Public procurement notice: Qualification System With Call For Competition
Published: 2016-10-28
Buyer: Achilles Information Ltd
Country: UK
Contract type: Supplies
CPV classification: 03000000 | 09000000 | 14000000 | 15000000 | 16000000
Award criteria: The most economic tender
EU fund: EU Fund

Technical requirements: The subscribing Utilities named in section VI.2 of this notice (subscribers) confirm that they will be using the UVDB as a common system for the registration of suppliers, contractors and service providers (vendors). The UVDB is the established qualification service for the UK utilities industries and is operated and administered by Achilles Information Limited on behalf of the subscribers. This notice describes the products, services and works for which the below named subscribing utilities may use the UVDB where they have an appropriate demand.
Vendors not already registered on the UVDB should apply to Achilles using the contact details at section l.1 in order to ensure that their details are available to subscribers considering awarding contracts both above and below the EU thresholds.
Vendors already registered on the UVDB should ensure that their registration details are up to date on the new platform by visiting http://one.achilles.com and logging in using their unique login details.
The following product, service and works classifications represent the UVDB coding structure as available on the day this notice was issued.
Achilles UVDB provides a fair, open and transparent means of vendor selection for potential tender opportunities. The utility contracting entities specified in Vl.2 of this QSN can use UVDB as an alternative route to market rather than separate calls for competition via the Official Journal of the European Union for each tender opportunity.
The UVDB may also be used in the compilation of tender lists below the EU thresholds. The system has led to savings to both vendors and purchasers and ensures that vendors benefit from a reduced workload through reduced PQQ completion whilst their applications are dealt with fairly and consistently by subscribing utilities.
UVDB registration will be the first stage of qualification. You can join via https://one.achilles.com/Registration/Index?CID=C5ws5jefQVcRZvh8aWV9Qw%3d%3d
Having completed the registration you will be asked to pay your annual subscription to UVDB: 515 GBP for up to 7 product codes, 640 GBP for 8 to 14 product codes, 815 GBP for 15 to 21 product codes and 1015 GBP for 21 or more product codes (plus VAT for UK applicants). After your payment, your account will be activated providing you access to the full pre-qualification questionnaire.
Vendors providing high risk products and services may also be required to have a further level of validation via a Verify audit. The utility contracting entities specified in Vl.2 of this QSN, may identify a requirement for an independent audit covering Health, Safety, Environment and Quality systems for contracts relating to high risk activities or products. The type of audit required will be determined by a Vendor's size and the number of employees and/or contractors.
In appropriate circumstances some utility contracting entities will apply a minimum scoring mechanism.
Category B1 — consists of a ½ Day on the Management Systems Evaluation (MSE) and a ½ day visit at an operational site. The audit costs £1145 +VAT
Category B2 — consists of a 1 Day on the MSE and a 1 day visit at an operational site. The audit costs £1850 + VAT
Category C — consists of a 1 day visit at the office location focusing on the MSE elements. The audit costs £1145 + VAT
For those vendors wishing to work with Scottish Power, SSE Plc &/or Northern Powergrid there are additional customer specific questions which determine the risk vendors are bringing to these organisations.
Northern Powergrid: https://www.northernpowergrid.com/help-and-information/working-with-us-supplying-services