Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department of Science, Innovation & Technology
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
Contact
BDUK
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://bduk.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://bduk.force.com/s/Welcome
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
https://bduk.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Telecommunications
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy Programme - Cross-Regional Supplier Framework and Call-Off Contracts
Reference number
C0371
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 64200000 - Telecommunications services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This procurement is for the award of a Cross-Regional Supplier Framework and Initial Call-Off Contracts for multiple regions within the United Kingdom (UK). This is part of the Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy programme.
The Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy Programme is a government programme aimed to support the build of gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure in the areas of the UK which are unlikely to attract commercial investment for gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure within a reasonable timeframe, if at all, referred to as the final 20% (f20). Building Digital UK (BDUK, part of DSIT) will be targeting its market intervention in these areas of the UK via this subsidy award programme, to subsidise the build of gigabit-capable networks providing long-term, sustainable availability of wholesale gigabit broadband services in the hardest to reach parts of the UK. The Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy programme builds on the success of existing programmes being delivered by BDUK to deliver gigabit-capable networks across the UK. It is envisaged this programme will last for up to 9 years and award contracts throughout that period.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £800,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
BDUK intends to establish a Cross-Regional Single Supplier Framework, known colloquially as Type C, to award call-off contracts over the life of the Framework.
The Cross-Regional Framework is intended to appoint a single supplier to build gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure and whose role would be to target premises in respect of which (1) no or no appropriate market interest has been received through GIS market engagement steps for proposed Type A or Type B procurement areas; (2) BDUK has not awarded a contract following a procurement for Type A or Type B areas; (3) Type A or Type B contracts that cover these premises fail to be delivered by the supplier and are descoped or terminated; (4) Type C provides demonstrably better value for money or pace of build or coverage.
The Framework scope is expected to comprise up to c.500,000 premises, with a total estimated value of up to £800m. The average Call-Off Contract scope is anticipated to be between 50,000 and 150,000 premises. BDUK reserves the right to amend these figures to ensure that the framework can be used in accordance with criteria 1-4 above.
Call-Off contracts awarded under the Cross-Regional Framework will subsidise the design, build and operation of gigabit-capable supplier networks providing long-term, sustainable availability of wholesale gigabit broadband services in the hardest to reach parts of the UK.
BDUK issued a PIN on 18 August 2022 - ref 2022/S 000-023019 and on 5 January 2023 - ref 2023/S 000-000266 to discuss the Cross-Regional Framework.
Suppliers should consider the pre-qualification financial thresholds are reflective of the potential anticipated annual spend against the framework. They will also need to be able to demonstrate they can deliver gigabit-capable connectivity at pace and volume to support BDUK's 2025 and 2030 objectives.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £800,000,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
2 July 2024
End date
1 July 2028
This contract is subject to renewal
No
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
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
29 August 2023
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
9 October 2023
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
All documents concerning the Cross Regional Supplier Framework and Call-Off Contracts Standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ), ITT and Framework Contract will be available to Suppliers via our e-tendering system. Suppliers must register onto the system to have access to view these documents. Registration is free to Suppliers and the link to the e-tendering site can be found here; https://bduk.force.com/s/Welcome
DSIT reserves the right not to award the Cross Regional Supplier Framework or associated Call-Off Contracts under this procurement, to cancel the procurement process at any time and to change the procurement process (including any requirement or deadline).
DSIT shall not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses incurred by Suppliers and accepts no liability for any costs, charges or expenses in relation to the process to award the Framework or Call-Off Contracts, including if the procurement process is cancelled, amended or delayed.
Suppliers are advised that DSIT is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the "Act") If a Supplier considers that any of the information supplied as part of this procurement procedure should not be disclosed because of its commercial sensitivity, confidentiality or otherwise, it must, when providing this information, clearly identify the specific information it does not wish to be disclosed and clearly specify the reasons for its sensitivity. DSIT shall take such statements into consideration in the event that it receives a request pursuant to the Act which relates to the information provided by the interested party. Please note that it is not sufficient to include a statement of confidentiality encompassing all the information provided in the response.
DSIT will follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) to award the Cross Regional Supplier Framework and Call-Off Contracts.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand, Holborn
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk/courts/royal-courts-of-justice