Project and design preparation, estimation of costs

Tender description

Highways England (HE) is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving England's motorways and major A roads. We have a huge road investment programme to deliver and want to engage with suppliers to inform our approach to procuring our larger complex infrastructure projects. Supplier feedback and providing for genuine two-way dialogue opportunity to take place between Highways England and the market, listening to what interested parties have to say and using this to shape the project and procurement development is extremely important to us; it is imperative that we work collaboratively to achieve the optimum solutions. At this stage we are consulting the market regarding supplier interest and feasibility in relation to the detailed design work required to support the contestable utilities diversions. As a 14.5-mile scheme, the Lower Thames Crossing project comprises of two bored tunnels beneath the River Thames with interconnecting link roads to the M25, A13 and A2. At 16 metres in diameter, the tunnels will be some of the largest bored tunnels in the world. The Lower Thames Crossing will feature three lanes in both directions with a maximum speed limit of 70 mph and will be the single largest road investment project in the UK since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago. At 2.4 miles, each tunnel will be the longest in the country and we expect it to add 90 % extra capacity for customers crossing the River Thames east of London. The North Portal site will be located on the North Shore of the Thames, east of Tilbury B Power station and south of the Tilbury Loop Railway line. The North Portal structure and its approach ramp is to be constructed within a sizeable excavation. Approach roads to the North Portal construction continue at ground level north towards the proposed viaduct over the Tilbury Loop Railway. Highways England would like to identify potential suppliers interested in undertaking detailed design works for the contestable utilities (including electricity, gas, water, telecommunications and other utility) diversions and related required contestable works including protection works. This will involve liaising closely with the statutory utilities owners to create compliant designs for the diversions and other required works. As this work will involve planning for diversions of major utilities it will be essential that any interested parties hold the necessary Lloyds accreditation to undertake these works. The production of these designs will be essential in keeping the project on track and the design works will need to have been completed and approved before the main works contractors start on site (C. start of 2022). Highways England intends to use an eSourcing portal (Bravo) to carry out market engagement and to communicate further information with interested suppliers, please register on the portal in order to be involved. If you are interested in participating, please register on the Bravo to receive information about the proposed contestable utilities detailed design by visiting: www.highways.bravosolution.co.uk (ITT_5356). Note: Highways England is committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency. The overarching aim of all the market consultation exercises undertaken under this PIN is for genuine two-way dialogue to take place between Highways England and the market, listening to what interested parties have to say and using this to shape the commercial and procurement strategies which set out the approach to the market. This PIN is issued solely for the purpose of commencing a market consultation exercise and does not constitute any commitment by Highways England to undertake any public procurement exercise. To the extent that Highways England carries out any public procurement exercise, Highways England reserves the right to award contracts in lots or groups of lots. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this PIN. Nor shall a response to this PIN guarantee an invitation to participate in this market consultation exercise or any future procurement process that Highways England may conduct. This PIN does not constitute a call for competition to procure any works or services and is not published to reduce time limited for the receipt of tenders. Highways England is not bound to accept any proposals offered. Highways England is not liable for any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any party responding to this PIN or any party who may participate in the market consultation exercise. It is currently assumed that this procurement will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.