Tender

Technical support services to the British Council’s English Online platform

  • British Council

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-016234

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03460f

Published 14 June 2022, 11:11am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

British Council

Bridgewater House, 58 Whitworth Street

Manchester

M1 6BB

Email

priyanka.alawattegama@britishcouncil.org

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

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

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

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

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

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

Registered charity


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Technical support services to the British Council’s English Online platform

Reference number

BC/02428

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

English Online (https://englishonline.britishcouncil.org/) is the British Council’s bespoke 100% online English language learning business, providing customers with a fully virtual English language learning environment. It features key learner needs such as flexible timetables, a relevant curriculum, progress tracking, assessment and certification and live online classes, delivered by British Council teachers. English Online is designed as an end-to-end global online business. Launched in September 2020, to date, English Online has engaged with over 40K English language learners from all over the world. The ambition is to scale this business to engage with over 250K learners by 2026. The British Council is seeking a technology supplier to deliver technical support, maintenance and development of the English Online platform. The English Online platform is a proprietary system that is owned by British Council.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
  • 72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services
  • 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
  • 72250000 - System and support services
  • 72230000 - Custom software development services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

Contract will be managed from Spain but the delivery can be global

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

English Online (https://englishonline.britishcouncil.org/) is the British Council’s bespoke 100% online English language learning business, providing customers with a fully virtual English language learning environment. It features key learner needs such as flexible timetables, a relevant curriculum, progress tracking, assessment and certification and live online classes, delivered by British Council teachers. English Online is designed as an end-to-end global online business. Launched in September 2020, to date, English Online has engaged with over 40K English language learners from all over the world. The ambition is to scale this business to engage with over 250K learners by 2026. The British Council is seeking a technology supplier to deliver technical support, maintenance and development of the English Online platform. The English Online platform is a proprietary system that is owned by British Council.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

36

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

Contract is for 3 years with a provisional extension of 5 annual extensions

two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged number of candidates: 10

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

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

the projected contract value is £6.5m during the contract inclusive of extension


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


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: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

15 July 2022

Local time

10:00am

four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

3 August 2022

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.3) Additional information

Suppliers who wish to express an interest and take part in the tender process will be required to register on our e-Tendering portal In-Tend hosted at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil.Once registered, bidders must log-in to the website where they can view the project and access the bidders pack and submit their return. Bidders will also be required to demonstrate their capability and `means of proof` will be required. These conditions are outlined in the ITT.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The High Court, Royal Court of Justice

Royal Court of Justice, Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom