Public procurement notice: Contract Award Notice
Published: 2018-03-29
Buyer: University of Lincoln (the "University")
Country: UK
Contract type: Works
Procedure: Negotiated without a prior call for competition
CPV classification: 45000000: Construction work | 45210000: Building construction work | 45211340 | 45211350 | 45214400
Estimated value: 18000000 GBP
Award criteria: Lowest price

Technical requirements: The University requires additional accommodation to meet student number targets for 2019/20. The University has entered into an Agreement for Lease with EBW Developments Limited (1); Marcus Worthington Properties Limited (2); and Legal and General Assurance (Pensions Management) Limited (3) for the construction of 301 student bedrooms and ground floor commercial space on the University’s Brayford Campus at 179 High Street, Lincoln (the "Development").
The Development is right in the heart of the campus and can offer student accommodation in a prime location which will be highly convenient for, and marketable to, the student population. The location presents a unique opportunity to realise part of the University’s Brayford master plan by providing a new High Street gateway to the campus and much needed pedestrian connectivity to and from the campus. No alternative sites can offer both the space for the student accommodation and a pedestrian link between the campus and High Street.
The development works will be carried out by EBW Developments Limited ("EBW") on land at 179 High Street, Lincoln. This land is owned by Network Rail. Progressing with the Development requires the University to engage with Network Rail who has offered this development scheme through Blocwork (a joint venture LLP between Network Rail and EBW).
On completion of the Development by EBW, the University will be granted a 21 year Lease to the Development.
The transaction which forms the subject matter of this notice is for the development of 301 student bedrooms (made up of 282 en-suite study bedrooms and 19 studios) and 661 square metres of ground floor commercial space at the University’s Brayford campus at 179 High Street, Lincoln (the “Development”).
The Development is imperative to meeting planned growth in student numbers for 2019/20. The site for Development at 179 High Street is immediately adjacent to two teaching buildings (David Chiddick and Sarah Swift) and within a two minute walk from the Library and Students Union, both key amenities for students. The site presents a unique opportunity to realise part of the University’s long standing Brayford master plan by providing a new High Street gateway to the campus and much needed pedestrian connectivity to and from the campus. This will, in conjunction with the adjoining Sarah Swift building, improve access for staff and students to Lincoln city centre and public transport links by means of a short-cut to rail and bus stations. There are no alternative sites that can offer the ability to provide space for both a student accommodation development and a pedestrian link between the Brayford campus and High Street.
The University relies on Regulation 32(2)(b)(iii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 on the basis that, at the time of the award decision, the Development could only be undertaken by EBW due to the existence of exclusive rights. This is due to the fact that the land at 179 High Street which is integral to the Development is owned by Network Rail, having been acquired through a compulsory purchase order to enable the construction of the recent High Street footbridge. These rights are exclusive to Network Rail. Progressing with this Development requires the University to engage with Network Rail who has offered this development scheme through Blocwork (a joint venture LLP between Network Rail and EBW). No reasonable alternative or substitute site exists for this Development. The University’s objectives cannot be achieved without the Network Rail land and collaboration between Network Rail and EBW. Consequently the Development can only be secured by directly awarding the development opportunity to EBW.
Any review proceedings should be promptly brought to the attention of the Chief Finance Officer of the University via the address in Section I.1 above, and will be dealt with in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR 2015"). Any review proceedings must be brought within the timescales specified by the applicable law, including, without limitation, the PCR 2015.


Winner: EBW Developments Limited
Award value: 18000000
Number of bids: 1