Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Ulster
Block X Room X031, Cromore Road
Coleraine
BT52 1SA
Telephone
+44 2870123760
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKN - NORTHERN IRELAND
National registration number
NIC100166
Internet address(es)
Main 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
Virtual Learning Environment Software and Support Services
Reference number
project_26218
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
Virtual Learning Environment Software and Support Services
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: £1,087,028
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48190000 - Educational software package
- 48611000 - Database software package
- 72212190 - Educational software development services
- 72261000 - Software support services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This call-off contract is for the provision of hosted and managed Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Software and Support Services to Ulster University.
This contract is a combination of software and managed hosting services for the hosting of Ulster’s VLE (Blackboard Learn) and synchronous teaching tools (Blackboard Collaborate). The contract also includes transition to SaaS services which includes consultancy and project management services. The platform supports all of Ulster's blended learning provision, including all teaching, learning and assessment.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The Services shall commence on 1 August 2021 for an initial period of three (3) years with the option to extend for a further two (2) periods of one (1) year each.
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
This call-off contract was awarded as a direct award to the first ranked contractor as provided for under the Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) framework agreement for Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Solutions and Associated Services - Reference ITS1026AP.
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2017/S 079-152667
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
project_26218
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
4 March 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Blackboard International B.V.
Paleisstraat 1-5, 1012 RB
Amsterdam
Country
Netherlands
NUTS code
- NL - NETHERLANDS
National registration number
NL 30170649
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,087,028
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The call-off contract is effective from 5 March 2021 and the Services will commence on 1 August 2021.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland
Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JY
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 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 (Northern Ireland).