PS21192 - Future Electricity, Gas Transmission and Distribution: Risk to Availability of Suitable Radio Connectivity Solutions

** This is an AWARD Notice, not a Call for Competition.

A contract has been awarded following an Open procedure (below threshold) competition. **

The final date and time for the submission of bids is Friday 19th November 2021 at 11:00

DO NOT apply directly to the buyer.

All tender information MUST be submitted through the Delta eSourcing Portal.

Brief Description of Requirement

BEIS has been contributing to Ofcom's Utilities Spectrum Strategy project, which has the objective to determine what, if any, spectrum management or regulatory intervention will be needed to help utilities deliver their services to 2050. BEIS notes that Ofcom's modelling work indicates that across all cases the total data rate for the energy sector will increase through to 2040. Industry has expressed a view that the need to better monitor and control their networks cannot be met through existing narrowband connectivity solutions, and require enhanced, broadband communications. The purpose of this work is to assess the risks (across different parts/assets of the energy network) of this new demand not being met from existing connectivity solutions (and public mobile networks) and where material risks are identified whether some form of alternative solution such as fixed line, spectrum allocation (shared or dedicated) and/or a dedicated network is likely to be required.

The key strategic outcomes of the project are to:

• Provide BEIS with a view on those energy use cases where there is a risk that existing and developing communications solutions may impede the delivery of BEIS wider objectives for the energy system (and where intervention may be required). • Where risks are as identified as material how these might be mitigated. This should include an assessment for each use case of what future communication options might be required (including fully wired solutions to wireless solutions using 'new' spectrum (shared or dedicated) and technology - noting where spectrum would need to support the technology. This mitigation plan should also consider the cost and barriers to the achievability of candidate mitigation options.

Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Document Uploads tab within the Delta eSourcing Portal.

This contract will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria as set out in the ITQ document.

How to Apply

UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) will be using the Delta eSourcing Portal for this procurement.

To register, please use the link https://www.delta-esourcing.com/ and follow the instructions to register.

If you are already registered on the Delta eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/ and the follow the instructions to 'Log in'

Once you are logged into the system you will be able to link yourself into this procurement using the Access Code: 5NG48FY32D

Additional information: DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO BUYER

All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulations that apply to this opportunity.

Responses must be received by the date and time in the tender documentation; responses received outside of the deadline or not sent via the Delta eSourcing portal will not be accepted or considered by the Contracting Authority further for this opportunity. Interested organisations should ensure that they allow a sufficiency of time, prior to the deadline to allow all sections to be completed in full and any attachments to be uploaded.

As a user of the Delta eSourcing Portal you will have access to the Delta messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you, as well as other messages and updates in relation to any specific tender event. Please note that any and all information secured outside of the messaging service, shall have no merit or worth and should not be relied upon by any organisation submitting a tender response.

Please note it is your organisations responsibility to access these messages on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information applicable to this opportunity.

The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the right:

i. not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and

ii. to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement; and under no circumstances as part of your organisations participation in this opportunity, will the Contracting Authority be liable for any costs incurred by any organisation as a result. If the Contracting Authority decides to enter into a contract with any successful organisation(s), this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of your organisation in doing so.

About UK Shared Business Services

UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) brings a commercial attitude to the public sector; helping our contracting authorities to improve efficiency, generate savings and modernise.

Where UK SBS is not named as the Contracting Authority within the documentation, UK SBS will be acting as an agent on behalf of the Contracting Authority.

Our broad range of expert services is shared by our customers. This allows our customers the freedom to focus resources on core activities; innovating and transforming their own organisations.

For full details of our partner base please review the following link: http://www.uksbs.co.uk/services/procure/contracts/Pages/default.aspx