United Kingdom-Darlington: Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Supplies and Services

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: (2022/S 000-003278/EN)
Nature of contract: Supply contract
Procedure: Not applicable
Type of bid required: Not applicable

Prior information notice without call for competition
Supplies

This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Student Loans Company
Postal address: Memphis Building, Lingfield Point, McMullen Road
Town: Darlington
Postal code: DL1 1RW
Country: United Kingdom
Contact Person: Rhod Stone
Telephone: +44 1413062000
Email: rhod_stone@slc.co.uk
Internet address(es):
Main address:

Additional information can be obtained from:
the above mentioned address
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:
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
Other activity: Processing of Student Finance

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement:
II.1.1) Title: Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) Supplies and Services

Reference number: 2021-TR-0056
II.1.2) Main CPV code: 30200000
II.1.3) Type of contract: Supplies
II.1.4) Short Description:
SLC is seeking to establish a framework agreement with suppliers to deliver the following: assessment of study needs, assistive technology (AT), assistive technology (AT) training, and the associated support services. English and Welsh domiciled DSA customers are in scope, with services extending nationwide.
To access DSA support, customers will have a needs assessment appointment with a specialist for a discussion – catered to their individual circumstances – about the best type of support available to them.
Assistive technology (AT) supply includes computers and software in addition to a range of other equipment such as ergonomic furniture, computer peripherals (printers and scanners), voice recorders, and other specialist items such as braille readers. AT training and ongoing support are services that will be made available to all DSA customers.
II.1.5) Estimated total value:
Value excluding VAT: 400000000 Currency: GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots:
The contract is divided into lots: Yes
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer 2
II.2) Description:
Lot No:Geographic Lots
II.2.2)Additional CPV code(s)
Main CPV code: 30213100
Main CPV code: 30237000
Main CPV code: 50300000
Main CPV code: 39000000
Supplementary CPV code: CA69
Main CPV code: 48000000
Main CPV code: 30213000
Main CPV code: 80510000
Supplementary CPV code: RC05
Main CPV code: 80533000
Main CPV code: 85140000

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code:
Main site or place of performance:
UNITED KINGDOM

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
SLC is seeking to establish a framework agreement with suppliers to deliver the following:
Needs Assessments – a one-to-one appointment with a specialist to determine the customers’ specific needs and create their recommended support package.
Assistive Technology (AT) – the supply, delivery and set-up of specialist equipment, for example, a computer, disability-related software and / or ergonomic furniture. Suppliers will select AT items from an approved catalogue maintained by SLC.
Assistive Technology (AT) Training – training on how to use any equipment and/or software that has been recommended.
Support Services – a helpdesk to answer queries and provide information and guidance. Where repairs are necessary, process insurance and warranty claims and provide loan equipment when required. Support services also include processing any upgrades and review of needs requested.
II.2.5) Award criteria

II.2.14) Additional information: DSA is a non-income assessed grant and is available to eligible higher education customers in full time, part-time, post-graduate and distance learning courses who have a disability as defined under the Equality Act 2010.
SLC is a non-profit making government-owned organisation that administers loans and grants to our customers in colleges and universities in the UK.

II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:2022-03-25
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement(GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: yes
IV.2) Administrative information

Section VI: Complementary information
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
VI.3) Additional information:
This is a prior information notice (PIN) only: Publication and a call for competition will be conducted once the procurement documentation is fully defined and approved.
The estimated value of the procurement over a five year term is: 300,000,000 – 400,000,000 GBP excluding VAT.
SUPPLIER DAY
A supplier day event will be held on 23 Feb at 11.00am.
All communications regarding the event will be via Delta e.Sourcing and must state the correct reference number for the procurement (2021-TR-0056).
The event will take place in a virtual MS Teams environment. There are no restrictions on numbers attending the event. To register your interest in attending the event, please complete the attached form and submit it via the Delta e.Sourcing Message Centre. When you register your interest, you will have the choice to receive communications for the event in Welsh.
Please note, this is an open event and attendance is not essential for parties interested in submitting a bid. The event is not a forum to raise objections but will allow interested parties to learn more about the procurement. Registering for and attending the supplier day does not constitute an invitation to tender.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:

GO Reference: GO-202224-PRO-19595243

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice:2022-02-04