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Services - 375997-2015

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24/10/2015    S207

United Kingdom-Liverpool: Interpretation services

2015/S 207-375997

Contract notice

Services

Directive 2004/18/EC

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)

Official name: The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
Postal address: 9th Floor The Capital Old Hall Street
Town: Liverpool
Postal code: L3 9PP
Country: United Kingdom
E-mail: supplier@crowncommercial.gov.uk, eenablement@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 3450103503

Internet address(es):

General address of the contracting authority: http://www.gov.uk/ccs

Address of the buyer profile: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information can be obtained from:
The above mentioned contact point(s)

Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from:
The above mentioned contact point(s)

Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to:
The above mentioned contact point(s)

I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions
I.3)Main activity
Other: public procurement
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities

Section II: Object of the contract

II.1)Description
II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Language Services Framework Agreement.
II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 27: Other services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: Primarily in the UK with some limited requirements Overseas.

NUTS code UK UNITED KINGDOM

II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement
II.1.4)Information on framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
maximum number of participants to the framework agreement envisaged: 64

Duration of the framework agreement

Duration in years: 4

Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement

Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 140 000 000 and 250 000 000 GBP
II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
Crown Commercial Service as the Authority is putting in place a Pan Government Collaborative Framework Agreement for use by UK public sector bodies identified at VI.3 (and any future successors to these organisations), which include Central Government Departments and their Arm's Length Bodies and Agencies, Non Departmental Public Bodies, NHS Bodies and Local Authorities.
 The above Public Sector Bodies have a need for Language Services.
 The Services within the scope of this Framework Agreement have been divided into 22 Lots:
 — Lot 1 Managed Service Provision of Language Services.
 — Lot 2 Written Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services.
 — Lot 3 Telephone Interpreting and Video Language Services.
 — Lots 4a to 4e Non Spoken Face to Face and Video Language Services*.
 — Lots 5a to 5n Spoken Face to Face Interpreting*.
 *Please note Lots 4a to 4e and Lots 5a to 5n provide Regional, Devolved Governments and UK and Overseas coverage. Further details are provided in Annex B — Information about Lots
 Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the 22 Lots detailed above. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than 1 Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify 1 or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The duration of the Framework Agreement referenced in Section II.1.4 is for the placing of orders, and all Framework Agreements will be awarded for an initial term of 3 years with an option to extend for 1 further period of 12 months. The extension will be exercised at the discretion of the Authority.
 Electronic ordering and/or electronic invoicing and/or electronic payment may be used during the period of the Framework Agreement and throughout the lifespan of any Call Off Agreements.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) may apply at Call-Off Agreement level under Lot 2 and Lot 3 of this Framework Agreement. The Authority considers TUPE not to be an issue in respect to Lot 1, Lots 4a to 4e and Lots 5a to 5n on the basis that there is no organised grouping of employees dedicated to providing these services under the current arrangements. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly.

Potential Providers should note that, in accordance with the UK Government's policies on transparency, The Authority intends to publish the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document and the text of any Framework Agreement awarded, subject to possible redactions at the discretion of the Authority. The terms of the proposed Framework Agreement will also permit a public sector Authority, awarding a contract under this Framework Agreement, to publish the text of that contract, subject to possible redactions at the discretion of the Authority. Further information on transparency can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-and-contracting-transparency-requirements-guidance

II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79540000 Interpretation services, 32232000 Video-conferencing equipment, 32353000 Sound recordings, 48521000 Music or sound editing software package, 64211000 Public-telephone services, 75230000 Justice services, 79510000 Telephone-answering services, 79530000 Translation services, 79821100 Proofreading services, 79822300 Typesetting services, 79822500 Graphic design services

II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
II.1.8)Lots
This contract is divided into lots: yes
Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots
II.1.9)Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: no
II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract
II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
Crown Commercial Service, as the Authority, intends to put in place a Framework Agreement to combine several expiring Frameworks for the provision of Written Translation, Transcription and Ancilliary Services, Telephone Interpreting and Video Language Services, Non Spoken Face to Face and Video Language Services and Spoken Face to Face Interpretation. The Framework will be available to public sector organisations to provide services throughout the UK and Overseas.
 Services will be available 365 days a year (366 days in a leap year), 24 hours a day.
 Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 140 000 000 and 350 000 000 GBP
II.2.2)Information about options
Options: no
II.2.3)Information about renewals
II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Duration in months: 48 (from the award of the contract)

