Soft Market Testing Exercise in Relation to the Provision of Corporate Banking Services

The University of Southampton is currently exploring a range of options in relation to its requirement for Corporate Banking Services. This Soft Market Testing Exercise is intended to support the development of the University's future banking strategy and potential procurement options.

The University is keen to explore all current options in the market, as well as potential innovative solutions, and interested parties are invited to complete and submit a Soft Market Testing Questionnaire (SMTQ) detailing relevant ideas and opportunities.

In addition to the submissions of SMTQs, the University will be holding Supplier Presentation sessions during September 2019. Participating suppliers may be invited to attend and present to the University's key stakeholders as part of this Exercise.

To support participation in this process, the University is willing to make available contextual information, including data, to enable organisations to gain a broader understanding of the University's operating environment. To prevent the unauthorised use of this information the University is asking all organisations taking part in this soft market testing exercise to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Further details can be found in the SMTQ document.

Additional information: The University is utilising an electronic tendering tool, In-Tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofsouthampton) to manage this Soft Market Testing Exercise and to communicate with participating organisations. All documentation in relation to this Exercise can be downloaded from In-Tend.

Participating organisations are advised that there will be no hard copy documentation issued and that all communications with the University, including the submission of SMTQs, must be conducted via In-Tend.

Regular monitoring of In-Tend is the responsibility of the participating organisation.

if you are not already registered as a supplier with the University of Southampton, you will need to register on In-Tend in order to access the documentation for this Exercise.

Once you have logged in, click on 'Tenders', then locate the relevant project and click 'View Details'. Once you are in the project screen, you will be able to register your organisation against the project and access all documentation by clicking 'Express Interest'.

Further instructions for the submission of SMTQs are below.

To submit your SMTQ, please follow the instructions below: 1. Log In 2. Click 'Tenders' 3. Locate the relevant project 4. View Details 5. Click on the tab relating to the relevant project stage (e.g. 'Soft Market Testing') 6. Click on the 'Attach documents' button and upload your return. 7. Check ALL your response documents are uploaded and displayed in the "My tender return" panel. The system will only permit your organisation to make one return. 8. Click the red "Submit return" button. Please note that, to preserve the integrity of the soft market testing exercise, all queries must made be via the correspondence function within In-Tend.

The deadline for the return of completed SMTQs is 3rd September 2019 (12.00 noon).

Please Note:

This early engagement notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market engagement and does not constitute any commitment to undertake any procurement in the future.

Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to the soft market testing exercise and a response to this notice does not guarantee any invitation to participate in this exercise or any future procurement.

This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works mentioned in this notice and the University will not accept any proposals offered in response to this notice.

The University of Southampton is not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to this early engagement notice and/or providing a soft market testing exercise response.