Steinway Pianos Lease · UK public procurement notice

Negotiated procedure without prior publication - The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons

Explanation: Competition is absent for technical reasons, Contract Regulation 32. 2 b (ii)

The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a world-renowned music conservatoire providing training to musicians, actors and theatre technicians. In order to ensure its international reputation, teaching standards and to continue to attract world class students from around the globe the school aims to provide teaching facilities and equipment that match today’s expected industry standards.

Almost all recognised pianists have had training and a subsequent career performing on Steinway pianos. Since its ground-breaking design in 1876, the Steinway concert piano has been almost ubiquitous in concert halls, conservatoires and music studios. In classical music the Steinway piano is considered the industry standard.

In Guildhall School, it can be expected that the pianos will be used for making music for up to 103 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, placing demands on the mechanical instrument that can only be met from the highest quality of manufacture. Steinway pianos have been proven over many years by the Guildhall School to both meet the expectation of the musician and hold up to the extreme level of use demanded by the School.

This School has an ongoing lease agreement with Steinways for the supply of Principal Study teaching piano. Currently the School leases 12 Steinway B pianos on a 5 year plan. The School is looking to renew this lease agreement from September 2022, this time for 16 Steinway B pianos.

Market research was undertaken to establish Steinways as the sole supplier of 16 Steinway Model B pianos. A Soft Market Test was undertaken in February 2022. A Prior Information Notice and Contracts Finder Early Engagement Notice was published and the market invited to complete a Soft Market Testing Questionnaire. No suitable responses were received.