Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2017-09-08
Buyer: Portsmouth City Council
Country: UK
Contract type: Works
CPV classification: 34922100 | 34992100 | 34996100 | 44113800 | 44113810
Estimated value: 4000000 GBP

Technical requirements: Portsmouth City Council (the ‘Authority’) is looking to establish a framework agreement consisting of suppliers that are able to deliver civils works for small highways civils / construction projects (up to around 150 000 GBP per project) primarily in the Portsmouth area.
It is anticipated that the framework will be awarded January 2018 and operate for a maximum duration of 4 years without the option to extend.
At this stage, the Authority is conducting soft market testing on its proposed strategies for the procurement, contractual and operational arrangements for the framework as well an envisaged timescales for set-up.
Interested suppliers are encouraged to review the soft market testing document provided on InTend and complete and return the feedback form by 22.9.2017 to help shape the establishment and direction of the framework.
The aim of this procurement is to establish a broad discipline, multi-supplier framework to meet the likely requirements for the majority of low value, non-complex highways civils works. Lots will not be used under this framework. The scope of works to be covered under the framework is likely to include, but not be limited to:
In addition to requirements of Portsmouth City Council, it is proposed that the framework will also be accessible to the following contracting authorities:
It is anticipated that the framework tender will be issued around the 16.10.2017 with a return date of 22.11.2017 and be awarded early-mid January 2018. The framework will operate for a maximum duration of 4 years without the option to extend. Based on Portsmouth City Council's requirements only it is estimated that the annual value of the framework will be approximately 1 000 000 GBP per annum and up to 4  000 000 GBP as a total across the duration of the framework.
Although typical individual contract values will be in the region of 5 000 GBP — 100 000 GBP and generally won't exceed 150 000 GBP, there will be no cap on the maximum value of any project that can be tendered through the framework subject to the works being relevant to the nature of the framework and capability of suppliers. The preferred suppliers will be local / regional and small to medium in size.
It is envisaged that the framework and subsequent call-off contracts will be established under NEC3 but may be transitioned to NEC4, as and when NEC4 becomes more established in the industry.
— A Primary Tier consisting of 4-6 suppliers used for the majority of standard call-offs, subject to capability and capacity of suppliers at the time.
— A Secondary Tier consisting of the remaining suppliers to take the framework supplier to a total of 10. Secondary Tier suppliers will be called upon if/when there are capability or capacity issues in the Primary Tier or when the call-off contract is for non-standard or high value works.
This approach enables a significant number of suppliers with a range of expertise to be accessible through the framework throughout its duration but without increasing competition for standard works potentially making the framework less attractive to suppliers.
It is not anticipated that Schedule of Rates will be established at framework set-up as it is envisaged that the majority of call-off contract will be requested on a mini-competition basis. The Authority however would reserve the right to establish Schedule of Rates off the back of a future mini-competition if felt beneficial to the framework.
To reduce the cost of bidding, allow for time savings, enable effective bid formulation and assessment through the use of a detailed real life specification and contractual terms we will look to establish the framework concurrently with the letting of two real call-off contracts.


Award value: 4000000