Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Service Manager Commercial & Procurement
General Offices, Steelworks Road
Ebbw Vale
NP23 6DB
UK
Contact person: Lee Williams
Telephone: +44 1495311556
E-mail: lee.williams@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
NUTS: UKL16
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0278
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Proposed Construction of a Regional Wood Reprocessing Facility at Silent Valley, Blaenau Gwent.
II.1.2) Main CPV code
45210000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Works
II.1.4) Short description
1. The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to an opportunity in relation to the Local Authorities’ requirements for the civil engineering and construction works for a regional wood reprocessing facility at our Silent Valley waste management site near Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent.
2. The project scope will comprise construction works and services, including design and other services that are required to develop the concept design and construct the facility. The specific works and services that may be procured under the contract have not been fully defined at this stage.
3. The partnership and its advisors plan to procure the civil engineering and building works (incorporating an 80m x 20m steel framed processing hall, compliant with all fire and operating permit regulations for waste wood reprocessing plants). The facility will also include (external) storage bays, power supply and sustainable drainage solution. The plant and equipment (powered by electricity) will be subject to a separate solution under one turnkey supplier and will be installed pursuant to the Facility’s Readiness Test(s) for the construction works.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
6 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
45210000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL16
Main site or place of performance:
Silent Valley, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
1. The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to an opportunity in relation to the Local Authorities’ requirements for the civil engineering and construction works for a regional wood reprocessing facility at our Silent Valley waste management site near Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent.
2. The wider site is currently used for waste treatment and recycling activities, and has a weighbridge, excellent transport and drainage infrastructure and is already in possession of various waste management consents, which will assist the development and delivery of the planned c.30,000 tpa wood reprocessing facility.
3. A partnership has been proposed that will comprise a group of local authorities in Wales who will provide waste wood “feedstock” to the facility from their respective civic amenity sites. The host Authority Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council have developed the concept design for the facility and will now procure and obtain the necessary planning and environmental permits.
4. The partnership and its advisors plan to procure the civil engineering and building works (incorporating an 80m x 20m steel framed processing hall, compliant with all fire and operating permit regulations for waste wood reprocessing plants). The facility will also include (external) storage bays, power supply and sustainable drainage solution. The plant and equipment (powered by electricity) will be subject to a separate solution under one turnkey supplier and will be installed pursuant to the Facility’s Readiness Test(s) for the construction works.
5. A concept design for the facility has been produced by the lead Authority’s engineering team, which will inform the procurement of the facility.
6. The project scope will comprise construction works and services, including design and other services that are required to develop the concept design and construct the facility. The specific works and services that may be procured under the contract have not been fully defined at this stage.
7. The overall objectives of the project are to create a modern and environmentally sustainable wood reprocessing facility that will contribute towards the net zero carbon agenda. The facility will be equipped with specialist process plant designed to produce specification woodchip products.
8. The lead Authority will apply the principles of the Construction Playbook and supports early engagement of the supply chain and through this notice is keen to understand the views of the construction and civil engineering market prior to the commencement of the procurement.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/06/2022
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The Council is facilitating this Prior Information Notice / Request for Information via it's E-Procurement Portal, which can be accessed via the following link:https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Project Ref: pqq_33260 - Proposed Construction of a Regional Wood Processing Facility at Silent Valley, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent.
Potential suppliers will not be prejudiced by any response to this PIN, or failure to respond. This PIN does not formally signify the beginning of a procurement and does not constitute a commitment by the Authority to undertake any procurement exercise. Once the Authority decides to formally commence the procurement, a separate contract notice will be issued.
Potential suppliers should register their interest to ensure they are kept informed of this opportunity, including the Industry Day, where the Authority will present and market test with suppliers the scope of the “Delivering Differently” opportunity.
Draft Timetable
Actual dates are yet to be determined, so at this stage this timetable is for indicative purposes only:
OJEU notice and Suppliers’ Questionnaire published - July 2022
Industry Day - July 2022
ITT’s issued to pre-qualified bidders - August 2022
ITT’s Submitted - November 2022
Contract Award - January 2023
Contract Commencement - January 2023
Completion of Facility Construction - January 2024
Commissioning of Facility - March 2024
Request for Information
Blaenau Gwent CBC acting as the lead Contracting Authority for the Partnership, wishes to seek information and advice from interested parties who may wish to participate in the forthcoming procurement process. The purpose of this Request for Information is to invite interested parties to express and register their interest in this opportunity and assist the Authority in finalising the project’s scope of works and the contract. To this extent, the Authority is now seeking responses from the market in relation to the following questions.
1. Would you be interested bidding for this project, or if not, what else would be required for it to meet your organisation’s tendering criteria?
2. The Authority is considering using a two-stage process based on Early Contractor Involvement (ECI), supported by an NEC 4 target cost contract or similar, where the out-turn financial risks are shared between the client and the contractor. What are your views on this?
3. Alternatively, what form of construction contract would, in your opinion, be the most consistent in terms of delivering “win-win” contracting arrangements that incentivise better outcomes?
4. What would be a typical estimated lead time for you to deliver a construction project of this nature and size, from mobilisation through to completion/(readiness) of the main building works?
5. What length of guarantee could you potentially offer on the built assets? Please expand on your answer where possible.
Expressions of interest and accompanying PIN responses should be submitted via the Authority's e-tendering portal (https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk) by no later than 12:00 noon Monday 25th April 2022.
NB: All future project related dialogue or request for clarifications should be communicated via the portal's messaging functionality.
NB please be advised that the Authority is simultaneously running two further project related PIN's:
1) Supply & Installation of Plant & Equipment at the proposed Regional Wood Facility at Silent Valley;
2) Operation & Maintenance of a Regional Wood Facility at Silent Valley;
(WA Ref:119760)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
23/03/2022