Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission
Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw Road, Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Buyer's address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Legislature
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Legislature
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Northern Ireland Assembly Commission - Contract for the Maintenance and Support of Legislative Work Bench Software
Reference number
BR-075-2023 (CfT 4919467)
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is seeking maintenance and support of Legislative Work Bench (LWB3), the current system used by the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission for the purposes of drafting and amending primary legislation and for the automated production of legislative and plenary documents. The contract will run from 00:00 on 1 September 2023 until 23:59 on 31 August 2024 with one option to extend for a further 12 month period.
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: £204,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN06 - Belfast
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission requires Propylon Ltd. to provide product maintenance and support ensuring continuity of service during the period in which a new solution will be procured and implemented, in accordance with Regulation 32 of the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
After the first 12 month contract there is one option to extend for a further 12 month period.
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 Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is relying on derogation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015 as an exception to open competition that allows for contracts to be awarded without competition in circumstances where competition is absent for technical reasons. In this case, Propylon Ltd. own the rights to the underlying computer program therefore support and maintenance of the program is exclusive to them and cannot be purchased from another provider. The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission is currently assessing options to replace this software.
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
Title
Contract for the Maintenance and Support of Legislative Work Bench Software (BR-075-2023)
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
16 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
Propylon Ltd.
36 Blackbourne Square, Rathfarnham Gate
Dublin
D14 DW30
Country
Ireland
NUTS code
- IE0 - Ireland
Internet address
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: £204,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The UK does not have any special review body with responsibility for appeal/mediation procedures in public procurement competitions. Instead; any challenges are dealt with by the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may be issued regarding alleged breaches of the PCR 2015.
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
The PCR 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). The authority will incorporate a standstill period (i.e. a minimum of 10 calendar days) before this contract is awarded.