Software package and information systems

Tender description

Newcastle University requires a Virtual Learning Environment to support the teaching and learning of the University. This PIN is designed to alert the market to our future intent to tender for this requirement and to give prospective bidders the opportunity to indicate if they have an existing off-the-shelf solution that could meet our requirements and has been installed and running for at least 2 years in an Educational establishment of equivalent size and scale. There will be an opportunity for presentations / visits to be arranged as part of this market research stage. Expressions of interest in this project can be made by registering via the University's e-tendering portal at: https://procontract.due-north.com/Login The contract reference is NU/1350. The deadline for expressing an interest is Monday 5.3.2018 16:00 GMT. The University requires a Virtual Learning Environment which is capable of meeting these high level objectives: 1) Fit for purpose and easy to use; 2) Integrate easily with existing University IT systems (student systems, authentication systems and other Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) systems); 3) Provides simple ways for users to collaborate with each other; 4) Continues to be developed as emerging technologies are introduced to the market; 5) Supports all type of learners and methods (online, blended, face to face) while allowing non modular courses to take place; 6) Has an up-to-date, interactive, attractive user interface and provides the same experience across all types of devices both now and in the future; 7) Able to scale up as demand grows and without incurring excessive additional costs. Newcastle University has in the region of 25 000 students and 5 500 staff who would be using the Virtual Learning Environment. This PIN is designed to alert the market to our future intent to tender for this requirement and to give prospective bidders the opportunity to indicate if they have an existing off-the-shelf solution that is scalable to handle as a minimum the volume of student and staff users noted above, and that has been installed and running for at least 2 years in an Educational establishment of equivalent size and scale. There will be an opportunity for presentations / visits to be arranged as part of this market research stage. The VLE will be used across 4 campuses (Newcastle, London, Malaysia and Singapore) and we expect one solution to be provided to cater for all uses. Suppliers that demonstrate they are capable of meeting our requirements will be invited to visit the University in March / April and will be provided more information nearer the time. Expressions of interest in this project can be made by registering via the University's e-tendering portal at: https://procontract.due-north.com/Login. The contract reference is NU/1350. The deadline for expressing an interest is Monday 5.3.2018 16:00 GMT.