Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2018-02-02
Buyer: University College London
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 48000000 | 48611000: Database software package | 48800000 | 72000000 | 72230000: Custom software development services
Estimated value: 750000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2018-02-23
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: UCL is seeking repository solution providers/integrators to develop a robust central research data repository solution. UCL requires a centrally-administered Research Data Repository solution into which UCL researchers can deposit non-sensitive research data, along with descriptive metadata, in order to enable the storage, curation, discovery of, and access to, that data over long time periods (10 years+). UCL anticipates that it will store the underlying research data on UCL hardware. In the future data storage may be outsourced to a 3rd-party offering tiered storage, potentially via JISC. In addition to UCL staff, honorary staff at other institutions or non-UCL staff may wish to deposit data if they are working on a project with a UCL Principal Investigator. The discovery and download interface should be publicly accessible, although access to some datasets may be restricted.
UCL currently has a Research Data Storage solution which stores data for active research projects, but lacks an effective mechanism for data preservation, discovery, and access beyond the length of the research project. It is intended that the research data repository solution will be integrated with the existing Research Data Storage Solution and with UCL network infrastructure. UCL would like to work with repository solution providers/integrators to develop a robust central research data repository solution that will meet UCL's requirement outlined in the tender. UCL requires a centrally-administered Research Data Repository solution into which UCL researchers can deposit non-sensitive research data, along with descriptive metadata, in order to enable the storage, curation, discovery of, and access to, that data over long time periods (10 years+). UCL anticipates that it will store the underlying research data held in the repository on UCL hardware, although it is open to alternative suggestions. In the future it is anticipated that data storage may be outsourced to a 3rd-party service provider offering tiered storage, potentially via an arrangement with JISC. It is not envisaged that this will be for the next couple of years though. In addition to UCL staff, honorary staff at other institutions or non-UCL staff may wish to deposit data if they are working on a project with a UCL Principal Investigator. The discovery and download interface should be publicly accessible, although access to some datasets may be restricted.
The contract is for minimum period of 5 years (with an option to extend for further periods on a rolling annual contract). It is anticipated that this is a long term contract of at least 10 years plus.
It is anticipated that the solution will develop and grow over time. UCL reserve the right to purchase additional modules, hosting and data storage services, further developments, upgrades or versions as it sees fit.
UCL is not a “Contracting Authority” or a ”body governed by public law” as defined by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. This procurement process is not regulated by EU or UK public procurement law. Where UCL advertises contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union, it does so on a voluntary basis and does not undertake any obligation to comply with the procurement legislation. UCL reserves its rights in full to adapt or step outside the procedures in the procurement legislation as UCL considers necessary. UCL envisages that there will be some negotiation on the contract terms and commercial aspects of the tender. This may be with one or more suppliers as UCL sees fit. The process seeks to select organisations offering the appropriate capability, capacity and competency. UCL reserves the right not to conclude any contracts, to change without notice the procedure for awarding contracts, to reject all or any bids for the contracts, to terminate discussions with all or any interested parties and/or to stop the process without any liability on its part. All communications shall be in English (or a full translation provided at no cost to UCL). Tenders, when invited, and all supporting documentation must be priced in Sterling and all payments under the Contract will be in Sterling. Any contract or agreement resulting from acceptance of the Invitation To Tender (ITT) will be considered as a Contract made in England according to English Law and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. UCL does not bind itself to accept any tender and reserves the right to accept any part of the tender. No contract capable of acceptance will be created between UCL and any party until a contract is executed between UCL and the selected providers. The tender process is being conducted electronically via In-tend. Suppliers are required to register on this website: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/ucl in order to receive documentation. After registering, you should express an interest in the relevant tender and the tender documentation can then be downloaded. All tender responses and any supporting documentation must be submitted through this system. There must be no postal correspondence from bidders unless agreed by UCL. Tenders shall not be sent and will not be accepted by fax or email. It is bidder’s responsibility to ensure that their documents are uploaded on time and to check on the document size capability. Bidders should be aware that typically there is a high demand on the system close to return deadline times.

Eligibility requirements: As set out in the tender documentation.

Award value: 750000