Procurement of a chatbot as a service

The main objective of the procurement is to replace/renew the current agreement that is about to expire, to ensure that we can continue to offer a good chatbot as a service, including manual chat and speechbot using one technology, as well as consultancy services to assist internal resources. Focus on …

CPV: 72000000 Servicios TI: consultoría, desarrollo de software, Internet y apoyo, 48000000 Paquetes de software y sistemas de información, 48100000 Paquetes de software específico de un sector económico, 48700000 Utilidades de paquetes de software, 72260000 Servicios relacionados con el software, 72261000 Servicios de apoyo al software, 72262000 Servicios de desarrollo de software, 72263000 Servicios de implementación de software, 72265000 Servicios de configuración de software, 72266000 Servicios de consultoría en software, 72268000 Servicios de suministro de software
Lugar de ejecución:
Procurement of a chatbot as a service
Organismo adjudicador:
Statens vegvesen
Número de premio:
24/269412

1. Buyer

1.1 Buyer

Official name : Statens vegvesen
Legal type of the buyer : Public undertaking
Activity of the contracting authority : General public services

2. Procedure

2.1 Procedure

Title : Procurement of a chatbot as a service
Description : The main objective of the procurement is to replace/renew the current agreement that is about to expire, to ensure that we can continue to offer a good chatbot as a service, including manual chat and speechbot using one technology, as well as consultancy services to assist internal resources. Focus on innovation and further development of chatbots as a service is important, so that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is connected to developments and can follow updates in the market. The objective and scope of the procurement is to find a tenderer who can provide: • Access to a platform with chatbot as a service, including manual chat and speechbot, and consultancy services to assist internal resources. Further details on what shall be included in the establishment phase are in the SSA-L contract annex 3. • Access to consultancy services on an hourly basis for consultancy, continual improvements and further development, which ensures that the Contracting Authority gets the most out of new and updated technology. • Option for the Contracting Authority to build and production chatbots, manual chat and speechbot for other areas in the department, such as IT support, HR, projects, etc. Further details on the procurement are in the requirement specifications in the SSA-L contract annex 1.
Procedure identifier : 407b9e54-5d82-40e2-a76c-62f0d0326f6d
Internal identifier : 24/269412
Type of procedure : Negotiated with prior publication of a call for competition / competitive with negotiation
The procedure is accelerated : no
Justification for the accelerated procedure :
Main features of the procedure :

2.1.1 Purpose

Main nature of the contract : Services
Main classification ( cpv ): 72000000 IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48000000 Software package and information systems
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48100000 Industry specific software package
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48700000 Software package utilities
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72260000 Software-related services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72261000 Software support services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72262000 Software development services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72263000 Software implementation services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72265000 Software configuration services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72266000 Software consultancy services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72268000 Software supply services

2.1.2 Place of performance

Country : Norway
Anywhere in the given country

2.1.3 Value

Estimated value excluding VAT : 60 000 000 Norwegian krone

2.1.4 General information

Legal basis :
Directive 2014/24/EU

2.1.6 Grounds for exclusion

Analogous situation like bankruptcy under national law : Is the supplier in a situation where he has been forced debt arrangement? Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Bankruptcy : Is the tenderer in a bankruptcy situation? Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Corruption : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, in the event a enforceable verdict has been convicted of corruption by a verdict handed down not more than five years ago, or a rejection period determined directly in the judgement that still applies? Corruption as defined in Article 3 of the Convention on Combating Corruption, Involving European Communities or European Union Member States (EUT C 195 of 25.6.1997, s. 1), and in Article 2, point 1, in the Council ́s framework decision 2003/568/RIA of 22 July 2003 on combating corruption in the private sector (EUT L 192 of 31.7.2003, p. 54). This rejection reason also includes corruption as defined in national law for the contracting authority or supplier.
Arrangement with creditors : Is the supplier in a situation where he has been forced debt arrangement? Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Participation in a criminal organisation : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, at the time a legally convicted verdict of participation in a criminal organisation by a verdict handed down no more than five years ago, or a rejection period set out directly in the judgement that still applies? Participation in a criminal organisation as defined in Article 2 of the Council ́s framework decision 2008/841/RIA of 24 October 2008 on control of organised crime (EUT L 300 of 11.11.2008, p. 42)
Agreements with other economic operators aimed at distorting competition : Has the tenderer entered into agreement(s) with other tenderers with the intention of turning the competition?
Breaching of obligations in the fields of environmental law : Is the tenderer aware of breaches of environmental provisions as stated in national law, the relevant notice or procurement documents or Article 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU.
Money laundering or terrorist financing : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, in the event a legal verdict has been convicted of money laundering or financing terrorism by a verdict handed down no more than five years ago, or a rejection period set out directly in the judgement that still applies? Money laundering or financing terrorism As defined in Article 1 of the European Parliament and Council Directive 2005/60/EF of 26 October 2005 on preventive measures against the use of the financial system for money laundering and financing terrorism (EUT L 309 of 25.11.2005, p. 15).
Fraud : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, at the time a legally convicted of fraud has been convicted of fraud by a verdict handed down not more than five years ago, or a rejection period determined directly in the judgement that still applies? Fraud included in Article 1 of the Convention on protection of the Financial Interests of the European Communities (EFT C 316 of 27.11.1995, p. 48).
Child labour and other forms of trafficking in human beings : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, in the event a legal verdict has been convicted of child labour and other forms of human trafficking by a verdict handed down no more than five years ago, or a rejection period determined directly in the judgement that still applies? Child labour and other forms of human trafficking as defined in Article 2 of the European Parliament and council directive 2011/36/EU of 5. 1 April 2011 on the prevention and control of human trafficking and the protection of its victims and for compensation of the Council ́s framework decision 2002/629/RIA (EUT L 101 of 15.4.2011, p. 1).
Insolvency : Is the tenderer in an insolvency situation? Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Breaching of obligations in the fields of labour law : Is the tenderer aware of breaches of provisions on working conditions as stated in national law, the relevant notice or procurement documents or Article 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU.
Assets being administered by liquidator : Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Guilty of misrepresentation, withheld information, unable to provide required documents and obtained confidential information of this procedure : Have the tenderer:a) given grossly incorrect information when notifying the information required to verify that there is no basis for rejection, or of the qualification requirements being met,b) failed to provide such information,c) subject to immediately submitting the supporting documents requested by the Contracting Authority, ord) improperly affecting the Contracting Authority's decision process to acquire confidential information that could give this an unlawful advantage in connection with competition, or negligently has given misleading information that can have a significant influence on decisions on rejection, selection or award?
Purely national exclusion grounds : Regarding the ESPD form "Part III: Rejection Reasons", we would like to clarify that the Norwegian procurement rules go further than that stated in the EU Public Procurement Directive and in the ESPD standard form. All the rejection reasons in this competition apply, cf. the procurement regulations § 24-2.
Conflict of interest due to its participation in the procurement procedure : Are tenderers aware of a conflict of interest as stated in national law, the relevant notice or procurement documents?
Direct or indirect involvement in the preparation of this procurement procedure : Has the tenderer or an entity associated with the supplier advised the contracting authority or in another way been involved in the planning of the competition?
Guilty of grave professional misconduct : Has the tenderer committed serious errors in professional practice? If relevant, see the definitions in national law, the relevant notice or procurement documents.
Early termination, damages or other comparable sanctions : Has the tenderer committed significant breaches of contract in connection with the fulfilment of a previous public contract, a previous contract with a public contracting authority or a previous concession contract, where the breach has led to the cancellation of the contract, compensation or other similar sanctions?
Breaching of obligations in the fields of social law : Is the tenderer aware of breaches of provisions on social conditions as stated in national law, the relevant notice or procurement documents or Article 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU.
Payment of social security contributions : Have tenderers failed to fulfil all their social security obligations in the country where they are established and in their member state, if this is a different country than what he is established in?
Business activities are suspended : Specify why, under the mentioned circumstances, one is able to carry out the contract, considering the current national provisions and measures for continuing the business activities? It is not necessary to provide this information if rejection of tenderers made mandatory in accordance with the current national law without the possibility for exceptions.
Payment of taxes : Has the tenderer not fulfilled his tax and duty obligations in the country in which he is established, and in the contracting authority's member state, if this is a different country than what he is established in?
Terrorist offences or offences linked to terrorist activities : Is the tenderer himself or a person, who is a member of the tenderer's administration, management or supervisory body, or has the competence to represent or control or make decisions in such bodies, in the event a legal verdict has been convicted of acts of terrorism or criminal acts connected to terrorist activities by a verdict handed down no more than five years ago, or a rejection period set out directly in the judgement that still applies? Acts of terrorism or criminal acts relating to terrorist activity as defined in Article 1 and 3 of the Council ́s framework decision 2002/475/RIA of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism (EFT L 164, af 22.6.2002, p. 3). This rejection reason also includes incitement to, participation or attempts to commit such actions as included in Article 4 in the mentioned framework decision.

5. Lot

5.1 Lot technical ID : LOT-0000

Title : Procurement of a chatbot as a service
Description : The main objective of the procurement is to replace/renew the current agreement that is about to expire, to ensure that we can continue to offer a good chatbot as a service, including manual chat and speechbot using one technology, as well as consultancy services to assist internal resources. Focus on innovation and further development of chatbots as a service is important, so that the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is connected to developments and can follow updates in the market. The objective and scope of the procurement is to find a tenderer who can provide: • Access to a platform with chatbot as a service, including manual chat and speechbot, and consultancy services to assist internal resources. Further details on what shall be included in the establishment phase are in the SSA-L contract annex 3. • Access to consultancy services on an hourly basis for consultancy, continual improvements and further development, which ensures that the Contracting Authority gets the most out of new and updated technology. • Option for the Contracting Authority to build and production chatbots, manual chat and speechbot for other areas in the department, such as IT support, HR, projects, etc. Further details on the procurement are in the requirement specifications in the SSA-L contract annex 1.
Internal identifier : 24/269412

5.1.1 Purpose

Main nature of the contract : Services
Main classification ( cpv ): 72000000 IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48000000 Software package and information systems
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48100000 Industry specific software package
Additional classification ( cpv ): 48700000 Software package utilities
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72260000 Software-related services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72261000 Software support services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72262000 Software development services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72263000 Software implementation services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72265000 Software configuration services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72266000 Software consultancy services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 72268000 Software supply services
Options :
Description of the options : The contracting authority would like an option to build and production chatbots, manual chat and speechbots for other areas in the department, such as IT support, HR, projects, etc. It is currently uncertain whether the Customer takes out options, but it is important that the contract opens for it and that the Tenderer has the capacity to deliver on this if necessary. As there is a lot of development in the discipline of chatbot as a service, call-offs for any coming nearby services will be seen as part of the agreement ́s options. Options give a right, but no obligation to withdrawal.

5.1.2 Place of performance

Country : Norway
Anywhere in the given country
Additional information :

5.1.3 Estimated duration

Duration : 8 Year

5.1.4 Renewal

Maximum renewals : 6
The buyer reserves the right for additional purchases from the contractor, as described here : The contract will be valid for 2 years, with an option for an extension for 1+1+1+1+1+1 year, cf. annex 5.

5.1.5 Value

Estimated value excluding VAT : 60 000 000 Norwegian krone

5.1.6 General information

Reserved participation : Participation is not reserved.
Procurement Project not financed with EU Funds.
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) : yes

5.1.9 Selection criteria

Criterion :
Type : Economic and financial standing
Name : Requirements of the tenderer's economic and financial capacity.
Description : Tenderers must have sufficient financial capacity to fulfil the contract. Creditworthiness will be sufficient to meet the requirement. Documentation requirement: The contracting authority will obtain a credit rating from Experian. If there is doubt, the Contracting Authority can obtain further information from the tenderer.
Use of this criterion : Not used
Criterion :
Type : Suitability to pursue the professional activity
Name : Tax Certificate
Description : Tenderers shall have their tax, employer contribution and VAT payments in order. Documentation requirement: Tenderers shall confirm that they fulfil this requirement upon submission. Tenderers shall present a tax and VAT certificate issued by a competent body in the tenderer's home country, or the country where the tenderer is established. The certificate shall show whether the tenderer has fulfilled his obligations to pay taxes, duties and social security contributions. The certificate shall not be older than six months from the tender deadline. If a request for participation in the competition is to be submitted, the certificate must not be older than six months calculated from the deadline for submitting the enquiry.
Use of this criterion : Not used
Criterion :
Type : Suitability to pursue the professional activity
Name : Requirements of the tenderer's registrations, authorisations, etc.
Description : The tenderer shall be a legally established company. Documentation requirement: Tenderers shall confirm that they fulfil this requirement upon submission. Tenderers shall present the following documentation: • Norwegian tenderers: Company Registration Certificate. Foreign tenderers: Documentation proving that the company is registered in a trade or business register as prescribed by the law of the country where the tenderer is established.
Use of this criterion : Not used
Criterion :
Type : Technical and professional ability
Name : Requirements regarding the tenderer ́s technical and professional qualifications.
Description : Qualification requirement: Tenderers shall have relevant experience. Documentation requirement: - An overview of up to 3 of the most important relevant work carried out in the last 3 years, including a short description of the assignment, the name of the public or private recipient, as well as information on value/quantity/scope and date. It is the tenderer ́s responsibility to document relevance through the description. The description shall not exceed two A4 pages per assignment with Calibri font size 11, single line distance.
Use of this criterion : Used
The criteria will be used to select the candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure
Weight (percentage, exact) : 65
Criterion :
Type : Technical and professional ability
Name : Requirements regarding the tenderer ́s technical and professional qualifications.
Description : Qualification requirement: Tenderers shall have sufficient professional capacity and competence to fulfil the contract. Documentation requirement: Tenderers shall submit a description that documents an organisation with sufficient professional capacity to fulfil a contract of such scope and duration. It is the tenderer ́s responsibility to document capacity and competence through the description. The description shall not exceed three A4 pages with Calibri font size 11, spaced single.
Use of this criterion : Used
The criteria will be used to select the candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure
Weight (percentage, exact) : 35
Information about the second stage of a two-stage procedure :
Minimum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure : 3
Maximum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure : 5
The procedure will take place in successive stages. At each stage, some participants may be eliminated
The buyer reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without any further negotiations

5.1.10 Award criteria

Criterion :
Type : Quality
Name : Quality
Description : The tenderer ́s response to Annex 1, Annex 3, Requirement Specification. The requirement groups within functional requirements are weighted with the following: • "Content Producer" (10%), "User" (10%), "Innovation" (5%), "Language Comprehension" (20 %) "Project Execution" (10 %) The requirement groups within non-functional requirements are weighted a total of 10%. The evaluation will be based on the submitted documentation, and the demonstration will also be used to assess fulfilment of the requirements.
Weight (percentage, exact) : 65
Criterion :
Type : Quality
Name : Standard Terms
Description : Standard terms in relation to the Contracting Authority's Business Principles. Supplementation of table 1 in annex 9.
Weight (percentage, exact) : 5
Criterion :
Type : Price
Name : Price
Description : The Customer will assess the offered price in annex 6 of the contract for this criteria. The total price includes all costs incurred during the entire contract period and hourly rates are summed in accordance with. stated estimates.
Weight (percentage, exact) : 30
Description of the method to be used if weighting cannot be expressed by criteria :
Justification for not indicating the weighting of the award criteria :

5.1.11 Procurement documents

Languages in which the procurement documents are officially available : Norwegian
Deadline for requesting additional information : 02/12/2024 11:00 +00:00

5.1.12 Terms of procurement

Terms of the procedure :
Estimated date of dispatch of the invitations to submit tenders : 13/12/2024
Terms of submission :
Electronic submission : Required
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted : Norwegian
Electronic catalogue : Not allowed
Variants : Not allowed
Tenderers may submit more than one tender : Not allowed
Deadline for receipt of requests to participate : 09/12/2024 11:00 +00:00
Terms of contract :
The execution of the contract must be performed within the framework of sheltered employment programmes : No
Electronic invoicing : Required
Electronic ordering will be used : no
Electronic payment will be used : yes

5.1.15 Techniques

Framework agreement :
No framework agreement
Information about the dynamic purchasing system :
No dynamic purchase system
Electronic auction : no

5.1.16 Further information, mediation and review

Review organisation : Oslo tingrett
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure : Statens vegvesen
Organisation providing offline access to the procurement documents : Statens vegvesen
Organisation receiving requests to participate : Statens vegvesen
Organisation processing tenders : Statens vegvesen

8. Organisations

8.1 ORG-0001

Official name : Statens vegvesen
Registration number : 971032081
Department : Fellesfunksjoner
Postal address : Skoggata 19
Town : Moss
Postcode : 1500
Country : Norway
Contact point : Asbjørn Ellefsen Persen
Telephone : +90 845927
Internet address : https://www.vegvesen.no
Roles of this organisation :
Buyer
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure
Organisation providing offline access to the procurement documents
Organisation receiving requests to participate
Organisation processing tenders

8.1 ORG-0002

Official name : Oslo tingrett
Registration number : 926 725 939
Postal address : C.J. Hambros plass 4
Town : Oslo
Postcode : 0125
Country : Norway
Telephone : +47 22035200
Roles of this organisation :
Review organisation

11. Notice information

11.1 Notice information

Notice identifier/version : e873583f-3969-47a0-9581-585693df111a - 01
Form type : Competition
Notice type : Contract or concession notice – standard regime
Notice dispatch date : 05/11/2024 12:58 +00:00
Notice dispatch date (eSender) : 05/11/2024 15:00 +00:00
Languages in which this notice is officially available : English

11.2 Publication information

Notice publication number : 00677816-2024
OJ S issue number : 217/2024
Publication date : 07/11/2024