--- title: "Development of the INHFL Online Platform (Phases 2 & 3)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL" published: "2024-01-22" --- # Development of the INHFL Online Platform (Phases 2 & 3) Buyer: DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8.json) ## Summary The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) initiated a tender procedure for the Development of the INHFL Online Platform (Phases 2 & 3) under the main procurement category of services. The tender, which had the legal basis of CELEX, was awarded to UKRI as represented by British Geological Survey. The procurement method used was a limited Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The contract value was £31,303.86 GBP, signed on 31st May 2023. The project is in the completed status, consisting of information technology services targeted at UK interests overseas. The awarded contract for the INHFL Online Platform development presents business growth opportunities for companies specializing in information technology services and digital platforms. Businesses with expertise in geological data, environmental sciences, and online platform development would be well-suited to compete in similar tenders. The single tender action purchasing strategy was employed due to the technical complexity and unique requirements of the project, necessitating the selection of a specific economic operator. The active involvement of partners like the UK Met Office and BGS further underscores the focus on data sensitivity and digital support in the procurement decision-making process. ## Notice Development of the INHFL Online Platform (Phases 2 & 3) ### Lot Information Lot 1 This project will form the first step in a larger programme to inform all government departments about the predicted natural hazard threats which affect UK interests overseas. Following successful development of a prototype in Phase 1 of the project under MoA (Discovery Phase), Phases 2 and 3 of this project plan to develop the full online platform to beta release level. ### Procurement Information The STA (Single Tender Action) purchasing strategy is best suited for this project commission for the following reasons: * It was paramount that the platform should be designed by one of the partners because only the partners understand the sensitivity of the data being used. * Only partners can access further required data layers (for example, population data, trade data, geological data, oceanic currents and vegetative indices) and that the developer should have a soundtrack record in developing these types of platforms (for example Geology of Britain viewer | British Geological Survey (BGS)). * During initial conversations amongst the INHFL operational group (UK Met Office, BGS, APHA, Defra, UKHSA, Go-Science) it was identified that those science agencies with ready access to digital support should lead on the development of the new platform. * This was passed to BGS and Met Office, and laterally BGS (due to capacity reasons, particularly the need to begin work FY21-22), as being able to provide that digital support and have an established understanding of the INHFL product * Therefore, STA is the preferred route than going through a third party (outside of the INHFL partnership). * There is also no in-house capacity within Defra and its network to get access to manage the platform being developed. Since completion of Phase 1 the incumbent supplier (BGS) has been working with Defra to prepare for Phases 2 and 3 work to ensure they follow Defra and Cabinet rules regarding IT and online platform. Direct award is therefore recommended in line with regulation 32 (2b) of the Public Contract Regulations as detailed below, with particular reference to (ii) and (iii): Use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication 32.-- (2) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts in any of the following cases:-- (b)where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator for any of the following reasons:-- (i)the aim of the procurement is the creation or acquisition of a unique work of art or artistic performance, (ii)competition is absent for technical reasons, (iii)the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights, As such, BGS is the only choice for their inclusivity as a selected member to INHFL network to handle data and their expertise as well as for continuation of use of its prototype developed in Phase 1. Thus, direct award should be given to the BGS to continue development of the INHFL Online Platform, and this selection qualifies as an STA. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002121-2024 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Limited | | Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 22 Jan 2024 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 30 May 2023 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £31,303 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 4DF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | UKRI AS REPRESENTED BY BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72222300 - Information technology services ## Release History - 22 Jan 2024 at 15:34 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002121-2024 ## Notice URLs - http://www.bgs.ac.uk - https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-042ef8.json.