Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Birmingham City University
Joseph Priestley Building, Cardigan Street
Birmingham
B4 7BD
Telephone
+44 1213317677
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Birmingham:-Network-upgrade./8E9N6MUV88
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/8E9N6MUV88
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Higher Education
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
IT078 - Network Infrastructure Refresh - Birmingham City University
Reference number
IT078
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 32428000 - Network upgrade
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Suppliers are invited for the procurement of a new network solution and support for 5+1+1 (five) years, including a hand over period with the newly appointed supplier at the end of the term to ensure business continuity. This tender process will be conducted under the Competitive Dialogue procedure. This will be in a number of stages, including the Selection, Invitation to Submit an Outline Solution (ISOS), Dialogue sessions and an Invitation to Submit a Detailed Solution (ISDS).
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - UNITED KINGDOM
Main site or place of performance
UNITED KINGDOM
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Restricted Procedure - Competitive Dialogue
Requirements involve design or innovative solutions that will be collaboratively worked through as part of the dialogue process to reach a final, acceptable solution. This could not be reached through either the open or restricted tender route.
This tender process is focussed on delivering a new Cisco hardware refresh.
Suppliers are invited for the procurement of a new network solution and support for 5+1+1 (five) years, including a hand over period with the newly appointed supplier at the end of the term to ensure business continuity. This tender process will be conducted under the Competitive Dialogue procedure. This will be in a number of stages, including the Selection, Invitation to Submit an Outline Solution (ISOS), Dialogue sessions and an Invitation to Submit a Detailed Solution (ISDS).
Since 1843, Birmingham City University has been at the heart of Birmingham. The majority of our students are from Birmingham and the broader West Midlands. Each year we help over 26,500 students to achieve their ambitions.
Meanwhile, BCU grows with Birmingham. We work closely with our city, with business, the community and our academic peers locally, nationally and internationally. We recruit students from just under 100 different countries.
The network infrastructure underpins virtually everything that staff and students need at Birmingham City University. It must be fit for purpose, secure, and adaptable to cope with the demands of anticipated future growth in onsite and offsite working, and as an enabler for taking advantage of IT industry breakthroughs such as 5G and more extensive use of Artificial Intelligence and intelligent building functions.
The current BCU network infrastructure
The current Cisco network is now nearing end of life and within its current operating model there is hardware operating that is no longer in manufacturer support, and there is hardware across all sites running on non-manufacturer recommended support versions, due to the hardware being unable to support the latest firmware upgrades. Hardware security standards are not compliant with recognised industry standards and therefore the latest IT security functions are unavailable, leaving the University potentially exposed to cyber-attacks.
Future University Plans
The move away from predominantly campus based working and on-site student lectures due to the implications of the pandemic have shown the need for a network that is flexible to cope with sudden short-term changes in working practices and to be scalable enough to deliver current and future working teaching strategies.
The University is working towards bringing into operation new buildings at Steamhouse, Harborne Road and Alexander stadium within the city of Birmingham, as well as expanding the business in overseas territories such as China and Dubai.
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
60
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
There are two plus one year periods, subject to satisfactory performance, extending the agreement from 60 months (5 years) to 84 months (7 years).
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 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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
22 April 2021
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
5 May 2021
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Birmingham:-Network-upgrade./8E9N6MUV88
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/8E9N6MUV88
GO Reference: GO-2021323-PRO-17971636
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WS2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 1213317677
Country
United Kingdom