CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Tywi Gateway Trust - Contract 3) Historic Landscape Restoration Works

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

This invitation to tender sets out the requirements for tender and the appointment of a Contractor at the Bishop’s Park, Old Bishop’s Palace, Abergwili, Carmarthenshire, SA31 2JG (NGR SN441209) for Contract 3) Landscaping Works and is prepared by the Tywi Gateway Trust (the Client) in association with TACP Landscape Architects and Acanthus Holden Architects.

The works in this contract will include the following:-

a) Restoring the 19th century historic circuits of parkland paths with surfaces which will make them accessible to all including wheelchairs.

b) Improved management of the central lawn area to make it usable for events and activities

c) The creation of a new fully accessible path circuit around the Great Meadow, with views of the Bishop’s Pond, linked to paths in the park.

d) Initial ground preparation associated with the creation of a woodland garden area.

e) Initial ground preparation associated with the creation of a reinterpretation of Bishop Jenkinson’s historic circular flower and rose gardens between the main car park and museum building.

f) Installation of seating.

Situated in the settlement of Abergwili, immediately to the east of Carmarthen, the Bishop’s Park lies directly to the south of the A40 trunk road and comprises part of the original grounds of the Old Palace of the Bishops of St Davids. On the site of a college established by Bishop Beck in the 1280s the Bishop’s Palace was the episcopal residence from the 16th century through to its vacation by the Bishops in 1974. The Old Palace and the formal gardens were bought by Carmarthenshire County Council to house the County museum and the grounds were opened as a public park.

The Old Bishop’s Palace grounds are a grade II registered landscape on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales (PGW (Dy)59(CAM) and incorporate an important collection of historic garden structures, buildings and plantings.

The Trust’s principal activity, in the first instance, is the delivery of the National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Tywi Gateway Project. This project will conserve, restore and re-invigorate the nationally important Bishop’s Park and Old Bishop’s Palace outbuildings, working with the local community and project collaborators Carmarthenshire County Council and the Representative Body of the Church in Wales to create an education and interpretation centre and café, providing opportunities for sustainable income streams to support the long-term management and maintenance of the site.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=101399.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

In order to supply the services required effectively the successful tender will need to demonstrate:

a) An appreciation of the historic, archaeological and cultural significance of the designed landscape as well as its ecological and horticultural importance

b) Experience of working in comparable designated historic designed landscapes

c) Understanding of laying paths using no dig construction and working in proximity to tree root protection areas

d) Experience of laying turfmesh reinforced surfacing.

e) The ability and resources to mobilise and support the site team and provide the necessary skills and expertise to fulfil the contract

f) Preparedness to work constructively with the Trust during the course of the project, fulfilling the Trust’s vision for the project and the ongoing public access that the gardens promote

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:101399)

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

Tenderers are invited to identify how they will contribute to the broader community benefit which is being delivered through the Tywi Gateway Project. Such contributions could add to the educational, volunteering,training and interpretational opportunities on offer to visitors to the Bishop’s Park and Museum.

Relates to the following project/programme financed by EU Community Funds: The Tywi Gateway Project is partially supported with EU funds through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice