AVON AND SOMERSET CONSTABULARY (AUTHORITY)

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO INVITE TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE OF VIDEO CONFERENCING EQUIPMENT

(SPS ASP 0005)

The Avon and Somerset Police Authority (the Authority) is conducting a procurement exercise as lead authority for the Supply and Maintenance of Video Conferencing Equipment.

Avon and Somerset Police, Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council have established a joint venture company with IBM. This company, Southwest One, are undertaking this procurement as a central purchasing body for any local authority or other public body in the South West of England, which authorises them to act on their behalf. Accordingly it is the intention that these local authorities and public bodies should be able to rely on this procurement to purchase such services without the need for any further procurement process.

It is the intention to establish a framework agreement for four years. The Authority does not commit to any precise quantity or value of expenditure, the framework agreement will be used to procure and maintain equipment as and when required.

The Authority will require:-

·  Compatibility with existing systems

·  Ease-of-use and reliability

·  Provision for technical support and training

·  Ongoing maintenance and support of the systems

·  Maintenance of video conferencing systems already in use (comprising Polycom systems)

·  Access to future up-grades of the software

The Pre-Qualification Questionnaire has been designed to identify organisations suitability to supply services to the organisation. Expressions of interest are invited from suitably qualified and experienced contractors. The closing date for expressions of interest and the subsequent completed Pre-Qualification Questionnaire is 12 Noon on 29th May 2009.

In order to participate, applicants must express their interest via the “Bluelight” e-tendering website www.bluelight.gov.uk, against reference QTLE-7RZB74 Bluelight is an electronic tendering system being adopted by the Authority; applicants need only register once and the process is free of charge.

If a large number of companies express an interest it may be necessary to select a tender list from those applying.

This Authority is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000.

Further information can also be obtained from:

www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/tenders.

The award notice was dispatched to OJEU on 14th May 2009.