South MRT Phase 1b and 2

Reading Borough Council is seeking an experienced highways contractor to undertake the next phase of works as part of the Councils ‘Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) South Scheme’.

The scheme consists of a series of highway improvements along the A33 corridor, focussed on improving public transport journey times. The ‘MRT South’ will link central Reading town centre to existing / proposed residential and employment areas to the south of Reading including Green Park and the new Mereoak Park and Ride facility.

The phase being advertised as part of this procurement exercise is ‘Phase 1b and 2'

The tender documents contain proposals for a “core scheme” as well as the possible “additional works”. These additional works may be instructed at the commencement of the Contract, or by way of variation to the Contract during the construction period. For the avoidance of doubt the Council intends to initially award a contract for the “core scheme” only and as such will conduct this tender assessment considering the “core scheme” only.

The “core scheme” works in Phase 1B comprise the following elements:

• Widening of the A33 to create a new bus lane in the south bound direction from Bennet Road Gyratory junction to Imperial Way junction. The road widening occurs largely adjacent to the existing carriageway in verges owned by the highway authority.

• Amendments to the traffic signal pedestrian crossings within the works and incorporation of a new traffic signal controlled bus priority junction in the southbound lane immediately prior to the Imperial Way Roundabout.

• Associated with the above are site clearance (including taking down of kerbs, traffic signs, lighting and street furniture etc), vehicle restraint systems, surface water drainage, earthworks, kerbing, paving and road surfacing, traffic signals and street lighting.

• Adjustments to Statutory utility equipment.

The “core scheme” works in Phase 2 comprise the following elements:

• Widening of the A33 to create a new bus lane in the south bound direction from Kennet Island junction to Bennet Road Gyratory junction. The road widening occurs largely adjacent to the existing carriageway in verges owned by the highway authority.

• Associated with the above are site clearance (including taking down of kerbs, traffic signs, lighting and street furniture etc), vehicle restraint systems, surface water drainage, earthworks, kerbing, paving and road surfacing, traffic signals and street lighting.

• Adjustments to Statutory utility equipment.

Additional information: expressing an interest should download the procurement documents which are available on the Council's e-tendering system at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc (Project Reference No. RBC 00000204 refers), and complete as instructed.

The Portal is free of charge - to register please follow the supplier registration guidance which is available on the Portal. Contractors wishing to be considered for this tendering opportunity must complete the tender documents and return them electronically via the Council's e-tendering portal. The deadline for return of the tender is Tuesday 20th December 2016 at 12.00 hours.

Please note: you must register your interest via the Council's e-tendering portal if you intend to submit a tender. Interested parties must log onto the Council's e-tendering portal at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc, to express an interest and download the procurement documents. All communications regarding this procurement exercise will be conducted through the Council's e-tendering portal including requests for clarifications or general enquiries. The procurement documents will be available for download up until the closing time and date for tender submissions, it is the organisation's responsibility to ensure that they download the documents in ample time to ensure that they can be completed and returned electronically, along with supporting documents, prior to the closing time and date stipulated. Before completing the tender, potential providers/suppliers should ensure that the e-mail address that has been used to register their organisation will be checked regularly as the Council's e-tendering system will generate automatic notifications to this e-mail address when there are updates, changes or messages sent relating to the project. Potential bidders should also check that their organisation's details are correct and kept up to date.

Technical questions and assistance regarding the use and operation of the Portal should be addressed to the In-Tend Help Desk - e-mail: support@in-tend.co.uk, telephone number +44 8442728810.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/