UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Heritage and Town Planning Consultant to ensure a unified strategy, consistent and high-quality submissions to Westminster County Council (WCC) and Historic England (HE) and reduced coordination risks across the Commons Building Infrastructure Portfolio (CBIP) projects.

The Authority is seeking to engage a digital agency to support the implementation and ongoing support for Parliament Live; the web application, Application Programming Interface (API), dataset and hosting. The primary deliverables will be to develop and host the next version and Parliament Live (https://parliamentlive.tv) The Authority's Conditions of Participation are included within the tender documentation.

The Authority is looking to engage a contractor with the capability and capacity to lead, coordinate and deliver a Automatic Access Control System (AACS) software including the hardware platforms that support the software such as servers and terminals (but not door controllers or card readers). The contract will include installation and commissioning of the new software and hardware, the ongoing support including software updates, help desk / call centre support and the maintenance and repair of the new AACS software and related equipment. The Authority will procure some services from the incumbent supplier to enable a smooth transition from the old AACS system software to the new. In scope will be the Parliamentary Estate including the Palace of Westminster and all outbuildings, any buildings added to the estate in future and decant buildings resulting from Restoration & Renewal (R&R). The new software must have the flexibility and sufficient capacity to cover all estate expansion. The Required Supplies and Services are to include, but are not limited to, the following: Software Scope: • AACS software application and associated database • AACS IT support and maintenance, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. • Ongoing support for the existing 3rd party system integrations for non-Access Control purposes. • Ongoing management /maintenance of integration software to the controllers and readers • Pass Office reporting software. • Support for the Security Vetting Process (SVP) to process data from and into the new vetting process. • Any required software and Firmware upgrades to the AACS and existing card readers and door controllers. • AACS certification (CAPSS) (At bid stage the supplier may be working towards CAPSS) • Interface development to PSIM, lock down systems, key safes and other interfaces as defined in the specification. Hardware Interfacing Scope: • AACS Head End equipment & Workstations • Pass Office Camera and Pass Printers • Handheld Security Officer Portable Pass Readers • Non-wired Locks • Pass Update hotspots • Maintenance of PIN & Proximity and Proximity only Readers and their Controllers, to include maintenance of related interfaces. People Scope: • All necessary training of Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) staff. • Training requirements for PSD are to provide 'Train the Trainer' training to the managers and report training for the data specialist. Maintenance Scope • AACS Software Support, updates and patching • AACS Server, workstation and associated hardware repair, maintenance, updates and patching • AACS controller and reader support including repair, routine maintenance, updates and patching • Support for the whole system with periodic cyber assurance testing, and ongoing Parliamentary system accreditation • Management of the lifecycle of hardware and replacement when hardware becomes end of support, end of life. Additional Works • Project management, design and resulting implementation of projects, for example for extensions of the current system if new buildings / rooms are added. • Projects that result from reactive or pre-planned maintenance outcomes. • Additional works projects which relate to the scope of the contract. The Authority intends to award a contract for the AACS Software, ongoing support, maintenance and hardware for a period of ten years. The term will include a transition period from the existing incumbent. There will also be the possibility of an optional extension of 1 year (12 months) under a priced option.

The supplier will be required to manage the assessments, appointment and re-appointment of new and existing Authorised Persons (AP’s) using the current Safety Rules to ensure on-going compliance. The disciplines involved include HV; LV (complex systems and generation); Steam and Pressure Systems; Confined Spaces; POL (35 second fuel oil); work at height and on roofs; and access to and work in confined and restricted spaces.They will also undertake audits of the AP’s and the use of the safety documentation and report to Parliamentary Estates stating how compliantly it is being operated and managed and identifying aspects requiring improvement.The Authorised Engineers will review recent examples of safety documentation raised by AP’s and will report on these in terms of their accuracy completeness and adequacy to meet the requirements of the Safety Rules.The appointed Consultancy will also undertake a fundamental review of the existing Safety Rules, Procedures, Permit to Work System

UK Parliament recognises the need to reach new audiences on more diverse platforms to encourage greater participation in our democratic life. To enhance our existing work in this area, we are seeking an agency to help us promote our education and engagement activities and resources, increase the number of people deciding to visit Parliament both online and in person, and support certain commercial activities that provide vital income for Parliamentary programmes.

The Authority is seeking an experienced and established childcare provider to provide full-time childcare provision for children aged 3 months to 5 years. This care will take place Mondays to Fridays, from 08:00 until 18:00 and bookable additional hours in the evening on the days the House sits late. The Nursery will be open 51 weeks of the year.

The Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons (acting jointly) intend to establish a bicameral parliamentary framework agreement through which they can secure the services of suitably qualified and experienced multidisciplinary design service providers via call-off contracts, acting jointly or individually. The Delivery Authority shall also be entitled to issue call-off contracts under the framework agreement. To increase access to specialists, the services will be procured through five lots: (i) Mechanical and Electrical Plant (MEP) engineering services; (ii) civil and structural engineering design services; (iii) conservation, architecture and heritage services (iv) control systems and electronic system engineering services; and (v) fire engineering services. The core services that are required include, but are not limited to: Lead Designer; Architectural Services; Mechanical and Public Health Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Control Systems and Electronics Engineering; Structural and Civil Engineering; Structural and Civil Engineering; Fire Engineering and NEC4 Supervisor. Supplementary specialist services will also be required to achieve a fully integrated design service / solution for the wide and diverse nature of projects and programmes that will be undertaken. These specialist services may include but not limited to • Archaeological Surveys • Archaeological Watching Briefs • Asbestos Consultancy Services • Audio Visual (AV) Services • BREEAM Consultancy Services • WELL Building Consultancy Services • Catering Design and Specification Services • Ecology Services • Landscape Architect Services • Religious Services • Security (Building Fabric) • SKA Assessment • Topographical Surveys • Traffic and Transport Impact Assessments • Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) Services • Workspace Planning Services • Third Party Assurance for Specialist Services (such as CFD validation (Fire) and fire suppression design and installation assurance) • Drone surveys • Town Planning Consultant inclusive of: Planning consultancy (including statutory planning applications) • Health and Safety Consultant inclusive of: o Disability equality duties under the Equality Act 2010 o Health & Safety Advisor o Supervisor role • Acoustic Engineer inclusive of: o Acoustic engineering • Noise surveys, studies and assessments • Other Specialist Services: Any other specialist consultancy services or specialist surveys which may be required. It is envisaged that for individual call-off contracts awarded under the framework agreement, a Lead Designer will be appointed (from the most appropriate lot) at Gate 0 - 1 (RIBA Plan of Work 2020). On appointment, the Lead Designer will take sole responsibility for delivery of design scope whether design services are subcontracted or not. It is further envisaged that the Lead Designer will endeavour to use other framework suppliers save in circumstances that capacity or capability is not available to support the efficient and effective delivery for a diverse range of projects that sit within the medium-term investment plan of the estate. Whilst this is how the Authority envisages the framework will operate, it reserves its right to alter this approach for projects throughout the life of the framework agreement. Additional detail on the proposed operation of the framework agreement is contained within the procurement documentation.

The Authority is seeking to appoint a single supplier to provide British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation for broadcast coverage of House of Commons proceedings in order to deliver on the Authority’s commitment to inclusivity and reaching wider audiences with accessible services.The successful supplier will be required to provide BSL interpreters for broadcast coverage of all departmental Questions, Urgent Questions (UQs) and Statements in the Commons. These "Questions and Statements" constitute the key scrutiny business of the Chamber and are held at the start of the sitting day.

The Authority is requesting tender proposals from Contractors who can demonstrate skills and experience in broadcast operations with a view to operating and maintaining the video, audio, and audio-visual systems provided by Parliament. The Authority is seeking a Contractor who can operate the video and audio technologies across the committee rooms and chambers, to offer cost effective, broadcast-grade visual and audio services of the highest standard to multiple users within and outside the Parliamentary Estate – including traditional broadcasters and online media.

The purpose of this tender is to put into place a contract with a sole supplier to source and distribute a range of grocery, chilled and frozen Food to the UK Parliaments’ In-House Catering Services located on the Parliamentary Estate.

Supply, installation, and maintenance of an integrated Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) and associated equipment, and inventory management solution, for Parliament's catering function. Further details can be found in the Statement of Requirement on our InTend eSourcing portal.

The Authority intends to establish a multi-supplier framework with suitably qualified and experienced providers of project and cost management services to support the safe, efficient, and effective delivery of a diverse range of projects across the parliamentary estate. The Parliamentary Estate has a unique built asset portfolio consisting of Grade I, II and II* listed buildings, several of which require refurbishment due to the age and fragility of the buildings, the inadequacy of mechanical and electrical services, poor environmental performance, fire safety improvement requirements and otherwise.

