Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
UNIVERSITY OF YORK
Heslington
YORK
YO105DD
Contact
Rachel Devaney
Telephone
+44 1904328201
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKE21 - York
UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number)
10007167
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
University of York VLE Assessment Tools Expansion
Reference number
UY PROC 942
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48190000 - Educational software package
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The University of York is looking to extend the range, and capabilities, of its "in VLE" (BlackBoard Learn) assessment capability in the most economic way in terms of resource, solutions and cost without overlapping features of existing assessment tools; which could create alternate mechanisms in operation across faculties.
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: £240,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKE21 - York
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University of York is looking to extend the range, and capabilities, of its "in VLE" (BlackBoard Learn) assessment capability in the most economic way in terms of resource, solutions and cost without overlapping features of existing assessment tools; which could create alternate mechanisms in operation across faculties.
The required features additional to our current estate (BlackBoard Learn/Turnitin Feedback Studio) are:
Ability to bridge the gap between handwritten (paper based) responses (either as coursework or exams) and digital marking activities, with well supported entry points for handwritten content into an online digital workflow for marking and feedback irrespective of the source of the submitted work (ie from an open coursework or a closed exam activity).
Ability to use complex technical and scientific nomenclature, formulas and equations in both questions and feedback responses. This is expected to work in concert with handwritten responses, allowing questions to be posed requiring detailed handwritten answers which can then be rendered digitally and technical responses provided digitally - using scientific formulae and equations as necessary.
Tools which can identify and direct specific questions within a response to specific markers who have responsibility for marking that specific question. Enabling a single multi-answer submission to be marked in parallel by multiple markers and then collating that information through a structured workflow so the student receives a single mark and set of feedback.
Ability to batch mark student work (primarily short answer texts) where responses are the same or similar. Being able to group or categorise responses providing a more rapid marking capability; this may utilise machine learning in order to facilitate that batching activity.
Ability to support computer code review, grading and feedback. Automation of the grading activity is also being sought in order to provide economies of scale.
The delivery model needed to align to our strategy must:
- be SaaS
- be delivered through an LTI 1.3 connection with the VLE
- production ready status with an enterprise level service.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Contract sums equate to a 4-year commitment with a growth path to extend to 24000 student users
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:
No other SaaS solution is able to meet the needs of the university
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
Contract No
UY PROC 942
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
1 August 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
Turnitin LLC
2101 Webster St., Suite 1800
Oakland
Country
United States
NUTS code
- US - United States
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
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: £240,000
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £240,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of York - Legal Services
York
Country
United Kingdom