Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
Science & Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell
Oxford
OX110QX
Contact
Elizabeth Gage
Telephone
+44 7563420665
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com
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
Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
UKRI-1245 NQCC WP18 Open Standards for Emerging Quantum Processors
Reference number
UKRI-1245
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The National Quantum Computing Centre has an objective to deliver an early-stage quantum computer (Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum, NISQ machine) that can outperform conventional computing for a range of tasks, by 2025. In order to achieve this medium-term goal, the NQCC has developed a technology roadmap, and has identified a series of technical work packages (WPs) that are suitable for delivery by external contractors. These WPs focus on the delivery of technology solutions according to a set of required technical performance specifications, for both hardware and software, related to quantum computing. This tender relates to WP18 - Open standards for emerging quantum processors.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £210,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
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
The NQCC seeks to commission a study involving the appraisal of existing metrics, and the development of new metrics, for measuring the performance (computational power) of quantum processors, including non-circuit-based devices. Existing metrics are to include, but not be limited to, qubit count, noise and (both variants of) quantum volume. The intent is to address the need for objective performance comparisons, by defining standard metrics and the associated methodologies by which emerging quantum processors can be fairly measured and compared.
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: £210,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
18
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 3
Maximum number: 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
During this RFI Stage, it is UKRI’s intention to shortlist no more than 5 qualified
Suppliers who are to be considered and invited to the RFQ stage of this tender
process.
In order to qualify for the shortlisting and to be invited to the RFQ stage,
Suppliers are to pass all of the mandatory Selection and Award Pass/Fail
Questions as well as scoring a minimum of 80.00% on the scored Questions.
In the event that there are more than the maximum stated number of qualified
Suppliers, the RFI submissions will be ranked.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue
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.2.14) Additional information
This is Procurement Exercise is being run as a two-stage Restricted Procurement Procedure. Suppliers will need to register within the Delta portal in order to access the information provided for this stage of the process by following the link: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
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
9 June 2021
Local time
11:00am
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: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/P4A729P5Y5
GO Reference: GO-202155-PRO-18198353
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
UK Research and Innovation
Polaris House
Swindon
SN2 2FP
Country
United Kingdom