Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UK Biobank Ltd
1-2 Spectrum Way, Adswood
Stockport
SK3 0SA
Telephone
+44 1614755386
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.mytenders.co.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA25607
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Bulk storage replacement
Reference number
UKBB016
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 30230000 - Computer-related equipment
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
UK Biobank (‘UKBB’) is issuing this tender to invite Bids for a replacement to its existing Petabyte level storage system. The system hosts a data repository and consists of three identical DDN EXAScaler appliances, each sited in a different location.
Whilst the appliances have performed well, they are approaching end-of-life and need to be replaced. Consequently, UKBB is seeking to procure a new set of storage systems capable of hosting the repository for at least the next 5 years.
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: £572,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 30233100 - Computer storage units
- 51611100 - Hardware installation services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West
- UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Main site or place of performance
Oxfordshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The proposed solution must consist of identical, standalone systems.
The ability of the systems to store a large volume of data is essential. Whilst most files comprising the data are typically a few hundred MB in size, the total number of files mean each system must offer a minimum usable capacity of 1.5 Petabytes.
Whilst the performance demands on the systems will not be high, the systems must meet certain criteria in respect of size, connectivity, and operational standards. In particular, each system must be no more than 20U in height and fit into a standard rack with an external width of 60cm and external depth of 120cm deep.
The systems should be easy to use and include features that allow for file recovery, event notification, and reporting.
The existing appliances are covered by support until 30 November 2023. Consequently, all purchased systems need to be installed, commissioned, and handed over to UKBB in advance of this date.
Following installation and commissioning, a 5-year service support contract is required for each of the systems.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Functional Capabilities / Weighting: 8%
Quality criterion - Name: Security and Resilience / Weighting: 10%
Quality criterion - Name: Delivery, Installation, and Commissioning / Weighting: 4%
Quality criterion - Name: Management and Support / Weighting: 23%
Price - Weighting: 55%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
UKBB are considering two design options.
The first option is to purchase two new systems only, with one system hosting a master copy of the data and the other handling download requests.
The second option is to purchase three new systems and replicate the existing configuration.
UKBB reserves the right to decide the number of systems that will be purchased.
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
Open procedure
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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2023/S 000-014521
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
1 November 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 6
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 10
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Define Tech Ltd
Unit 42, Halifax Road, Metropolitan Park
Greenford
UB6 8XU
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £572,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
UK Biobank reserves the right to discontinue or delay the procurement process and may decide not to award a contract as a result of this call for competition. UK Biobank shall not be liable for any costs or expenses incurred by any organisation in considering and/or responding to the procurement process. Tenders and supporting documents must be priced in pounds sterling and all payments made under the contract will be in pounds sterling, unless otherwise advised.
UK Biobank has obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to its stakeholders to ensure that its information is stored, transmitted and processed securely, with appropriate organisational and technical measures in place. UK Biobank must also take reasonable steps to ensure that information it shares continues to be protected with adequate security. These requirements represent a generic level of security standards for data storage, retrieval and usage that suppliers and partners of UK Biobank must comply with.
The estimated contract value for the initial purchase of 1 system may be in the range of 450,000 – 550,000 GBP, but it is not possible to provide an overall maximum estimated value for the contract. However, based on the initial purchase above, and whilst recognising the value may vary, the overall maximum value for the purchase of 1 system if the contract lasts for the full 5 year period could be in the range of 850,000 – 900,000 GBP.
UK Biobank will incorporate a standstill period at the point the decision in relation to the award of the contracts is notified to bidders. The standstill period, which will be a minimum of ten (10) calendar days, provides time for unsuccessful bidders to lodge an appeal in regards to the award decisions, before the contracts are entered into.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
(MT Ref:230643)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Service
Cabinet Office
London
publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3450103503
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit