Publishing services

Tender description

The University of Southampton is seeking a supplier to produce approximately 175 Signals per year. Each signal is a concise, easy to read summary of a single, recent piece of health or social care research, typically 800-1,000 words in length. Audiences vary depending on the topic, but may include clinical staff, managers, public health and social care professionals, patients and carers. Signals are written in a plain English, journalistic style that is both engaging and scientifically accurate. In addition to summarising the research objectives, methods and results, the signal sets the findings in context and discusses the implications for practice. Each signal is accompanied by a comment from a relevant expert, practitioner or patient, discussing the relevance of the research to their work. The University of Southampton is seeking a supplier to produce approximately 175 signals per year. Each signal is a concise, easy to read summary of a single, recent piece of research, typically 800-1 000 words in length. Audiences vary depending on the topic, but may include clinical staff, managers, public health and social care professionals, patients and carers. Signals are written in a plain English, journalistic style that is both engaging and scientifically accurate. In addition to summarising the research objectives, methods and results, the signal sets the findings in context and discusses the implications for practice. Each Signal is accompanied by a comment from a relevant expert, practitioner or patient, discussing the relevance of the research to their work. Please note: the award of this contract is contingent upon the University of Southampton completing a successful tender for the overall National Institute for Health Research Dissemination Centre contract. It is expected that this contract will be awarded on or before 1.4.2019, with a start date of 1.4.2020. It may also be necessary to adjust this contract in line with the requirements of the main contract – for instance, if the target number of Signals required is more or less than specified, the price of this subcontract would need to be adjusted accordingly. This procurement process is being conducted as a Restricted procedure; consisting of both selection and Invitation to Tender stages. Stage 1: Selection Stage: An overall pass mark of 50 % shall apply to this stage. The intention is to arrive at a shortlist of a maximum of 5 qualified potential suppliers for formal Invitation to Tender. The maximum number of qualified potential suppliers will be based on the top five scores achieved. Where more than the maximum number of potential suppliers have achieved a top five score (i.e. a tie), all of those potential suppliers will be invited to the Invitation to Tender stage. Stage 2: Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage — A maximum of 5 qualified tenderers will be invited to submit formal tenders at this stage. Contract period: the University proposes to enter into a contract for 5 years – this will be the maximum contract period, including any potential extensions with the successful tenderer(s). This will comprise of an initial contract period of 3 years with an option to extend by a further two years extension period at yearly increments (3 + 1 + 1) subject to satisfactory performance and at the discretion of the University. Contract Value: the estimated value of the initial 3 year contract term is in the region of 900 000 GBP – 990 000 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the yearly increments extension period is in the region of 300 000 GBP — 330 000 GBP (excluding VAT) per annum over a 2 year period subject to satisfactory performance. The total 2 year extension contract term therefore is in the region of 600 000 GBP — 660 000 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this contract will be between 1 500 000 GBP and 1 650 000 GBP. TUPE: The University envisages that TUPE will apply to this procurement. Further details can be found in the Invitation to Tender document set.