Private 5G network (P5GN) solution for the CoSTAR National Lab

CPV: Networks

Procedure method

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Goods

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Yes (GPA)

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

23 Jul 2024, 15:45 BST

Last source update

23 Jul 2024, 15:45 BST

Authority reference

RHUL-24080

FTS notice number

2024/S 000-022886

Classification (CPV)

Networks

Delivery area

London (UKI)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-0483c8 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons

Published justification

The contract with BT Telecommunications for the provision of private 5G network to the CoSTAR National Lab and 3 x Network Labs is at the centre of the CoSTAR Network's ability to perform collaborative R&D, connecting CoSTAR network sites in Pinewood Studios, Abertay University, Ulster University and University of York.

The private 5G network is a core deliverable for the first 12 months of AHRC/UKRI funding, and the supplier was required to be able to provide the services nationally by Q2 of 2024. Without the ability to supply the 5G network within scope, the funding of the CoSTAR National Lab could have been affected.

The CoSTAR National Lab competition required bidders to provide commercial partners who would coinvest in the development of the lab, with a specific requirement to provide 5G network as part of the competition. During an open call available to all universities and commercial creative industries, the University negotiated partnership with BT for the 5G network as part of the bid. It is our view that if the University had not followed this approach the CoSTAR grant would have delayed and deliverables put at risk, given that the BT contract is a foundational requirement and forms an integral part of the CoSTAR National Lab delivery to the CoSTAR Network. This partnership will allow CoSTAR R&D programme to collaborate and share data.

The Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication has been utilised for the above reasons.

• British Telecommunications plc.Awarded supplierGB-COH: 01800000 1 Braham Street, London,, London, E1 8EE

No document links were published on the notice.