Procurement of Data Research Repository Replacement Proof of Concept

Procurement of a discrete Proof of Concept through a compliant CCS Framework Defra has a legal obligation to publish its research outputs on compliant platforms and to manage its R&D programme with transparency, auditability, and accountability—demonstrating the value and impact of public investment.

As part of Discovery work, a Proof of Concept exercise was run through a compliant framework for a short-term period (three months) to understand and test the requirements needed to support a future procurement exercise. Discussions were held with Project team to understand the market and potential solutions that would meet the requirements.

Given the requirements for a Cloud solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the exploratory pilot Research Repository Service. A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 in accordance with the Framework terms.

Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) “competition is absent for technical reasons” – the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework. The value of the contract is a total contract value of £37,438.00 (ex VAT) for a three- month period.

Additional information: Defra has a legal obligation to publish its research outputs on compliant platforms and to manage its R&D programme with transparency, auditability, and accountability—demonstrating the value and impact of public investment. As part of Discovery work, a Proof of Concept exercise was run through a compliant framework for a short-term period (three months) to understand and test the requirements needed to support a future procurement exercise.

Discussions were held with Project team to understand the market and potential solutions that would meet the requirements. Given the requirements for a Cloud solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the exploratory pilot Research Repository Service.

A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 in accordance with the Framework terms. Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) “competition is absent for technical reasons” – the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework. The value of the contract is a total contract value of £37,438.00 (ex VAT) for a three- month period.