Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER GROUP LIMITED
Northumbria House,Abbey Road, Pity Me
DURHAM
DH15FJ
Contact
Jordan Wright
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKC14 - Durham CC
Companies House
02366703
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
one.6) Main activity
Water
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
NW2679 - Productivity and Collaboration Framework
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
Northumbrian Water Limited (NWL) provides water and sewerage services to approximately
4.4 million people in the North-East of England, Essex, and Suffolk. NWL aims to become the
most digital water company globally. As part of this vision, Northumbrian Water Group
(NWG) seeks to procure 2+1 years contracts for 4 lots with up to eight suppliers.
NWG is procuring a framework of suppliers to help it maximize the value delivered using M365 and to provide professional services related to M365 and tactical development services.
We want to build on the success already achieved, continuing to use M365 to help streamline processes, boost productivity, and adapt to the evolving digital landscape, positioning ourselves for sustained growth and success.
Lot 1 - Modern Work Adoption & Engagement
NWG are looking for partners to provide expertise and guidance on how to effectively implement and maximize the use of Microsoft's modern work solutions. This includes developing adoption strategies, creating training materials, and delivering targeted training sessions for end-users to ensure that they understand how to use these tools to their fullest potential.
Example work package - This could include developing a proof of concept for a new and emerging technology across the M365 Modern Workplace, such as Viva, Teams, and Copilot.
Lot 2 - M365 Solution Development
Developing custom Power Apps tailored to the specific needs of the business.
Helping the business integrate Power Apps with other M365 tools such as SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI
Advising on best practices for data security and compliance when developing the solution.
Example work package - Developing a proof of concept and a possible solution for the Regional Control Centre process which the team are looking to realise in a modern digital solution. Determine if a MS Power Solution is possible and best suited to their needs.
Lot 3 - SharePoint/Syntex
Developing custom solutions that leverage Syntex for content discovery and management, such as dashboards or reports that surface relevant documents based on specific criteria.
Training employees on how to use Syntex to manage content more effectively, including how to classify content and work with metadata.
Helping the business integrate Syntex with other M365 tools such as Power Apps or Power BI, enabling more advanced workflows and analytics.
Advising on best practices for information governance and compliance within SharePoint and Syntex, ensuring that content is managed in a secure and compliant manner.
Example Work Package - Digital Filing Cabinet - A project to consolidate 3,500 SharePoint sites into a centralised enterprise asset management, and content management solution, where data will be analysed, extracted, and tagged.
Lot 4 Information Architecture and Governance
Provide insight and recommendations for improving the usability, content, design, performance, security, and compliance of NWG Intranet.
Example Work Package - NWG launched a new SharePoint Online Intranet in September 2021, known as 'The Source'., since its launch, it has continued to grow and build upon its original foundations at a rapid pace. The Source is built up of several 'hub' sites on SharePoint that all link into the main home site that utilises the features within SharePoint to have a responsive, engaging and content-driven intranet. 2 years post-launch, we are looking to conduct a review of the Information Architecture, to include: Site Hierarchy, Navigation & Search and Taxonomy.
NOTE: £300,000 is for all 4 lots this is approximately £75,000 per lot. This split is subject to change depending on NWL's future requirements.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £300,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Modern Work Adoption & Engagement
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NWL are procuring a 2+1 years contract partners to provide expertise and guidance on how to effectively implement and maximize the use of Microsoft's modern work solutions. This includes developing adoption strategies, creating training materials, and delivering targeted training sessions for end-users to ensure that they understand how to use these tools to their fullest potential.
Example work package - This could include developing a proof of concept for a new and emerging technology across the M365 Modern Workplace, such as Viva, Teams, and Copilot.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
M365 Solution Development
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NWL are looking to procure a 2+1 years contract for:
• Developing custom Power Apps tailored to the specific needs of the business.
• Helping the business integrate Power Apps with other M365 tools such as SharePoint, Teams, and Power BI
• Advising on best practices for data security and compliance when developing the solution.
• Example work package - Developing a proof of concept and a possible solution for the Regional Control Centre process which the team are looking to realise in a modern digital solution. Determine if a MS Power Solution is possible and best suited to their needs.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
SharePoint/Syntex
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NWL are looking to procure a 2+1 years contract for:
• Developing custom solutions that leverage Syntex for content discovery and management, such as dashboards or reports that surface relevant documents based on specific criteria.
• Training employees on how to use Syntex to manage content more effectively, including how to classify content and work with metadata.
• Helping the business integrate Syntex with other M365 tools such as Power Apps or Power BI, enabling more advanced workflows and analytics.
• Advising on best practices for information governance and compliance within SharePoint and Syntex, ensuring that content is managed in a secure and compliant manner.
• Example Work Package - Digital Filing Cabinet - A project to consolidate 3,500 SharePoint sites into a centralised enterprise asset management, and content management solution, where data will be analysed, extracted, and tagged.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Information Architecture and Governance
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKJ - South East (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NWL are looking to procure a 2+1 years contract for:
• Provide insight and recommendations for improving the usability, content, design, performance, security, and compliance of NWG Intranet.
• Example Work Package - NWG launched a new SharePoint Online Intranet in September 2021, known as 'The Source'., since its launch, it has continued to grow and build upon its original foundations at a rapid pace. The Source is built up of several 'hub' sites on SharePoint that all link into the main home site that utilises the features within SharePoint to have a responsive, engaging and content-driven intranet. 2 years post-launch, we are looking to conduct a review of the Information Architecture, to include: Site Hierarchy, Navigation & Search and Taxonomy.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The initial contract is for 2 years with options to extend for 1 year (up to 3 years in total).
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.6) Deposits and guarantees required
Parent Company Guarantees and Performance Bonds may be requested as part of the award.
three.1.7) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them
This will be advised as part of the tender stage.
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
If applicable these will be advised in the tender documents.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
four.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
14 November 2023
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until: 31 May 2024
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
Applicants are asked to note that this procurement process will be conducted electronically
with all documents and communication being managed through the Northumbrian Water e-
Sourcing Spend Management portal called "Ariba".
Expressions of interest must be sent be sent to the e-mail address jordan.wright@nwl.co.uk
before the deadline date. Once your expression of interest has been
received (with the details as requested below), you will be given access to the Ariba portal
within 48 hours from request (where possible) via an email (you have provided as part of
your contact details) with a link to access the Ariba portal. You will be required to complete a
RFP Event in Ariba (following the same link as mentioned above)
RFP Event closes on 20/11/2023
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
TBC
TBC
Country
United Kingdom