Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
London Grid for Learning Trust
9th Floor 10 Exchange Square, Primrose Street
London
EC2A 2BR
Contact
Mr Terry Brewer
Telephone
+44 2084084455
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
LGfL Applications and Support Services (LASS) Contract
Reference number
DN677368
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Pursuant to the publication of a voluntary ex-ante notice on 05/08/2023, reference - 2023/S 000-022840 (VEAT Notice), the Authority has awarded a contract for the provision of a Universal Sign On (USO) Platform and Related Services for a period of 60 months to Atomwide Limited.
The Contract period is 22/12/2023 to 21/12/2028 with the option of a 36-month extension for the period 22/12/28 to 21/12/31.
The services provided by Atomwide are complex, deeply integrated and dependent on the use of proprietary software that was developed over an extended period. The software is not a commodity product due to its unique nature and its limited market; Atomwide is the only supplier capable of supporting and maintaining it.
Consequently, economic operators could not submit competitive tenders for the provision of alternative services without a licence from Atomwide for its proprietary materials resulting in an absence of genuine competition. Following extensive consideration of alternative options, LGfL determined that use of the negotiated procedure without prior notice under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 was essential for the continued successful operation of LGfL.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £21,800,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 64215000 - IP telephone services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
LGfL was established in 2001 as a Regional Broadband Authority by the 32 London local authorities and the City of London Council. It was established as a not-for-profit company and a registered charity, and is a body governed by public law. Its purpose is to provide broadband connectivity and Information and Communications Technology and related services to schools in London, LGfL’s ‘customers’. It currently provides essential services to over 3,000 schools providing education to around 1.2 million students each year.
Atomwide developed a proprietary product for the provision of a USO solution and related support services that is inextricably linked to the provision of broadband connectivity and related support and ICT services for the benefit of LGfL’s customers.
The proprietary nature of the USO solution and the nature of its deep and wide integration with the other services provided by LGfL to its customers means that an alternative supplier could not deliver replacement services without a licence from Atomwide. LGfL determined that proper competition would also be absent due to the complexity and interconnected nature of the solution and concluded that use of the negotiated procedure without prior notice under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 was justified.LGfL conducted thorough due diligence of its options and satisfied itself that USO is a unique product delivering proprietary and interconnected services for which there is no comparable alternative in the Education market.
LGfL is developing a clear technology and design principles for future solutions which will require the replacement of proprietary solutions with those based on open standards and interoperability. This is a necessary strategic step to replace USO as a central system and to reduce dependency on USO during the term of the new contract.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- Additional deliveries by the original supplier
Explanation:
Atomwide developed a proprietary product for the provision of a USO solution and related support services that is inextricably linked to the provision of broadband connectivity and related support and ICT services for the benefit of LGfL’s customers.
The proprietary nature of the USO solution and the nature of its deep and wide integration with the other services provided by LGfL to its customers means that an alternative supplier could not deliver replacement services without a licence from Atomwide. LGfL determined that proper competition would also be absent due to the complexity and interconnected nature of the solution and concluded that use of the negotiated procedure without prior notice under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 was justified.
LGfL conducted thorough due diligence of its options and satisfied itself that USO is a unique product delivering proprietary and interconnected services for which there is no comparable alternative in the Education market.
The award of this contract is made pursuant to the publication of the VEAT Notice and a further voluntary delay of 30 days’ following its publication.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
DN677368
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22 December 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ATOMWIDE LIMITED
Central Boulevard, Shirley,
Solihull
B90 8BG
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £21,800,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts Of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom