PS22295 - Quantum Network Infrastructure Feasibility Study

The final date and time for the submission of bids is Friday 11th November 2022 at 14:00

DO NOT apply directly to the buyer.

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

Brief Description of Requirement

The aim of this tender is to procure a report which provides high-quality evidence to the UK government on the feasibility of implementing a pilot quantum network which incorporates the following: - A new, permanent fibre network connecting around 6 nodes across the UK, that is fully operational and can be used for both research and product testing/demonstration to support commercialisation; and An in-orbit micro satellite mission with new fixed and mobile ground stations, enabling the satellite to link to the UK fibre network to nodes across the globe, whilst also leveraging existing quantum satellite work. This satellite component is required to overcome the limitations of fibre communications and enable very long-distance communications.

The feasibility study should comprise of the following components:

The network - architecture, operation & costs (70% of task) a. Location: where should the nodes be located and how could the network be deployed? b. Operation: what are the options for the operating model? c. Costs: what are the detailed costs? d. Assurance: how would the network support the development of a framework to meet security and assurance requirements.

Value, opportunities and risks (20% of task) e. Opportunities and benefits: who would the pilot bring benefits to and how would this vary across the options for the operating model? f. Industry support: how do we ensure industry buy-in to the pilot? g. Success criteria: Outline proposed success criteria for the pilot to inform future decisions around network expansion towards the development of a UK quantum internet h. Risks: What are the main risks and how could they be mitigated?

The wider context (10% of task) i. International: How would this interact with international quantum network initiatives?

Please ensure you review all attached information to ensure a full understanding of this requirement. All attachments can be found with the Supplier Attachments tab within the Jaggaer 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 Jaggaer eSourcing Portal for this procurement.

To register on the Jaggaer eSourcing portal please use the link https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ and follow the instructions to register as a supplier.

If you are already registered on the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/.

Once you are logged into the system you will be able to locate the Procurement you wish to leave a bid on by clicking the ITTs Open to All Suppliers and searching for the reference number PS22295.

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 Jaggaer eSourcing portal will not be accepted or considered by the Contracting Authority further for this opportunity, unless a system outage is experienced, to which the Contracting Authority will advise upon accordingly. 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.

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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