Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY
23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BJ
Contact
David John
Telephone
+44 7411212336
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-property-agency
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
GovPass Transition Services
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72212730 - Security software development services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The purpose of this Voluntary Ex-ante Transparency Notice is to inform the market of the Authority's intention to secure the continued provision of services by Cipher10 Limited (CRN: 11949489) ("Supplier") on an interim basis upon expiry of the Supplier's existing contract with HMG dated 1 April 2023 pursuant to which the Supplier is responsible for maintaining and improving upon all aspects of GovPass ("Current Contract"). The Current Contract expires on 30 September 2024 and cannot be extended.
The Authority intends to enter into a longer-term public contract in relation to the operation of the GovPass solution in or around June 2025 under CCS Framework RM6100 Technology Services 3 - Lot 4 (Major Services Transformation Programmes) and, in accordance with the framework terms, pursuant to the Further Competition Procedure (as defined and set out in Framework Schedule 5 (Call Off Procedure)) of said framework ("Future Contract"). As of today's date, the Future Contract has an estimated contract value of fifteen million pounds (£15,000,000) excluding VAT, and the Authority intends for its initial term to be three (3) years, with a right for the Authority to extend for twelve (12) months. To conduct the Further Competition Procedure, the Authority must develop its statement of requirements and, critically, conduct an enabling transition of the service to a new operating model and structure that aligns with the Authority's strategic intent for the operation of GovPass which the Authority anticipates will be supported and delivered under the Future Contract.
Therefore this Voluntary Ex-ante Transparency Notice gives notice that the Authority proposes to enter into a new contract ("New Contract") directly with the Supplier on an interim, short-term basis in order to, among other things, facilitate the enabling transition of the existing GovPass service to a new operating model as described above, and secure certain outputs throughout its term; both of which will, together with a number of other matters, help inform the Authority's statement of requirements and, of critical importance, enable the Authority to support its strategic intent for GovPass under the Future Contract. The New Contract will commence on 1 October 2024 and have an initial term of twelve (12) months (expiring on 30 September 2025), with a right for the Authority to extend at its sole discretion for an additional three (3) months. The New Contract will have a right for the Authority to terminate at the Authority's sole discretion on two (2) months prior notice.
Accordingly, entering into the New Contract will enable the Authority to run a further competition (as described above) for and enter into the Future Contract in or around June 2025, whilst preserving continuity of service which is indispensable.
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: £3,554,283.27
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority intends to make a direct award of an interim, short-term contract to Cipher10 Limited in order to secure the continued provision of services and enable the award of a longer-term contract in or around June 2025. Cipher10 Limited is party to an existing contract with HMG dated 1 April 2023 pursuant to which it is responsible for maintaining and improving upon all aspects of GovPass ("Current Contract"). The Current Contract expires on 30 September 2024 and cannot be extended. Continuity of service is, however, indispensable until a future contract can be awarded.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: 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:
Award of a public contract by a negotiated procedure without prior publication
Explanation:
The Authority intends to enter into the New Contract with the Supplier for a period of 12 months, with a right for the Authority to extend at its sole discretion for an additional 3 months.
The New Contract is required on the following grounds:
• The Supplier has unique expertise which is necessary to deliver the requirements of the New Contract, namely: to conduct the critical enabling transition of the existing service to a new operating model and structure that aligns with the Authority's strategic intent for the operation of GovPass which the Authority anticipates will be supported and delivered under the Future Contract.
• The New Contract is necessary in order to enable the Authority to run a further competition (as described above) for and enter into the Future Contract in or around June 2025.
In light of the above, the Authority is relying on the following limbs of Regulation 32:
• Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii)
Accordingly, the Authority believes that the proposed direct award of the New Contract to the Supplier is justified by the circumstances, and is publishing this notice for the sake of transparency only.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13 September 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
Cipher10 Ltd
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
Companies House
11949489
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: £3,554,283.27
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Government Property Agency
Birmingham
Country
United Kingdom