Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Natural Resources Wales
Ty Cambria House, 29 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0TP
UK
Contact person: Naomi Hammond
Telephone: +44 3000653574
E-mail: naomi.hammond@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
NUTS: UKL
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
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/home.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Environment
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Integrated Landscape Evidence and Advice Framework Agreement
Reference number: itt_109645 (project ref: 55939)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
90712000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
NRW is looking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced landscape consultants through the award of a framework agreement in order to support our statutory and advisory roles in the planning application and development plan processes in Wales and in other consenting regimes and environmental assessment processes.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Development Planning Advice Consultancy Services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
90713000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Provision of specialist advice on the potential landscape and visual impacts from development proposals to inform NRW’s responses to planning application and development plan consultations. This will include:
- Providing landscape planning advice to be used in NRW’s responses to planning application consultations, and Development Consent Order (under Planning Act 2008) consultations (including statutory and discretionary pre-application advice). This will include reviewing seascape, landscape and visual impact assessments and Environmental Statements submitted by applicants.
- Providing landscape planning advice to be used in NRW responses to scoping consultations submitted under The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) 2017 Regulations and The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) 2017 Regulations.
- Providing expert witness advice at Public Inquiries (including those in relation to NSIPs, DNSs, Infrastructure Consents) and provide advice to be used as part in written representations made by NRW at inquiries, hearings, or examinations in relation to a proposed scheme.
- Providing advice to be used in NRW’s responses to development plan consultations.
- Providing expert advice to be used by NRW in written representations at an Examination of a development plan and provide expert advice to development plan Hearings.
- Providing advice to be used by NRW when advising on masterplans, Supplementary Planning Guidance, landscape management plans and environmental strategies/plans.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical response
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Advisory and Consenting Casework consultancy services
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
90712200
90711400
80540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Providing advice on the potential landscape and visual impacts on:
- Woodland Creation proposals to inform our determination of woodland creation applications
- proposals contained within draft Forest Resource Plans
- tree-felling proposals to inform our determination of tree-felling licences
Developing procedural and technical guidance and provide training on landscape and visual amenity and impact considerations in the development and assessment of, and when considering
- woodland creation schemes. This will include guidance aimed at NRW staff responsible for assessing woodland creation proposals, and guidance published by NRW (e.g. on its website) to inform scheme proponents.
- Forest Resource Plans
- tree-felling licence applications, and guidance for those considering making an application
- Providing expert witness advice at appeal hearings, and advice to inform NRW’s submission as part of written representations to appeals in respect of
- Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (Wales) Regulations 2017 related consultations to also include expert advice to inform NRW’s submissions to infraction casework
- tree-felling licences
Providing advice to be used in NRW responses to screening and scoping consultations and when reviewing Environmental Statements submitted under:
- EIA Agriculture Wales Regulations 2017.
Develop procedural and technical guidance, and provide training, on landscape and visual impact considerations in the context of NRW’s landscape advice under EIA Agriculture Wales Regulations 2017.
Providing landscape and visual impact advice to inform our advice to screening and scoping consultations submitted to us as consultees under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) 1999 Regulations.
Reviewing and providing advice on landscape and visual impact assessments submitted to us as part of Environmental Statements as consultees under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) 1999 Regulations.
Developing procedural and technical guidance, and providing training, on:
- how and when to consider landscape and visual impacts; and
- how to fulfil NRW’s various roles.
under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (England and Wales) 1999 Regulations.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical response
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Landscape and Visual Impact Training & Guidance
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80540000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Developing procedural and technical advice and guidance for NRW staff, and aimed at planning authority staff and developers on landscape and visual impact considerations that relate to:
- the assessment of development proposals, and
- the siting, layout and design of development proposals.
Further, developing and delivering training relating to landscape and visual impact considerations pertinent to the planning system and to different development types aimed at NRW staff and planning authority staff who are involved in:
- considering planning applications
- assessing undertaking development plans.
Training will be provided predominantly via MS Teams remotely. The provision of face-to-face training will only be in agreement with the contract manager prior to delivery and subject to cost and demand. The contractor(s) may also be asked by NRW to provide a risk assessment prior to any face-to face training. Contractor(s) may be asked to provide, collect, and assess on-line and anonymous pre- and post-training feedback forms as agreed with NRW and may be required to provide a report post training delivery outlining:
- attendance
- effectiveness of both the training material and mediums
- potential learning opportunities
- future improvement opportunities of both the training material and training mediums
- any constrains including technical issues identified
- a register and assessment for evidence/pledge forms submitted
- findings based on feedback forms submitted
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical response
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 48
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 9
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
26/04/2024
Local time: 11:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
26/04/2024
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETING THE ITT
i) Suppliers should register on the eTendering portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
ii) Once registered, suppliers must express their interest as follows
a) login to the eTendering portal
b) select ITT'
c) select 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers'
d) access the listing relating to the contract (itt_109645, NRW Integrated Landscape Evidence and Advice Framework Agreement) and view details
e) click on 'Express Interest' button in the 'Actions' box on the left-hand side of the page
iii) Once you have expressed interest, the ITT will move to 'My ITTs', where you can download and view documents and where you can construct your reply as instructed. You must then publish your reply using the publish button.
iv) For any support in submitting your expression of interest, please contact the eTendering helpdesk on 0800 0112470 or at help@bravosolution.co.uk.
The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
Please note: suppliers are asked to submit a non-core Community Benefits response when they providing their tender; this response will not be evaluated but is required for the tender to be valid.
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=140297
(WA Ref:140297)
The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/03/2024