Tree-maintenance services

Tender description

The contracting entity intends to establish framework arrangements under which it shall appoint up to fifteen (15) economic operators to enter into separate framework agreements for the provision of vegetation patrolling services. Each framework agreement will be for a period of five (5) years with an option, exercisable entirely at the discretion of the contracting entity and subject to the terms of the framework agreement, to extend by a further optional period of up to three (3) years, with a total potential duration of eight (8) years. The contracting entity estimates that the total spend under the framework agreements could be up to GBP 6 530 000. Further appointments may be made from the reserve list as detailed within the tender documents. The vegetation patrolling services include those activities outlined below and detailed further within the tender documents: 1) assessment of vegetation encroachment upon NIE Networks’ equipment, over all voltages in accordance with the specification; 2) recording of vegetation patrolling information in an electronic format as defined by NIE Networks; 3) sourcing, recording and reporting of landowner permissions for tree cutting works; 4) reporting of any observed overhead line network defects and/or hazardous situations in accordance with NIE Networks Policies and Procedures; 5) responding as instructed by NIE Networks to internally and externally reported defects and/or hazardous situations; 6) close liaison with NIE Networks’ customers which will include recording and reporting of queries and any potential issues raised by customers in respect of the provision of the contract service and subsequent tree cutting services; 7) the contract service will be provided strictly in accordance with NIE Safety Rules (Electrical and mechanical) and associated policies, procedures and specification requirements as outlined in the contract documents; 8) effective liaison with NIE Networks’ staff in respect of processing of vegetation patrolling information; 9) services will be carried out by suitably trained and competent persons. It is intended that the contracting entity will enter into up to fifteen (15) framework agreements with economic operators (in the form attached at Appendix M of the tender documents) with call-off contracts allocated on a direct award basis, as set out in the call-off procedure (in Appendix C of the tender documents). Further appointments may be made from the reserve list as detailed within the tender documents.