Information about lots

Lot No: 1 Lot title: Managed Service Provision of Language Services
1)Short description
The provision of a Managed Service Provision throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79530000 Translation services, 32353000 Sound recordings, 32232000 Video-conferencing equipment, 79822300 Typesetting services, 75230000 Justice services, 79510000 Telephone-answering services, 64211000 Public-telephone services, 79540000 Interpretation services, 79822500 Graphic design services, 79821100 Proofreading services

3)Quantity or scope
The scope of this Lot 1 includes the provision of a multi (i.e. more than one) Language Service delivery channel providing flexibility for Contracting Authority(s) to define their specific requirements. Potential Providers of Lot 1 shall provide a tailored solution that covers advisory services, administration support and efficient business processes through to the delivery of the Language Service requirements. The Potential Provider shall provide an end to end service to the Contracting Authority(s), providing Language Service requirements, through its own Linguists and Linguists via Sub Contractors or though its Supply Chain if required, throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
 The Potential Providers shall be able to provide all the following Services:
 Written Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services — the provision of a Translation, Transcription and Ancillary service from English into the Language requested by the Contracting Authority(s) and from those Languages into English or other Languages. Translation refers to the conversion of written documents into another language as text. In this context it includes transcription i.e. the conversion of written documents into alternative formats such as Braille, Large Print, Audio, Video or pictorial English and normal print.
 It includes the Written Translation and Transcription of documentation, audio, tapes and other forms of electronic media. Ancillary Services such as Voiceovers, Subtitles, EasyRead and Large Print.
 The Services which shall be provided include the Translation and Transcription of the following;
 — Advisory / guidance and instruction documents.
 — Correspondence, information leaflets.
 — Technical, scientific, legal, medical, financial or any other specialist category.
 — Verbatim (word for word).
 — Artwork, design, illustration and typesetting.
 — Proof reading.
 — Translation Memory Software.
 — Multimedia and e-learning.
 — Campaign collateral.
 — Website localisation.
 — Software localisation.
 Telephone Interpreting and Video Language Services — the provision of a consecutive interpreting service via the medium of telephone and video conferencing technology. Simultaneous interpreting as available through video conferencing technology.
 Telephone Interpreters shall convert a spoken language from one language to another, enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other.
 Video Interpreters spoken, shall convert a spoken language from one language to another, enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other.
 Video Linguists non spoken, shall allow communication to take place between Deaf and Deafblind people and others requiring support to access English, and hearing people. Non spoken services to be provided include:
 — British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters.
 — Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreters.
 — Foreign Sign Language Interpreters.
 — Deaf Relay Interpreters (Intralingual language modification).
 — Lipspeakers.
 — Video Relay Interpreting Services.
 — Cued Speech/Makaton.
 The Services which shall be provided include:
 — Immediate Telephone/Video Interpreting for Contracting Authority(s) customers and non-English speakers who need to use an Interpreter immediately over the telephone/video.
 — Scheduled telephone/video interpreting service or customers who prefer to book an interpreter in advance of an Assignment.
 — Recording of Telephone/Video conferences.
 Non Spoken Face to Face — includes the provision of Linguists who allow communication to take place between Deaf and Deafblind people and others requiring support to access English, and hearing people in personal attendance.
 The Service which shall be provided include:
 — British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters.
 — Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreters.
 — Foreign Sign Language Interpreters.
 — Deaf Relay Interpreters (Intralingual language modification).
 — Lipspeakers.
 — Deafblind Interpreters: Visual Frame, Hands On or Manual.
 — Speech-to-text reporting.
 — Electronic and manual notetakers.
 — Video Relay Interpreting Services.
 — Cued Speech/Makaton.
 Face to Face Interpreting Services — the provision of a Face-to-Face Interpreting Service (Simultaneous, Consecutive and Whispering) whereby the meaning of what is said in one language is transferred at the event in spoken form into a second language, by an Interpreter in personal attendance.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the 22 Lots. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than one Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify one or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) not to be an issue in respect to Lot 1, on the basis that there is no organised grouping of employees dedicated to providing these services under the current arrangements. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly.
 NUTS codes for the main place of performance and supply: UK United Kingdom.
Lot No: 2 Lot title: Written Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services
1)Short description
The provision of Written Translation, Transcription and Ancillary Services throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79540000 Interpretation services, 79822300 Typesetting services, 75230000 Justice services, 48521000 Music or sound editing software package, 32353000 Sound recordings, 79530000 Translation services, 79821100 Proofreading services, 79822500 Graphic design services

3)Quantity or scope
This Lot 2 includes the provision of a Translation, Transcription and Ancillary service from English into the Language requested by the Contracting Authority(s) and from those Languages into English or other Languages. Translation refers to the conversion of written documents into another language as text. In this context it includes transcription i.e. the conversion of written documents into alternative formats such as Braille, Large Print, Audio, Video or pictorial English and normal print.
 It includes the Written Translation and Transcription of documentation, audio, tapes and other forms of electronic media. Ancillary Services such as Voiceovers, Subtitles, EasyRead and Large Print are also within the scope of this Lot.
 The Services which shall be provided under this Lot include the Translation and Transcription of the following;
 — Advisory / guidance and instruction documents.
 — Correspondence, information leaflets.
 — Technical, scientific, legal, medical, financial or any other specialist category.
 — Verbatim (word for word).
 — Artwork, design, illustration and typesetting.
 — Proof reading.
 — Translation Memory Software.
 — Multimedia and e-learning.
 — Campaign collateral.
 — Website localisation.
 — Software localisation.
 — Audio/Video recordings to written text.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the 22 Lots. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than one Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify one or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) may apply at Call-Off Agreement level under Lot 2 of this Framework Agreement. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly.
 NUTS codes for the main place of performance and supply: UK United Kingdom.
Lot No: 3 Lot title: Telephone Interpreting and Video Language Services
1)Short description
The provision of a Telephone Interpreting and Video Language Services Spoken and Non Spoken throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79540000 Interpretation services, 48515000 Video conferencing software package, 79510000 Telephone-answering services, 75230000 Justice services, 32353000 Sound recordings, 64211000 Public-telephone services

3)Quantity or scope
This Lot 3 includes the provision of a consecutive interpreting service via the medium of telephone and video conferencing technology. Simultaneous interpreting as available through video conferencing technology.
 Telephone Interpreters shall convert a spoken language from one language to another, enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other.
 Video Interpreters spoken shall convert a spoken language from one language to another, enabling listeners and speakers to understand each other.
 Video Linguists Non Spoken shall allow communication to take place between Deaf and Deafblind people and others requiring support to access English, and hearing people. Non Spoken services to be provided include:
 — British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters.
 — Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreters.
 — Foreign Sign Language Interpreters.
 — Deaf Relay Interpreters (Intralingual language modification).
 — Lipspeakers.
 — Video Relay Interpreting Services.
 — Cued Speech/Makaton.
 The Services which shall be provided under this Lot include:
 — Immediate Telephone/Video Interpreting for Contracting Authority(s) customers and non-English speakers who need to use an Interpreter immediately over the telephone/video.
 — Scheduled telephone/video interpreting service or customers who prefer to book an interpreter in advance of an Appointment.
 — Recording of Telephone/Video conferences.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the 22 Lots. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than 1 Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify 1 or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) may apply at Call-Off Agreement level under Lot 3 of this Framework Agreement. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly.
 NUTS codes for the main place of performance and supply: UK United Kingdom.
Lot No: 4 Lot title: Non Spoken Face to Face and Video Language Services Lots 4a to 4e
1)Short description
The provision of a Non Spoken Face to Face and Video Language Services.
 Non Spoken Face to Face Services — Lots 4a to 4e will provide Non Spoken Face to Face Services coverage of English Regions and Scotland/Northern Ireland. Welsh Contracting Authorities will be able to utilise the nearest available Region, Lot 4b, 4c or 4d. Contracting Authorities requiring Overseas coverage will utilise Lot 4a Greater London including Overseas.
 Each Lot 4a to 4e will provide Video Language Services throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79540000 Interpretation services, 75230000 Justice services, 32353000 Sound recordings, 79530000 Translation services, 48515000 Video conferencing software package

3)Quantity or scope
This scope of Lots 4a to 4e includes the provision of Linguists who allow communication to take place between Deaf and Deafblind people and others requiring support to access English, and hearing people in personal attendance or via agreed video conferencing technology.
 The Service which shall be provided under this Lot include:
 — British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreters.
 — Irish Sign Language (ISL) Interpreters.
 — Foreign Sign Language Interpreters.
 — Deaf Relay Interpreters (Intralingual language modification).
 — Lipspeakers.
 — Deafblind Interpreters: Visual Frame, Hands On or Manual.
 — Speech-to-text reporting.
 — Electronic and manual notetakers.
 — Video Relay Interpreting Services.
 — Cued Speech/Makaton.
 The geographical regions for Non Spoken Face to Face covered by Lots 4a to 4e are as follows:
 4a Greater London including Overseas.
 4b Southern England comprising of the following Regions — South West England — South Central England — South East England — Wales.
 4c Midlands and East of England comprising of the following Regions — West Midlands — East Midlands — East of England — Wales.
 4d North of England comprising of the following Regions- North West England — North East England including Yorkshire & Humberside — Wales.
 4e Scotland and Northern Ireland.
 Each Lot 4a to 4e will provide Video Language Services throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the Lots. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than 1 Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify 1 or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) not to be an issue in respect to Lots 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and 4e, on the basis that there is no organised grouping of employees dedicated to providing these services under the current arrangements. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly
 NUTS codes for the main place of performance and supply: UK United Kingdom.
Lot No: 5 Lot title: Spoken Face to Face Interpreting Services
1)Short description
The provision of Spoken Face to Face Interpreting throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas, Lots 5a to 5n provide Regional, Devolved Governments and UK and Overseas coverage.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

79540000 Interpretation services, 79530000 Translation services, 64211000 Public-telephone services, 75230000 Justice services

3)Quantity or scope
The scope of Lots 5a to 5n includes the provision of a Face-to-Face Interpreting Service (Simultaneous, Consecutive and Whispering) whereby the meaning of what is said in one language is transferred at the event in spoken form into a second language, by an Interpreter in personal attendance.
 The Services which shall arise under these Lots include:
 — Interviews
 — Hearings
 — Conference Interpreting
 — Judicial / Legal Interpreting
 — Escort Interpreting
 — Community Interpreting
 — Medical / Health Interpreting
 — Media Interpreting
 — Defence Interpreting
 The geographical regions covered by Lots 5a to 5n are as follows:
 5a — Greater London
 5b — South West England
 5c — South Central England
 5d — South East England
 5e — East of England
 5f — East Midlands
 5g — West Midlands
 5h — Yorkshire & Humberside
 5i — North West England
 5j — North East England (excluding Yorkshire and Humberside)
 5k — Scotland
 5l — Wales
 5m — Northern Ireland
 5n — UK and Overseas.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Potential Providers have the opportunity to submit a Tender for all or any combination of the 22 Lots. However, in order to ensure that the competition on the Framework Agreement is not distorted, Potential Providers are not permitted to submit more than 1 Tender for each Lot regardless of whether that Tender is submitted in their own name or as part of a Group of Economic Operators. If a Potential Provider submits more than one Tender for a Lot, the Authority is entitled to disqualify 1 or all of the Tenders submitted by the Potential Provider in respect of the relevant Lot.
 The Authority considers that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (‘TUPE’) not to be an issue in respect of Lots 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k, 5l, 5m and 5n, on the basis that there is no organised grouping of employees dedicated to providing these services under the current arrangements. It is the responsibility of Potential Providers to take their own advice and consider whether TUPE is likely to apply in the particular circumstances at individual Call Off Agreement stage under this Framework Agreement and to act accordingly
 NUTS codes for the main place of performance and supply: UK United Kingdom.

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
Participants will be advised if this is necessary during the procurement. Parent company and/or other guarantees of performance and financial liability may be required by Crown Commercial Service if considered appropriate.
III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
No special legal form is required but if a contract is awarded to a Group of Economic Operators, Crown Commercial Service may require the formation of a legal entity before entering into the Framework Agreement.
III.1.4)Other particular conditions
The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: no
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with -Section 5 of the Regulations implementing the Directive on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’).
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Authority's e-Sourcing Suite. To participate in this procurement, participants must first be registered on the e-Sourcing Suite.

If you have not yet registered on the e-Sourcing Suite, this can be done online at https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link ‘Register for CCS eSourcing’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at

http://ccs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/i-am-supplier/respond-tender

Once you have registered on the eSourcing Suite, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing expressionofinterest@crowncommercial.gov.uk

Your email must clearly state: the name and reference for the procurement you wish to register for; the name of the registered supplier; and the name and contact details for the registered individual sending the email. the Authority will process the email and then enable the supplier to access the procurement online via the e-Sourcing Suite. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done.
As a user of the e-Sourcing Suite you will have access to Emptoris email messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these messages through the e-sourcing suite on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information.

For technical assistance on use of the e-Sourcing Suite please contact Crown Commercial Service Support Desk email: eenablement@crowncommercial.gov.uk

A full copy of the ITT documentation for this procurement will be available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge via Crown Commercial Service website from the date of this publication of the contract notice:

http://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/procurement-pipeline

Responses must be published by the date in IV.3.4.
From 01.10.14, suppliers must be compliant with the new Cyber Essentials controls if bidding for government contracts which involve the handling of sensitive and personal information and the provision of certain technical products and services. The easiest way to demonstrate that the Cyber Essentials requirements are met is to gain the Cyber Essentials certificate and this is also likely to be the cheapest way to demonstrate compliance. The Cyber Essentials Assurance Framework, leading to the award of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certificates for organisations, has been designed in consultation with SMEs, including the Federation for Small Business, to be ‘lighttouch' and achievable at low cost. The two options give organisations a choice over the level of assurance they wish to gain and the cost of doing so. This scheme offers the right balance between providing additional assurance of an organisation’s commitment to implementing Cyber Security to third parties, while retaining a simple and low cost mechanism for doing so. The need to meet the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Scheme will extend to Sub Contractors of the Supplier where such Sub Contractors are involved, on behalf of the Supplier, in the handling of sensitive and personal information and the provision of certain technical products and services. The Supplier and any Sub Contractors will need to renew their evidence of Cyber Essentials compliance at least annually.
III.2.2)Economic and financial ability
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Potential Providers will be assessed on the basis of information provided in response to the ITT.

The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1

In assessing the financial risk represented by Potential Providers, the Authority may take into account a copy of its audited accounts for the most recent two years (or any other information which the Authority acting transparently and objectively, considers would be appropriate taking into account the circumstances of the Potential Provider) and any one or more of the following in respect of its organisation or its guarantor (as the case may be):
(a) a statement of its turnover, profit and loss account and cash flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation; or
(b) a statement of its cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining its current cash and credit position; and/or
(c) an alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (e.g. forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status).
Potential Providers must provide assurance prior to contract award, that they have appropriate Insurances in place as specified within the ITT.
III.2.3)Technical capacity
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
 Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
 Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the Regulations implementing the Directive, on the basis of information provided in response to the ITT.
 The Authority may take into account the following information:
 (a) Up to three suitable contract examples, from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. Contracts should have been performed during the past three years. Customer contacts must be warned they may be contacted by Crown Commercial Service, to verify the accuracy of the information provided at any time;
 (b) a list of the principal deliveries or main services provided over the past 3 years, with the sums, dates and recipients, whether public or private, involved;
 (c) a description of the technical facilities and measures used by the Potential Provider for ensuring quality and data security;
 (d) an indication of the proportion of the contract which the Potential Provider intends possibly to subcontract.

The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1.

III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts
III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts
III.3.1)Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: no
III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
Open
IV.1.2)Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
IV.1.3)Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
IV.2)Award criteria
IV.2.1)Award criteria

The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated below

1. Quality. Weighting 70

2. Price. Weighting 30

IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used: no
IV.3)Administrative information
IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority:
RM1092
IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
no
IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document
Time limit for receipt of requests for documents or for accessing documents: 26.11.2015 - 14:29
Payable documents: no
IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
26.11.2015 - 15:00
IV.3.5)Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English.
IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
in days: 180 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.3.8)Conditions for opening of tenders
Date: 26.11.2015 - 15:01

Place:

Electronically, via web-based portal.

