Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Edgbaston
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
Contact
EMMA LEACH
Telephone
+44 1214144508
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKG31 - Birmingham
Companies House
RC000645
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of license for student platform to access a range of software or applications
Reference number
FRAM0534-24
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- JA02 - For computer software
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Provision of license for student platform to access a range of software or applications.
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: £360,636
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The University intends to contract with AppsAnywhere Ltd for the provision of a software portal to facilitate learning and access to software for both students and staff. The contract will commence 01/11/2024 until 31/10/2027.
AppsAnywhere Ltd currently provide licences for access to software across various devices, on and off site, through Cloudpaging technology, eliminating the need for manual installations. It has become the primary platform for software access over the last two years, with integration into the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment.
A three (3) year contract will allow time for a comprehensive review of the University's requirements. Significant internal investment has been made in training and support for the portal, and removing it would negatively impact strategic goals and user experience. An options re-appraisal and procurement process will be initiated before the end of the renewal period to ensure the best future fit and value for money.
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:
This is a license renewal of an existing key product used to facilitate Student Learning as well Staff. AppsAnywhere Ltd has been supplying the University of Birmingham for the past three (3) years.
The University of Birmingham uses the AppsAnywhere tool to provide a software portal to both students and staff which is accessible on all devices including on campus machines, staff working on or off campus on their university owned or personal device and for students working on or off campus on their own personal machines.
The AppsAnywhere portal provides software to the end user depending on their scenario such as being on or off campus, using a university owned device or a personal device, and allows users to launch the software using Cloudpaging technology included with the product that allows end users to access the software without having to manually install the software onto their device. If the software cannot be launched via cloudpaging then AppsAnywhere will either signpost to other methods to access the software or advise the end user on why they cannot use the software in their current scenario, e.g. the software may be licensed to be used on campus only, or on university owned devices only.
The AppsAnywhere portal has become the primary way for staff and students to access software over the past two (2) years. Regardless of the software the ideology is you visit the software portal and either gain access to the software or be signposted to how to access/obtain the software.
AppsAnywhere can also be integrated into our Canvas Virtual Learning Environment allowing students to launch applications straight from Canvas.
The plan is to extend the current contract for a maximum period of up to three (3) years. This time will be used to fully assess and review the requirements allowing a full review.
A significant amount of internal investment in terms of developing training materials and supporting users has taken place since adoption
Removing or replacing AppsAnywhere at this stage would adversely impact our immediate strategic goals, and would directly have a detrimental impact on the staff and student experience and would require significant time and staff resourcing.
The Business Owner will need to undertake an options re-appraisal and associated procurement process eighteen (18) months before the end of this three (3) year period in order to obtain the best future fit in terms of requirements and also value for money.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
10 October 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
APPSANYWHERE LIMITED
Leeds
LS25 6BH
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
Companies House
07018761
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: £360,636
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £360,636
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Country
United Kingdom