Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Welsh Government
Commercial Procurement ICT, Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Telephone
+44 3000257095
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Bespoke 5G Enabled Immersive Classroom
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212200 - Networking, Internet and intranet software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
It is the intention of Welsh Government to procure a novel and innovative ‘5G enabled classroom’ through a contract award without prior notification under Regulation 32 2 (b)ii.
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: £190,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 30236000 - Miscellaneous computer equipment
- 72590000 - Computer-related professional services
- 72700000 - Computer network services
- 32412100 - Telecommunications network
- 72212200 - Networking, Internet and intranet software development services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
- UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
- UKL17 - Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Welsh Government are lead delivery partners for a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) grant-funded 5G Testbed and Trials programme, called 5G Wales Unlocked. The 5G Wales Unlocked consortium includes BT, Cisco, Cardiff University, Monmouthshire CC, Blaenau Gwent CBC, UtterBerry, AppyWay and Jam Creative who are working together through a partnership agreement to deliver user demonstrations and solutions utilising 5G mobile technology.
5G Wales Unlocked is a research and innovation programme looking to create new services, combine products, develop novel solutions to demonstrate the capabilities and potential offered by 5G technology. The objective of the programme is to test and trial new 5G mobile technology ‘use cases’ across Education, Tourism, the Rural Economy and Transport – aiming to demonstrate the business case for accelerating the deployment of mobile technology in valley and rural locations.
It is the intention of Welsh Government to procure a novel and innovative ‘5G enabled classroom’ through one of the consortium partners (BT). The classroom will be a stand-alone, semi-permanent physical structure with a range of interactive technology and IT equipment connected over a 5G network allowing real time interaction with other connected sites and equipment which are also a part of the project.
Requirement:
The bespoke Classroom requires a number of partners collaborating in a unique way as part of the research and innovation. In developing solutions, BT will provide some of the key components of the Classroom.
The requirement is for:
- a 360 degree ‘content capable’ Immersive Classroom
- the Classroom to connect to a 5G network
- access to a live, commercial 5G network in Ebbw Vale
- access to and analysis of data from the Classroom across the 5G network, at both the content and network layers
- integration of additional, specific Cisco technology (supplied as a project partner) into the Classroom to extend its capability and reach to selected schools, requiring a Cisco channel partner
- a rapid deployment, seeking live operation in September 2021
Whilst Welsh Government is interested in innovating on new services which have potential beyond this project, this procurement is restricted to this project only with no planned subsequent objectives or expenditure.
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 works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The project is solely for research, innovation and development where both the technology and commercial models will be explored and reported upon. The project and this procurement will create a unique asset; It cannot be procured through existing mechanisms due to the specific and complex integration of elements required. . This solution’s components are provided by consortium partners as part of the partnership agreement and their contribution to the grant-funded project and so dictate the requirements and supplied components.
A competitive market for this particular solution is therefore absent for technical reasons whereby the partners are integrating this service with a number of other technologies and solutions they are already providing under the partnership agreement. The Project Partners, BT, Cisco and Blaenau Gwent have worked collaboratively to integrate their own technology, technology from their suppliers and professional services to create a unique, novel and innovative solution to research, experiment and test the capabilities and opportunities presented by 5G technology in this space.
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
2 August 2021
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
BT PLC
81 Newgate St
London
EC1A7AJ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £190,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:113012)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom