Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
North Lanarkshire Council
Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street
Motherwell
ML1 1AB
corporateprocurement@northlan.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1698403876
Fax
+44 1698275125
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM84 - North Lanarkshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00010
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Framework Agreement for the Provision of Digital Connectivity Services
Reference number
NLC-CPT-21-016
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72720000 - Wide area network services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
"The Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services to ensure it has access to unlock the potential for cost savings, improved productivity, enhanced service delivery and ensuring the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens.
The Council is therefore procuring a long term single supplier Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to:
i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire,
ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks,
iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and
iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes.
The Framework Agreement will enable the Council (and any of the contracting authorities identified at Section VI.3) to access the following initial and future ICT services from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement:
Initial Services
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1)
- Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2)
- Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3)
- Internet access (Call-Off 4)
- Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5).
Future ICT Services may include:
- Pilot / concept projects.
- Traffic light connectivity
- Active bandwidth services to Analogue only sites
- Enterprise telephony (fixed, cellular, analogue circuit replacement)
- Social / affordable broadband
- Private 5G
- Provision of Public WiFi in Corporate and Education sites
- Internet of Things (IoT) networks and other ‘Smart Place’ initiatives to support the Councils digital ambition
- Data centre services
- Azure Express Route services
- Security services
- Cloud connectivity
- Remote access
- Network services.
from the Service Provider over the duration of the Framework Agreement.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £150,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 64200000 - Telecommunications services
- 72400000 - Internet services
- 72720000 - Wide area network services
- 64210000 - Telephone and data transmission services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 32410000 - Local area network
- 72710000 - Local area network services
- 64227000 - Integrated telecommunications services
- 72315000 - Data network management and support services
- 72315100 - Data network support services
- 72315200 - Data network management services
- 72222300 - Information technology services
- 32250000 - Mobile telephones
- 72212730 - Security software development services
- 72600000 - Computer support and consultancy services
- 32412110 - Internet network
- 32420000 - Network equipment
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 50312300 - Maintenance and repair of data network equipment
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM84 - North Lanarkshire
Main site or place of performance
Across the geographical boundaries of North Lanarkshire Council area.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
"North Lanarkshire has a vision for inclusive growth and prosperity for all and an ambition for North Lanarkshire to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.
It is to this end that the Council is embarking on a landmark investment in digital infrastructure and services through a procurement of a long term, single supplier Framework Agreement to enhance the provision of digital infrastructure across North Lanarkshire.
The Council require to deliver a step change in connectivity services, primarily through the provision of symmetrical fibre connectivity to its schools, public buildings and strategic assets ensuring that the Council has access to the latest and fastest digital connectivity services, unlocking the potential for cost savings, improved productivity and enhanced service delivery, ensuring that the Council is at the forefront of being an attractive, modern and inclusive touchpoint for its citizens.
The Council intends to utilise the Framework Agreement to support the Council's ambition to:
i) enhance the coverage and reach of gigabit networks across North Lanarkshire,
ii) drive the take up of gigabit networks,
iii) create choice and competition for those living, learning, working, investing and visiting North Lanarkshire, and
iv) ensure North Lanarkshire's digital infrastructure is future proof and will lead to smart and sustainable outcomes.
The purpose of establishing the Framework Agreement is is to source a long term partnership with a
Service Provider to deliver the Council’s connectivity needs, both now and well into the future while stimulating the commercial deployment of gigabit capable networks in unserved areas.
Initial call-off contracts under the proposed Framework Agreement will cover the provision of the following connectivity services:
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (Call-Off 1)
- Fibre connectivity to ‘Analogue Sites’ (Call-Off 2)
- Fibre connectivity to CCTV sites (Call-Off 3)
- Internet access (Call-Off 4)
- Indoor and public WiFi (Call-Off 5).
It is anticipated that additional services such as concept pilots, mobile telephony, fixed telephony, traffic lights, IoT etc may be required in the future, although the Council does not guarantee the award of future call-off contracts.
The Council reserves the right to modify the scope of ICT Services in the future as our needs evolve.
The estimated value of the Framework Agreement is 150,000,000 GBP over the proposed duration of the Framework Agreement (including all extensions) but there is no guarantee of this level of business and spend through the Framework Agreement.
TUPE - 4.8.1 Candidates should note that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/246) ("TUPE") will not apply to the Framework Agreement or for the initial call-off contracts but may potentially apply to future call-off contracts. Further information on TUPE is provided in Section 4.8 of the ITC document.
Further details of this opportunity are set out in the procurement documents.
Please see Section V1.3 for details relating to the SPD and other procurement documents being released at this stage.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 80
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The proposed Framework Agreement will be awarded for an initial period of 15 years, thereafter the Council will have the option to extend the term for a further period of up to a maximum of 5 years. Any period(s) of extension will be at the Council's sole discretion.
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
Candidates should read and refer to the Instructions to Candidates for completing the SPD document (ITC). Failure to comply with the ITC may result in a Candidate's SPD submission being rejected.
Candidates may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-010912
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
NLC-CPT-21-016
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
4 February 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Commsworld Ltd
Commsworld House, 39-45 Peffer Place
Edinburgh
EH16 4BB
carolann.miller@commsworld.com
Telephone
+44 7748593493
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM75 - Edinburgh, City of
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £150,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Section I.2 – Other contracting authorities who can use the Framework Agreement include, but may not be limited to:
(a) Fusion Assets Ltd;
(b) North Lanarkshire Properties LLP;
(c) Routes to Work;
(d) North Lanarkshire Municipal Bank Ltd;
(e) North Lanarkshire affiliated local Housing Associations, including but not limited to West Of Scotland Housing Ass,
Clyde Valley Housing Ass and Sanctuary Housing Ass; and
(f) Any other future Council-affiliated ALEOS, established throughout the duration of the proposed FA.
Section I.3 - Access to the procurement documents:
The Instructions to Candidates (ITC) and the other procurement docs being released at this stage can be accessed via PCS-T Supplier Attachment Area.
The draft Invitation to Tender (ITT) is being released at this stage to explain the proposed approach to the procurement process and does not amount to an invitation to submit an Initial Tender.
Additional information on the procurement is located in the PCS-T Supplier Attachment Area.
It is in each Candidate’s interest to access the information as soon as possible.
The services described in II.2.4 may be delivered Across the geographical boundaries of North Lanarkshire Council area.
Part II – Information Concerning the Bidder
A: Information About the Bidder;
B: Information About Representatives of the Bidder;
C: Information About Reliance on the Capacities of Other Entities; and
D: Information Concerning Sub-contractors on Whose Capacity the Bidder Does Not Rely.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
The information required in Part II of the SPD is for information only and therefore will not be assessed.
Candidates must ensure that they submit appropriate SPDs completed by other members of the group, if they are submitting a SPD as part of a group and others on whose capacity they rely, to satisfy any aspect of the SPD.
Part VI – Concluding statements
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Candidates unable to complete this part of the SPD may be excluded from the Procurement.
Disclaimer
The Council is not liable for any costs incurred, including in respect of expressing an interest, participating in negotiation or in tendering for this opportunity.
The Council reserves the right to terminate the procurement (or any part of it) at its own discretion.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this procurement exercise. The Project code is 18666.
For more information see:http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
Community benefits are included in this requirement.
For more information see:http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2361
(SC Ref:690166)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Court of Session
Parliament House Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1312252595
Fax
+44 1312406711
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
An economic operator that suffers, or risks suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. In accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, the Council will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period from the date information on the award of the Framework Agreement is communicated to bidders.