Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY
HOPE PARK, TAGGART AVENUE
LIVERPOOL
L169JD
Contact
Steven Parker
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD72 - Liverpool
Companies House
03285547
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
University
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Financial Management System Migration to Cloud Solution
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72260000 - Software-related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This procurement covers the migration the University's existing on-premise financial management system to a vendor managed cloud solution.
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: £324,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD72 - Liverpool
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This procurement covers the migration the University's existing on-premise financial management system to a vendor managed cloud solution.
The Unit4 system used by the entire university for the management of its finances. The system is essential IT infrastructure which provides accounting functionality which enables budget allocation and management across the whole university.
It is also the system that handles all expense claims (staff & students), procurement, accounts receivable (commercial), accounts payable, estates inventory management, research costing & pricing, general ledger and commitment accounting.
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:
The University has been a user of Unit 4's on-premise Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) services for over 10 years. Unit 4 are moving their solution to the Cloud. This is a material change to the current license arrangements with no possibility of extension.
Unit 4's systems are:
• Performing over 30 functions across the entire University.
• Integrated with 10 other systems - each having an implementation phase to ensure integration.
As Unit 4's systems are absolutely critical to the functioning of the University, the University is of the view that the Contract cannot be awarded to another economic operator and that therefore, the University's award of this Contract to Unit4 is duly justified in accordance with regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 because competition is absent for technical reasons.
This is because of:
• The near technical impossibility of disintegration with allied systems;
• The wholly disproportionate cost of tender preparation and delivery, re-integration of systems and retraining of University operators;
• The timelines for migration and discontinued support for the ERP system
The proposed Contract term is 3 years with no further extension options.
The planned award date is 24th December 2024.
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 December 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
Unit4 Business Software Limited
Bristol
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ21 - Brighton and Hove
Companies House
01737985
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: £1
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £324,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Liverpool Hope University
Hope Park, Taggart Avenue
Liverpool
L16 9JD
Country
United Kingdom