Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Broadcasting House, Portland Place
London
W1A 1AA
Contact
Robert Amil
Telephone
+44 1234567890
Fax
+44 1234567890
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk/
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Broadcasting
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Satellite Connectivity Services for Programme Contribution
Reference number
PROC 2022 86
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 64214100 - Satellite circuit rental services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The BBC owns and operates an extensive fleet of technical vehicles that are used predominantly for news content contribution from the field. They provide both a means of moving content (either live video/audio & file transfer) back to BBC production centres and internet access for editorial and technical staff on location should cellular connectivity be constrained or unavailable.
The fleet services a broad range of BBC output ranging from, but not limited to digital platforms and products, local radio programming, national bulletins, domestic & international news channels and language services.
The technical vehicles fall into the following categories:
• VERV (Video Enabled Reporter Vehicle) - Small size vehicle, reporter operated, IP based system architecture, fully automated satellite acquisition, currently serviced via the Eutelsat Ka band High Throughput Satellite platform
• IP VSAT (Internet Protocol Very Small Aperture Terminal) – Intermediate size vehicle, typically operated by a camera crew, IP based system architecture, fully automated satellite acquisition, currently serviced by BBC owned VSAT hub and operated on existing leased Ku space segment.
• DSNG (Digital Satellite News Gathering) – Large vehicle size, typically operated by an engineer, IP & SDI system architecture, automated satellite acquisition though can be manually driven, equipped with traditional video encoders and modulators with the addition of a VSAT modem within the RF chain.
In addition to the vehicle fleet the BBC owns and operates a network of fixed earth stations and control rooms around the UK, these facilities are used to conduct pre transmission line up procedures, transponder monitoring & control, fault escalation & resolution and transponder frequency planning.
The BBC seeks to procure satellite connectivity services for programme contribution to enable the provision of live and field reporting services to audiences across Network, Nations, Regions, and World Service News Programmes.
The requirement is broken into 2 lots:
• Lot 1 - Ku band satellite connectivity services
• Lot 2 - Ka band satellite connectivity services
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £5,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Ka band satellite connectivity services
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34712200 - Satellites
- 64214100 - Satellite circuit rental services
- 92200000 - Radio and television services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Hosted upon the Eutelsat Broadband Ka platform this provides remote reporters with a data connection for audio contribution and/or data for production and communications.
There are currently 50 Ka enabled Satellite vehicles that provide the backbone of regional radio links across the whole of England from Cumbria, to Newcastle though to Cornwall and Kent.
The reporter vehicle, known as the VERV (VSAT Enabled Reporter Vehicle) is equipped with a satellite connection, currently this is an auto deploy 77cm Viasat/Eutelsat Broadband enabled KA only satellite link.
A cellular connection supplements this to allow for a mix of locations from within City/Town centres all the way through to rural and remote locations. The introduction of satellite services has improved the editorial reach of stations along with providing a resilient service in times of need such as flooding and disruptions to power supplies.
They are aimed to deliver connectivity for live audio contributions and also enable IP data connectivity for the reporter on location. The BBC also uses the data services to monitor the various connectivity routes.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £500,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Up to 24 months either in one period or up to two periods of 12 months
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) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Ku band satellite connectivity services
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34712200 - Satellites
- 64214100 - Satellite circuit rental services
- 92200000 - Radio and television services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The requirement comprises Ku band space segment (only) which will be used by BBC departments for the contribution delivery of live TV services using DVB SCPC and self-managed IP VSAT, from various fixed and mobile uplinks. There are regular requirements from the UK, Europe and Middle East for news contribution, sport and special events to domestic and world service channels. The BBC will undertake the up-linking and down-linking, using existing ground-based equipment, manage the capacity sharing between departments on the dedicated leases, and arrange the booking of the supplementary occasional use capacity
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £4,500,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
24
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Up to 24 months either in one period or up to two periods of 12 months
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
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
Where there is more than one economic operator, the BBC reserves the right to require a grouping of economic operators to take a particular legal form or to require a single economic operator to take primary liability or to require that each party undertakes joint and several liability.
Please register your interest in this project by taking the following steps: 1 - Register your company on the Jaggaer eSourcing portal (this is only required once): 1.1 Go to https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk 1.2 - Click the link on the login page to register. 1.3 Accept the terms and conditions and click 'Continue'. 1.4 - Enter your correct business and user details. 1.5 - Note the username you chose and click 'Save' when complete. 1.6 - You will shortly receive an email with your temporary password. 2 - Express an interest in the tender: 2.1 - Login to the portal with the username/password. 2.2 - Click the 'PQQs/ITTs Open to all Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier). 2.3 - Click on the relevant PQQ/ITT to access the content. 2.4 - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. This will move the PQQ/ITT into your 'My PQQs/My ITTs page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only. 2.5 - You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ITT Details' box. 3. Responding to the tender: 3.1 - Click 'My Response' under PQQ/ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining). 3.2 - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. 3.3 - Note the deadline for completion, and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ITT. There may be a mixture of online and offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available). 3.4 You must then submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance, please consult the online help, or contact the Jaggaer eSourcing help desk.
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
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
22 March 2023
Local time
1:00pm
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: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
22 March 2023
Local time
1:00pm
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
In the case of technology requirements, the BBC may involve its technology partner (Atos IT Solutions and Services Limited) to assist in the scoping and drafting of invitations to tender and/or the evaluation of tenders. However, the final decision as to which is the most economically advantageous (by reference to the award criteria) will be made by the BBC. The awarding authority reserves the right not to award a contract and to annul the procurement process at any stage. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in sterling and all payments will be made in sterling. The contract shall be subject to English law. The awarding authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest, or any tender and reserves the right to accept part of a tender unless the tenderer expressly stipulates otherwise in the tender document.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Business and Property Courts of England and Wales
7 Rolls Building, Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1NL
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
As stated in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The applicable review time limits shall be as stated in Regulations 92 and 93 Public Contracts Regulations 2015.