Marine services

Tender description

Notification of Award of the following: The scope of this category includes the operation and general maintenance of four bespoke Thames Water owned vessels currently operating on the River Thames. An overview of the operation is provided below: Aeration 2 of the vessels are operated to provide oxygenation/aeration to the River Thames. The Environment Agency (EA) record the oxygen content of the River Thames. When this oxygen content is deemed too low (less than 30 %) the EA instruct Thames Water to commence aeration at a designated location within 6 hours. This operation typically occurs throughout April - October and instruction is typically of a sporadic nature so the call-out crew should be available 24 hours per day 7 days per week. The vessel could be instructed to aerate anywhere within PLA area 5. The Aeration vessels are the Thames Bubbler, which is 50 metres long by 10 metres beam, and 592 gross tonnes and the Thames Vitality, which is 49 metres long by 10 metres beam and 508 gross tonnes. 4 crew members are required to operate each vessel. Skimming Thames Water own 2 ‘skimming’ vessels which are used to collect debris from the surface of the River Thames. 1 vessel will be in operation at any 1 time during daylight hours, 5 days a week 52 weeks a year dependent on weather and tides. A crew of 2 is required to operate a skimming vessel. The 2 vessels are catamaran vessels built specially to screen debris from the river Thames surface water at locations as directed by Thames Water. The vessels are the Thames Clearwater I and Thames Clearwater II, which are 24 metres long by 8 metres beam, and 45 gross tonnes. The procurement process will be split into 2 lots: Lot 1 — Aeration call-out and vessel maintenance: Provision of appropriately trained crew to operate and maintain the Aeration vessels. Operation of the vessels will be in line with Thames Water's obligation to the EA. Maintenance will be as instructed by Thames Water and will include testing of the vessel's equipment and on-board process plant, statutory and safety equipment and deck equipment, including painting (internal and external). Lot 2 — Skimmer vessel operation and maintenance: Provision of appropriately trained crew to operate and maintain the Skimmer vessels. Operation will take place 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year dependent on weather and tide. Maintenance will be as instructed by Thames Water and will include testing of the vessel's equipment and on-board process plant, statutory and safety equipment and deck equipment, including painting (internal and external). This notice is a request for expressions of interest to participate in the bid process to establish the framework agreements. Thames Water reserve the right to combine the lots subject to responses from applicants and in particular when this offers best value. Thames Water reserve the right not to award Framework Agreements for 1 or more Lots, both in full or in part. It is envisaged that the Framework Agreements will be awarded for the duration of 5 years with extension options up to a maximum of 10 years. Personnel should have full knowledge of river working conditions including responsibilities to keep the vessels in class, Thames Freight Standard and Small Commercial Vessel Code (SCV) inspections and certification carried out by Port of London Authority (PLA). The master must hold a Boat-masters license, or equivalent, complete with relevant local knowledge endorsements. Applicants must be able to demonstrate competence in whichever part(s) of the work they apply for. In response to this notice applicants are required to provide the following information: A covering letter including contact, telephone, fax, and address details and stating when the company was established; an indication of where they learned of this opportunity. Operation of the vessels shall be in accordance with Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Port of London Authority (PLA) and any other applicable marine regulations, as well as all relevant health, safety and environmental legislation.