Find a TenderAwarded
Published 18 Aug 2021, 16:45 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Telecommunications, Digital Inclusion and Internet of Things

Official notice

Authority: Procurement for Housing (Public body)

Framework agreement6 lotsServicesOpen procedureSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£82,500,000total for 6 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 6 Sept 2021awarded 7 Feb 2022
Lots 6see the lot list below

What is being bought6 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Established in 2004, Procurement for Housing (PfH) is a national procurement consortium dedicated to the social housing sector and supported by the National Housing Federation (NHF), Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and HouseMark. Collectively our Members manage more than 75% of UK’ social housing stock, with PfH helping them to achieve efficiency savings using a wide range of services including framework agreements, spend analyses, strategy reviews, consolidated billing and comprehensive reporting.

PfH is a contracting authority under Regulation 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (“PCR 2015”) and a central purchasing body under regulation 37 PCR 2015

PfH has sought to establish a national Framework Agreement for Telecommunications, Digital Inclusion, Internet of Things and associated services.

The Framework will be awarded for an initial period of three years and may be extended for a further year (4 years in total)

The framework is intended to provide services and associated products relating to networking and security including cloud based solutions, voice solutions, unified communications, mobile communications and total communications, in addition to providing solution to support digital inclusion and solutions utilising the Internet of Things technologies.

For further information please refer to the procurement documentation.

CPV: Adult and other education services · Communication and multimedia software package · Communication software package · Communications infrastructure · Communications network · Communications server software package · Computer accessories · Computer equipment and supplies · Computer network services · Computer servers · Computer training services · Computer-related equipment · +130 more

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 35 suppliers · 11 bids on the busiest of 6 lots (0.3 per place) · 13 appointed

Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure

6 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Networking and SecurityAwardedRenewalPublished value£10,000,000

The successful suppliers will be required to provide a full range of inclusive goods and service provisions either directly or via third parties, which will include installation, maintenance, disposal and any associated services and solution including but not limited to;

Data connectivity and internet services incorporating FTTx, Ethernet Circuits, ISDN, PSTN, SD-WAN, Security solutions, Disaster Recovery solutions including but not limited to back up solutions, replication and recovery software and/or services. Cloud Hosting, Private Clouds, Local Area Networking (LAN), Wi-Fi, Power Systems, Associated Hardware – including but not limited to laptops, tablets, routers, servers, including associated accessories and connectivity requirements. Associated Services – including the provision of technical specialists, training, helpdesk support, managed equipment rooms, survey, installation, maintenance and decommissioning.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 12 month optional extension at the discretion of PfH.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #2Unified Communications and Voice SolutionsAwardedRenewalPublished value£12,000,000

Lot 2 requires the successful suppliers to provide a full range of inclusive goods and service provisions either directly or via third parties, which will include installation, maintenance, disposal and any associated services and solution including but not limited to associated software relating to; Digital voice solutions, including but not limited to Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Session Initiation Protocol (SIP, SIP Trunking), Call Centre solutions, Contact Centre solutions, Unified Communications Application(s), Associated Hardware – including but not limited to handsets, headsets, laptops, tablets, routers, servers, including associated accessories and connectivity requirements, Associated Services – including the provision of technical specialists, training, helpdesk support, surveys, installation, maintenance and decommissioning, Teleconference and Videoconferencing solutions.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 12 months optional extension at the discretion for Procurement for Housing.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #3Total Communications SolutionsAwardedRenewalPublished value£15,000,000

Lot 3 offers members the opportunity to call off requirements for services spanning both Lot 1 and 2, enabling both the member and supplier to develop and implement a total Communications solution under the remit of a single supplier.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 12 month extension option at the discretion of Procurement for Housing.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #4Mobile CommunicationsAwardedRenewalPublished value£8,500,000

Lot 4 requires the successful supplier to offer members a full range of mobile solutions inclusive of hardware, accessories, associated software, data and associated service including delivery, maintenance and repair services, disposal and any associated services and solution including but not limited to; 3G, 4G & 5G Connectivity, voice & data bundles including sim cards, mobile device hardware, including but not limited to phones and tablet computers, accessories and other associated hardware. Mobile Broadband. The provision of associated mobile communications systems and software including but not limited to; Mobile Device Management (MDM), mobile call recording, mobile conference calling, anti-virus software, hardware, repair services. Mobile cloud storage and sharing services, mobile device deployment Services including receipt, configuration and re-deployment to the end user, in addition to associated advisory and consultancy services.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: An optional 12 month extension at the discretion of Procurement for Housing.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #5Community Wifi & Digital Inclusion SolutionsAwardedRenewalPublished value£5,000,000

Lot 5 provides members with solutions focused upon the provision of goods and services with the intention of enhancing digital inclusion within PfH Member’s Customer environment. Within this lot, the tenant is at the heart of the intended solutions, with the intention of improving accessibility to the internet with the purpose of enhancing tenant skills and capabilities in moving towards a digital operating environment. PfH members may choose to do this to support members with internet connectivity with the purpose of enabling tenants to search for jobs, apply for benefits, pay rent or other utilities in addition to enabling them to search for better value goods and services to them as an individual in addition to a host of other benefits, which may include staying in touch with family and friends via email or social media, reducing isolation and loneliness.

