Strategic Resource Options: Technical Partners (TP) Framework

Concepts

• reading
• water supply and waste
• twul
• technical partners
• appointment of framework suppliers
• strategic resource options
• delivery of its strategic resource options programmes
• tp framework
• professional services frameworks
• technical expertise

Location

UK: United Kingdom

Description

Thames water are seeking Technical Partners to support the delivery of its Strategic Resource Options Programmes.

Total Quantity or Scope

Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWUL) Strategic Resource Options (SRO) - Technical Partners (TP) Framework TWUL's current portfolio of SRO projects includes, but is not limited to, the Southeast Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), Severn to Thames Transfer (STT), London Water Recycling (LWR) projects, Thames to Affinity Transfer (T2AT) and Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST). Further information, including RAPID Gate 1 and 2 reports, can be found on this link: https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/regulated-companies/rapid/the-rapid-gated-process/ TWUL intends to establish a TP framework primarily to support its SRO program. This is the first phase of a longer-term procurement strategy to establish the professional services supply chain that TWUL needs to support its wider business. This procurement is for the TP Framework only and relates to Phase 1 of the strategy. Existing TWUL professional services frameworks are not impacted by the procurements outlined in this notice. The successful tenderers will interface with several other partners that will be procured separately to support the SRO Programme as it develops. TWUL are looking for leading expertise within the key disciplines outlined below to accelerate the delivery of this high-profile programme. The TP will need to demonstrate extensive experience in the development and support the delivery of large complex infrastructure schemes in the current UK planning environment. This includes being able to provide strong leadership, excellent technical capability, and proven expertise in supporting the delivery of large pipelines, reservoirs, water recycling and transfer facilities. Furthermore, the TP will need to provide technical expertise to manage all aspects of preliminary design and managing the pre application engagement with the Planning Inspectorate and develop/manage the planning application (likely to be a Development Consent Order (DCO)) including stakeholder engagement and all elements of the pre consultation and planning application processes. The TP framework agreement will be awarded under the NEC4 Professional Services Contract Option E with amendments. Provision will be made in the call-off contracts for utilisation of Option A, C and E. TWUL intends to award the first work package from the TP framework agreement immediately following the appointment of framework suppliers. It is our intention that appointment as a technical partner to one or multiple SRO projects will be for the duration of that particular project. This approach is due to the complexity and phasing of projects within the SRO programme. The risk of disruption and inefficiency that would be caused through multiple handovers between Technical Partners during a project is high and would be sub optimal for TWUL. Our intention is that the parties to the framework compete for the role of TP for a specific project via an initial mini competition and that subject to performance, capability and capacity, the successful party will be the technical partner for the duration of the particular project. Sufficient information will be included in the mini-competition tender pack to enable bidders to prepare solutions for the potential services that may be required by TWUL. The scope of initial mini competitions will be construed widely to enable our approach and all parties wishing to compete will have the appropriate opportunity to seek clarification on the breadth, depth and operation of the resulting call off contract(s). The duration of the TP framework will be up to 8 years and is required to support a regulated delivery schedule. It is intended that the successful TP at call-off will cover the development phase into the mobilisation of the future Delivery Partner(s) in the detailed design and construction phase. The TP framework scope is likely to comprise of, but is not limited to, the following high level service categories: • General Technical Partner Support Services • Engineering and Design Services • Environmental Services • Planning Services • Land Services • Engagement Services • Project Management, Program, Risk and Cost Activities • Consultation Response Analysis • Events Management TWUL reserves the right to procure any of the services listed above as separate contracts and/or frameworks as part of separate and independent procurements. TWUL appreciates that there may be a limited pool of suppliers for certain elements of the scope and is particularly concerned that these resources should not; be subject to an exclusivity arrangement with an Applicant/Tenderers in the procurement process to the detriment of competition; and be subject to sub-contract terms or obligations that threaten the ability of another Consultant(s) to deliver its own Contract. Accordingly, during the procurement process, Applicants/Tenderers are asked not to enter into any exclusivity arrangements with a potential Subcontractor or supplier. Furthermore, Applicants/Tenderers are reminded that should they be using the same supply chain or are involved in more than one bidding consortia they must be mindful of their obligation to ensure that each tender is prepared and submitted without any direct or indirect coordination between suppliers. If the Applicants/Tenderers are uncertain about whether any arrangements with any other sub-contractor/suppliers would be viewed as falling within the above categorisation, they should seek guidance from TWUL. If despite this request an Applicants/Tenderers enters an exclusive arrangement with a supplier, to the detriment of other Applicants/Tenderers such that competition is adversely impacted, TWUL reserves the right to omit the procurement of these resources through the procurement process, to enter into arrangements directly with the relevant sub-contractor/supplier; and to require the successful Applicants/Tenderers to enter into subcontracts with the relevant supplier. Applicants/Tenderers who have concerns about this issue or who encounter difficulties engaging with suppliers for specific resources, should raise a query with TWUL as TWUL cannot deal with the issue if it is not disclosed. TWUL is working with several partners, including other water companies to develop and deliver the SROs. Furthermore, depending on the commercial and procurement strategies for delivery of these projects TWUL may transfer or novate the benefit and the burden of call-off contracts made under this Framework Agreement: *to any funder, security trustee or security holder without the consent of the Consultant; and *to any other person with the consent of the Consultant, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed; All interested parties who wish to compete for this opportunity are required to complete and return a Pre-Qualification questionnaire. The completed PQQ is used to determine which applicants best satisfy the selection criteria and who will progress to the next stage of the procurement process.

Renewal Options

Thames Water envisages that the Framework Agreement will be renewed after the Initial Term of 3 years and that the renewal may be on one or more occasions by Thames Water by giving not less than one months notice to the Consultants.

CPV Codes

• 71800000 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste consultancy
• 65000000 - Public utilities
• 71200000 - Architectural and related services
• 71300000 - Engineering services
• 71400000 - Urban planning and landscape architectural services
• 71500000 - Construction-related services
• 73220000 - Development consultancy services
• 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
• 90713100 - Consulting services for water-supply and waste-water other than for construction

Indicators

• This is a one-off contract (no recurrence)
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Professional qualifications are sought.

Legal Justification

N/A

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** All suppliers who wish to respond to this notice must request a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) by using the link in Section I.3 of this notice, i.e. https://www.thameswater.co.uk/procurement All bidders will receive an email from procurement.support.centre@thameswater.co.uk containing their log on details into our Smartsource Portal in order to access the PQQ documents. Note that your client may be Thames Water Utilities Ltd or another company within the Kemble Water group structure. The Framework Agreement and associated call-off contracts will be governed by the Law of England and Wales. The Authority reserves the right: *To amend timelines and other aspects of the process; * To not award a framework agreement or any call-off contract. The Authority will not be liable for the costs of economic operators expressing an interest or preparing tender responses.