The buyer is not using this website to administer the notice.

To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

You are viewing an expired notice.

Summary

OCID:
Published by:: Queen Margaret University
Authority ID:: AA81252
Publication date:: 21 September 2021
Deadline date:: 20 October 2021
Notice type:: Contract Notice
Has documents:: No
Has SPD:: No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:: N/A

Abstract

Queen Margaret University has as one of its strategic objectives the provision of an attractive, relevant and market responsive academic portfolio. We aim to achieve this through offering students a choice of methods of learning that are appropriate to students’ circumstances and make the best use of digital technologies to support that learning. Specifically, the University aims to extend its reach in domestic and international markets through delivering some of its core academic programmes in a high quality, accessible and affordable online mode.

To enable it to deliver on this objective, the University intends to engage an experienced online programme delivery partner to support the University in adapting and delivering in an online mode those of its programmes for which there is latent high demand for such an offer. In doing so, the partner will support the University in its ambition to increase its student enrolments and tuition fee revenue.

The University requires a partner that has proven marketing, student recruitment, technical and pedagogical expertise and experience in the field of online higher education, including a track record in the UK. We seek a partner with a proven delivery model that meets the needs of students both in terms of flexible access to their chosen degree programme, utilising a carousel model of module and programme delivery that works across international time zones, and that enables a high quality online student experience that meets their academic needs.

We expect that partner to:

- Operate a financial model whereby the partner provide all required upfront financial investment for launching the online degrees, including covering the cost of marketing, student recruitment, student retention, appropriate technology, and support for University staff in converting their modules and programmes into an online mode

- Operate a financial model whereby there is a 50/50 tuition fee revenue share with the University

- Lead the project management of the marketing, development and launch of the online programmes and be in a position to market, adapt and develop a programme for online launch quickly

- Provide market research intelligence, both domestic and international, to inform the University’s selection of its programmes for adaptation for delivery in an online mode, including the identification of potential new programmes with market potential where the University has the relevant expertise, and to inform recommended tuition fee levels

- Effectively market those programmes selected for online development

- Play the lead role in pre-enrolment student engagement and initial application sifting, ensuring students are suitably prepared for the demands of online learning

- Have a standard operating procedure that includes directly supporting academic staff to adapt their modules and programmes for online delivery and that, in so doing, develops the University’s staff understanding of the principles of high quality online pedagogy and learning design

- Have a model of online delivery and support that proactively maximises student retention, including through the use of data analytics and direct student support and intervention

- Offer a virtual learning environment that is intuitive for staff and student users and that supports effective learning design and high quality student engagement, as well as the option of the University using its existing VLE to deliver the selected online programmes

- Offer and support a smooth integration with the relevant University systems including Admissions and Student Records

-Allow Queen Margaret to retain the intellectual property rights for its modules and programmes developed as part of the partnership

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University Way

Musselburgh

EH21 6UU

E-mail: kmurray1@qmu.ac.uk

NUTS: UKM73

Internet address(es)

Main address: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/

Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00364

I.2) Joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

I.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

I.5) Main activity

Education

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

Online Programme Delivery Partner

Reference number: QMU-21056

II.1.2) Main CPV code

80000000

II.1.3) Type of contract

Services

II.1.4) Short description

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, wishes to engage an experienced online programme delivery partner to support the University in adapting and delivering in an online mode those of its programmes for which there is latent high demand for such an offer. In doing so, the partner will support the University in its ambition to increase its student enrolments and tuition fee revenue.

We expect that partner to provide all required upfront financial investment for launching the online degrees and to operate a financial model whereby there is a 50/50 tuition fee revenue share with the University and to provide all necessary market research intelligence with regards to programme selection and tuition fee levels.

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

80430000

79340000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKM73

Main site or place of performance:

This contract will be performed online and remotely rather than a physical location.

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

We expect that partner to:

- Operate a financial model whereby there is a 50/50 tuition fee revenue share with the University

- Lead the project management of the marketing, development and launch of the online programmes and be in a position to market, adapt and develop a programme for online launch quickly

- Effectively market those programmes selected for online development

- Play the lead role in pre-enrolment student engagement and initial application sifting, ensuring students are suitably prepared for the demands of online learning

- Have a model of online delivery and support that proactively maximises student retention, including through the use of data analytics and direct student support and intervention

- Offer and support a smooth integration with the relevant University systems including Admissions and Student Records

-Allow Queen Margaret to retain the intellectual property rights for its modules and programmes developed as part of the partnership

II.2.5) Award criteria

Criteria below:

Quality criterion: Delivery Team / Weighting: 25

Quality criterion: Implementation Approach and Project Management / Weighting: 25

Quality criterion: IT System Integration / Weighting: 25

Price / Weighting: 25

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start: 02/05/2022

End: 01/05/2032

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

Renewals are subject to the successful delivery of the project and favourable student recruitment.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged minimum number: 3

Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:

Part 4B Economic and Financial Standing will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.

Part 4C Technical and Professional ability will be assessed according to the following weightings:

Three case studies which provide evidence of:

- a successful track record of online programme management in other UK universities – 40%;

- resilience within the delivery team - 40%

Ability of the partner to access additional funding to cover upfront expenditure - 20%

Bidders must score a minimum of 50% to progress to the ITT stage.

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

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 III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1) Conditions for participation

III.1.2) Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria:

Please provide information regarding:

- Turnover for last 3 financial years;

- Levels of insurance cover incl. Professional Risk Indemnity, Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability, Public Liability, Product Liability, Cyber

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

List and brief description of selection criteria:

Please provide 3 case studies which demonstrate a successful track record in the UK higher education online programme management sector as well as the resilience of your delivery team.

Please also provide information regarding your ability to access additional funding to cover upfront expenditure.

III.2) Conditions related to the contract

III.2.2) Contract performance conditions

The University has placed sustainability at the very core of our vision, taking a joined up approach to the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development. We will discuss with the successful delivery partner how they can support us in our vision.

III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Competitive procedure with negotiation

IV.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue

Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated

IV.1.5) Information about negotiation

The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

IV.2) Administrative information

IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 20/10/2021

Local time: 12:00

IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

Date: 03/11/2021

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published:

After initial contract period, if no optional extension invoked.

VI.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

VI.3) Additional information

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this PQQ exercise. The Project code is 19516. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343

The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:

This service does not lend itself to sub-contracting as it is an integrated service.

The Contracting Authority does not intend to include any community benefit requirements in this contract for the following reason:

This contract focuses on online learning with students based globally. It is therefore unlikely that the benefits of this contract would link directly to the geographical region of the University.

(SC Ref:664810)

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Edinburgh

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

20/09/2021

Coding

Commodity categories

ID	Title	Parent category
80430000	Adult-education services at university level	Adult and other education services
79340000	Advertising and marketing services	Market and economic research; polling and statistics
80000000	Education and training services	Education

Delivery locations

ID	Description
100	UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID	Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:: kmurray1@qmu.ac.uk
Admin contact:: N/a
Technical contact:: N/a
Other contact:: N/a

Further information

Date	Details
No further information has been uploaded.

Online Programme Delivery Partner

Contents

Summary

Abstract

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

I.2) Joint procurement

I.3) Communication

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

I.5) Main activity

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

II.1.2) Main CPV code

II.1.3) Type of contract

II.1.4) Short description

II.1.6) Information about lots

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

II.2.3) Place of performance

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

II.2.11) Information about options

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1) Conditions for participation

III.1.2) Economic and financial standing

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

III.2) Conditions related to the contract

III.2.2) Contract performance conditions

III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

IV.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue

IV.1.5) Information about negotiation

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

IV.2) Administrative information

IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

VI.2) Information about electronic workflows

VI.3) Additional information

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

Coding

Commodity categories

Delivery locations

Alert region restrictions

About the buyer

Further information