Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
University of Exeter
Northcote House
Exeter
EX4 4QH
Contact
Megan Brine
Telephone
+44 1392723333
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK - South West (England)
National registration number
RC000653
Internet address(es)
Main 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
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