Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
OFCOM
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
Contact
Hayley Watson, Senior Procurement Manager
Telephone
+44 2079813000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
Buyer's address
https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://ofcom.bravosolution.co.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
UK Independent Communications Regulator
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Development, Delivery and Support of Electronic Auction System (EAS)
Reference number
C20231650
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212470 - Auction software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This ITT sets out our requirements for the development, delivery and support in the operation of an online auction software system, “Electronic Auction System” (EAS), for our upcoming award of the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands. These requirements will also cover the possibility of an additional clock auction that will follow the 26 GHz/40 GHz auction, which would be triggered at Ofcom’s sole discretion.
As a minimum, the service must deliver the following:
• Develop, internally test, and provide operational support for the auction software system
• Develop and provide access to a training version of the auction software system for prospective bidders
• Assure compliance of the software against the Auction Regulations
By way of background, Ofcom plans to hold a spectrum auction by FY Q1 2024/2025 to award licences for spectrum, including 2.4 GHz in the 26 GHz frequency band, and 3 GHz in the 40 GHz band.
On 13 March, Ofcom published a consultation setting out proposals for the award, which proposed a clock auction design. The proposed rules for this design are set out in the illustrative auction procedures, published at annex 9 of the award consultation. Ofcom's reasoning for these design proposals are set out in section 9 of the consultation.
We require the successful tenderer to develop the EAS in accordance with the illustrative auction procedures. These illustrative auction procedures may be amended as we finalise our auction policy through the consultation process. The system should therefore be designed flexibly to allow for quick and efficient configuration changes. The software should also be designed with ease of use for both auctioneers and bidders in mind.
The illustrative auction procedures will ultimately be written into the Auction Regulations, and the successful tenderer will need to assure compliance of the software against the final Auction Regulations. This will involve amending the EAS as necessary to incorporate any differences between the illustrative auction procedures and the final Regulations.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £300,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79342400 - Auction services
- 79342410 - Electronic auction services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As a minimum, the service must deliver the following:
• Develop, internally test, and provide operational support for the auction software system
• Develop and provide access to a training version of the auction software system for prospective bidders
• Assure compliance of the software against the Auction Regulations
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: £300,000
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
At Ofcom's absolute discretion, the Contract may be extended for up to two further periods of up to twelve months each. The maximum length of the contract is therefore four years.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract will include options to extend the contract period for up to two additional periods of 12 months each, up to a maximum contract period of four years.
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.1.2) 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
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Agreement will contain service levels and key performance indicators, 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
17 April 2023
Local time
12:00pm
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
Tender must be valid until: 14 October 2023
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
17 April 2023
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Court of Appeal of England and Wales
London
Country
United Kingdom