Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
the Education Authority
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT1 2NQ
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Buyer's address
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Education Network for Northern Ireland - "Education Network (NI)"
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72263000 - Software implementation services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
The Contracting Authority requires ICT services to replace its existing contracts for managed Local Area Network services for post primary and special schools in Northern Ireland (known as “Lot 3”) and managed Wide Area Network Services for all Northern Ireland schools (known as “Lot 5”), together with the re-procurement of the Management Information System for all schools in Northern Ireland.
The services required pursuant to this procurement process are to take forward the service vision, by ensuring the continuity of existing services, covered in broad terms by the existing contracts, while transforming these services over the lifetime of the new contract term. The overall scope of the services can be summarised as follows:
— a fully integrated end to end service to meet the management/administration and learning/teaching needs of educational establishments,
— ICT infrastructure and associated services for post primary and special educational establishments,
— connectivity to, and provision of a range of online services for all educational establishments. Prospective service providers should note that the intention is not simply to replace the outgoing services on a like for like basis and that the concepts of local area (or school-based) and wide area services, as previously understood and applied should not constrain the bidders thinking and proposals regarding the overall architecture in light of technology developments. The Contracting Authority will request proposals during the detailed dialogue stage for the transformation of the learning platform and management administration elements of the services but reserves the right to make a decision at that stage on the inclusion or otherwise of the transformation of these elements within the scope of the awarded contract.
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
84
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.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Contract award notice concerning this contract
Notice number: 2012/S 053-085884
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
1
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
29 March 2012
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Capita Managed IT Solutions
Newtownabbey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Internet address
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £350,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The UK does not have a review body with responsibility for appeal/mediation procedures in public procurement competitions. Instead; any challenges are dealt with by the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may be issued regarding alleged breaches of the Public Contracts Regulation
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 72263000 - Software implementation services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
This modification will enable the continuation of the existing single contractor managed service arrangement which includes the supply of a broad range of computer and related services (including, without limitation, on-going management, operation and maintenance services), information technology consultancy services and the supply of computer hardware, software and associated products. The systems and services provided via the current contract have been uniquely configured to reflect the varying requirements of the Education Authority.
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
24
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£175,000,000
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Capita Managed IT Solutions
Newtownabbey
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Internet address
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
The Contract commenced on 01/04/2012 for 5 years until 31/03/2017 and has been modified on several occasions as per the following VEATs - 2019/S 046-106361, 2022/S 000-006649 and 2024/S 000-006005.
As per VEAT 2025/S 000-009957 the Contract has now been further modified to (i) extend the contract for an additional 2 years until 31/03/2027 with a further 2 x 1 year additional extension options, and (ii) increase the value by up to £175,000,000.
This modification is permitted under Regulations 72(1)(b) and 72(1)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations
2015 for the reasons outlined below and as it will not alter the overall nature of the Contract as the scope of services will remain unaltered and any expenditure will not exceed 50% of the original awarded Contract value.
The transition to a new managed service Contract was expected to have completed by 31/03/2025 but due to unforeseen circumstances the new Contract awarded in December 2023 was terminated in November 2024 by mutual consent. Accordingly it was necessary to extend the Contract and increase the Contract value to ensure the continuation of existing managed service arrangements and functionality changes to meet schools' requirements whilst permitting time to transition to a new managed service Contract.
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.
Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:
The systems and services provided under the Contract have been uniquely configured for EA's varying requirements. For technical reasons, it is not possible to quickly or easily transition to a new Contract with another Contractor as they would need significant time tailor their systems and services for EA, also causing significant inconvenience and duplication of costs to change Contractor for an interim period. It is expected to take at least 18-24 months to procure and transition to a suitable new Contract. Additional 2x1 year extension options included are for contingency, risk of material delays, transitioning existing services and subsequent design and implementation phases of a new Contract.
Regulation 72(1)(c) also permits this modification due to unforeseen circumstances which a diligent Contracting Authority could not have foreseen. It could not have been foreseen that the new Contract awarded in December 2023 would be terminated, delaying the transition to a new Contract.
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £546,000,000
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £721,000,000