Airport operation services

Tender description

This prior information notice (PIN) is to instigate a soft market testing exercise and does not constitute a call for competition to procure any goods, services or works for the Thanet District Council (TDC) and TDC is not bound to accept any proposals offered. TDC is undertaking a soft market testing exercise to help it determine whether there are suitable indemnity partners for the compulsory acquisition of Manston Airport and subsequent investment in the Airport's development. Thanet District Council does not own or operate the site, which is owned by a third party. The Airport closed and ceased operation as an Airport on 15.5.2014. Under planning powers TDC could apply for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) however, if successful in this application, TDC would incur significant costs which would have to be met by the identification of suitably qualified indemnity partner, to underwrite and meet all costs incurred by the Council, should it pursue a CPO course of action. Following any compulsory acquisition of the site TDC would additionally expect that any identified indemnity partner would make significant investment with a long term business plan to deliver a viable and sustainable airport operation. It is imperative that TDC understands the viability of both regeneration and sustainability of continuance of the site operating as an airport. TDC seeks to ascertain information as to availability of experienced and interested indemnity partners to support any CPO action to ensure it is a feasible course and delivers requirements, ensuring the public interest is met. Therefore, in responding to this SMT exercise interested parties must provide external perspectives, ideas and advice on scope of operation and challenge, to enable TDC to better understand and assess relevant market interest and capability of supporting this course of action. It is anticipated that this initial soft market testing exercise will inform a final outcome report produced by TDC which will cover four key areas of enquiry: 1. Assessing capability of the market place to deliver the requirements; 2. Assessing whether there is an established market to deliver and an adequate number of operators; 3. Assessing the capacity of the market to deliver the requirements; 4. Assessing the feasibility and cost viability of any proposed action going forward. The soft market testing process will be conducted in three phases: 1st Phase: Participants must register interest via email to www.procurement@thanet.gov.uk providing contact and organisational details. The deadline to register interest is 14:00 hrs 5th February (3 clear working days before the deadline for submission). Please note that requests to participate received after the deadline will not be considered as part of this SMT exercise. 2nd Phase: Following registration further information will be provided, which will include a number of structured questions, contained in a questionnaire. Questions posed to operators in the market are to ascertain interest, capacity and capability within the market. Completed Questionnaires must be emailed to www.procurement@thanet.gov.uk. The deadline for submission of questionnaires is 1400hrs 10th February 2016. Please note that questionnaires received after the deadline will not be considered as part of this SMT exercise. 3rd Phase: This phase may involve some face to face sessions with operators. The arrangements for the delivery of this phase are currently under discussion and will be dependent on the number of operators that respond to the structured questions in the 2nd phase. If this phase is progressed it is anticipated this will be undertaken week commencing 15.2.2016. Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the my-Tenders Web Site at http://www.myTenders.org/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=168731