Award

Provision of data services

  • University of Exeter

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-021807

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03eace

Published 27 July 2023, 12:21pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

University of Exeter

Northcote House

Exeter

EX4 4QH

Contact

Megan Brine

Email

m.brine@exeter.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 1392723333

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKK - South West (England)

National registration number

RC000653

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.exeter.ac.uk

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

Provision of data services

Reference number

UOE/2023/015/MB

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 72300000 - Data services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

A team at the University of Exeter is part of the “BlueAdapt” research project investigating the transmission dynamics of coastal pathogens and how these will shift in the response to climate change. As part of this project, the University will perform a case study to evaluate and enhance a smartphone app that issues real-time water quality alerts to users, in order to assess changes in users’ beach visitation behaviours. Such changes in behaviour may alter human exposure to waterborne microorganisms and subsequent illness.

As such, the University intends to award a contract to Surfers Against Sewage for the provision of data and analytical reports based on app usage, in order to achieve the research objectives of the project. Their Safer Seas and River Science (SSRS) app is the only app identified that can offer the required criteria.

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: £96,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 72300000 - Data services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

A team at the University of Exeter is part of the “BlueAdapt” research project investigating the transmission dynamics of coastal pathogens and how these will shift in the response to climate change. As part of this project, the University will perform a case study to evaluate and enhance a smartphone app that issues real-time water quality alerts to users, in order to assess changes in users’ beach visitation behaviours. Such changes in behaviour may alter human exposure to waterborne microorganisms and subsequent illness.

As such, the University intends to award a contract to Surfers Against Sewage for the provision of data and analytical reports based on app usage, in order to achieve the research objectives of the project. Their Safer Seas and River Science (SSRS) app is the only app identified that can offer the required criteria, including:

• A near real-time water quality alert service across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (approximately 450 locations).

• A large user base, with over 200,000 unique app downloads to achieve the sample size required for the research.

• Enables app-users to voluntarily submit a health report associated with their visit to a location to support research objectives (e.g. the range of infection indicators considered).

• Nation-wide coverage of both sewage pollution alerts from water companies and Pollution Risk Forecast alerts from the regulators (Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

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: Yes

Identification of the project

This project is part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101057764 and, as an associated partner, the University of Exeter has received the funding for its activities in this project from the UKRI/HM Government.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations

Explanation:

A team at the University of Exeter is part of the “BlueAdapt” research project investigating the transmission dynamics of coastal pathogens and how these will shift in the response to climate change. As part of this project, the University will perform a case study to evaluate and enhance a smartphone app that issues real-time water quality alerts to users, in order to assess changes in users’ beach visitation behaviours. Such changes in behaviour may alter human exposure to waterborne microorganisms and subsequent illness.

As such, the University intends to award a contract to Surfers Against Sewage for the provision of data and analytical reports based on app usage, in order to achieve the research objectives of the project. Their Safer Seas and River Science (SSRS) app is the only app identified that can offer the required criteria, including:

• A near real-time water quality alert service across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (approximately 450 locations).

• A large user base, with over 200,000 unique app downloads to achieve the sample size required for the research.

• Enables app-users to voluntarily submit a health report associated with their visit to a location to support research objectives (e.g. the range of infection indicators considered).

• Nation-wide coverage of both sewage pollution alerts from water companies and Pollution Risk Forecast alerts from the regulators (Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

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

19 July 2023

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

Surfer's Against Sewage

Wheal Kitty Workshops

St Agnes

TR5 0RD

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKK - South West (England)
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £96,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Royal Court of Justice

Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

Royal Court of Justice

Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

University of Exeter

Finance Office

Exeter

EX4 4QJ

Country

United Kingdom