Tender

Provision of Interactive Virtual Learning Simulation Environment

  • University of South Wales

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-002586

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0310b4

Published 28 January 2022, 4:24pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

University of South Wales

University of South Wales, Finance Dept, Llantwit Road

Pontypridd

CF37 1DL

Contact

Tina Struebig

Email

procurement@southwales.ac.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKL - Wales

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.southwales.ac.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0315

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://sell2wales.gov.wales

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://sell2wales.gov.wales

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

https://sell2wales.gov.wales

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

Provision of Interactive Virtual Learning Simulation Environment

Reference number

1731

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 48000000 - Software package and information systems

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The University of South Wales invites tender proposals from organisations to develop an immersive, interactive virtual learning simulation environment that we are naming our ‘Digital Health Village’ (DHV). The University aims to create a functioning resource ready for 22nd September 2022, the beginning of the 2022/2023 academic year.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 80420000 - E-learning services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKL - Wales

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Tenders are being invited for the provision of a Modular Digital Health Village for the delivery of innovative learning and teaching activities for predominantly pre-registration, but also post-registration, Healthcare Professionals. The University of South Wales invites proposals from organisations to develop an immersive, interactive virtual learning simulation environment that we are naming our ‘Digital Health Village’ (DHV). The University aims to create a functioning resource ready for 22nd September 2022, the beginning of the 2022/2023 academic year.

The DHV will complement existing and extensive physical simulation and skills training facilities and will be used in the delivery of courses being undertaken by students studying healthcare and social care programmes. This virtual learning simulation environment will be accessible via multiple platforms (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop, PC as well as in specialist facilities for full VR/AR learning experiences) will – in time - allow a broad range of virtual community (residential homes, houses, flats) and specialist-facility (health centre, hospital) based health and social care scenarios within a ‘village’ arrangement. This will allow students to experience a range of situations / scenarios so they can explore the needs of the virtual patients/clients to determine the most appropriate signposting or care intervention.

The village may also develop to include skill-based simulations that promote the development of the core skills required by individual disciplines. This requirement sets out what we need of a partner in achieving our vision for this future ‘digital village’ service.

The intention of this procurement exercise is to identify a partner who can best provide a virtual, multi-platform environment namely a ‘Digital Village’ that can be used to aid the teaching and learning of a range of health and social care students. It is envisaged that this virtual-digital health village can be developed to underpin simulation and placement development already offered at the University.

We require the digital health village to be capable of modular development so that it can be developed year on year. This will be via the addition of both learning environments (e.g., domestic / residential / care homes, ambulance, health centre, clinic, hospital) and additional scenarios. Depending on the success of the development, it may in time be extended to incorporate environments / learning scenarios and activities to support the learning of students studying on an expanded range of programmes. This may include, for example, Professional Policing and Initial Teaching Education.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

36

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

12 month extension subject to agreement by both parties to a maximum of 5 years.

two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged minimum number: 3

Maximum number: 6

Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:

At PQQ stage an overall minimum quality threshold is set at 70%. Submissions scoring 69% or less are to be dismissed.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The University would also like to pursue a commercial agreement with the successful bidder, whereby the bidder can work with alongside the University’s commercial services to sell the developed product to other companies and institutions. 50% of the profits from these sales will then go to the University.

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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

Interested parties are initially required to complete and submit a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Document which is supplied as the

first stage of the selection process. The information requested in the PQQ provides information on the technical capability, supplier

suitability and experience and the resource and capacity of organisations interested in bidding.

See PQQ requirements document

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

Contract performance monitoring will be a feature of this contract. The performance of the Service Provider will be monitored at regular intervals during the contract.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Competitive procedure with negotiation

four.1.5) Information about negotiation

The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

1 March 2022

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

7 March 2022

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.3) Additional information

Procedure

Please note this is a competitive procedure with negotiation which has two stages. The first stage is a Pre Qualification Questionnaire - PQQ and those who are successfully shortlisted on the criteria set out in the PQQ will be invited to the second stage Invitation to Tender - ITT. The Negotiation stage then takes place after bidders have submitted their tender returns and they have been evaluated in line with the criteria set out in the ITT.

The University of South Wales may award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without negotiation. This we have indicated, in the contract notice and in the invitation to confirm interest - PQQ / ITT, that we reserve the possibility of doing so.

Community Benefits

The University is committed to delivering Community Benefits through its sourcing activity. Community Benefits are a Core requirement of the contract and will be evaluated as part of the quality assessment questions provided in the PQQ. Upon award, the successful Bidder will be expected to work with the University to maximise the Community Benefits delivered through this contract.

Submissions

Your tender submission must be uploaded to the Sell2Wales portal Postbox. Your submission must be received by the closing time and date. You should allow adequate time for the loading of your documents so as to ensure receipt as the Postbox will electronically close at the deadline time and no further submissions will be accepted. Tender submissions outside of this method will not be considered.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=118064.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

Provide graduate employment opportunities including internships, apprenticeships, relevant training, work placements etc.

The opportunity for key members of USW to attend relevant seminars, exhibitions, webinars etc., and to provide external speaker opportunities and white papers.

These may all relate, in particular, to the health and social care field.

(WA Ref:118064)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

High Court

Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Telephone

+44 2079477501

Country

United Kingdom