a total potential duration of five (5) years for lots 1, 2 or 4 and three (3) for lot 3, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity will not award a framework agreement for all four (4) lots. It is the contracting entity’s intention, following conclusion of the procurement process, to award either: 1) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator(s) for each of lot 1 and lot 2 and lot 3; or 2) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator for lot 3 and lot 4. The procurement documents detail the criteria and process to be adopted to determine whether the contracting entity awards separate framework agreements for lots 1 and 2 and 3 or a single framework agreement for lot 3 and lot 4. The choice between lots will be based on the basis of both the quality and price proposals put forward by economic operators.
Lot #3Provision of Metering Telemetry ServicesAwarded

Description: all works and services as per the key activities below:

NIE Networks uses an MV90 system to collect ½ hourly meter readings from approximately 12 300 industrial

and commercial premises. The MV90 system communicates with the meters installed in these premises via

outbound calls over two virtual fixed link connections. These connections are currently provisioned over BT

ISDN30e circuits installed in two NIE Networks data centres.

NIE Networks requires economic operators to provide a solution to include the continued SIMs service provision

which also includes the outbound calls that are made from NIE Networks MV90 system to each SIM.

The services required will also include the following:

  • an ordering portal to facilitate requests for new connections and amendments to existing connections;
  • a fixed price subscription for each connection in the account over the term of the contract inclusive of calls

made from the MV90 system;

  • NIE Networks require help desk support with service and connectivity issues relating to individual and clusters

of SIMs.

If this lot is awarded that the contracting entity will enter into a framework agreement with one economic

operator for this lot (in the form attached at Appendix M of the tender documents) with call-off contracts

allocated on a direct award basis, as set out in the call-off procedure (in Appendix C of the tender documents).

Delivery: Northern Ireland · Northern Ireland
Extensions: Each framework agreement will be for a period of three (3) years for either lots 1, 2 or 4 and five (5) years for lot 3 with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two (2) years, with a total potential duration of five (5) years for lots 1, 2 or 4 and three (3) for lot 3, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity will not award a framework agreement for all four (4) Lots. It is the contracting entity’s intention, following conclusion of the procurement process, to award either: 1) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator(s) for each of lot 1 and lot 2 and lot 3; or 2) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator for lot 3 and lot 4. The procurement documents detail the criteria and process to be adopted to determine whether the contracting entity awards separate framework agreements for lots 1 and 2 and 3 or a single framework agreement for lot 3 and lot 4. The choice between lots will be based on the basis of both the quality and price proposals put forward by economic operators.
Lot #4Combined Lot 1 and Lot 2 — Provision of Voice and Data Services, Provision of Mobile DevicesCancelled

Description: all works and services as per the key activities below:

  • NIE Networks requires economic operators to provide a solution capable of supporting NIE Network’s mobile

calls, texts and mobile data requirements which are primarily consumed within the UK. International roaming for voice, text and data services are also required by NIE Networks with particular emphasis on roaming services

within the Republic of Ireland.

The services required will also include, the following:

  • fixed subscription and call tariffs for each voice and/or data connection in the contract;
  • a fixed price subscription for each voice connection over the term of the contract. Each subscription should

include unlimited calls and texts;

  • a fixed price subscription for a data bundle to be added to an existing voice connection;
  • a fixed price subscription for each data only connection over the term of the contract;
  • NIE Networks preference is for a solution that allows a consolidated data allowance to be shared by all eligible

data connections in the contract. To avoid excess data charges from being incurred NIE Networks preference is

to purchase an annual data allowance and draw down on this each month;

  • NIE Networks also requires a fixed price subscription for data connections that for business reasons may be

excluded from the consolidated data allowance.

NIE Networks requires economic operators to provide a solution for the supply of equipment (mobile phones,

tablets and data dongles), accessories (cases, screen protectors, chargers and charging cables) and car kits

including fitting.

The services required will include the following:

  • an online ordering portal to facilitate orders from an agreed list of mobile phones, tablets, dongles, mobiles and

tablets purchased will primarily be Apple devices with a smaller number of basic and android type phones;

  • an online ordering portal to facilitate orders from an agreed list of mobile accessories such as cases, screen

protectors, chargers and cables;

  • an ordering process to facilitate orders for the supply and fitting of car kits;
  • the ability to track orders to determine their status with regards to processing, delivery and invoicing is

essential.

If this lot is awarded the contracting entity will enter into a framework agreement with one economic operator for

this lot (in the form attached at Appendix M of the tender documents) with call-off contracts allocated on a direct

award basis, as set out in the call-off procedure (in Appendix C of the tender documents).

Delivery: Northern Ireland · Northern Ireland
Extensions: Description of options: Each framework agreement will be for a period of three (3) years for either lots 1, 2 or 4 and five (5) years for lot 3 with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to two (2) years, with a total potential duration of five (5) years for lots 1, 2 or 4 and three (3) for lot 3, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity will not award a framework agreement for all four (4) lots. It is the contracting entity’s intention, following conclusion of the procurement process, to award either: 1) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator(s) for each of lot 1 and lot 2 and lot 3; or 2) a framework agreement to the successful economic operator for lot 3 and lot 4. The procurement documents detail the criteria and process to be adopted to determine whether the contracting entity awards separate framework agreements for lots 1 and 2 and 3 or a single framework agreement for lot 3 and lot 4. The choice between lots will be based on the basis of both the quality and price proposals put forward by economic operators.

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
How bids were scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 30%Price: 70%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality: 30%
  • Price: 70%
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 70 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 7 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • “S1110 (2020) Mobile Telecoms Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, 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
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
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
Unspecified in notice
First published
17 Jun 2021, 22:45 BST
Last source update
17 Jun 2021, 22:45 BST
Authority reference
S1110 (2020)
FTS notice number
2021/S 000-013813
Classification (CPV)
Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) servicesEnhanced Messaging Service (EMS) servicesGeneral Packet Radio Services (GPRS) servicesIP telephone servicesInternet service providers ISPMobile-telephone servicesMultimedia Message Service (MMS) servicesShort Message Service (SMS) servicesTelecommunications servicesTelephone and data transmission services
+2 moreUniversal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) servicesWireless Application Protocol (WAP) services
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02bd68 Find a Tender

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

3 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

  • Provision of Voice and Data Services

    Signed
    15 Jun 2021
    Value
    £745,272
    Status
    active
  • Provision of Mobile Devices Hardware and Accessories

    Signed
    15 Jun 2021
    Value
    £734,660
    Status
    active
  • Provision of Metering Telemetry Services

    Signed
    15 Jun 2021
    Value
    £1,634,361
    Status
    active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Limited

Contracting authorityPublic bodyElectricity 120 Malone Road,, Belfast,, Northern Ireland, BT9 5HTContact name, email

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Framework contractors & participating bidders

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Vodafone LimitedFramework contractor Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire, UK, RG14 2FN

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.