IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

The University of Northampton is seeking to acquire a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) solution (live, test and staging). It is envisaged that the contract length will be 5 years with the option to extend at the discretion of the University for a further 5 additional 1 year extensions. With a contract start date of August 2019 The current VLE has been a key product at the University supporting learning and teaching and is the key backbone of NILE (Northampton Integrated Learning Environment) and is fed directly from the Student Record System (QLS) to ensure access for all students. Courses are structured on NILE and this provides content, communication and engagement functionality to provide the University blend of virtual and face to face support which underpins University Active Blended Learning (ABL). The University of Northampton is seeking to acquire a virtual learning environment solution (live, test and staging) for the following five years with a possibility of 5 additional 1 year extensions. The VLE has been a key product at the University since 2002. It has been the key product supporting learning and teaching during this time and been the subject of several reviews to confirm that it continues to meet the core objectives of the institution. The current license expires in August 2020, and this tender allows Northampton to evaluate the market against the University requirements. NILE (Northampton Integrated Learning Environment) is the name provided to the VLE and this is fed directly from the Student Record System (QLS) to ensure access for all students. Courses are structured on NILE and this provides content, communication and engagement functionality to provide the University blend of virtual and face to face support which underpins University Active Blended Learning (ABL). During 2017/18 academic year, we had a head count of 16 800 students which equates to 9953 FTE. In addition we have around 1 000 staff of which approximately 500 are academic. Supplementary systems add additional functionality to NILE such as Turnitin (originality checking and additional marking tools); Kaltura (video streaming); Wordpress (static web content), Publishers (ebook content), Talis (Library system integration) and Xerte (Learning Object development). NILE forms a key part of the Northampton student digital experience with the majority of assessments now being supported through the product, along with in course communication delivered along with all virtual engagement.