Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
100 Parliament Street
London
SW1A 2BQ
Contact
Marie Standberg
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI32 - Westminster
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport
Buyer's address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy Programme - Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 64200000 - Telecommunications services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy programme, part of Project Gigabit, 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 DCMS) 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.
Section six. Complementary information
six.6) Original notice reference
Notice number: 2021/S 000-013574
Section seven. Changes
seven.1.2) Text to be corrected in the original notice
Section number
II.2.4.1
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Description of procurement
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DCMS is putting a DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System) in place. The geographic scope of the DPS is UK-wide. Its focus is to target the build of gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure in the final 20% (f20) of the country that is not commercially viable for the market to design, build and operate without government intervention. Following successful admission of Suppliers onto the DPS, Suppliers can tender for Call-Off Contracts. Each Call-Off Contract will vary in terms of number of premises covered, value and geographic coverage. BDUK currently expects the average Call-Off Contract size to be around 1,000 to 8,000 premises.
The DPS will be used by BDUK and will be available to the UK's Devolved Administrations and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to award Call-Off Contracts. Devolved Administrations refers to the National Assembly for Wales; the Scottish Government; and the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive Committee.
The UK Government has confirmed that approximately £5 billion will be allocated to target the final 20% (f20), the hardest to reach parts of the UK. BDUK will be targeting its market intervention in these areas of the UK via a programme to 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. Suppliers must be qualified onto the DPS to be eligible to bid for Call-Off Contracts. The competitive process for Call-Off Contracts is expected to commence in 2021.
BDUK currently estimates that £1bn - £2bn of public sector funding will be awarded under the Gigabit Infrastructure Subsidy DPS. The provision of subsidy will be provided in accordance with the UK subsidy control regime.
Applicants wishing to join the DPS must satisfy the selection criteria identified in the procurement documents.
BDUK considers that this DPS may be suitable for small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of Suppliers in response to invitations to tender for agreements under the DPS will be based solely on the criteria set out in the procurement documents.
Section number
VI.3.0.1
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Additional information
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All documents concerning the DPS SQ, DPS Contract and subsequent DPS Call-Off Award Procedures 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
All values and time periods specified in this notice are provisional only. Any changes to values or time periods will be notified to the market.
DCMS reserves the right not to establish the DPS or enter into any DPS Contract and not to award any Call-Off Contracts under it.
DCMS reserves the right to reduce or extend the duration of the DPS. Any changes in duration will be notified to the market.
DCMS 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 establish the DPS, the ongoing operation of the DPS or the award of any Call-Off Contracts under the DPS.
Suppliers are advised that DCMS 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. DCMS 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.
DCMS will follow the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended) to set up and operate the DPS, as well as to award Call-Off Contracts under it. Devolved Administrations and Highlands and Islands Enterprise will be required to do so too when awarding Call-Off Contracts under the DPS.