Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
City of London Corporation
Guildhall
London
EC2P 2EJ
Oliqur.Chowdhury@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 2076063030
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/
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
Steinway Pianos Lease
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 37311100 - Pianos
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The City of London Corporation / Guildhall School of Music and Drama intend to direct award to Steinway & Sons for the lease of 16 x Steinway Model B Pianos. GSMD students and musicians require the use of Steinway Pianos as it is considered the industry standard. Market research identified that there are no suppliers available to provide 16 Steinway Pianos (other than Steinway & Sons directly).
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: £501,361
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Negotiated procedure without prior publication - The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation: Competition is absent for technical reasons, Contract Regulation 32. 2 b (ii)
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a world-renowned music conservatoire providing training to musicians, actors and theatre technicians. In order to ensure its international reputation, teaching standards and to continue to attract world class students from around the globe the school aims to provide teaching facilities and equipment that match today’s expected industry standards.
Almost all recognised pianists have had training and a subsequent career performing on Steinway pianos. Since its ground-breaking design in 1876, the Steinway concert piano has been almost ubiquitous in concert halls, conservatoires and music studios. In classical music the Steinway piano is considered the industry standard.
In Guildhall School, it can be expected that the pianos will be used for making music for up to 103 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, placing demands on the mechanical instrument that can only be met from the highest quality of manufacture. Steinway pianos have been proven over many years by the Guildhall School to both meet the expectation of the musician and hold up to the extreme level of use demanded by the School.
This School has an ongoing lease agreement with Steinways for the supply of Principal Study teaching piano. Currently the School leases 12 Steinway B pianos on a 5 year plan. The School is looking to renew this lease agreement from September 2022, this time for 16 Steinway B pianos.
Market research was undertaken to establish Steinways as the sole supplier of 16 Steinway Model B pianos. A Soft Market Test was undertaken in February 2022. A Prior Information Notice and Contracts Finder Early Engagement Notice was published and the market invited to complete a Soft Market Testing Questionnaire. No suitable responses were received.
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
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
Please see section II.1.4 and II.2.4 for more information.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
23 June 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Steinway & Sons
44 Marylebone Lane
London
W1U 2DB
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
National registration number
FC001517
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £501,361
Lowest offer: £501,361 / Highest offer: £501,361 taken into consideration
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
We will not be entering into the contract before the end of a period of at least 10 days beginning with the day after the date on which the VEAT notice is published in FTS.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court, Royal Courts of Justice
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom