Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Transport Scotland
5th Floor, 177 Bothwell Street
Glasgow
G2 7EQ
UK
Telephone: +44 1412727100
E-mail: pdc@transport.gov.scot
NUTS: UKM82
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.transport.gov.scot
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00099
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
Other: Transport
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie
Reference number: TS/MP/WKS/2025/01
II.1.2) Main CPV code
45233100
II.1.3) Type of contract
Works
II.1.4) Short description
The Scope involves the design, construction, completion and landscape maintenance of the proposed A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie project.
The project will be the fifth section of the A9 Dualling Programme to be constructed, which aims to improve the operational performance of the A9, improve safety for motorised and non-motorised users, facilitate active travel within the corridor, and improve integration with Public Transport Facilities. The objectives are to be met whilst avoiding and/or reducing environmental impacts, enhancing the environment and improving sustainability where possible.
The Project involves the dualling of approximately four miles (6.4km) of existing single carriageway. This consists of approximately 4km of online widening and approximately 2km of offline construction. The project commences approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge and ends at the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie. This section of the A9 is located in a rural area within close proximity to a number of designated environmental sites, such as the River Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) including the River Tummel and Loch Faskally, which are crossed by the existing A9.
In particular, the project involves, but is not limited to:
- Widening of existing A9 single carriageway to Dual 2 lane All-purpose roads Sub-category c (D2APc) standard, in accordance with ‘CD 109 Highway Link Design’ within the UK Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
- Upgrades to the existing Pitlochry South Junction and Pitlochry North at-grade Junction to fully grade separated junctions.
- Construction of two left-in left-out junctions at C452 Foss Road and C452 Clunie-Foss Road.
- Upgrade to side roads including resurfacing or realignment and other improvements.
- Construction of access roads to rural properties and businesses, including a further two left-in/left-out junctions onto the A9 with one at Pitlochry Estate and one at Kennel Cottage.
- A Type-A Lay-by, which will provide physical segregation between the main carriageway and the lay-by, located on the northbound side of the A9, near the Tummel underbridge.
- Demolition and replacement of three existing underbridges; Clunie-Foss Bridge, Foss Road Bridge and Craighulan Bridge.
- A new underbridge at the River Tummel (Tummel underbridge) to accommodate the proposed A9 northbound carriageway.
- A new underbridge at Loch Faskally (Clunie underbridge) to accommodate the proposed A9 southbound carriageway.
- An extension of one existing rail underbridge and one new rail underbridge.
- Provision of five other new underbridges/underpasses, six new retaining walls and 15 culverts.
- Bearing replacement and concrete repairs to piers at the existing Tummel underbridge.
- Earthworks, including excavation of rock.
- Replacement and/or upgrade to a number of existing structures including culverts and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) developed in consultation with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
- Provision of traffic management, road restraint systems, accommodation works, service diversions, fencing, signage, landscaping and environmental mitigation.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
205 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
45111000
45221220
45221111
45221112
45233120
45233124
45233125
45233161
45233162
45233224
45233226
45233290
45262640
45233222
45112000
45112730
45233128
45233280
45246200
45316210
45454100
45316110
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM77
Main site or place of performance:
A9 trunk road from a point approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge, to the southern end of the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Government and contracts in the name of and on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland has identified the requirement to appoint a suitably experienced Contractor to design and build a new dual carriageway from a point approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge, to the southern end of the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie.
Transport Scotland will conduct the proposed procurement process on behalf of the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015. In the event of a contract award, the contract will be entered into between the Scottish Ministers and the successful tenderer. The contract will include a 260 week period of defects and maintenance after completion of the main works and a 260 week period of landscape establishment following completion of landscape planting. The successful tenderer will not be required to carry out cyclic maintenance, which shall be carried out by a third party appointed by the Scottish Ministers. In the event of a contract award, the appointed contractor and the applicable subcontractors shall be required to enter into a Project Bank Account Trust Agreement. The Project Bank Account will be used by Transport Scotland to make payments. Further guidance can be obtained via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement/policy/ReviewProcConst/projectbankaccounts
In line with the National Transport Strategy in Scotland, the project aims to build a lasting legacy and encourage economic growth by offering a significant opportunity to improve the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the area in which it operates, with a particular focus on reducing inequality. The appointed Contractor will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic, social and environmental objectives. The project aims to facilitate the involvement of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), third sector bodies and supported businesses, as well as offering employment and training opportunities, and promoting innovation in line with our sustainable procurement duty under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. The project will encourage good quality and fair work and a Contractors approach to fair work practices will be assessed as part of this procurement and monitored under the contract.
II.2.14) Additional information
The Contractor will be procured through a competitive dialogue procedure, in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
14/07/2025
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Transport Scotland will contact interested contractors to participate in pre-procurement market consultation questionnaire at the beginning of May, ahead of the procurement exercise commencing.
Transport Scotland expects to hold a ‘virtual industry event’ in June 2025 which will provide interested parties with an opportunity to better understand the scope of the contract and the procurement ahead of the process commencing. Further details including the format and date of the virtual industry event will be provided when available on http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ .
Transport Scotland and the Scottish Ministers shall have no liability for any costs however incurred by those attending the virtual industry event, attendance at subsequent meetings, or involvement in the procurement competition.
Direct or indirect canvassing of any Transport Scotland official concerning this procurement, or any attempt to procure information from any Transport Scotland official concerning this Prior Information Notice (PIN) outside of the formal process described in this document may result in the disqualification of the supplier from this procurement, and consideration in any future procurement activity. No information contained in this document or in any communication made between Transport Scotland and any supplier in connection with this document shall be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement or representation that any contract shall be offered in accordance with this document.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=797491.
(SC Ref:797491)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/04/2025