Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University of St Andrews
Walter Bower House, Eden Campus
Guardbridge
KY16 0US
Contact
Adrian Wood
Telephone
+44 1334462523
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM72 - Clackmannanshire and Fife
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/procurement/
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00111
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
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://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
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
University of St Andrews: Finance - Student Payment Services
Reference number
FIN/260221/AM/SL
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66115000 - International payment transfer services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account.
The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below.
The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience.
The project team have identified their priorities as
- Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA.
- Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other.
- Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges.
- Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand.
- System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager.
- Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students.
The new system must be able to collect payments for the following:
- Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments
- Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments
- Other fees – e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM72 - Clackmannanshire and Fife
Main site or place of performance
UK-St Andrews
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University currently collects Visa and Mastercard accommodation and tuition fees via the WPM Education platform; this activity is specifically excluded from this tender process. However, there is a large value of payments by bank transfer that are received directly into the University bank account, which then requires manual posting and reconciling to the student account.
The University also currently partners with a specialist provider for the collection of payments. The tender therefore consists of this and the above bank transfer activity, with a view to expanding the range of alternative payment methods, including such as China Union Pay, WeChat, Alipay, as well as standard international bank transfers. Note that accepting payments by card is not a requirement of this tender process but may be considered in the future. Current values and volumes can be found in Appendix 1 below.
The main drivers behind this tender have been identified as process efficiency, performance improvement, improved utilisation of staff resources, improved staff satisfaction and improved student (customer) experience.
The project team have identified their priorities as
- Offers a range of international payment methods including bank transfer. Allow flexible payment options (value and frequency (instalments)). Is a GLOBAL system which is compatible with CHINA.
- Direct interface into the student records system, SITS, and a full end to end payment process. The system should facilitate payments for tuition, accommodation and other.
- Easy for ALL students to use. Web based system. Clear and transparent FX rates and charges.
- Has an easy refund process (internally and externally), good reporting functionality and is a stable platform which is secure, scalable and can cope with demand.
- System can be maintained locally with good customer support and a dedicated relationship manager.
- Offers the best Value for Money (price) for St Andrews and its students.
The new system must be able to collect payments for the following:
- Tuition deposits, part payments (instalments) and full payments
- Accommodation part payments (instalments) and full payments
- Other fees – e.g., Summer courses for 16/17-year-olds
The Appointee
Service providers must be authorised to provide international payment services in the United Kingdom and be subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Service providers must have an appropriate level of experience in providing student payment services on a scale similar to that of the University, for public bodies, and should provide such information as confidentiality will allow this to be demonstrated.
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
Provision for 2 x 12 month extensions.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
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
two.2.14) Additional information
All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted.
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
Please see ITT Documents.
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
Please see ITT Documents.
three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
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
31 March 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
31 March 2021
Local time
12:00pm
Place
Procurement - University of St Andrews
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
Appointed Procurement Staff.
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
All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=645522.
(SC Ref:645522)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Dundee Sheriff Court
6 West Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 9AD
Telephone
+44 1382229961
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The University of St Andrews will incorporate a minimum of 10 calendar day standstill period at the point of information on the award of the contract being communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the contracting authority before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be requested from The University of St Andrews.
If an appeal regarding the award of contract has not been successfully resolved The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2012 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rule to take action in the Sheriff Court or Court of Session.
The anticipated review body in such cases would be:
Dundee Sheriff Court
6 West Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 9AD
Telephone: +44 1382 229 961
Anyone bringing court proceedings against the University of St Andrews must inform the University of St Andrews in advance of the alleged breach and its intention to bring proceedings. Any such action must be brought within 15 days of the date on which a decision is sent to them or published to challenge that decision.
Proceedings seeking an ineffectiveness order must be brought within 30 days of the publication of the contract award notice in the OJEU, or 30 days from the date of a decision letter to all tenderers concerned, and any candidates concerned, containing a summary of the reason for the recipient being unsuccessful, otherwise 6 months from the date of entering into the contract or concluding the framework agreement.
Where a contract has not been entered into the Court may, by interim order, suspend the procurement procedure. The court may also set aside a decision or actions taken by the University or order it to amend and document; and/or award damages. However, by express requirement the court may decide not to grant an interim order when the negative consequences of such an order are likely to outweigh the benefits, having regard to a number of considerations.
If the contract has been entered into the Court may, depending on the nature of the breach: make an ineffectiveness order; impose a financial penalty; shorten the duration of the contract; make any other order considered appropriate to address the consequences of ineffectiveness or shortening the duration or the contract; award damages.