Whilst this lot is fundamentally about connectivity for the above benefits, other associated services are for the provision of training and upskilling of PfH Member customers, and therefore the applicable providers must be able to facilitate appropriate training solutions with the same overall aim, to improve digital inclusion.

The Successful Suppliers will be required to provide a full range of inclusive goods and service provisions either directly or via third parties, which will include installation, maintenance, disposal and any associated services and solutions including but not limited to associated software relating to; Community Connectivity, Site based, Community Wifi, Neighbourhood Wifi, Local Authority or other Wifi/WAN, The supply of hardware and connectivity, the provision of mobile connectivity on a BYOD basis.

Additional elements include but are not limited to; The provision of associated training and education services, to provide development and learning interventions. The provision of software of online solutions which will support in education solutions within the intention of increasing digital inclusion. Advisory services regarding appropriate grants and funding mechanisms.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Optional 12 month extension at the discretion of Procurement for Housing.Variant bids: not allowed
Lot #6Internet of ThingsAwardedRenewalPublished value£32,000,000

Lot 6 will provide members a full range of connectivity solutions all focused around IOT connectivity and data, which will enable members to identify, monitor and measure sensors within any environment. It is thought that the application of IOT is highly likely that members will be focused on solutions which support them in improving the services provided to PfH Member Customers thorough many different applications, for example, monitoring boiler performance, smoke alarms, fire alarms, heat alarms, legionella, humidity, energy consumption, water consumption, although this is not an exhaustive list and is likely to develop over the course of the framework.

Members call off requirements will vary in respect of volume and requirements, members will require a range of services from ad-hoc small volume trials, to a fully tailored and owned gateways with application integration, therefore the Supplier will need to provide a fully inclusive solution as detailed within the scope of this framework agreement, in order to fulfil the specified member requirements.

This lot is split into two sub lots;

Lot 6a – Shared Solutions – This lot is directly relevant to solutions where connectivity is provided on a shared gateway basis.

Lot 6b – Private solutions– This lot is directly relevant to solutions where connectivity is provided on a private gateway basis and is highly likely that the Customer will purchase and house the gateway within location which the Customer owns and/or leases, but ultimately has access and control of access to.

Delivery: UK
Extensions: Optional extension of 12 months at the discretion of Procurement for Housing.Variant bids: not allowed

What it takes to win
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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 6 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Quality: 60%
  • Price: 40%
Conditions of participation1
  • Suitability

    As set out in the procurement documentation.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
  • “Telecommunications, Digital Inclusion and Internet of Things” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 35 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
Open procedure
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
No (one-off requirement)
First published
18 Aug 2021, 16:45 BST
Last source update
15 Feb 2022, 15:34 GMT
Award evaluation window
6 Sept 2021 – …
FTS notice number
2022/S 000-004303
Classification (CPV)
Adult and other education servicesCommunication and multimedia software packageCommunication software packageCommunications infrastructureCommunications networkCommunications server software packageComputer accessoriesComputer equipment and suppliesComputer network servicesComputer servers
+132 moreComputer training servicesComputer-related equipment
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02d156 Find a Tender
Contract terms
Electronic trading
e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Performance terms

As set out in the procurement documentation.

Related procedures1

Publisher note: This Framework may be used by any contracting authority listed in or referred to in the FTS Notice. This includes: All current members of PfH at the time of the FTS notice for this procurement; Any registered provider of social housing (or Welsh registered social landlord ,or Scottish registered social registered social landlord) that becomes a member of PfH during the period of the Framework Agreement; Any public authority (as defined in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for public authorities in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and UK-wide public authorities based in Scotland, or as defined in the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 for Scottish public authorities) that becomes a member of PfH at any time during the period of the Framework Agreement; Any local authority (as defined in the Local Government Act 1972 for public authorities in England and Wales or as defined in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 for Scottish local authorities or as defined in the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972 for local authorities in Northern Ireland) that becomes a member of PfH at any time during the period of the Framework Agreement; Any housing Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO) that becomes a member of PfH during the period of the Framework Agreement; Any wholly owned subsidiaries of any of the above Organisations And any other contracting authority listed on the following page of the PfH website http://procurementforhousing.co.uk/permissible-users/ at the time of the FTS notice for this procurement. (MT Ref:225259)

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: mytenders · Who buys & how to bid on myTenders
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free publication showcase; bidding happens on buyer portals
Appointment period ends
6 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
90 days from the deadline
Bids opened
6 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

6 Sept 2021 → 15 Feb 2022 · 3 dates
  1. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    6 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
  2. Bids opened
    6 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
  3. Notice published
    15 Feb 2022, 15:34 GMT

Notice history

5 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 3 Sept 2021
  1. Published value published: £82,500,000
    3 Sept 2021, 09:35 BST
  2. Status changed to active
    3 Sept 2021, 09:35 BST
  3. Procurement method changed
    3 Sept 2021, 09:35 BST
  4. Deadline moved to 6 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
    3 Sept 2021, 09:35 BST
    -14 days · was 20 Sept 2021, 12:00 BST
  5. Status changed to complete
    15 Feb 2022, 15:34 GMT
Published amendments (2 · 2 deadline changes)
WhenWhatBeforeAfterShift
—DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.26 Sept 202120 Sept 2021+14 d
—Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.76 Sept 202120 Sept 2021+14 d
—DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.220 Sept 202127 Sept 2021+7 d
—Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.720 Sept 202127 Sept 2021+7 d

Receipt of various request to extend the tender return deadline, additional two weeks granted, notice to be updated

Documentation update.

Routine re-releases (4)
  • 2021-08: 1 release · 18 Aug 2021

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 13admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 117 from SMEs · busiest of 6 lots
Contracts signed 6latest 7 Feb 2022

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

Contracts

  • Networking and Security

    Signed
    7 Feb 2022
    Value
    £10,000,000
    Status
    active
  • Unified Communications and Voice Solutions

    Signed
    7 Feb 2022
    Value
    £12,000,000
    Status
    active
  • Mobile Communications

    Signed
    7 Feb 2022
    Value
    £8,500,000
    Status
    active
  • Internet of Things

    Signed
    7 Feb 2022
    Value
    £32,000,000
    Status
    active
  • Total Communications Solutions

    Signed
    7 Feb 2022
    Value
    £15,000,000
    Status
    active
  • Community Wifi & Digital Inclusion Solutions

    Signed
    24 Jan 2022
    Value
    £5,000,000
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Networking and Security10bids · 10 electronic · 10 from abroad7——
2 · Unified Communications and Voice Solutions11bids · 11 electronic · 11 from abroad7——
3 · Total Communications Solutions7bids · 7 electronic · 7 from abroad5——
4 · Mobile Communications6bids · 6 electronic · 6 from abroad4——
5 · Community Wifi & Digital Inclusion Solutions4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad4——
6 · Internet of Things7bids · 7 electronic · 7 from abroad4——

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Procurement for Housing

Contracting authorityPublic bodyBody governed by public lawGeneral public services 2 Olympic Way, Woolston Grange Avenue, Birchwood, Warrington, UK, WA2 0YLContact email, phone Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Public Procurement Review ServiceReview body LondonContact email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

13 commercial parties on the notice
  • 4G Scotland Ltd t/a 5G ScotlandFramework contractor 11 Waters Edge, Camperdown St, City Quay, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 3HYContact phone
  • 4net Technologies LtdFramework contractor 3 Scholar Green Road, Manchester, UK, M32 0TRContact phone
  • AWTG LimitedFramework contractor 8 Canham Mews Canham Road, London, London, W3 7SRContact phone
  • Abzorb Group LtdFramework contractor Armytage Road, Brighouse, Yorkshire & Humber, HD6 1QFContact phone
  • Britannic TechnologiesFramework contractor Britannic House, Merrow Business Park, Guildford, UK, GU4 7WAContact phone
  • CCS Media LimitedFramework contractor Old Birdholme House, Derby Road, Chesterfield, UK, S40 2EXContact phone
  • CGI IT UK LimitedFramework contractor 20 Fenchurch Street , 14th Floor, London, UK, EC3M 3BYContact phone
  • Chameleon DigitizationFramework contractor McDermott House, Perth, UK, PH1 3TSContact phone
  • Chess ICT LtdFramework contractor Bridgford House,, Heyes Lane, Alderley Edge, UK, SK9 7JPContact phone
  • Daisy Communications LimitedFramework contractor Daisy House, Lindred Road Business Park, Nelson, UK, BB9 5SRContact phone
Show 3 more suppliers
  • Netcall Technology LimitedFramework contractor Suite 203 Bedford Heights, Brickhill Drive, Bedford, UK, MK41 7PHContact phone
  • North SV LimitedFramework contractor Titanium 1, King's Inch Place, Braehead, Glasgow, UK, PA4 8WFContact phone
  • Social Telecoms CICFramework contractor Unit 4, Hartley Business Centre,, Monkmoor Road,, Shrewsbury, West Midlands, SY2 5STContact phone

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