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: no
VI.2)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.3)Additional information
The Authority expressly reserves the right: (i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; and in no circumstances will the Authority be liable for any costs incurred by the Potential Providers. If the Authority decides to enter into a Framework Agreement with the successful Supplier, this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of Potential Providers. Any orders placed under this Framework Agreement will form a separate contract under the scope of this Framework between the Supplier and the specific requesting other Contracting Authority(s). The Authority and other Contracting Authority(s) utilising the Framework reserve the right to use any electronic portal during the life of the agreement.
 The value provided in Section II.1.4 is only an estimate. The Authority cannot guarantee to Suppliers any business through this Framework Agreement.
 In reference to Section II.1.4, Maximum number of participants allowed. Framework Agreements will be concluded with the maximum number of Suppliers for each Lot. This may increase only where two or more Potential Providers have tied scores and are placed in the last position in respect of Lot 1, Lot 2, Lots 4a to 4e and Lots 5a to 5n. The Authority will award a Framework Agreement to additional Potential Providers where their Final Score is within 5 % of the original awarded last place position only. For the avoidance of doubt, last position is 3rd for Lot 1, 3rd for Lot 2, 3rd for Lots 4a to 4e and 3rd for Lots 5a to 5n.
 In the event that there is a substantive challenge to the Procurement and such a challenge is confined to any one or more particular Lots, the Authority reserves the right to the extent that it is lawful to do so to conclude a Framework Agreement with the successful Potential Providers in respect of those Lots that have not been so challenged.
 The Authority wishes to establish a Framework Agreement for use by the following UK public sector bodies (and any future successors to these organisations):
 Central Government Departments, Local Government and Public Corporations that can be accessed at the Public Sector Classification Guide:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/na-classification/national-accounts-sector-classification/index.html

Local Authorities

http://openlylocal.com/councils/all

www.ubico.co.uk

NDPBs

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations

National Parks Authorities

http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/

Educational Establishments in England and Wales, maintained by the Department
 for Children, Schools and Families including Schools, Universities and Colleges but
 not Independent Schools

http://www.education.gov.uk/edubase/home.xhtml

Police Forces in the United Kingdom

http://www.police.uk/?view=force_sites

http://apccs.police.uk/about-the-apcc/

Fire and Rescue Services in the United Kingdom

http://www.fireservice.co.uk/information/ukfrs

http://www.nifrs.org/areas-districts/

http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-area.aspx

NHS Bodies England

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/AcuteTrustListing.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/MentalHealthTrustListing.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/CareTrustListing.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/AmbulanceTrustListing.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/SpecialHealthAuthorityListing.aspx

http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/OtherListing.aspx

Hospices in the UK

http://www.helpthehospices.org.uk/about-hospice-care/find-a-hospice/uk-hospice-and-palliative-care-

services/
 Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations)
 Third Sector and Charities in the United Kingdom

http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/find-charities/

http://www.oscr.org.uk/search-charity-register/

https://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/ShowCharity/RegisterOfCharities/RegisterHomePage.aspx

Citizens Advice in the United Kingdom

http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm

www.cas.org.uk

http://www.citizensadvice.co.uk/

Scottish Public Bodies
 The Framework Agreement will be available for use by any Scottish Public Sector Body: the Authority;
 Scottish Non-Departmental Public Bodies; offices in the Scottish Administration which are not ministerial offices; cross-border public authorities within the meaning of section 88(5) of the Scotland Act 1998; the Scotland Office; the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body; councils constituted under section 2 of the
 Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (except where they are acting in their capacity as educational authority); Scottish joint fire boards or joint fire and rescue boards; Scottish joint police boards or anysuccessor National Police or Fire Authority; Scottish National Park authorities, bodies registered as social landlords under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, Scottish health boards or special health boards, Student Loans Company Limited, Northern Lighthouse Board, further or higher education institutions being fundable bodies within the meaning of section 6 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005 any public body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament, any association of or formed by one or more of the foregoing, bodies financed wholly or mainly by one or more of the foregoing, bodies subject to management supervision by one or more of the foregoing and bodies more than half of the board of directors or members of which, or, in the case of a group of individuals, more than half of those individuals, being appointed by one or more of the foregoing.
 Scottish Government.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Home

Scottish Parliament.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/abouttheparliament/27110.aspx

Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
 Scottish Information Commissioner.
 Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland.
 Scottish Commission for Human Rights.
 Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
 Standards Commission for Scotland.
 Scottish Local Authorities.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Government/councils

http://www.scotland-excel.org.uk/home/AboutUs/OurMembers/AssociateMembers.aspx

Scottish Agencies, NDPBs.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/public-bodies/about/Bodies

Scottish NHS Bodies.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Workforce/NHS-Boards

