IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

The University of Southampton has been awarded a contract to continue the administration of research funding on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. The new contract commenced on 1.4.2018 and will run initially up to 31.3.2023 with an option to extend for a further 4 years. In order to meet the requirements of the new contract the University will be replacing its current grants management platform. This procurement sought an innovative technology provider to deliver a research management and collaboration solution to support core business processes, facilitate interoperability with partner organisations and third party systems, and aid us in meeting contractual commitments to simplify and expedite the commissioning of research. We sought to engage a technology provider who can deliver technical solutions, support the ongoing development and innovations for the solution and provide advice to meet our business need. The competitive procedure with Negotiation applied to this procurement. The University operated a multistage procurement process for the award of the research management and collaboration solution contract,consisting of a selection questionnaire, Invitation to Submit an Initial Tender (ISIT), negotiation and Invitation to Submit Final Tender (ISFT) stages. The University proposes to enter into a contract from the contract award date up to a potential date of 31.3.2028. This will comprise of an initial contract period from contract award to 31.3.2023 with an option to extend by a further period or periods of up to 5 years (i.e. until 31.3.2028) subject to the satisfactory performance of the contract and at the discretion of the University. Contract value: the estimated value of the initial contract term up to 31.3.2023 is in the region of 3 000 000 GBP (excluding VAT). The estimated value of the yearly increments extension period is in the region of 300 000 GBP (excluding VAT) per annum over a period of up to 5 years, subject to satisfactory performance. The total 5 year extension contract term therefore is in the region of 1 500 000 GBP (excluding VAT). It is estimated, therefore, that the total value of this contract will be between 3 000 000 GBP and 4 500 000 GBP. The overall value of the contract may increase up to 6 500 000 GBP depending on future funding which may be made available to the University, as was detailed in the tender documentation.