Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Natural Resources Wales
Ty Cambria House, 29 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0TP
UK
Telephone: +44 3000653000
E-mail: procurement.enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
NUTS: UKL
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Environment
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Diving Services Framework 2022
Reference number: 83617
II.1.2) Main CPV code
98363000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The management of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) should aim to achieve the ‘favourable conservation status’ (FCS) of habitat and species features. Features can be: an entire habitat; a range of plant/animal communities; an individual plant/animal community; or individual species. In the case of SACs, the features are the habitats and/or species listed in Annex I and Annex II of the Habitats Directive for which the individual MPAs were designated. To inform management and enable reporting on the FCS of the subtidal aspects of the SACs, NRW undertakes diving monitoring work.
A monitoring work programme has been established for each statutory site by NRW. The programme, or parts thereof, will be implemented by the contractor working as part of a team alongside NRW specialist staff.
NRW in conjunction with specialist diving biologist contractors completed multiple field seasons of diving monitoring work across Wales. Techniques include well-established Marine Nature Conservation Review methodology (Phase 2 level survey, Hiscock 1996) as well as developing and adapting techniques such as fixed-point quadrat sampling and video and digital stills photography to assess the various attributes of reefs in the Welsh SACs.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
300 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Sponge / invertebrate taxonomist
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of invertebrates (e.g. sponges, ascidians, bryozoans, and hydroids) methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
This role may also be combined with Lot 7 coordinator role
Approx 5-10 days per annum
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Algal taxonomist
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of red, green and brown seaweeds, the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
This role may also be combined with Lot 7 coordinator role
5-15 days per annum.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Non-native species taxonomist
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification of non-native species. They will have excellent taxonomic skills to be able to identify these species from native species. They will be up to date with such species currently found or likely to be found in the UK, horizon scanning literature and other sources of information. They will have specialist knowledge in the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
This role may also be combined with Lot 7 coordinator role
5 days per annum.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Experienced monitoring / diving marine biologists
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have excellent general marine taxonomic skills and will be able demonstrate their experience in carrying out a variety of underwater surveying techniques similar to that identified in NRW’s Standard Operating Procedures for our subtidal diving SAC monitoring including ‘cell frequency species counts’, ‘Sponge morphology quadrats’, and transect type surveys. They will also be experienced in photography, videography and other marine fieldwork methodologies to carry out our routine monitoring work.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
This role may also be combined with Lot 7 coordinator role
Requirement: Typically 20-40 person days per annum.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Assistant surveyor
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. A scientific diver with biological knowledge - not to be confused with commercial divers who may be an experienced diver but have no biological expertise/knowledge nor training in biological field survey techniques. Able to assist experienced surveyors, carry out videography, targeted sample collection, and surveys where less taxonomic skills are required such as seagrass surveys.
Requirement: Typically 10-20 person days per annum.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 6
II.2.1) Title
Diving supervisor
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A person suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work in accordance with the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work Regulations. They don’t need to have biological expertise, but they do need to understand the nature of the work and the areas / dive sites where the diving operations are to take place. They will be expected to keep records of diving activities, control the diving operations, liaise with other maritime users and assist with running of survey logistics. This role is for the supply of a dedicated dive supervisor as opposed to the provision of ad hoc diver supervisor duties whilst providing services under another Lot.
Requirement: unknown. Subject to projects being undertaken.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 7
II.2.1) Title
Survey coordinator
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A person with the skills and experience to plan, lead and coordinate field logistics and manage dive teams. Close liaison with project officer assisting in the coordination of survey requirements and field team needed. Creating HSE Dive Project Plans, liaising with relevant Harbour Authorities and ensure Notice to Mariners are issued if required. Liaising with recompression chambers facilities ahead of and during surveys to ensure availability in an emergency. Able to ensure the quality of the information gathered (monitoring data, dive logs, filed activity diary etc), is secured and appropriately catalogued. Competent in ensuring the completion of an end of season field report that summarises the years field operations and (with input from NRW staff) draws summary conclusions from the data collected. This person could be an independent trader who would form a consortium for the purposes of the framework or it could be the manager of an organisation/company who would tender for the entire set of work (1-4 above). It is expected that the coordinator would also take on one of the diving roles alongside the Survey Coordinator role. They must indicate which secondary Lots they could also fulfil.
Requirement: Typically 20-40 person days per annum.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: 8
II.2.1) Title
Diving data analyst
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
98363000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
A person with a scientific background and preferably a diver with a knowledge of marine biological species. They will be adept at transcribing complex data from field recording forms to spreadsheets or Marine Recorder. Able to check the taxonomic species names in relevant literature where necessary. They will be competent in data validation techniques, use of spreadsheets and statistical software. The analyst may also be required to work with imaging software such Adobe Photoshop and Premiere for stitching images or extracting species data. A knowledge of annotation software BIIGLE and CATAMI would be advantageous. This role may be expected to attend surveys and input data at the survey base but not take part in diving operations themselves. They may also be required to analyse recorded video to extract species and abundance data.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
There will be an option to extend the framework by up to an additional 12 months for a further 2 years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement with several operators.
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 50
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
14/01/2022
Local time: 14:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
14/01/2022
Local time: 14:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
In 4 years.
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST / COMPLETING THE ITT
i) Suppliers should register on the eTendering portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
ii) Once registered, suppliers must express their interest as follows
a) login to the eTendering portal
b) select ITT'
c) select 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers'
d) access the listing relating to the contract (itt_83617 "Diving Services Framework 2022") and view details
e) click on 'Express Interest' button in the 'Actions' box on the left-hand side of the page
iii) Once you have expressed interest, the ITT will move to 'My ITTs', where you can download and view documents and where you can construct your reply as instructed. You must then publish your reply using the publish button.
iv) For any support in submitting your expression of interest, please contact the eTendering helpdesk on 0800 0112470 or at help@bravosolution.co.uk.
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=116555
(WA Ref:116555)
The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
08/12/2021