Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Education Authority NI
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT1 2NQ
Contact
Paul Craven
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Buyer's address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
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
Framework for Outdoor Educational Equipment & Structures for Schools across Northern Ireland
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 37535200 - Playground equipment
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) wishes to establish a Framework for the provision of Outdoor Educational Play Equipment which may include the design, supply, delivery and installation of such equipment. This Framework may also include post installation inspection, annual inspections, on-going maintenance and repairs to equipment where required. This Framework is intended for projects of relatively low complexity and the value of individual projects (call-offs) will typically be less than £30,000.
This Prior Information Notice contains details of 5 potential lots. Please note that this lot structure is subject to change and represents initial procurement plans which have been devised prior to engaging with the market.
The estimated Framework value represents an approximate total spend over a 4 year period. Total spend will largely be influenced by the curriculum and funding which is available to schools across NI over the next 4 years and therefore this figure is an estimate only.
This Framework will be available for use by all Schools and Educational Facilities across Northern Ireland.
Market Engagement
EANI wishes to engage with the market to establish the level of market interest and to gather information that would be beneficial for the tendering process. In the first instance, EANI intends to engage with the market via a Market Engagement Questionnaire. EANI would also like to offer interested parties (who submit a completed questionnaire) an opportunity for a one to one pre-market engagement conversation. This will be arranged in due course and will be conducted via MS Teams.
Suppliers who wish to participate in the market engagement exercise should complete the pre-market engagement questionnaire. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from CfT Documents. The questionnaire must be completed and returned via the Messaging function within the CFT (Reference - 4198517) no later than 3pm on Wednesday 20th April 2022.
The purpose of the Market Engagement questionnaire is to gain an understanding of the latest developments in the provision of Outdoor Educational Play Equipment. Market Engagement will assist EANI the Education Authority (EA) in understanding the market prior to publishing an Invitation to Tender. Any information gathered through market engagement may inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process however it will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise.
There are no formal tender documents to be completed (at this stage) other than the questionnaire. Any information gathered will NOT be considered in any future tender evaluation exercise. Participation or non-participation in this pre-procurement market engagement shall not prevent any supplier/provider participating in a potential procurement process nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier/provider at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process. For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process and there is no commitment, at this stage to carrying out such a process.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £2,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Fixed Outdoor Playground Equipment
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 37535200 - Playground equipment
- 37535220 - Playground climbing apparatus
- 37535230 - Playground merry go rounds
- 37535240 - Playground slides
- 37535250 - Playground see saws
- 37535210 - Playground swings
- 37535260 - Playground tunnels
- 43325000 - Park and playground equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot may include the design, supply, delivery and installation of a range of fixed playground equipment. This may also include ground preparation and post installation inspection. The products that may be included (but not limited to) in this lot are swings, slides, climbing frames and merry-go-rounds. Playground products are likely to be of a timber, metal or plastic construction. Playground surfacing may be also be required as part of this lot.
Please note that the lot structure is subject to change and this information represents initial planning which has taken place prior to market engagement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Outdoor Educational Structures
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 37535200 - Playground equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Lot 2 may include the design, supply, delivery and installation of outdoor educational structures which includes (but is not limited to) sheds, polytunnels, greenhouses, outdoor classrooms, wendy houses, play houses, canopies, gazebos and other outdoor facilities which are used for educational purposes. The structures within this lot may be considered semi-permanent in nature and typically they are made of timber and other materials excluding bricks and mortar.
Please note that the lot structure is subject to change and this information represents initial planning which has taken place prior to market engagement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 37440000 - Fitness equipments
- 51121000 - Installation services of fitness equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot covers the supply, delivery and installation of outdoor fitness equipment suitable for use by children. This lot may also include installation of suitable surfacing. The products in this lot may include (but are not limited to) fixed outdoor fitness stations of the following type; cross trainers, lat pulldowns, ab benches, dips / leg raises, hand bikes, leg presses, pull-up stations and recumbent bikes.
Please note that the lot structure is subject to change and this information represents initial planning which has taken place prior to market engagement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 4 - Provision for the Repair and Maintenance of Outdoor Equipment
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 50870000 - Repair and maintenance services of playground equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for the provision for repair and maintenance of outdoor play equipment. This may include repair and maintenance of existing equipment which was installed prior to and post commencement of this Framework Agreement.
It is anticipated that some schools may require ad-hoc repairs to equipment on a reactive/call-out basis. These services are necessary to ensure the safety and integrity of fixed playground equipment. It is envisaged that this lot may provide services for the up-keep of products supplied under lots 1, 2 and 3 of this Framework.
Please note that the lot structure is subject to change and this information represents initial planning which has taken place prior to market engagement.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 5 - Provision for the Annual Inspection of Outdoor Equipment
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 50870000 - Repair and maintenance services of playground equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This lot is for the provision of annual inspections for outdoor play equipment. This may include annual inspection of existing equipment which was installed prior to and post commencement of this Framework Agreement.
Please note that the lot structure is subject to change and this information represents initial planning which has taken place prior to market engagement.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
18 May 2022
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