Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
An Lòchran, 10 Inverness Campus
Inverness
IV2 5NA
Telephone
+44 1463245245
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
National registration number
313
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00313
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 Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Economic and financial affairs
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS)
Reference number
FTS 026
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE.
HIE are seeking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced external independent sectoral, technical and strategic advisory support to contribute to the implementation of the HIE Space Programme. The role of the advisory support is important to HIE’s governance around the HIE Space Programme, as it will provide continuity of advice and support to HIE as the Space Programme evolves. It is recognised that the pool of potential companies may be limited, not least by the need to ensure they do not have conflicts of interest which would impinge on their ability to independently advise HIE. For example, companies providing support to HIE should not have a commercial relationship with any proposed launch sites or operators.
These services will be required between 23 May 2023 and 22 May 2025 for a period of 2 years, with HIE having the option to extend twice for a period not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years i.e. maximum total extension period of 2 years, until 22 May 2026 or 2027).
It is a duration contract and payments will be made in arrears, based on the services carried out. Therefore, the total amount paid under this contract might be less than the maximum budget (maximum budget is not guaranteed to be used up). Please refer to the Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance document for full details.
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: £270,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 71316000 - Telecommunication consultancy services
- 71351210 - Geophysical consultancy services
- 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services
- 90710000 - Environmental management
- 71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services
- 79311410 - Economic impact assessment
- 90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
- 90712000 - Environmental planning
- 90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services
- 71620000 - Analysis services
- 79310000 - Market research services
- 71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM6 - Highlands and Islands
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
While there is a growing level of knowledge in relation to space within HIE, independent technical expertise is needed to support its decision-making processes and to highlight opportunities for the Region. To that end, we are seeking to appoint a Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS) which will support the wider HIE Space programme in its implementation and benefits realisation. HIE may also seek to draw down support from the STARS to inform ourselves and our engagement with the sector eg SaxaVord Spaceport, Spaceport 1 and for other projects, see below (Orbex, Machrihanish Airfield Community Company, and potentially others yet to emerge).
Please refer to the Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance document for full details.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Cyber Security / Weighting: Pass/Fail
Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment Standard Clause / Weighting: Pass/Fail
Quality criterion - Name: Management and Delivery Methodology / Weighting: 25%
Quality criterion - Name: Management and Delivery Team / Weighting: 25%
Quality criterion - Name: Risks / Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion - Name: Community Benefits and Wealthbuilding / Weighting: 5%
Price - Weighting: 40%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services (whether by way of the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, or increasing or decreasing the Services or specifying the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided). HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The following are examples of potential modifications:
-where significant new opportunities for economic and community development for the Highlands and Islands arose that would mean that HIE considers that it would benefit from additional Services of a similar character to the Services;
-where HIE requires additional relevant Services as a result of changes in Scottish Government policy or as a result of a direction given to them by the Scottish Government;
-services no longer required e.g. due to changes in the Space project; HIE budget etc;
-reduction in volume of services required.
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
Economic operators 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
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-006996
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
FTS 026
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15 May 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 4
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
AstroAgency Limited
11/5 Easter Dalry Wynd, The Stillhouse
EDINBURGH
EH11 2TB
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: £270,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted
Short description of the part of the contract to be subcontracted
The % of subcontracting is dependent on tasks required.
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
It is estimated that the total value of the services over the maximum duration of 4 years will be GBP 270,000 (excluding VAT). This is the figure which has been used in II.1.5 & II.2.6.
(SC Ref:731053)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Inverness Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
The Inverness Justice Centre, Longman Road
Inverness
IV1 1AH
Telephone
+44 1463230782
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.