Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices,Gernon Road
LETCHWORTH
SG63JF
Contact
Procurement Team
procurement.team@north-herts.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1462474000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH - East of England
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Fully Funded Data and Digital Skills Assessment and Development Programme
Reference number
NHDC0130121
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
North Herts Council intends to award a contract directly to Multiverse for a fully funded data and digital skills development programme.
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: £990,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH - East of England
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
North Herts Council intends to directly award a contract to Multiverse for the provision of a fully funded skills assessment and development programme aimed at enhancing the digital and data skills of its staff.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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:
North Hertfordshire District Council ('the Council') intends to directly award a contract to Multiverse for the provision of a fully funded skills assessment and development programme aimed at enhancing the digital and data skills of its staff. The contract, which is estimated to have an intrinsic value as both parties receive a benefit, reflects the worth of the services provided, even though there is no direct financial cost to the Council. Although the Council incurs no direct cost, the intrinsic value of the contract exceeds the thresholds established by the World Trade Organisation's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Accordingly, the Council l is publishing this Voluntary Transparency Notice in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Council will observe a 10-day standstill period following the publication of this notice before finalising the contract, allowing any interested parties to raise objections or seek further clarification.
Justification for Direct Award:
This contract will be awarded without prior publication of a call for competition under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 due to technical reasons:
1. Unique Provider Capabilities: Multiverse is the only supplier capable of delivering a fully funded, scalable digital and data skills development programme, specifically tailored to meet the Council's needs, without requiring direct financial expenditure. This value is derived from the use of unspent and donated apprenticeship levies, a unique feature that no other provider can offer.
2. Regulatory and Quality Assurance: Multiverse is the sole provider regulated by Ofsted and rated as outstanding in all areas, ensuring the highest standard of training in line with the Council's digital strategy.
3. Lack of Alternatives: Market analysis confirms that no other supplier can provide the same combination of services, funding model, and scale required by the Council.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
NHDC0130121
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
14 August 2024
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
Multiverse
2 Eastbourne Terrace, 5th And 6th Floors
London
W2 6LG
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
10027474
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £990,000
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £990,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Legal
North Hertfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 3JF
Country
United Kingdom