Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BP
Contact
Procurement Manager
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity/
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned 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
Cash Bursary Alternatives/PRO/PIN/2021
Reference number
OUPA10628
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
This is a request for information only. The OU is carrying out pre-market research to identify electronic software solutions as an alternative to providing cash bursaries or direct payments to students.Suppliers that would like to respond to this request for information must do so on In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity), details in Communication above. A RFI pack is available to download on In-Tend. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is not a call for competition, for the purposes of Regulation 26(9) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 66151100 - Electronic marketplace retailing services
- 48481000 - Sales or marketing software package
- 79342320 - Customer-care services
- 66151000 - Financial market operational services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
We are requesting information from suppliers about their online electronic solutions or portals to support students who are unable to accept a bursary paid via direct payment into their bank accounts.The OU would like to receive information from suppliers on solutions which deliver support in the same way many Clinical Commissioning Groups and Local Authorities deliver Personal Health Budgets. The OU is open to various solutions such as virtual wallets, limited marketplaces and restricted trading platforms, or other solutions which might support overcoming this problem.Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University's e-tendering website, In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity). Suppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document by no later that noon on 23rd April 2020. Submissions must be made via the In-Tend correspondence function.The OU is offering a limited number of briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions and share some of their solution ideas with us prior to submitting their formal RFI response. The briefing sessions will be on a one-to-one basis. They will be held on the 25th March 2021 and the timeslots available are indicated in the RFI response pack with questions on how to request a session. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams.The OU requires a mechanism to provide support to students which doesn’t involve directly providing payments to students. We envisage providing an electronic solution which holds cash credits that can be spent on providing products/services to students through the main software/marketplace/portal supplier without the need for The OU to contract with individual suppliers.When a student chooses a product and/or service, this will be provided directly to the student, either by the solution provider or their partners.The solution will also facilitate payment for these items/services from the authorised funds the OU provides.The OU anticipates that this solution will be delivered as an off the shelf, software as a service package, managed by a single vendor.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
12 March 2021
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University's e-tendering website, In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity). Suppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document by no later that noon on 23rd April 2020. Submissions must be made via the In-Tend correspondence function.The OU is offering a limited number of briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions and share some of their solution ideas with us prior to submitting their formal RFI response. The briefing sessions will be on a one-to-one basis. They will be held on the 25th March 2021 and the timeslots available are indicated in the RFI response pack with questions on how to request a session. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams.