Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Tender description

This contract is for a sole supplier to contract directly with Highways England to manage and assist Highways England's Traffic Officer Service in the safe removal of accident damaged, broken down and abandoned vehicles from England’s motorways and all-purpose-trunk-roads, 24/7/365. The associated activities connected with removal of stricken vehicles will also include the storage and disposal of such vehicles alongside the collection of the statutory fees that relate. This contract will cover both responsive statutory vehicle removal and the pro-active, ad-hoc, ‘pre-positioning/standby’ of vehicle recovery resource, as well as offering the potential for providing vehicle recovery services during Highways England scheme roadworks. On offer is a potential 7-year contract opportunity for a sole supplier (or entity, as consortium bids would be welcomed) to contract directly with Highways England to manage and assist Highways England's Traffic Officer Service in the safe removal of accident damaged, broken down and abandoned vehicles from England’s motorways and all-purpose-trunk-roads, 24/7/365. The associated activities connected with removal of stricken vehicles will also include the storage and disposal of such vehicles alongside the collection of the statutory fees that relate. This contract will cover both responsive statutory vehicle removal and the pro-active, ad-hoc, ‘pre-positioning/standby’ of vehicle recovery resource, as well as offering the potential for providing vehicle recovery services during Highways England scheme road works. Statutory removals are focused on those parts of the National Strategic Road Network in England patrolled by Traffic Officers, who have the powers sanctioned within the removal and disposal of vehicles (Traffic Officers) (England) Regulations 2008 to effect statutory removals. The appointed contractor will be responsible for (but not liable for) the recovery of statutory charges from those vehicles statutorily removed in accordance with the removal, storage and disposal of vehicles (Prescribed Sums and Charges) Regulations 2008. It is expected that this service will be funded almost entirely by income received from removals, storage and disposal. Anticipated volumes of statutory removals would be between 14 000 — 16 000 vehicles per annum. Highways England will also require the services of the supplier to pre-position recovery vehicles for operational purposes to enhance the carriageway clearance abilities of the traffic officer service. Highways England will fund such pre-positioning and clearance services on an ‘as required’ basis. Highways England also requires that their main works contractors approach the appointed vehicle recovery contractor to quote to undertake scheme recovery services, i.e. to provide free (for customers) recovery within scheme road works. Highways England’s main works contractors will pay for this service directly, rather than Highways England. Subject to offering value for money and appointment by the main works contractors, this stands to be an opportunity for the appointed supplier to increase their revenue throughout the life of this contract.