Scottish Further and Higher Education Bodies.

http://www.universities-scotland.ac.uk/index.php?page=members

http://www.sfc.ac.uk/aboutus/council_funded_institutions/WhoWeFundColleges.aspx

Scottish Police.

http://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/

Scottish Housing Associations.

http://www.sfha.co.uk/component/option,com_membersdir/Itemid,149/view,membersdir/

The Scotland Office.

http://www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/scotlandoffice/33.30.html

Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations) — Scotland

http://www.esystems.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk/register/reg_pub_dsp.search

Scottish Schools.
 Primary Schools.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/index.asp?

schoolsearchstring=&addresssearchstring=&authority=&strTypes=isprimaryschool&bSubmit=1&Submit=Search
 Secondary Schools.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/index.asp?

schoolsearchstring=&addresssearchstring=&authority=&strTypes=issecondaryschool&bSubmit=1&Submit=Search
 Special Schools.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/scottishschoolsonline/index.asp?

schoolsearchstring=&addresssearchstring=&authority=&strTypes=isspecial&bSubmit=1&Submit=Search
 Scottish Public Bodies.
 National Records of Scotland.
 Historic Scotland.
 Disclosure Scotland.
 Registers of Scotland.
 Scottish Qualification Authority.
 Scottish Courts Service.
 Scottish Prison Service.
 Transport Scotland.
 The Scottish Government Core Directorates.
 Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
 Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service.
 Scottish Police Authority.
 National Museums of Scotland.
 Scottish Children's Reporter Administration.
 Scottish Enterprise.
 Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
 Scottish Legal Aid Board.
 Scottish Natural Heritage.
 Skills Development Scotland.
 Visit Scotland.
 Aberdeen City Council.
 Aberdeenshire Council.
 Angus Council.
 Argyll and Bute Council.
 City of Edinburgh Council.
 Clackmannanshire Council.
 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
 Dumfries and Galloway Council.
 Dundee City Council.
 East Ayrshire Council.
 East Dunbartonshire Council.
 East Lothian Council.
 East Renfrewshire Council.
 Falkirk Council.
 Fife Council.
 Glasgow City Council.
 Highland Council.
 Inverclyde Council.
 Midlothian Council.
 Moray Council.
 The North Ayrshire Council.
 North Lanarkshire Council.
 Orkney Islands Council.
 Perth and Kinross Council.
 Renfrewshire Council.
 Scottish Borders Council.
 Shetland Islands Council.
 South Ayrshire Council.
 South Lanarkshire Council.
 Stirling Council.
 West Dunbartonshire Council.
 West Lothian Council.
 Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service.
 Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service.
 Fife Fire and Rescue Service.
 Grampian Fire and Rescue Service.
 Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.
 Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.
 Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
 Tayside Fire and Rescue Service.
 Golden Jubilee Hospital (National Waiting Times Centre Board).
 NHS 24.
 NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
 NHS Borders.
 NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
 NHS Education for Scotland.
 NHS Fife.
 NHS Forth Valley.
 NHS Grampian.
 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
 NHS Health Scotland.
 NHS Highland.
 NHS Lanarkshire.
 NHS Lothian.
 NHS Orkney.
 Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
 NHS Shetland.
 NHS Tayside.
 NHS Western Isles.
 Scottish Ambulance Service.
 The Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service.
 The State Hospital for Scotland.
 Aberdeen College.
 Adam Smith College.
 Angus College.
 Anniesland College.
 Ayr College.
 Banff and Buchan College.
 Barony College.
 Borders College.
 Cardonald College.
 Carnegie College.
 Central College of Commerce.
 Clydebank College.
 Coatbridge College.
 Cumbernauld College.
 Dumfries and Galloway College.
 Dundee College.
 Edinburghs Telford College.
 Elmwood College.
 Forth Valley College.
 Glasgow College of Nautical Studies.
 Glasgow Metropolitan College.
 Inverness College.
 James Watt College.
 Jewel and Esk College.
 John Wheatley College.
 Kilmarnock College.
 Langside College.
 Lews Castle College.
 Moray College.
 Motherwell College.
 Newbattle Abbey College.
 North Glasgow College.
 North Highland College.
 Oatridge College.
 Orkney College.
 Perth College.
 Reid Kerr College.
 Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
 Shetland College.
 South Lanarkshire College.
 Stevenson College.
 Stow College.
 West Lothian College.
 Edinburgh College of Art.
 Edinburgh Napier University.
 Glasgow Caledonian University.
 Glasgow School of Art.
 Heriot-Watt University.
 Queen Margaret University.
 Robert Gordon University.
 Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
 Scottish Agricultural College.
 UHI Millennium Institute.
 University of Aberdeen.
 University of Abertay Dundee.
 University of Dundee.
 University of Edinburgh.
 University of Glasgow.
 University of St Andrews.
 University of Stirling.
 University of Strathclyde.
 University of the West of Scotland.
 Cairngorms National Park Authority.
 Office of Scottish Charity Regulator.
 Forestry Commission Scotland.
 Audit Scotland.
 Welsh Public Bodies.
 National Assembly for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government and Welsh Local.
 Authorities, and all bodies covered by:

