Planning

External Assurance Services/PRO/PIN/2021

  • The Open University

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2021/S 000-015974

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-02c5d8

Published 8 July 2021, 5:53pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The Open University

Procurement Services, Walton Hall,

Milton Keynes

MK7 6BP

Contact

Procurement Manager

Email

finance-tenders@open.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1908274066

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKJ12 - Milton Keynes

National registration number

RC000391

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity

Buyer's address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity/aspx/BuyerProfiles

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

External Assurance Services/PRO/PIN/2021

Reference number

OUPA10680

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 79212000 - Auditing services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This is a prior information notice informing the market of the intention by the Open University to tender for:the provision of external independent assurance services on the scope and quality of its Core Systems Replacement Programme Reporting and Associate Lecturer Contract Change Programme’s Reporting. An independent review of the financial and operational case for the reset of its Core Systems Replacement (CSR) ProgrammeThis Prior Information Notice (PIN) and request for information is intended to gauge the interest of potential suppliers, prior to commencing a procurement process.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 79212000 - Auditing services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Main site or place of performance

Milton Keynes

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Open University (OU) will require the provision of independent assurance on the scope and quality of the Core System Replacement (CSR) reporting and Associate Lecturer Contract Change (ALC) Programme’s reporting. The OU also requires an independent review of the financial and operational case for the reset of its Core Systems Replacement (CSR) ProgrammeIt is anticipated that the services required will provide assurances to the OU that; a) the CSR business change and technology plans and associated financial plans are technically sound, realistically deliverable in the identified timescales, provide a robust assessment of all the costs necessary to deliver them, and have a sound assessment of the risks; andb) the scope and content of the on-going reporting of progress against the reset CSR operational and financial plans provides a complete, accurate and transparent assessment of delivery, and; c) the scope and content of the on-going reporting of progress against the operational and financial plans relating to the ALC programme provides a complete, accurate and transparent assessment of delivery. Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University’s e-tendering website, In-Tend https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity Suppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document by 9th August 2021The OU is offering one-to-one briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions prior to providing the information requested.The briefing sessions will be held w/c 19th July 2021 and further correspondence via the In-Tend function will confirm a time-slot. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams.This is a Prior Information Notice; this is not a call for competition. Any description of requirements is yet to be fully determined for the supply and services described. Any potential resulting tender will be advertised via the OU's tender portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversity and will require further registration. Registration is free and interested parties can register at any time and search for tenders (and PINs) as and when they are advertised.

two.2.14) Additional information

Note this is a PIN notice to engage interest from potential bidders prior to issuing the procurement documents in August 2021.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

8 July 2021


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


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Suppliers are requested to respond to this PIN via The Open University’s e-tendering website, In-Tend https://in-tendhost.co.uk/openuniversitySuppliers should complete and return a Request for Information Response Document. The OU is offering one-to-one briefing sessions to suppliers on a first come, first served basis. The purpose of the briefing session is to provide further context to our requirement and for suppliers to ask questions prior to providing the information requested.The briefing sessions will be held w/c 19th July 2021 and further correspondence via the In-Tend function will confirm a time-slot. The sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams.