Invitation to tender

Date of publication Simap: 09.06.2022

1. Contracting authority

1.1 Official name and address of the contracting authority

Contracting authority/Authority of assignment: Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA, Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss
Procurement authority/Organizer: Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA
Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, Operation Center 1,  8058  Zurich-Airport,  Switzerland,  E-mail:  beschaffung.wto@bbl.admin.ch

1.2 Offers should be sent to the following address

Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL,  attn Project (22145) 311 "NCCS-Impacts", Fellerstrasse 21,  3003  Berne,  Switzerland,  E-mail:  beschaffung.wto@bbl.admin.ch

1.3 Desired deadline for questions in written form

27.06.2022

Remarks: If any questions arise when compiling the tender, you can submit these in anonymised form to the questions forum at www.simap.ch.

Due to the complexity and scope of the tender documents, two rounds of questions and answers will be held. Deadline for submitting the second round of questions in the Simap forum: 08.08.2022

Any questions submitted after this deadline cannot be answered. All tenderers will be notified by email as soon as the answers have been posted on www.simap.ch.

1.4 Deadline for submitting offers

Date: 26.08.2022 Time of day: 23:59, Specific deadlines and formal requirements:  Comment on the submission of tenders: place of submission see 1.2 above. General formal requirements, see specifications item 9.1.4.
a)
When dropped off at the FOBL receiving office (by vendor or courier): The goods must be handed in by the above-mentioned deadline at the latest, still during the opening hours of the goods receiving department 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00 against issue of a receipt by the FOBL.
b)
In the case of submission by post: The postmark or barcode receipt with the option of tracking the shipment from a Swiss or state-recognized foreign post office is decisive for meeting the deadline (company frankings do not count as postmarks). For shipments with WebStamp franking, the burden of proof for timely entry lies with the provider.
c)
If the tender is submitted to a Swiss diplomatic or consular representation abroad: Foreign tenderers may submit their tender to a Swiss diplomatic or consular representation in their country by the above-mentioned submission deadline at the latest, still during opening hours, in return for a confirmation of receipt. In this case, they are obliged to send the confirmation of receipt from the relevant representation by e-mail (beschaffung.wto@bbl.admin.ch) by the submission deadline at the latest.

In any case, the offer must ensure proof of the timeliness of the submission of the offer. Tenders submitted too late can no longer be considered. They will be returned to the supplier.

1.5 Date of the opening of bids:

01.09.2022, Remarks:  The opening of the bids is not public.

1.6 Type of contracting authority

Confederation (Central federal administration)

1.7 Type of procedure

Open procedure

1.8 Type of order

Order for services

1.9 Scope of international treaties

No

2. Objects of procurement

2.1 Service category CPC:

[8] Research and development

2.2 Project title of the acquisition

(22145) 311 Decision Support for Dealing with Climate Change in Switzerland: a cross-sectoral approach («NCCS-Impacts»)

2.3 Reference / project no.

(22145) 311

2.4 Division into lots?

Yes
Offers are possible for  all lots

Lot no.: 1

CPV:	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Short description: Global impacts Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system: Start: 01.02.2023, End: 30.11.2026 This contract is subject to renewal: No Options: Yes Description of options: Term according to section 2.8 split up into basic contract (01.02.2023 - 30.11.2025) and extension option (01.12.2025 – 30.11.2026). Description of options: As per specification sheet. Award criteria: AC01 Concept/plan for the issues, divided into the categories 'Excellence', 'Impact' and 'Implementation'  Weighting 60%  AC02 Qualitative service provision: Experience and references  Weighting 20%  AC03 Price  Weighting 20%  Comments:  The detailed award criteria can be found in appendices 1, 6.1, 7 and 8 of the tender documentation.

