Title: Advice on proposed Communications Regulator for UK, The Office of Communications (OFCOM)

1. Awarding authority: Radiocommunications Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (subject to confirmation in the Invitation to Tender), 13G/6B, Wyndham House, 189 Marsh Wall, London, E14 9SX, UK, Tel: 020 7211 0405, Fax: 020 7211 0413, e-mail: paul.farthing@ra.gsi.gov.uk, Contact: Mr Paul Farthing.

2. Category of service and description, CPC reference number, quantity, options: CPV: 74141100-0
Additional description: The current regulators - the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (through the Radiocommunications Agency), the Director General of Telecommunications, the Independent Television Commission, the Radio Authority and the Broadcasting Standards Commission-and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport have agreed to work together to identify ways to achieve the Government's proposal to create a single Communications Regulator. A draft paving bill establishes a preparatory OFCOM; a draft substantive Bill will be published in 2001-02.
Subject to government plans, advice will be sought on:
- transition and change management;
- development of OFCOM's organisational design,
culture and strategies;
- development and implementation of work processes
and plans;
- full HR strategy;
- financial strategy and systems;
- premises and logistics;
- information services and communications.

3. Delivery to: As above No. 1
4. a) Reserved for a particular profession: No
4. b) Law, regulation or administrative provision: None
4. c) Obligation to mention the names and qualifications of personnel: Yes. A legal person may be required to confirm the qualifications of staff who will execute the contract if appropriate.

5. Division into lots: No. The tenderer will be required to act as the prime contractor, and must tender for all requirements.
6. Number of service providers which will be invited to tender: 5 - 10.
7. Variants: No. No variations permitted.
8. Time limits for completion or duration of the contract, for starting or providing the service: one year, with an option to extend, and possibly a break point when OFCOM is created.

9. Legal form in case of group bidders: No special legal form, but each tenderer will be required to become jointly and severally responsible for the contract before acceptance.
10. a) Justification for accelerated procedure: The UK Government is committed to the immediate establishment of OFCOM, enabling practical steps to get the regulator up and running to receive the functions in substantive legislation by 2003.
An early start on the detailed preparations is essential if these urgent operational requirements are to be met.
10. b) Deadline for receipt of applications: 5 November
10. c) Address: Address: As in 1.
10. d) Language(s): English
11. Final date for the despatch of invitations to tender: 07.11.2001
12. Deposits and guarantees: Not Applicable
13. Qualifications: - Full company name, business address and
registered address (if different) and company
registration number;
- Details of parent company and other group
companies;
- A full company profile;
- Full audited accounts for the previous two
financial years;
- Annual turnover in respect of similar services
over the previous two financial years;
- Experience of provision of similar service over
the past two years;
- Names, addresses, telephone numbers and contact
points of at least three clients for references;
- Professional liability indemnity details;
- Evidence of understanding of challenges and
opportunities for OFCOM, and the handling of
complex transition arrangements;
- Certificate of conformity to the ISO9000 series
of standards from a national accreditation body,
and evidence of any other quality assurance
measures where appropriate;

14. Award criteria: Economically the most advantageous offer.
Detailed criteria will be stated in the Invitation to Tender.

15. Other information: - All documents must be in English or with an
English translation;
- All documents must be priced in sterling, and
all payments will be made in sterling;
- The contract shall be considered to be made in
England and shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the provisions of English
law;
- The Radiocommunications Agency reserves the right
to annul the tendering process and not to award a
contract.
16. Date of publication of pre-information:
17. Notice Postmarked:
18. Notice received on:
19. Covered by the GPA agreement: Not Applicable

END OF NOTICE