Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2016-06-09
Buyer: The Minister for the Cabinet Office acting through Crown Commercial Service
Country: UK
Region: UNITED KINGDOM
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 22120000 | 22200000 | 22210000 | 22211100 | 22212000
Estimated value: 11000000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2016-07-08
Award criteria: Quality, Price

Technical requirements: Quality
Price
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) as the Authority intends to put in place a pan government Framework Agreement for the provision of Journal Subscriptions (Print and Electronic) for use by UK public sector authorities identified at VI.3) (and any future successors to these organisations), which include Central Government Departments and their Arm's Length Bodies and Agencies (ALBs), Non-Departmental Public Bodies, NHS bodies and Local Authorities.
The above Public Sector Authorities have a need for Journal Subscriptions and delivery of purchased goods. The duration of this Framework Agreement is for a four (4) year period.
The aim is to appoint a single supplier to provide Journal Subscriptions for business related insight, research and personal development purposes in 3 different service offerings and 2 different formats, namely Print, Electronic or a combination of both (Print and Electronic). Contracting Authorities will be provided with access to an Online Portal to enable them to search, order, manage and monitor journals. The service shall be scalable to cope with future changes in journal requirements.
By aggregating the government's journal requirement it is anticipated that there will be increased leverage available to influence discounts. Similarly a key aim of the Framework is the provision of a single point of contact delivering a reduced administrative burden on Contracting Authorities.
Crown Commercial Service, as the Authority, intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision Journal Subscriptions (Print and Electronic). The Framework Agreement will be available to central government and wider public sector organisations to provide services throughout the UK.
Participants will be advised if this is necessary during the procurement. Parent company and/or other guarantees of performance and financial liability may be required by the Authority if considered appropriate.
No legal form is required but if a contract is awarded to a Group of Economic Operators, the Authority may require the Group of Economic Operators to form a legal entity before entering into the Framework Agreement.
Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of Chapter 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (implementing Title II, Chapter III, Section 3, Sub-Section I of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ), on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’).
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Authority's e-Sourcing Suite. To participate in this procurement, participants must 1
If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Suite, this can be done online at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link ‘Register for CCS eSourcing’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know
Once you have registered on the eSourcing Suite, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing: ExpressionOfInterest@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Your email must clearly state: the name and reference for the procurement you wish to register for; the name of the registered supplier; and the name and contact details for the registered individual sending the email. The Authority will process the email and then enable the supplier to access the procurement online via the e-Sourcing Suite. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done.
As a user of the e-Sourcing Suite you will have access to Emptoris email messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these emails on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information.

Eligibility requirements: Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of Chapter 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (implementing Title II, Chapter III, Section 3, Sub-Section I of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ), on the basis of information provided in response to an Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). This procurement will be managed electronically via the Authority's e-Sourcing Suite. To participate in this procurement, participants must 1 st be registered on the e-Sourcing Suite. If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Suite, this can be done online at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk by following the link ‘Register for CCS eSourcing’. Please note that, to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a contract if invited to do so. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know Once you have registered on the eSourcing Suite, a registered user can express an interest for a specific procurement. This is done by emailing: ExpressionOfInterest@crowncommercial.gov.uk Your email must clearly state: the name and reference for the procurement you wish to register for; the name of the registered supplier; and the name and contact details for the registered individual sending the email. The Authority will process the email and then enable the supplier to access the procurement online via the e-Sourcing Suite. The registered user will receive a notification email to alert them once this has been done. As a user of the e-Sourcing Suite you will have access to Emptoris email messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific RFX event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these emails on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information. For technical assistance on use of the e-Sourcing Suite please contact Crown Commercial Service Support Desk email: eEnablement@crowncommercial.gov.uk A full copy of the ITT documentation for this procurement will be available for unrestricted and full direct access. Free of charge via Crown Commercial Service website from the date of this publication of the contract notice: http://ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/procurement-pipeline Responses must be published by the date in IV.3.4) For the Authority to conclude a Framework Agreement with the Potential Provider, it will be essential for the Potential Provider to meet the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Scheme, introduced in June 2014. This scheme defines a set of controls which, when properly implemented, provides organisations with basic protection from the most prevalent forms of threat that come from the internet. Potential Providers can view the details of the Cyber Essentials Scheme at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-essentials-scheme-overview From 1.10.2014, suppliers must