The Corporate Officer of the House of Lords and the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons ("the Client") (acting jointly), invite Tenderers to submit a tender for NEC Consultancy Services. The contract is estimated to be in excess of £150,000 (ex VAT) over a duration of 3 years with the option to extend for an additional 2 years over in 1 year increments.

This procurement is to appoint a contractor under a single-stage NEC4 Option B contract (with secondary clauses and amendments), to deliver temporary works, and subsequent conservation and repair work, to the Victoria Tower.

Parliament maintains a variety of contingency options which can be deployed in the event of a disruption to part or all of the Parliamentary Estate. These contingency options ensure the continuity of parliamentary business with a primary focus on maintaining critical, high-level business activities.Various options exist which provide flexibility to respond to a range of scenarios. The plans identify venues where Parliament could be re-located to ensure that the business of Parliament can be carried out without interruption and with minimum disturbance to Members, Peers, their staff, staff of both Houses and visitors to the estate.

The Authority requires a news database for UK, regional and international titles with a substantial archive and the ability for all users, including Library customers, to create alerts and export their preferred search results. Specific requirements are: • An intuitive and easy to use interfaces that meet the needs of both general users (who require a quick, simple search facility) and specialist researchers (who require the ability to combine multiple search terms/fields and refine/filter their results). • Ability to use a drop down menu or similar to limit searches by pre-defined groups of titles, such as UK newspapers, UK broadsheets, UK tabloids, UK regionals, all English news, UK publications, all news, European news. • The ability to search by an individual title or publication. • The ability to search just within headline or author as well as within the full article. • Ability to filter their results by date range, by subject, by publication name and by type. • Users ability to recall searches from their recent search history. • The service must provide the ability for users to de-duplicate their search results.

Parliament maintains a variety of contingency options which can be deployed in the event of a disruption to part or all of the Parliamentary Estate. These contingency options ensure the continuity of parliamentary business with a primary focus on maintaining critical, high-level business activities. Various options exist which provide flexibility to respond to a range of scenarios. The plans identify venues where Parliament could be re-located to ensure that the business of Parliament can be carried out without interruption and with minimum disturbance to Members, Peers, their staff, staff of both Houses and visitors to the estate.

The Print Procurement section is part of the Vote Office. It serves departments and Offices across the House of Lords, House of Commons and, on occasions, Parliamentary Associations. The function is to supply printed items requested by customers for the performance of their Parliamentary duties and promotion of public events.  Printed and promotional items are outsourced to external printers on the framework where Print Services (the in-house digital production unit) cannot produce the requirements due to quantities required, time scales, specialist printing or finishing, such as embossing, foil blocking, die-stamping and thermography. The Print Procurement section operates Monday to Friday throughout the year. The volume of business tends to remain consistent throughout the year but peaks towards February and March.

The authority is looking to appoint a single contract through the Restricted procedure for a maximum contract term of 8 years (initially a 5-year term with three 12-month extensions). An invitation to tender (ITT) will be issued providing full details of the requirement. Suppliers are welcome to form groups or partnerships for this opportunity but one supplier must act as the lead bidder. The solution, whether provided by a sole supplier or multiple suppliers in partnership with one acting as lead supplier, must allow for data to be shared between the stock inventory and ePOS elements. The Houses of Parliament are responsible for operating a wide range of catering, refreshment and retail facilities to support Members, Peers, staff, contractors and visitors across 5 buildings within the Parliamentary Estate. The House of Commons and House of Lords are separate reporting entities and operate separate business functions to manage purchasing, receiving, food & beverage control, accounting and finance. The Houses of Parliament currently operate 31 catering outlets on the Parliamentary Estate; there are 12 within the House of Lords and 19 within the House of Commons; The solution will operate across catering outlets in both House of Commons and House of Lords as well as the House of Lords gift shop.

The House of Commons requires an authorised and registered ESFA apprenticeship training provider to train apprentices to the "Professional Security Operatives (Level 2)".The House of Commons aim to commence apprenticeship cohorts from May 2024 onwards and we expect the training provider to be able to support in this aim with dedicated staff and forward planning to scope the future cohorts. This procurement falls within Schedule 3 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("PCR 2015") meaning that the procurement process is conducted under the "light touch regime" (as more specifically set out at regulations 74 to 76 PCR 2015).