Security services

Tender description

The University of Essex is looking for a contractor to fulfil its requirement to provide out of hours library and security services. This contract is for the provision of ‘out of hours’ library service that is comparable to the services provided during our core hours, this contract is not a standard security contract but rather a contract for the provision of key library services. Contracted staff will be based at the library helpdesk and will be expected to support all library users, answering basic customer queries and dealing with various library and IT-related administrative tasks, both at the helpdesk itself and as part of ‘roving’ support throughout the building. Staff assigned to this contract therefore need to be numerate and literate, be competent and confident in the use of IT, and have excellent interpersonal and customer care. The University carried out a pilot for out of hours library service, which started in October 2018 for a period of 9 months, which ends in June 2019. The pilot is proving to be a success and the University has decided to provide a 24/7 service at the Albert Sloman Library on a permanent basis during term time from October 2019. This contract is for the provision of ‘out of hours’ library service that is comparable to the services provided during our core hours, this contract is not a standard security contract but rather a contract for the provision of key library services. Contracted staff will be based at the library helpdesk and will be expected to support all library users, answering basic customer queries and dealing with various library and IT-related administrative tasks, both at the helpdesk itself and as part of ‘roving’ support throughout the building. Staff assigned to this contract therefore need to be numerate and literate, be competent and confident in the use of IT, and have excellent interpersonal and customer care. It is a mandatory requirement that individuals undertaking designated activities for the successful supplier hold the compulsory security industry authority (SIA) licencing. At the time of publishing the documentation, the University considers that transfer of undertakings (protection of employment) (‘TUPE’) would not apply but bidders must form their own view on this. The duration of the contract will be for initial period of 36 months, with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 months (in 12 months increments), subject to satisfactory performance.