UK-Oxford: Software programming and consultancy services.
Section I: Contracting Authority
I.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
Science & Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxford, OX110QX, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 7563420665, Email: Elizabeth.Gage@ukri.org
Contact: Elizabeth Gage
Main Address: https://www.ukri.org/
NUTS Code: UK
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement: No.
In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law: Not provided
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: Yes.
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/
Additional information can be obtained from: the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically via https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com to the abovementioned 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: Not provided
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other activity:

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title: UKRI-1245 NQCC WP18 Open Standards for Emerging Quantum Processors
Reference Number: UKRI-1245
II.1.2) Main CPV Code:
72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services.

II.1.3) Type of contract: SERVICES
II.1.4) Short description: The National Quantum Computing Centre has an objective to deliver an early-stage quantum computer (Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum, NISQ machine) that can outperform conventional computing for a range of tasks, by 2025. In order to achieve this medium-term goal, the NQCC has developed a technology roadmap, and has identified a series of technical work packages (WPs) that are suitable for delivery by external contractors. These WPs focus on the delivery of technology solutions according to a set of required technical performance specifications, for both hardware and software, related to quantum computing. This tender relates to WP18 - Open standards for emerging quantum processors.
II.1.5) Estimated total value:
Value excluding VAT: 210,000
Currency: GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots:
This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
48000000 - Software package and information systems.

II.2.3) Place of performance:
UK UNITED KINGDOM

II.2.4) Description of procurement: The NQCC seeks to commission a study involving the appraisal of existing metrics, and the development of new metrics, for measuring the performance (computational power) of quantum processors, including non-circuit-based devices. Existing metrics are to include, but not be limited to, qubit count, noise and (both variants of) quantum volume. The intent is to address the need for objective performance comparisons, by defining standard metrics and the associated methodologies by which emerging quantum processors can be fairly measured and compared.
II.2.5) Award criteria:
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value:
Value excluding VAT: 210,000
Currency: GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system:
Duration in months: 18
This contract is subject to renewal: No
Description of renewals: Not provided
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited:
Envisaged minimum number: 3
/ Maximum number: 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: During this RFI Stage, it is UKRI’s intention to shortlist no more than 5 qualified
Suppliers who are to be considered and invited to the RFQ stage of this tender
process.
In order to qualify for the shortlisting and to be invited to the RFQ stage,
Suppliers are to pass all of the mandatory Selection and Award Pass/Fail
Questions as well as scoring a minimum of 80.00% on the scored Questions.

In the event that there are more than the maximum stated number of qualified
Suppliers, the RFI submissions will be ranked.
II.2.10) Information about variants:
Variants will be accepted: No
II.2.11) Information about options:
Options: No
Description of options: Not provided
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: Yes
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Identification of the project: Not provided
II.2.14) Additional information: This is Procurement Exercise is being run as a two-stage Restricted Procurement Procedure. Suppliers will need to register within the Delta portal in order to access the information provided for this stage of the process by following the link: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/


Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial And Technical Information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
Not Provided
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Not Provided
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :
Not Provided
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Not Provided
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :
Not Provided
III.1.5) Information about reserved contracts (if applicable)
The contract is reserved to sheltered workshops and economic operators aiming at the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons: No
The execution of the contract is restricted to the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No

III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:
Not Provided
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Not Provided
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: No

Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description RESTRICTED
IV.1.1) Type of procedure: Restricted

IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement - NO
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system - NO
In the case of framework agreements justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: Not Provided


IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction:
An electronic auction will be used: No
Additional information about electronic auction: Not provided
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure:
Notice number in the OJ S: Not provided
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date: 09/06/2021 Time: 11:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates: Not Provided
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English,
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender:
Duration in month(s): 3



Section VI: Complementary Information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Not provided
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used No
Electronic invoicing will be accepted No
Electronic payment will be used No
VI.3) Additional Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Oxford:-Software-programming-and-consultancy-services./P4A729P5Y5

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/P4A729P5Y5
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body:
UK Research and Innovation
Polaris House, Swindon, SN2 2FP, United Kingdom
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures:
Not provided
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Not Provided
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained:
Not provided
VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 05/05/2021

Annex A