Lot no.: 2

CPV:	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Short description: Ecosystem services Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system: Start: 01.02.2023, End: 30.11.2026 This contract is subject to renewal: No Options: Yes Description of options: Term according to section 2.8 split up into basic contract (01.02.2023 - 30.11.2025) and extension option (01.12.2025 – 30.11.2026). Description of options: As per specification sheet. Award criteria: AC01 Concept/plan for the issues, divided into the categories 'Excellence', 'Impact' and 'Implementation'  Weighting 60%  AC02 Qualitative service provision: Experience and references  Weighting 20%  AC03 Price  Weighting 20%  Comments:  The detailed award criteria can be found in appendices 1, 6.2, 7 and 8 of the tender documentation.

Lot no.: 3

CPV:	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Short description: Human health and animal health Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system: Start: 01.02.2023, End: 30.11.2026 This contract is subject to renewal: No Options: Yes Description of options: Term according to section 2.8 split up into basic contract (01.02.2023 - 30.11.2025) and extension option (01.12.2025 – 30.11.2026). Description of options: As per specification sheet. Award criteria: AC01 Concept/plan for the issues, divided into the categories 'Excellence', 'Impact' and 'Implementation'  Weighting 60%  AC02 Qualitative service provision: Experience and references  Weighting 20%  AC03 Price  Weighting 20%  Comments:  The detailed award criteria can be found in appendices 1, 6.3, 7 and 8 of the tender documentation.

Lot no.: 4

CPV:	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Short description: Costs of climate change Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system: Start: 01.02.2023, End: 30.11.2026 This contract is subject to renewal: No Options: Yes Description of options: Term according to section 2.8 split up into basic contract (01.02.2023 - 30.11.2025) and extension option (01.12.2025 – 30.11.2026). Description of options: As per specification sheet. Award criteria: AC01 Concept/plan for the issues, divided into the categories 'Excellence', 'Impact' and 'Implementation'  Weighting 60%  AC02 Qualitative service provision: Experience and references  Weighting 20%  AC03 Price  Weighting 20%  Comments:  The detailed award criteria can be found in appendices 1, 6.4, 7 and 8 of the tender documentation.

2.5 Common Procurement Vocabulary

CPV:	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

2.6 Subject and scope of the contract

The National Centre for Climate Services (NCCS), with its Secretariat hosted by MeteoSwiss, is the Swiss federal network responsible for developing actionable climate services for the environment, economy and society. The NCCS-Impacts programme focuses on the cross-sectoral effects of climate change and the development and provision of decision support in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation (see www.nccs.admin.ch/impacts-en).

The programme is implemented through a number of projects, four of which – 'Global impacts', 'Ecosystem services', 'Human health and animal health' and 'Costs of climate change' – are the subject of this procurement, as individual lots.

Partners from the research and practitioners’ communities with expertise in these fields are invited to submit offers.

2.7 Location where service is to be delivered

Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss
CH-8058 Zurich-Airport

2.11 Will variants be accepted?

No

2.12 Are partial offers permitted?

Yes

Remarks: Partial tenders within a lot are not permitted.

3. Conditions

3.1 General conditions of participation

When submitting the tender, the tenderer must prove that the mandatory participation conditions set out in Appendix 1 are met in full and without restriction or modification. Otherwise, the tender will not be considered.

3.2 Deposits/guarantees

None

3.3 Conditions of payment

The net amount of the electronic invoice in Swiss francs shall be paid within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.
Information on e-billing is available on the following website of the Federal Administration: http://www.e-rechnung.admin.ch/e/index.php.

3.4 Costs to be included

All prices are to be stated in Swiss francs, excluding VAT. The price excluding VAT includes in particular insurance, expenses, social security contributions etc. There is no additional remuneration for indirect costs (overhead costs).

3.5 Consortium of bidders

Permitted. Bidding consortia must designate one company as the leading organisation of the bidding consortium (representation, coordination) and indicate the names and roles of all its members.
The characteristic supply generally has to be provided by one of the members of the bidding consortium.
Multiple applications from tenderers in the context of bidding consortia are permitted.

3.6 Subcontractor

Permitted. If the bidder involves subcontractors for contract performance, the bidder will assume overall responsibility for the project. The bidder must indicate the names and roles of all subcontractors.
The characteristic supply generally has to be provided by the bidder.
Multiple applications from subcontractors are permitted.

3.7 Eligibility criteria

based on the criteria given below:
All companies and research institutions with sufficient economic capacity that can prove their eligibility or meet the eligibility criteria as set out in section 3.8 are invited to submit their tenders in Swiss francs (CHF).

3.8 Evidence required

based on the evidence given below:
The following proof of eligibility must be confirmed or enclosed in full and without restrictions or modifications together with the tender itself; otherwise, the tender will not be considered.

EC01: Economic/financial capacity
The bidder or all participants in the bidding consortium has/have sufficient economic/financial capacity to be able to fulfil the contract.
Proof
Extract from the debt collection register no older than 3 months at the time of the request by the contracting authority. In the case of bidders from abroad, comparable current official document from the foreign country.
Note: The contracting authority electronically checks the extract from the Central Company Index (www.zefix.ch).
In the case of bidders from abroad, an extract from the commercial register or a comparable official document from the foreign country.
These proofs of suitability are to be submitted only upon request, after submission of the tender and before the award of the contract.

EC02: Experience
The bidder or the leading organization of the bidding consortium has sufficient experience of projects that are comparable with the present contract in terms of scope and complexity. It shall demonstrate this experience by means of two references from the past ten years.
References regarding the tenderer for projects carried out for the Confederation are permitted only if the reference persons mentioned gave their written consent to the provision of information.
Proof
A corresponding fully completed reference form (Annex No. 5) must be submitted for each bidder or bidding consortium. The contracting authority reserves the right to contact the specified contact persons. The named contact person must be reachable (appropriate deputies must be named).

EC03: Contact
The bidder or bidding consortium has a single point of contact (SPOC) who is responsible for escalating issues concerning the contract and ensuring that decisions are taken.
Proof
Written confirmation stating the surname, first name, full contact details, job title and deputy of the SPOC.

EC04: Language skills of key personnel
The bidder or the participants in the bidding consortium is/are willing to deploy key personnel who can communicate in German, French or English (spoken and written) and can prepare and deliver the project results and documentation in German, French or English.
Proof
Written confirmation with comprehensible documentation of the key persons' language skills.

EC05: Replacement of personnel
The bidder or the participants in the bidding consortium is/are willing to replace deployed personnel as follows if there is good cause to do so:
The performance and deployment of the persons made available by the bidder are assessed by the mandating organization. If, in the process, a discrepancy is found relative to the requirements and criteria set out in the specifications and annexes, the bidder must make a statement on this. The mandating organization will then decide whether the bidder will be obliged to replace the persons concerned within 14 days with personnel who meet the requirements.
Within the context of contract performance, other good cause for replacing personnel may arise, such as failing a federal personnel security screening, dismissal, extended leave, accident, illness, etc. In each case, the bidder is responsible for providing an equally qualified substitute. Involvement in other projects undertaken by the contractor does not qualify as good cause in this regard.
Proof
Written confirmation.

EC06: Acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions (GTC) of the Confederation for
- Lots 2-4: GTC for research contracts (2010 edition, status as at January 2021)
- Lot 1: GTC for service contracts (September 2016 edition, status as at January 2021)
Proof
Written confirmation.

EC07: Acceptance of the draft contract
The bidder is willing to accept the draft contract in Annex 10.1 for Lot 1 or in Annex 10.2 for Lots 2-4 of the specification sheet.
Proof
Written confirmation.

EC08: Competitive neutrality of state bidders
Bidders or bidding consortia with participants with a state background (full or partial funding by, and/or ownership interest held by, the Confederation, a canton or a commune) must prove that they are authorised to operate in the market and confirm that their tender is competitively neutral.
* On the term "competitive neutrality", see p. 19 ff. of the Federal Council's report "State and Competition - Impacts
of state-controlled companies on competitive markets" of 8 December 2017 in fulfilment of the postulates 12.4172 FDP Liberal Group of 13.12.2012 and 15.3880 Schilliger of 22.09.2015.
Proof
Bidders / participants of a bidding consortium without a state/government background: Written confirmation of the absence of a state background (Annex 3).
Bidders / participants of a bidding consortium with a state/government background: Presentation of a market operation permit and truthfully completed and legally signed form confirming the competitively neutral design of a bid (Annex 3).

EC09: IT skills:
In the event that products are developed that require IT services or works: the bidder or bidding consortium confirms that it will ensure that the IT services provided are state of the art and of a high quality (with, in particular, a low technical debt and intuitive usability).
If a web solution is implemented on the NCCS web platform or on an NCCS member's website, it must be ensured that the integration of the web solution into the relevant operations can be carried out without significant additional effort/expense. In the event of a web solution outside the Federal Administration, the bidder or bidding consortium shall ensure its operation for at least five years after the end of the project.
Proof
Written confirmation.

3.9 Conditions for obtaining the tendering documentation

Costs: none

3.10 Languages

Languages for offers: German, French, English, Italian

Language of the procedure: German

3.11 Validity of offers

180 days after deadline for receipt of offers

3.12 Supplying source of the tendering documentation

at www.simap.ch
Documents of the invitation to tender are available from: 09.06.2022
Languages of documents: German, French
Further information for obtaining the tendering documentation: Tender documents are available in German and French (specification sheet and annexes 1, 2 and 3) or in English (annexes 4 to 9). In the event of contradictions between the language versions of the specification sheet or of Annex 1, the German version is authoritative. The draft contracts (Annex 10.1 and 10.2) are only available in German.

Further information on obtaining the tender documentation: you can download the documents online from the electronic platform at www.simap.ch, section "Public procurements, Confederation tenders". To do so, you have to register in the project and can then download the desired documents using the login and password sent to you by email. A questions forum is also available.

3.13 Conduct of dialogue

No

4. Other information

4.1 Conditions for tenderers from Non-Member States of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement

None

4.2 Terms of business

Business processing in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions of the Confederation for Research Contracts (GTC for research contracts, June 2010 edition, as of January 2021) and the General Terms and Conditions of the Confederation (GTC) for Service Contracts (September 2016 edition, as of January 2021).
Available at https://www.beschaffung.admin.ch/bpl/de/home/auftraege-bund/agb.html

4.4 Essential requirements

See the participation conditions in the tender documentation.

4.6 Additional information

Credit proviso: The annual credit requests and decisions of the Confederation's competent governing bodies concerning the budget and financial plan remain reserved.

The contracting authority reserves the right to have the awarded goods and services also provided to other offices requiring these goods and services in the Federal Administration, as well as to procure the goods and services defined as optional in their entirety, in part or not at all.

4.7 Official organ of publication

www.simap.ch

4.8 Procedures for appeal

Translation, not legally binding – for information purposes only

In accordance with Article 56 paragraph 1 of the Public Procurement Act (PPA), a written appeal against this decision can be lodged with the Federal Administrative Court, P.O. Box, 9023 St. Gallen, Switzerland, within 20 days of notification. Any appeal is to be submitted in duplicate and must include what is being sought, the grounds for appeal, evidence and the signature of the person lodging the appeal or his or her representative. A copy of this decision and available evidence must be included.
The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) on legal holidays do not apply in accordance with Article 56 paragraph 2 of the PPA. Based on Article 52 paragraph 2 of the PPA, the appeal can be used only to establish that this decision violates federal law, but not to apply for its cancellation. Foreign providers are permitted to appeal only to the extent that the state in which they are domiciled grants reciprocal rights.