Construction work

Tender description

The site for the new facility is in the south east corner of the upper camp of Shackleton Barracks, a former military base in Ballykelly closed in 2008 by the Ministry of Defence. The new facility will initially be required to accommodate 400 workstations. The facility will be located on the site so as to permit a future extension large enough to accommodate an additional 200 workstations. All associated services and facilities will also be designed to permit future expansion to cope with such an increase in workstations. This competition is for the design and construction of the initial 400 workstation building and there is no commitment implied or otherwise to the proposed future extension. The Contracting Authority will enter into a contract with the successful Economic Operator for the development of the design and the construction of a 400 workstation facility with the option to appoint the same Economic Operator to develop the design and construction of an extension to this facility to accommodate a further 200 workstations. The appointment of the Economic Operator for any and all sections will be subject to planning and funding approval. The new facility will be designed to achieve BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating in sustainable building design, construction and operation. The accommodation will be Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant and fit for purpose to meet the future needs of DARD. The new facility will be designed to modern high specification office standards to meet DARD accommodation requirements and have the flexibility to accommodate a changing work environment. The construction of a new building would also present increased opportunities to engage with sustainable technologies and design initiatives at all stages of the procurement delivery and future occupancy programme. The facility will incorporate the recommendations of the current Northern Ireland Civil Service Government Office Specification, June 2006. The proposed site will be accessed through the provision of a new road and junction with the A2, Ballykelly Road and internal access roads. The new road and junction shall be designed in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and Transport NI's adoption standards. Car parking shall be adequate to the proposed development occupancy and expected visitors. The anticipated contract period is 82 weeks (including pre-construction activities). BIM (Level 2) to PAS 1192 will be used to deliver the project.