Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
Digidol, Data a TGCh / Digital, Data and ICT, Caffael Masnachol / Commercial Procurement, Parc Cathays / Cathays Park
Caerdydd / Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
UK
Telephone: +44 3000257095
E-mail: ICTProcurement@gov.wales
NUTS: UKL
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.gov.wales
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0007
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Online Business Information Factsheet Service
Reference number: C044/2024/2025
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72321000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Online Business Factsheet Service
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
132 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Client wishes to complement its business support services through subscribing to a commercially-produced online reference resource containing curated business information factsheets, guides and reports. The resources will offer Business Customers looking to start a business in Wales and established businesses in Wales with information on commonly-asked questions relevant to setting up a particular type of business and generic business practices.
The Client wishes to subscribe to a commercially-produced online reference resource, offering both Business Customers either looking to start a business or with established businesses; with information Factsheets on commonly-asked questions relating to a wide range of business types.
The Factsheets must provide, clear information:
relevant to setting up a particular type of business, including but not limited to:
the potential market for a product or service
the start-up costs
the equipment that might be needed
the laws and regulations that must be followed
ideas on where to promote your business
relevant to generic business practices including but not limited to:
writing a business plan
recruiting a member of staff etc.
the Supplier may also offer similar information, tailored to the particular needs of young people.
The Client will make the Factsheets available to Business Customers on request though:
its Business Support Service via it’s helpline;
Business Wales local centres; and
a limited web based self-service factsheet fulfilment option for Business Customers via an API to the Clients website.
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation:
Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, a contracting authority is not required to issue an award decision letter (under Regulation 86 (1)) or invoke a standstill period (Regulation 87) in relation to contracts below the value threshold laid out in Regulation 5.
Based on 3 previous tender exercises, additional market engagement and a speculative notice published 13/09/2024, Welsh Government has come to the conclusion that there is only one supplier currently able to meet the service requirements. The basis in law in accordance with the Directive is described in Regulation 32.—(2)(b)(ii) where
competition is absent for technical reasons.
Please note that while the Welsh Government has taken a decision to voluntarily comply with Regulations 86(1) & 87 in relation to this Contract, it reserves its right not to voluntarily comply with Regulations 86(1) & 87 in relation to any future contracts below the threshold in relation to this or other contracts.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: C044/2024/2025 24/25-045
V.2 Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession
08/11/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Cobweb Informaiton Limited
YBN, 7 & 8 Delta Bank Road, Metro Riverside Park
Gateshead
NE119DJ
UK
Telephone: +44 1914618000
NUTS: UKC2
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Total value of the concession/lot:
132 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:146328)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/12/2024