Construction work

Tender description

Herefordshire Council (‘The Council') is commencing a procurement via the Competitive Dialogue Process (‘the Process') for a Contract to appoint Provider(s), (primarily Developer(s) but potentially also Funder(s)), for the Council's long term strategic development and regeneration programme (‘the Programme'). The background to the Process is that the Council is currently seeking to provide regeneration and land development in Herefordshire across a range of initiatives, including the construction of the Hereford inner-city link road. In addition, the opening by British Land of the Old Market Shopping Centre in 2014 in the City Centre, the recent commitment of government funding to the creation of a university in Hereford and the recently adopted Local Development Framework Core Strategy (which proposes housing growth amounting to 16 500 new homes to 2031) form part of a wider regeneration plan for Herefordshire. The emerging economic masterplan, which builds on the regeneration objectives of the Core Strategy, sets out an ambitious plan for economic growth and the transformation of the physical environment within the County. Any Provider appointed to support the Programme may be expected to design and construct residential; non-residential; civic; commercial and community facilities, (including the management of some facilities as appropriate). The role of the Provider will include working with the Council to identify and progress opportunities (including feasibility, design and potentially the sourcing of funding) as opportunities are confirmed across the county. There may also be a requirement for a district heating network(s) (dependent upon the result of a current feasibility study, which is currently being considered by the Council). Further details of the Council's Commissioning Objectives can be found within the documents issued in support of the Process (‘the Process Documents'). Developer(s) and Funder(s) are sought who will achieve the Council's commissioning aim in the joint development of a contract model(s) which enable the delivery of high service standards and levels of end user satisfaction; plus the achievement of continuous improvement; process efficiencies and reductions in overall costs. The Council welcomes participation from fully formed or potential consortia. The Contract model(s) will provide a framework for delivery of design and build; land investment projects and revenue generation opportunities through the operation of facilities (which may involve the creation of special purpose project vehicles). The Contract model(s) will seek to effectively balancing the risks between the Council; any Participating Authorities; Developer(s) and Funder(s), whilst being flexible enough to respond not only to the Council's and Participating Authorities' evolving building and regeneration requirements; statutory duties and responsibilities; but also to innovative developments within the construction and finance sectors. Generally, the Council seeks to work more closely with the community in delivering services and together with any Participating Authorities delivering services in Herefordshire, delivery partners and its town and parish councils, help to define and deliver services tailored to local needs in the county. The Council wishes to strengthen this approach by ensuring that services delivered by public and private sector partnerships and community groups are commissioned (and when applicable regulated) by the Council in such a way as to ensure local needs are met (not least in accordance with the Localism Act 2012 and the Social Value Act 2012 and any amendments thereto). The Council would welcome innovative ideas to support this and ensure the achievement of community benefits and social value. In addition, the delivery of community benefits is at the heart of the Council's approach to the commissioning of the Programme. Delivery of community benefits is of particular importance to the potential Contract(s)due to their strategic nature and core Commissioning Objectives of the achievement of regeneration; possible duration; level of investment and partnership working necessitated with their effective delivery. To this end the Council is seeking a Contract model which will support the Council in effective management of the Contract; strengthen the local supply chain; assure the reduction of environmental impacts and deliver the investment in the techniques; technologies and human resources to assure effective Programme delivery. The Council has drafted some Commissioning Objectives for the Programme, details of which can be found in the Process Documents. The Council has Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) accredited status and applicable aspects of Contract delivery will be set and monitored within the scope of this accreditation. Such initiatives should also seek to further the Council's objectives as set out in the Council's Corporate Plan and other policy documents as may be applicable. Please see the Process Documents for further details. As the potential extent of the Programme is very broad and particularly complex, specifically in respect of the legal and financial make-up of the Programme (including funding terms and the requirement to encompass the scope for the creation of special purpose project vehicles), the Council has opted to use the Competitive Dialogue process to conduct the procurement. This allows the dialogue not only of financial and legal make-up with Participants, but also allows for confirmation of feasibility and co-development of development solutions for specific sites during the Process. Indeed, it is an objective of the Process to appoint Provider(s) who will work successfully with the Council in the development of the Programme: in other words, to commission a strategic development ‘partner’ for the Council. The Council is working towards a Contract award date during spring 2017 aiming for a start on site during Autumn 2017. The Council has issued a PIN in respect of this procurement and carried out a market consultation. Details of this can be found within the Process Documents.