Provision of Utility Diversions and/or Protection Audit and Advice Services for the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig Project

Tender description

The A9 Dualling Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project will upgrade approximately 5 miles (8.2km) of existing single carriageway, commencing just north of the Jubilee Bridge over the river Tay and ending at the southern end of the existing dual carriageway south of Ballinluig Junction. Transport Scotland are looking to de-risk the contract by undertaking a programme of advance works prior to contract award in Summer 2025. This includes Ground Investigation, Archaeology Investigation and Tree felling. We are also working closely with utility providers to design and implement diversions of their equipment in advance of contract award. The advance works will include undertaking diversions of BT Openreach (temporary) and SSEN (permanent) apparatus. SSEN has provided a C4 estimate. Lot 1: Transport Scotland are awarding a call-off from the MSFA for proposed utility diversions and/or protection audit and advice services, for a specialist technical advisor to provide experienced, qualified and trained personnel, with the necessary range of skills and sufficient resources and to provide the requisite capability to provide the audit and advice services to ensure that utility diversions and protection are successfully delivered for the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project. The services required include: a) Audit of the process, procedures undertaken by and documents prepared by Transport Scotland’s consultant and/or the Contractor during design and/or construction to ensure application of the appropriate Legislation; the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, the Conditions of Contract, including the Scope and relevant Codes of Practice, including, but not limited to: Measures Necessary where Apparatus is affected by Major Works (Diversionary Works). b) Identification of any conflicts in these requirements, or areas where there may be a risk to programme, delivery or any other project element identified together with recommendations for further review and/or action. c) Provision of specialist technical support relating to utility queries that may arise during the construction of the A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig project. d) Provide specialist technical support to Transport Scotland where disputes arise. e) Attend meetings, prepare draft correspondence, provide advice and recommendations, develop a strategy and/or other actions as may be considered necessary to support the resolution of the tasks outlined in (a) to (d) above. f) Challenge the utility providers where appropriate to ensure that betterment is not paid for by Transport Scotland. g) Ensure value for money is achieved by maximising the use of advance payments to achieve cost sharing discounts where appropriate. h) Review C4 estimates proposals for BT Openreach, SSEN and Scottish Water. The expected turnaround time to undertake a C4 review is 1 week.