http://www.assemblywales.org/abthome/abt-links.htm

http://new.wales.gov.uk/about/civilservice/directorates/?lang=en

NHS Wales.

http://www.wales.nhs.uk/ourservices/directory

Housing Associations — Registered Social Landlords Wales
 NI Public Bodies.
 Northern Ireland Government Departments.

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/gov.htm

Northern Ireland Public Sector Bodies and Local Authorities.

http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/az2.htm

Schools in Northern Ireland.

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/search.lsim?sr=0&nh=10&cs=iso-8859-1&sc=nidirect-

cms&sm=0&mt=1&ha=nidirect-cms&cat=Banner&qt=SCHOOLS
 Universities in Northern Ireland.

http://www.deni.gov.uk/links.htm#colleges

Health and Social care in Northern Ireland

http://www.hscni.net/index.php?link=hospitals

http://www.hscni.net/index.php?link=boards

http://www.hscni.net/index.php?link=agencies

http://www.hscni.net/index.php?link=councils

Northern Ireland Housing Associations

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/contacts/contacts-az.htm/housing-associations-contact

Police Service of Northern Ireland.

http://www.psni.police.uk/index.htm

Any corporation established, or a group of individuals appointed to act together, for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character, and
 (i) financed wholly or mainly by another Contracting Authority(s) listed above in this section VI.3 of this notice;
 (ii) subject to management supervision by another Contracting Authority(s) listed above in this section VI.3 of this notice; or
 (iii) more than half of the board of directors or members of which, or, in the case of a group of individuals, more than half of those individuals, are appointed by another Contracting Authority(s) listed above in this section VI.3 of this notice;
 (iv) an association of or formed by one or more of the Contracting Authority(s) listed above in this section VI.3 of this notice.
 Any ‘bodies governed by public law’ which under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 means bodies that have all of the following characteristics.
 (a)they are established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character;
 (b)they have legal personality; and
 (c)they have any of the following characteristics:—
 (i)they are financed, for the most part, by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law;
 (ii)they are subject to management supervision by those authorities or bodies; or
 (iii)they have an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law;
 For complaints procedure see VI.4.2 lodging of Appeals.
VI.4)Procedures for appeal
VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures
VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals
Precise information on deadline(s) for lodging appeals: Complaints during the procurement process are conducted under the Official Journal for the European Union (OJEU) in line with the Public Contracts Regulations (2015). Our processes are conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner. We are committed to developing constructive relationships with suppliers and are keen to generate maximum competition in all of our procurements to deliver best value and sustainable cost savings for the taxpayer. The outcome of the evaluation process is totally dependent on the competitive strength of the individual bid submissions, regardless of the bidder's size or place on existing / previous arrangements. We are committed to treating all suppliers fairly and all feedback and complaints are given full and fair consideration. If at any stage we believe that a mistake has been made by us, please be assured that we will rectify it to the extent that we can legally do so. In order to complain you must first be registered on the eSourcing tool for the relevant procurement event. All complaints must be raised via the eSourcing tool messaging facility. If you are still unsatisfied at the outcome of a procurement competition and wish to challenge it, then you should issue legal proceedings under Part 3 chapter 6 (Applications to the Court) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and serve them on the Government Legal Department in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules Part 66 (Crown Proceedings) and its associated Practice Direction. Please note that service by email is subject to prior agreement with the Head of Litigation at the Government Legal Department Solicitor's Department and is not routinely given.
VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:
21.10.2015