Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Newcastle University
Newcastle University, Procurement Services, Kingsgate
Newcastle
NE1 7RU
Contact
Mr Dave Anderson
Telephone
+44 1912085360
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKC22 - Tyneside
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=634b40cf-637b-eb11-810a-005056b64545
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=634b40cf-637b-eb11-810a-005056b64545
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
(NU/1647) Supply of a Digital Exam System
Reference number
DN527361
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Newcastle University is looking for a digital exam system to support the provision of authentic summative assessments in a secure digital environment.
Newcastle University has in the region of 28,000 students and 5,500 staff, who may use the digital assessment system. Prior to the global pandemic the University’s centrally supported digital exams service delivered 140 on campus digital exams each academic year, equating to 20,000 student sittings. The largest cohort sitting an individual exam exceeds 400 students. On campus digital exam provision is expected to return to a similar level from 2021/22 academic year, should the public health situation allow.
Demand for on campus digital exams exceeds the scale of existing provision, and increasing both capability and capacity is a strategic priority. The University’s ambition is to expand the scale of on campus digital exam provision using a combination of delivery on university owned PCs and student’s own devices, alongside diversifying the types of online assessment that can be delivered in a secure exam setting.
The scope of this tender is for the supply and support of a digital exam system to be used by all members of the University, including those located in our Branch Campuses in Malaysia and Singapore. Digital exams will take place on campus.
Please note that tenders are only invited from bidders who have an existing off the shelf solution, deployed in an educational institutions of comparable size and scale (as detailed in the ITT documentation). We will not consider bespoke solutions.
Expressions of interest in this project can be made by registering via the University e-tendering portal at:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=634b40cf-637b-eb11-810a-005056b64545
The contract reference is NU/1647.
The deadline for expressing an interest is Tuesday 6th April 2021 at 14:00 BST.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC22 - Tyneside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Newcastle University is looking for a digital exam system to support the provision of authentic summative assessments in a secure digital environment.
Newcastle University has in the region of 28,000 students and 5,500 staff, who may use the digital assessment system. Prior to the global pandemic the University’s centrally supported digital exams service delivered 140 on campus digital exams each academic year, equating to 20,000 student sittings. The largest cohort sitting an individual exam exceeds 400 students. On campus digital exam provision is expected to return to a similar level from 2021/22 academic year, should the public health situation allow.
Demand for on campus digital exams exceeds the scale of existing provision, and increasing both capability and capacity is a strategic priority. The University’s ambition is to expand the scale of on campus digital exam provision using a combination of delivery on university owned PCs and student’s own devices, alongside diversifying the types of online assessment that can be delivered in a secure exam setting.
The scope of this tender is for the supply and support of a digital exam system to be used by all members of the University, including those located in our Branch Campuses in Malaysia and Singapore. Digital exams will take place on campus.
Please note that tenders are only invited from bidders who have an existing off the shelf solution, deployed in an educational institutions of comparable size and scale (as detailed in the ITT documentation). We will not consider bespoke solutions.
Expressions of interest in this project can be made by registering via the University e-tendering portal at:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=634b40cf-637b-eb11-810a-005056b64545
The contract reference is NU/1647.
The deadline for expressing an interest is Tuesday 6th April 2021 at 14:00 BST.
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
26
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
If the performance of the successful tenderer fulfils the expectations of the University during the initial 26-month contract period, then a further 12-month contract may be awarded to run from 6 September 2023, subject to mutual agreement. A further two 12-month contracts may be awarded on the same basis, to give a maximum contract length of 5 years post go-live.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
If the performance of the successful tenderer fulfils the expectations of the University during the initial 26-month contract period, then a further 12-month contract may be awarded to run from 6 September 2023, subject to mutual agreement. A further two 12-month contracts may be awarded on the same basis, to give a maximum contract length of 5 years post go-live.
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
Expressions of interest in this project can be made by registering via the University e-tendering portal at:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=634b40cf-637b-eb11-810a-005056b64545
The contract reference is NU/1647.
The deadline for expressing an interest is Tuesday 6th April 2021 at 14:00 BST.
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
9 April 2021
Local time
2:00pm
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: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
7 April 2021
Local time
3:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The University will incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers. That notification will provide full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provides time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No 102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) within 30 days of knowledge or constructive knowledge of breach.