Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA)
1 Mann Island
Liverpool
L3 1BP
Contact
Procurement
tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKD7 - Merseyside
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Buyer's address
http://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
LCRCA Digital Infrastructure Project
Reference number
DN453501
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45000000 - Construction work
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is looking to establish a joint venture or similar
partnership, with a supplier in order to build, operate and maintain a digital connectivity backhaul network across
the Liverpool City Region. LCRCA is looking to establish a partnership arrangement with a supplier, who will
support in the design, implementation, maintenance, operation and commercialisation of such network. The supplier will be prepared to enter into a long-term commercial and financial arrangement with LCRCA to support
in delivering the wider ambition around LCRCA’s digital strategy for the LCR. This digital network is expected to
deliver a dedicated full fibre backhaul network, with unlimited capacity, which passes through all LCR localities
and provide the opportunity for future development of local authority local access networks as well as wider
commercial opportunities.
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: 20,000,000 AED
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 39000000 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products
- 45000000 - Construction work
- 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services
- 64000000 - Postal and telecommunications services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD7 - Merseyside
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Improved digital connectivity is a mayoral priority and LCR has some key digital assets that provide a significant
competitive advantage to the attractiveness of the region. The “super-computer” is located at SciTech
Daresbury, in Halton and the superfast GTT trans-atlantic cable reaches the UK mainland at Southport in
Sefton. The LCRCA has ambition that these locations are interconnected and at the same time a digital
backhaul network is established across the LCR.
To deliver this ambition, the LCRCA is looking to establish a joint venture, or similar partnership, with a supplier
in order to build, operate, commercialise and maintain a new digital connectivity backhaul network across the
LCR. To improve the value, flexibility, and future-proofing of these arrangements, LCRCA is looking to establish
a partnership arrangement with a supplier, who will support in the design, implementation, maintenance,
operation and commercialisation of such network. The supplier will be prepared to enter into a long-term
commercial and financial arrangement with LCRCA to support in delivering the wider ambition around the digital
strategy for the LCR. This digital network is expected to deliver a dedicated full fibre connectivity network,
with unlimited capacity, which passes through all LA localities. This will also support the future development of
LA local access networks as well as wider commercial opportunities. In some cases, the network will provide
immediate connectivity opportunities for key strategic locations and assets across the LCR. The LCRCA has
undertaken some initial route mapping and worked with LA partners to “optimise” where a such a backhaul
network could be located across each LA locality. The supplier will be expected to develop this initial work and
identify opportunity for further improvement and refinement.
To help stimulate demand and support with immediately available asset, the LCRCA is currently undertaking a
“dig-once” programme to install ducting and chambers, in-advance of the partnership with the selected supplier
being established. The “dig-once” programme will be delivered jointly with LA partners, and assets will be
installed where possible along the indicative route during planned capital and maintenance work programmes. This will provide a significant amount of infrastructure asset which will be made available to the supplier in
accordance with state aid and public procurement requirements.
The LCRCA will make a significant contribution to the project through its Strategic Investment Fund and expects
to contribute up to 50% of the overall commercial arrangement. In order to facilitate LCRCA’s contribution to the
project, both in terms of infrastructure to be provided under the “dig once” programme and in terms of financial
contributions, the LCRCA has assumed that a joint venture structure will be established. The procurement
will include an opportunity for prospective suppliers to enter into dialogue with LCRCA and propose initial and
then more detailed solutions, before LCRCA selects a preferred partner organisation. The LCRCA expects to
down-select interested parties during this process and will seek to establish a preferred supplier and enter into
commercial arrangements that deliver the best solution in terms of network, commercial ambition and value for
money.
LCRCA will be the Contracting Authority and will enter into any future joint venture or similar partnering
arrangement with a preferred supplier, on behalf of itself and all the Liverpool City Region Local Authorities
(Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool and Halton Councils). The LCRCA has authorised Merseytravel
to administer this procurement on its behalf.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
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
Competitive dialogue
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2020/S 006-007685
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
DN453501
Title
LCRCA Digital Infrastructure Project
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
22 February 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 7
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 3
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 7
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ITS Technology Group Limited
House Farm Saighton Lane
Chester
CH3 6EN
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD6 - Cheshire
National registration number
0876229
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
NGE Concessions SAS
Parc d’activités de Laurade
St-Etienne du Grès
13103
Country
France
NUTS code
- FR - France
National registration number
RCS Tarascon 789 270 360
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £29,800,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £29,800,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom