Construction Contract Leads

Scope

Reference

Proc3351

Description

Jisc is establishing a Framework to enable it access to specialist consultants, with expertise in digital transformation, libraries and research & innovation in the UK non-profit organisation sector (tertiary education, charities, funding).

Jisc consultancy supports a range of organisations through the development and implementation of digital leadership, digital transformation, and research and innovation initiatives. To enhance the delivery of these services to its members, Jisc requires external consultants to collaborate in providing strategic and operational expertise across all areas of business.

Commercial tool

Establishes an open framework

A series of frameworks with substantially the same terms. Awarded suppliers are carried over and new suppliers can bid.

Total value (estimated)

• £1,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,200,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

• 1 March 2027 to 28 February 2030
• 3 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

• 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services
• 72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services
• 72246000 - Systems consultancy services
• 72300000 - Data services
• 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Contract locations

• UK - United Kingdom

Lot 1. Digital Transformation

Description

Digital and organisational change across learning, teaching and assessment, student experience and support, training, research, knowledge management and digital and physical infrastructure.

Consultancy work can help organisations with strategy development and review, organisational planning and review of systems, services, information and data management to inform investment priorities and future development. Jisc consultancy around digital transformation helps to explore and address factors such as organisational culture, digital leadership, digital capability and wellbeing, helping to create the conditions for sustainable change and enhanced business outcomes.

This work will align with our Framework for digital transformation in higher education. Our digital transformation toolkit (https://www.jisc.ac.uk/taking-digital-transformation-forward-in-your-organisation/towards-digital-transformation) provides further details.

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,200,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Lot 2. Research and Innovation

Description

Digital and data research infrastructure strategy and operational development in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors.

Research management strategy and operational development in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors.

Scholarly communications in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors.

Lot value (estimated)

• £1,000,000 excluding VAT
• £1,200,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.

Framework

Open framework scheme end date (estimated)

28 February 2035

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

Jisc subject matter experts will internally develop individual project requirements through scoping meetings and iterative proposal development with specific project commissioners. Where a project requires an associate engagement, this will be sourced via either direct award to a suitably qualified specialist supplier or via running a mini-competition amongst relevant suppliers on the applicable Lot(s).

Each project will have its own defined budget and commercial requirements. Bidders will be required to submit a fixed project price equal to or below the set budget that reflects their proposed delivery model, efficiencies, commercial discounts or other pricing strategies.

Under the framework, each call-off activity will typically be conducted on a single Lot. However, where appropriate, call-off contracts may be awarded either through direct award or mini-competition. Should the need arise, mini-competitions may be run across two Lots simultaneously, although any resulting award will be made under one Lot only.

Mini-competition (Lots 1 and 2)

A mini-competition enables Jisc to undertake a competitive process to secure the solution that offers the most advantageous tender. Under this process, suppliers appointed to the relevant Framework Lot will be invited to respond to an ITQ, which will set out the specific project requirements.

Mini-competitions may be used for project opportunities where specific Specialisms are not required, or where multiple suppliers have demonstrated expertise in the same Specialism. Only suppliers successfully appointed to the relevant Lot will be invited to participate.

Suppliers will be provided with all relevant information and invited to submit a proposal by a specified deadline, typically allowing at least 10 working days for responses. Participation is optional; however, suppliers that choose not to respond may be asked to provide a reason.

Responses will be evaluated against criteria set out in the ITQ, including the supplier's ability to meet the project requirements, deliver the required outcomes, work within budget and achieve the required timescales. Awards will typically be based on a combination of Technical Quality (80%) and Price (20%), although Jisc reserves the right to vary these weightings to reflect the needs of individual projects, and include relevant sub-criteria. Full details of the evaluation methodology, submission requirements and timescales will be included within the mini-competition documentation.

For each mini-competition, the Contracting Authority may vary the weighting of the framework award criteria to reflect the specific requirements of the project. The mini-competition award criteria can include new sub-criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, the evaluation of any price criterion at mini-competition will be scored using the methodology described in Tender Suite Part 1, Section 1.5.2. Calling off from the framework.

Direct award (Lots 1 and 2)

Jisc may award a Call-Off Contract without conducting a mini-competition where an objective selection outcome can be determined from Supplier information assessed and accepted at Framework admission. Direct award may be used where:

a) Only one Supplier on the relevant Lot has successfully demonstrated and been admitted to the Framework for the Specialism required by the project, or;

b) The requirement relates to a combination of Specialisms and only one Supplier on the relevant Lot has successfully demonstrated and been admitted to the Framework for all of those Specialisms.

Award method when using the framework

Either with or without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only

Participation

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Digital Transformation

Lot 2. Research and Innovation

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
• Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

27 October 2026, 12:00pm

Submission type

Tenders

Tender submission deadline

5 November 2026, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://uk.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=JISC

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

4 February 2027

Award criteria

Weighting description

This is pass/fail requirement carried out in Stage 1.

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes

Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Competitive flexible procedure description

In accordance with the competitive flexible procedure, the evaluation process will include defined stage gates.

This exercise will comprise of two stages:

- Stage 1. Competency and experience

- Stage 2. Interview

Contracting authority

JISC

• Companies House: 05747339
• Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGYD-1575-ZHXX

4 Portwall Lane

Bristol

BS1 6NB

United Kingdom

Email: procurement [at] jisc.ac.uk

Website: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/

Region: UKK11 - Bristol, City of

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government

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