Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2019-02-12
Buyer: OFCOM
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 72220000: Systems and technical consultancy services | 72226000: System software acceptance testing services | 72254000: Software testing | 72254100: Systems testing services | 79342410
Submission deadline: 2019-03-08
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Ofcom expects to hold and auction in FY Q4 2019/2020 to award licences for spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3.6-3.8 GHz bands. Ofcom has a requirement for testing of an electronic auction system (EAS) designed to run an auction, specifically user acceptance testing on the user interfaces and that the EAS accurately implements the auction rules. For simplicity, we refer to this testing as “EAS testing”.
Ofcom is the communications regulator in the UK. We regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. Ofcom operates under a number of Acts of Parliament, including in particular the Communications Act 2003 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. Ofcom must act within the powers and duties set for it by Parliament in legislation. Ofcom’s principal duty under the Communications Act is to further the interests of citizens and of consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition. Meeting this duty is at the heart of everything we do.
Ofcom has a requirement for testing of an Electronic Auction System (EAS) designed to run an auction, specifically user acceptance testing on the user interfaces and that the EAS accurately implements the auction rules.
— testing on the accuracy of implementation on the proposed auction rules (excluding the winner and price determination algorithms).
The EAS will be a web-based application for both auctioneer and bidders. It is envisaged that the successful tenderer will carry out the testing by accessing the EAS over the internet from its own premises.
Ofcom requires a supplier to assess the nature and extent of tests that are required to ensure that the auction system functions in a way that is consistent with the auction rules and descriptions in the manuals. When defects or issues are identified, the successful tenderer will need to specify the circumstances in such a way that allows the EAS supplier to address the defect or issue.
The software supplier will provide the successful tenderer with bidder and auctioneer user manuals which will describe the EAS functionality. The software specification we have developed for procuring the EAS software supplier has been appended to the ITT. The successful tenderer should use these documents, in conjunction with the illustrative auction procedures set out at annex 16.12. 2018 consultation, to design the specification against which the EAS should be tested.
The testing of the accuracy of implementation of the auction rules should have particular regard to the following:
— the activity rules during the primary bid rounds, including relaxed bids and chain bids as described in annex 16 of the 18 December consultation. https:// www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/award-700mhz-3.6-3.8ghz-spectrum
— the calculation of possible relaxed bids in the supplementary bids management tool which will allow them to build and edit a list of packages that they are interested throughout the auction (see detailed software specification for more details),
We envisage that the successful tenderer for EAS testing will conduct a single phase of testing, once the EAS software supplier has delivered a final version of the EAS (subject to testing) reflecting our intended auction rules.
The successful tenderer will be required to work collaboratively with the software supplier throughout the testing process and plan to include regular updates to Ofcom.
Tenders will be opened by the Ofcom Commercial Team using the Ofcom Bravo Solutions procurement portal.