Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Directive 2014/24/EU
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
North Hertfordshire District Council
Council Offices,Gernon Road
LETCHWORTH
SG63JF
UK
Contact person: Procurement Team
Telephone: +44 1462474000
E-mail: procurement.team@north-herts.gov.uk
NUTS: UKH
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.north-herts.gov.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Fully Funded Data and Digital Skills Assessment and Development Programme
Reference number: NHDC0130121
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80510000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
North Herts Council intends to award a contract directly to Multiverse for a fully funded data and digital skills development programme.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
990 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKH
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
North Herts Council intends to directly award a contract to Multiverse for the provision of a fully funded skills assessment and development programme aimed at enhancing the digital and data skills of its staff.
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:
North Hertfordshire District Council ('the Council') intends to directly award a contract to Multiverse for the provision of a fully funded skills assessment and development programme aimed at enhancing the digital and data skills of its staff. The contract, which is estimated to have an intrinsic value as both parties receive a benefit, reflects the worth of the services provided, even though there is no direct financial cost to the Council. Although the Council incurs no direct cost, the intrinsic value of the contract exceeds the thresholds established by the World Trade Organisation's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Accordingly, the Council l is publishing this Voluntary Transparency Notice in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Council will observe a 10-day standstill period following the publication of this notice before finalising the contract, allowing any interested parties to raise objections or seek further clarification.
Justification for Direct Award:
This contract will be awarded without prior publication of a call for competition under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 due to technical reasons:
1. Unique Provider Capabilities: Multiverse is the only supplier capable of delivering a fully funded, scalable digital and data skills development programme, specifically tailored to meet the Council's needs, without requiring direct financial expenditure. This value is derived from the use of unspent and donated apprenticeship levies, a unique feature that no other provider can offer.
2. Regulatory and Quality Assurance: Multiverse is the sole provider regulated by Ofsted and rated as outstanding in all areas, ensuring the highest standard of training in line with the Council's digital strategy.
3. Lack of Alternatives: Market analysis confirms that no other supplier can provide the same combination of services, funding model, and scale required by the Council.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: NHDC0130121
V.2 Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession
14/08/2024
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
Multiverse
10027474
2 Eastbourne Terrace, 5th And 6th Floors
London
W2 6LG
UK
NUTS: UKI
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: 990 000.00 GBP
Total value of the concession/lot:
990 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Legal
North Hertfordshire District Council, Council Offices, Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
SG6 3JF
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/08/2024