be compliant with the new Cyber Essentials controls if bidding for government contracts which involve the handling of sensitive and personal information and the provision of certain technical products and services. The easiest way to demonstrate that the Cyber Essentials requirements are met is to gain the Cyber Essentials certificate. The Cyber Essentials Assurance Framework, leading to the award of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus certificates for organisations, has been designed in consultation with SMEs, including the Federation for Small Business, to be ‘light-touch' and achievable at low cost. The 2 options give organisations a choice over the level of assurance they wish to gain and the cost of doing so. This scheme offers the right balance between providing additional assurance of an organisation’s commitment to implementing cyber security to third parties, while retaining a simple and low cost mechanism for doing so. The need to meet the requirements of the Cyber Essentials Scheme will extend to Sub-Contractors of the Supplier where such Sub-Contractors are involved, on behalf of the Supplier, in the handling of sensitive and personal information and the provision of certain technical products and services. The Supplier and any Sub-Contractors will need to renew their evidence of Cyber Essentials compliance at least annually. Data Security: The data security classification shall be Official Tier. The Potential Provider will be required to put in place appropriate controls to: — Protect HMG Employee personal data; — Comply with the Data Protection Act. The Government Security Classification 2014 may be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251480/Government-Security-Classifications-April-2014.pdf Please refer to ITT documents Attachment 2 — Participation Requirements and Selection Questionnaire Guidance for full details of the selection criteria. Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with the Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The Authority may take into account any of the following information: a) A copy of the audited accounts for the most recent 2 years, if available, or alternatively; b) A statement of the turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation; or c) A statement of the cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; or d) Alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (e.g. forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status). Potential Providers must provide assurance, prior to contract award, that they have appropriate Insurance in place as specified within the ITT. Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the Regulations implementing the Directive, on the basis of information provided in response to an ITT. The Authority may take into account the following information: (a) Two (2) suitable contract examples, from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. Contracts should have been performed during the past 3 years. Customer contacts must be warned they may be contacted by Crown Commercial Service, to verify the accuracy of the information provided at any time; (b) A description of the technical facilities and measures used by the Potential Provider for ensuring quality and data security; (c) An indication of the proportion of the contract which the Potential Provider intends possibly to subcontract. The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1) N/A.
Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with the Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The Authority may take into account any of the following information: a) A copy of the audited accounts for the most recent 2 years, if available, or alternatively; b) A statement of the turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation; or c) A statement of the cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; or d) Alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (e.g. forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status). Potential Providers must provide assurance, prior to contract award, that they have appropriate Insurance in place as specified within the ITT.
Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with the Invitation to Tender (‘ITT’). The Authority may take into account any of the following information: a) A copy of the audited accounts for the most recent 2 years, if available, or alternatively; b) A statement of the turnover, profit and loss account, current liabilities and assets, and cash flow for the most recent year of trading for this organisation; or c) A statement of the cash flow forecast for the current year and a bank letter outlining the current cash and credit position; or d) Alternative means of demonstrating financial status if any of the above are not available (e.g. forecast of turnover for the current year and a statement of funding provided by the owners and/or the bank, charity accruals accounts or an alternative means of demonstrating financial status).
Potential Providers must provide assurance, prior to contract award, that they have appropriate Insurance in place as specified within the ITT.
Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the Regulations implementing the Directive, on the basis of information provided in response to an ITT. The Authority may take into account the following information: (a) Two (2) suitable contract examples, from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. Contracts should have been performed during the past 3 years. Customer contacts must be warned they may be contacted by Crown Commercial Service, to verify the accuracy of the information provided at any time; (b) A description of the technical facilities and measures used by the Potential Provider for ensuring quality and data security; (c) An indication of the proportion of the contract which the Potential Provider intends possibly to subcontract. The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1) N/A.
Potential Providers will be assessed in accordance with Section 5 of the Regulations implementing the Directive, on the basis of information provided in response to an ITT. The Authority may take into account the following information: (a) Two (2) suitable contract examples, from the public or private sector, where similar requirements to those sought under this Procurement have been performed. Contracts should have been performed during the past 3 years. Customer contacts must be warned they may be contacted by Crown Commercial Service, to verify the accuracy of the information provided at any time; (b) A description of the technical facilities and measures used by the Potential Provider for ensuring quality and data security; (c) An indication of the proportion of the contract which the Potential Provider intends possibly to subcontract. The ITT can be accessed at: https://gpsesourcing.cabinetoffice.gov.uk using the instructions detailed in III.2.1)
N/A.