Jisc is establishing a Framework to enable it access to specialist consultants, with expertise in digital transformation, libraries and research & innovation in the UK non-profit organisation sector (tertiary education, charities, funding). Jisc consultancy supports a range of organisations through the development and implementation of digital leadership, digital transformation, and research and innovation initiatives. To enhance the delivery of these services to its members, Jisc requires external consultants to collaborate in providing strategic and operational expertise across all areas of business.

Digital and organisational change across learning, teaching and assessment, student experience and support, training, research, knowledge management and digital and physical infrastructure. Consultancy work can help organisations with strategy development and review, organisational planning and review of systems, services, information and data management to inform investment priorities and future development. Jisc consultancy around digital transformation helps to explore and address factors such as organisational culture, digital leadership, digital capability and wellbeing, helping to create the conditions for sustainable change and enhanced business outcomes. This work will align with our Framework for digital transformation in higher education. Our digital transformation toolkit (https://www.jisc.ac.uk/taking-digital-transformation-forward-in-your-organisation/towards-digital-transformation) provides further details.

Digital and data research infrastructure strategy and operational development in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors. Research management strategy and operational development in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors. Scholarly communications in higher education and publicly funded research and related partnerships across sectors.

Procurement Act 2023

Competitive flexible procedure

Jisc subject matter experts will internally develop individual project requirements through scoping meetings and iterative proposal development with specific project commissioners. Where a project requires an associate engagement, this will be sourced via either direct award to a suitably qualified specialist supplier or via running a mini-competition amongst relevant suppliers on the applicable Lot(s). Each project will have its own defined budget and commercial requirements. Bidders will be required to submit a fixed project price equal to or below the set budget that reflects their proposed delivery model, efficiencies, commercial discounts or other pricing strategies. Under the framework, each call-off activity will typically be conducted on a single Lot. However, where appropriate, call-off contracts may be awarded either through direct award or mini-competition. Should the need arise, mini-competitions may be run across two Lots simultaneously, although any resulting award will be made under one Lot only. Mini-competition (Lots 1 and 2) A mini-competition enables Jisc to undertake a competitive process to secure the solution that offers the most advantageous tender. Under this process, suppliers appointed to the relevant Framework Lot will be invited to respond to an ITQ, which will set out the specific project requirements. Mini-competitions may be used for project opportunities where specific Specialisms are not required, or where multiple suppliers have demonstrated expertise in the same Specialism. Only suppliers successfully appointed to the relevant Lot will be invited to participate. Suppliers will be provided with all relevant information and invited to submit a proposal by a specified deadline, typically allowing at least 10 working days for responses. Participation is optional; however, suppliers that choose not to respond may be asked to provide a reason. Responses will be evaluated against criteria set out in the ITQ, including the supplier's ability to meet the project requirements, deliver the required outcomes, work within budget and achieve the required timescales. Awards will typically be based on a combination of Technical Quality (80%) and Price (20%), although Jisc reserves the right to vary these weightings to reflect the needs of individual projects, and include relevant sub-criteria. Full details of the evaluation methodology, submission requirements and timescales will be included within the mini-competition documentation. For each mini-competition, the Contracting Authority may vary the weighting of the framework award criteria to reflect the specific requirements of the project. The mini-competition award criteria can include new sub-criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, the evaluation of any price criterion at mini-competition will be scored using the methodology described in Tender Suite Part 1, Section 1.5.2. Calling off from the framework. Direct award (Lots 1 and 2) Jisc may award a Call-Off Contract without conducting a mini-competition where an objective selection outcome can be determined from Supplier information assessed and accepted at Framework admission. Direct award may be used where: a) Only one Supplier on the relevant Lot has successfully demonstrated and been admitted to the Framework for the Specialism required by the project, or; b) The requirement relates to a combination of Specialisms and only one Supplier on the relevant Lot has successfully demonstrated and been admitted to the Framework for all of those Specialisms.

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