Prepaid services.
Contract notice
Services
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
Electronic submission of tenders and requests to participate: To be advised
Post Office Ltd (POL)
148 Old Street
Contact point(s): Lucy Blackshaw
For the attention of: Lucy Blackshaw
EC1V 9HA London
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 7715480233
E-mail:
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: http://www.royalmailgroup.com/who-we-are/our-brands#13900297
Electronic access to information: To be advisedElectronic submission of tenders and requests to participate: To be advised
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Other: Postal Network
I.3)Main activity
Other: UK Postal Network
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II: Object of the contract
II.1)Description
II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Prepaid services.
II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 6: Financial servicesa)Insurances services b)Banking and investment services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: UK.
Service category No 6: Financial servicesa)Insurances services b)Banking and investment services
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance: UK.
NUTS code UK
II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)
The notice involves a public contract
II.1.4)Information on framework agreement
II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
The proposed contract is in relation to the provision, administration and operation of prepaid services. The proposed contract will include the provision, administration and operation of a variety of prepaid products which may be open/closed loop, private label or restricted acceptance and may be e-money or deposit accounts, and may also include functionality which is currently being developed by the prepaid industry or may be developed by the prepaid industry during the term of the proposed contract. The proposed contract may also include the use of emerging technologies including, but not limited to Near Field Communication (NFC) and mobile payments.
The products may be distributed and operated (loading of funds, provision of balance enquires, encashments etc.) through both Post Office branches and other relevant outlets and channels including contact centre (including IVR), web and mobile. It is also envisaged for some of these products can be used for cash withdrawals, balance enquiries and other services at ATM’s and transactions at Merchants. "Post Office® Branch” means any directly managed, franchised or sub Post Office® branch and any other counter or customer payment facility or outlet operated by or on behalf of Post Office Ltd from time to time, from which the service is to be provided and "Post Office® Branches” shall be construed accordingly;
The services may include.
A) Responsibility for managing relationships with any card schemes, act as BIN sponsor (or procure BIN sponsorship), act as card issuer (or procure the issue of cards), settlement for any transactions carried out by the account holders and managing any regulatory issues pertaining to the services.
B) The management of prepaid solutions allowing account holders to spend, transfer and transact funds held under E money or deposit in the prepaid accounts at a wide range of domestic (UK) and international retailers and other outlets (such as ATMs), potentially supporting foreign exchange and other such services.
C) Timely remittance to Post Office of all charges levied on account holders for the provision of prepaid services which are not paid directly to Post Office by account holders and remittance of all other income related to the operation of these accounts, including but not limited to interest on float and any interchange fees.
D) any relevant interfaces to Post Office’s systems.
E) Regulatory responsibility for all relevant know your customer, anti-money laundering and simplified due diligence checks or any other types of checks which may be required during customer registration and from time to time.
F) The management of and compliance with all regulatory matters including but not limited to 2EMD, PCI, BCOBS. Bank licence, e-money licence, as required by the laws of United Kingdom from time to time in relation to the solutions implemented.
G) Supply of all support services for prepaid solutions including but not limited to: administering some or all account holder contact via contact centres, dispute handling, chargeback notices, provision of any necessary cards or other devices or tokens (form factors) which have a similar function to cards, either now or at some point during the proposed contract such as multi-function chips or other devices to deliver the prepaid solutions including any personalisation / packaging and delivery to the account holder.
H) Securely process and manage customer data on Post Office’s behalf, though for the avoidance of doubt Post Office will own all relevant customer data.
K) Comprehensive support to enable Post Office to design, deploy, test and operate new prepaid products, services and channels as required.
L) As required by good industry practice, including but not limited to Card Schemes and FSA, the supplier will take responsibility for comprehensive fraud prevention, management and monitoring to minimise potential losses to Post Office and account holders, ensuring timely investigation and action is taken where fraud is suspected or confirmed.
M) Provision of comprehensive, regular management information on the operation of accounts and other aspects of service provision.
N) Maintenance, testing and invocation where appropriate of robust and resilient business continuity and disaster recovery procedures for all aspects of service provision.
O) Continuous improvement and development of the services including the addition of new technology as it becomes relevant or appropriate for the various elements of the service.
Post Office reserves its rights to act accordance with Regulations 14 (1) (d) (i) and 14 (1) (d) (ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) in relation to the proposed contract and services.
The products may be distributed and operated (loading of funds, provision of balance enquires, encashments etc.) through both Post Office branches and other relevant outlets and channels including contact centre (including IVR), web and mobile. It is also envisaged for some of these products can be used for cash withdrawals, balance enquiries and other services at ATM’s and transactions at Merchants. "Post Office® Branch” means any directly managed, franchised or sub Post Office® branch and any other counter or customer payment facility or outlet operated by or on behalf of Post Office Ltd from time to time, from which the service is to be provided and "Post Office® Branches” shall be construed accordingly;
The services may include.
A) Responsibility for managing relationships with any card schemes, act as BIN sponsor (or procure BIN sponsorship), act as card issuer (or procure the issue of cards), settlement for any transactions carried out by the account holders and managing any regulatory issues pertaining to the services.
B) The management of prepaid solutions allowing account holders to spend, transfer and transact funds held under E money or deposit in the prepaid accounts at a wide range of domestic (UK) and international retailers and other outlets (such as ATMs), potentially supporting foreign exchange and other such services.
C) Timely remittance to Post Office of all charges levied on account holders for the provision of prepaid services which are not paid directly to Post Office by account holders and remittance of all other income related to the operation of these accounts, including but not limited to interest on float and any interchange fees.
D) any relevant interfaces to Post Office’s systems.
E) Regulatory responsibility for all relevant know your customer, anti-money laundering and simplified due diligence checks or any other types of checks which may be required during customer registration and from time to time.
F) The management of and compliance with all regulatory matters including but not limited to 2EMD, PCI, BCOBS. Bank licence, e-money licence, as required by the laws of United Kingdom from time to time in relation to the solutions implemented.
G) Supply of all support services for prepaid solutions including but not limited to: administering some or all account holder contact via contact centres, dispute handling, chargeback notices, provision of any necessary cards or other devices or tokens (form factors) which have a similar function to cards, either now or at some point during the proposed contract such as multi-function chips or other devices to deliver the prepaid solutions including any personalisation / packaging and delivery to the account holder.
H) Securely process and manage customer data on Post Office’s behalf, though for the avoidance of doubt Post Office will own all relevant customer data.
I) Take on and transition any existing Post Office products which Post Office might choose to migrate to the services during the lifetime of the contract, ensuring a minimum disruption to customers across all relevant channels and cooperate with Post Office 3rd party suppliers where necessary.
J) The eventual transfer of some or all of the services supplied under the proposed contract to an alternative service provider either at the end of the contract duration, at termination or at an appropriate break point, maintaining service continuity to the account holder, including the availability of historic account & transactional data.K) Comprehensive support to enable Post Office to design, deploy, test and operate new prepaid products, services and channels as required.
L) As required by good industry practice, including but not limited to Card Schemes and FSA, the supplier will take responsibility for comprehensive fraud prevention, management and monitoring to minimise potential losses to Post Office and account holders, ensuring timely investigation and action is taken where fraud is suspected or confirmed.
M) Provision of comprehensive, regular management information on the operation of accounts and other aspects of service provision.
N) Maintenance, testing and invocation where appropriate of robust and resilient business continuity and disaster recovery procedures for all aspects of service provision.
O) Continuous improvement and development of the services including the addition of new technology as it becomes relevant or appropriate for the various elements of the service.
Post Office reserves its rights to act accordance with Regulations 14 (1) (d) (i) and 14 (1) (d) (ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) in relation to the proposed contract and services.
II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
66110000, 79512000, 66172000, 72420000, 79400000, 79342300, 79342320, 79342321, 22100000, 22400000, 22900000, 72413000, 72415000, 72416000, 79511000, 79311000, 79311100, 79311200, 79571000, 79800000, 79821000, 79411100, 79411000, 48000000, 48444100, 48445000, 48610000, 48611000, 48612000, 30161000, 30162000, 30163000, 30163100, 79999000, 79999100, 79999200
II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): no
II.1.8)Lots
This contract is divided into lots: no
II.1.9)Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: yes
II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract
II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
Total value of the scope will depend on the final range of projects launched and any products that are transferred to it the total value of the scope.
Over the 3 + 2 + 2 years is therefore expected to be between 10 000 000 GBP and 50 000 000,00 GBP.
Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 10 000 000,00 and 50 000 000,00 GBP
Over the 3 + 2 + 2 years is therefore expected to be between 10 000 000 GBP and 50 000 000,00 GBP.
Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between 10 000 000,00 and 50 000 000,00 GBP
II.2.2)Information about options
Options: yes
Description of these options: There will be 2 possible extensions each of 24 months duration after the initial term of 3 years.
Provisional timetable for recourse to these options:
in months: 30 (from the award of the contract)
Description of these options: There will be 2 possible extensions each of 24 months duration after the initial term of 3 years.
Provisional timetable for recourse to these options:
in months: 30 (from the award of the contract)
II.2.3)Information about renewals
This contract is subject to renewal: no
II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Duration in months: 84 (from the award of the contract)
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
A parent company guarantee and/or a performance bond may be required in appropriate circumstances.
III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
See terms of proposed contract that will be issued with the ITPD.
III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
Post Office Limited will consider applications from consortia.
If a consortia wishes to express an interest then when registering its interest (see VI.3) it should be made clear that the application is being made on behalf of a consortia.
Separate instructions will then be issued in relation to completion of the PQQ and assessment of the PQQ which are relevant to consortia applications and these instructions and details will be made available (to ensure the process is transparent) to all parties that express an interest.
If a consortia is successful in the process then Post Office Limited may require the consortia to form a legal entity and may require appropriate guarantees from the members of the consortia forming that legal entity. Alternatively, Post Office Limited may require the consortia to accept joint and several liability as parties to the contract.
If a consortia wishes to express an interest then when registering its interest (see VI.3) it should be made clear that the application is being made on behalf of a consortia.
Separate instructions will then be issued in relation to completion of the PQQ and assessment of the PQQ which are relevant to consortia applications and these instructions and details will be made available (to ensure the process is transparent) to all parties that express an interest.
If a consortia is successful in the process then Post Office Limited may require the consortia to form a legal entity and may require appropriate guarantees from the members of the consortia forming that legal entity. Alternatively, Post Office Limited may require the consortia to accept joint and several liability as parties to the contract.
III.1.4)Other particular conditions
The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: yes
Description of particular conditions: The provision of the services must be compliant with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including but.
Not limited to those which pertain to the provision of financial services in the UK. Other contract terms will be issued with the ITPD.
Description of particular conditions: The provision of the services must be compliant with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions, including but.
Not limited to those which pertain to the provision of financial services in the UK. Other contract terms will be issued with the ITPD.
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: See PQQ.
III.2.2)Economic and financial ability
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Candidates must provide POL with the financial information set out in the PQQ (sections 1 and 2).
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See Information Memorandum/PQQ.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See Information Memorandum/PQQ.
III.2.3)Technical capacity
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
Candidates must provide POL with the technical and other experience/capability related information set out in the PQQ (section 4).
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
See Information Memorandum/PQQ.
Candidates must provide POL with the technical and other experience/capability related information set out in the PQQ (section 4).
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
See Information Memorandum/PQQ.
III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts
III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts
III.3.1)Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: no
III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service
Legal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: no
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
competitive dialogue
IV.1.2)Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
Envisaged minimum number 3: and maximum number 5
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: Post Office will only invite the highest scoring candidates on the basis of preselection criteria set out in the Information Memorandum/PQQ.
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: Post Office will only invite the highest scoring candidates on the basis of preselection criteria set out in the Information Memorandum/PQQ.
IV.1.3)Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated yes
IV.2)Award criteria
IV.2.1)Award criteria
The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document
IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used: no
IV.3)Administrative information
IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority:
E_SOURCING PROJECT NUMBER TO BE ADDED HERE
IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
no
IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document
Time limit for receipt of requests for documents or for accessing documents: 1.2.2012 - 12:00
Payable documents: no
Payable documents: no
IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
10.2.2012 - 12:00
IV.3.5)Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English.
IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
IV.3.8)Conditions for opening tenders
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: no
VI.2)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.3)Additional information
Please read all of the following information carefully.
1. Expression of interest:
- please ensure that you submit an expression of interest promptly so that your details can be populated in the Royal Mail Group Electronic Sourcing system (E-Sourcing). This is a necessary first step in order for you to be able to respond to the PQQ.
2. To formally submit an EOI you must firstly download the applicant details spreadsheet (excel file) located on the Royal Mail Group Website at:
Organisation name;
Contact telephone number for your organisation;
First name of the person who will complete the PQQ;
Surname of the person who will complete the PQQ;
Contact number for the person who will complete the PQQ;
Email address of the person who will be completing the PQQ. Please also complete as much of the non-mandatory information as possible.
Please note: your log-on will not be activated until you are formally invited to participate, so please do not try to log-on before you are invited to do so, since your access will be denied.
7. RMG may require suppliers to supplement or clarify the information submitted in the PQQ and may also undertake its own audit of the supplier to verify the information provided.
8. Tenders and all supporting documentation for the contract must be priced in sterling (unless otherwise specified in the contract documents) and written in English.
9. Any agreement entered into will be considered a contract made in England according to English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
10. Post Office Ltd is not liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity. Post Office Ltd reserves the right to terminate the procurement process (or part of it), to change the basis of and the procedures for the procurement process at any time, or to procure the contract by alternative means if it appears that the contract can be more advantageously procured by alternative means. The most economically advantageous or any tender will not automatically be accepted.
1. Expression of interest:
- please ensure that you submit an expression of interest promptly so that your details can be populated in the Royal Mail Group Electronic Sourcing system (E-Sourcing). This is a necessary first step in order for you to be able to respond to the PQQ.
2. To formally submit an EOI you must firstly download the applicant details spreadsheet (excel file) located on the Royal Mail Group Website at:
http://www.royalmailgroup.com/portal/rmg/content3?catId=23300561&mediaId;=23500516
Please note that if you represent a consortium, please contact for further instructions on how to register your expression of interest.
3. The applicant details spreadsheet should be completed with the details of your organisation. The spreadsheet format should not be amended in any way. Mandatory information required to be added to the spreadsheet is:Organisation name;
Contact telephone number for your organisation;
First name of the person who will complete the PQQ;
Surname of the person who will complete the PQQ;
Contact number for the person who will complete the PQQ;
Email address of the person who will be completing the PQQ. Please also complete as much of the non-mandatory information as possible.
3. Following completion of your applicant details spreadsheet, please email the spreadsheet to and .
4. You will then be sent information on how to access the PQQ. The PQQ will be managed using the RMG Electronic Sourcing System (Esourcing).5. The pre qualification questionaire is accessed via esourcing. You will need to receive 2 emails in order to participate). Once you have submitted your completed applicant details spreadsheet) you will be provided with your first email (within 48 hours Monday - Friday) which is a log-on to Esourcing, these log-on details shall arrive via and headed Royal Mail Group RFX. (please do not email this site unless instructed to do so). On receipt of your log-on information you will then be sent a second email (within 24 hours Monday to Friday) from or RMG, inviting you to participate in the PQQ for prepaid services. It is at this point that you will be able to fully access the PQQ and start to complete it.
6. The PQQ will close as noted in IV.3.4.Please note: your log-on will not be activated until you are formally invited to participate, so please do not try to log-on before you are invited to do so, since your access will be denied.
7. RMG may require suppliers to supplement or clarify the information submitted in the PQQ and may also undertake its own audit of the supplier to verify the information provided.
8. Tenders and all supporting documentation for the contract must be priced in sterling (unless otherwise specified in the contract documents) and written in English.
9. Any agreement entered into will be considered a contract made in England according to English law and will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.
10. Post Office Ltd is not liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity. Post Office Ltd reserves the right to terminate the procurement process (or part of it), to change the basis of and the procedures for the procurement process at any time, or to procure the contract by alternative means if it appears that the contract can be more advantageously procured by alternative means. The most economically advantageous or any tender will not automatically be accepted.
All communications must be made through and .
VI.4)Procedures for appeal
VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures
VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals
Precise information on deadline(s) for lodging appeals: Please refer to the public contracts regulations 2006 as amended.
VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:
9.1.2012