CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

TYWI GATEWAY PROJECT Contract 2) Restoration and Conversion of Old Bishop’s Palace Outbuildings

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

This invitation to tender sets out the requirements for tender and the appointment of a Contractor at the Bishop’s Park, Old Bishop’s Palace, Abergwili, Carmarthenshire, SA31 2JG (NGR SN441209) for the Restoration and Conversion of the Old Bishop’s Palace Outbuildings and is prepared by the Tywi Gateway Trust (the Client) in association with Acanthus Holden Architects.

The works in this contract will specifically address:-

a) The restoration and conversion of the Old Bishop’s Palace mid 19th century outbuildings as an interpretation and learning centre with café and toilets.

b) The creation of a “Winter Garden” through glazing over the open courtyard around which the Old Bishop’s Palace outbuildings are arranged.

Situated in the settlement of Abergwili, immediately to the east of Carmarthen, the Bishop’s Park lies directly to the south of the A40 trunk road and comprises part of the original grounds of the Old Palace of the Bishops of St Davids. On the site of a college established by Bishop Beck in the 1280s the Bishop’s Palace was the episcopal residence from the 16th century through to its vacation by the Bishops in 1974. The Old Palace and the formal gardens were bought by Carmarthenshire County Council to house the County museum and the grounds were opened as a public park.

Originally built between 1829 and 1840 the Old Bishop’s Palace outbuildings appear to have been altered in the early 20th century following a major fire in 1903 and again following their purchase by Carmarthenshire County Council in the 1970s.

The outbuildings form a defined part of the listed grade II Carmarthenshire County Museum (formerly Bishop’s Palace) and are currently in a dilapidated state having been used by the museum for general storage.

The outbuildings proposed for restoration include c.200m2 of interior space with the proposed glazed courtyard including a further c.97m2.

Once completed the buildings will comprise a reception area, multi-purpose learning and interpretation space, toilets, office, kitchen, multi-purpose Winter Garden (to be used as dining/seating area for the café), volunteer room and storage area, external terrace and wheelchair ramp.

Further details of the tender invitation are provided in the document "The Tywi Gateway Project contract 2- Restoration and conversion of Old Bishop's Palace outbuildings" available for download on this site.

Please note that the detailed tender package will be available by e-mail (e-download will be sent) from Louise Austin on request. Email- louiseaustin@tywigateway.org.uk

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=98412.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

In order to supply the services required effectively the successful tender will need to demonstrate:

a) Experience of construction/building and conservation repair using appropriate methods (lime/hot works etc.) and other work relevant to this tender and working with protected structures of similar historical importance.

b) An appreciation of the architectural significance of the structures as well as their historic and cultural importance.

c) Understanding and experience of working in an ecologically sensitive site and working to the requirements of a European Protected Species license.

d) Understanding and experience of working in an archaeologically sensitive site.

e) The ability and resources to mobilise and support the site team and provide the necessary skills and expertise to fulfil the contract.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:98412)

Under the terms of this contract the successful supplier(s) will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic and social objectives. Accordingly, contract performance conditions may relate in particular to social and environmental considerations. The Community Benefits included in this contract are:

Tenderers are invited to identify how they will contribute to the broader community benefit which is being delivered through the Tywi Gateway Project. Such contributions could add to the educational, volunteering, training and interpretational opportunities on offer to visitors to the Bishop’s Park and Museum.

Relates to the following project/programme financed by EU Community Funds: The Tywi Gateway Project is partially supported with EU funds through the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 - Rural Communities Development Fund

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice