Framework Agreement for Greenmount Campus Redevelopment Project

This procurement seeks to appoint suppliers to a framework for the phased redevelopment of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus, with the Contracting Authority being the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Planning permission approval for the project was granted by Antrim & Newtownabbey District Council in November 2024 (LA03/2024/0269/F). The Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 was not deemed necessary, given this redevelopment project is considered to be routine construction, with a large supply base capable of delivering each of the anticipated construction contracts. Each contract awarded from the framework will include: design development, demolition, construction and maintenance. Due to the nature of the client’s business i.e. an educational campus which must remain operational throughout the duration of the redevelopment, it is anticipated that some contracts may be awarded after 4 years following the award of the framework. It is anticipated that the duration of the framework will be for a period of up to 6 years, in line with Regulation 47(2) of the Procurement Act 2023. The framework will provide the delivery of the Scope outlined within the tender documentation. It is anticipated that the successful supplier of the first contract (Phase 1) will be retained for subsequent contracts (Phase 2 and Phase 3), subject to satisfactory performance of each preceding phase and agreement of costs for each subsequent phase with the Contracting Authority. Up to 5 reserve suppliers will also be awarded to the framework. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to tender each phase between the framework suppliers and reserves the right to tender each phase of a supplier’s design between the framework suppliers, or on the open market. The Contracting Authority also reserve the right to eliminate poor performing suppliers from tendering for future phases. This framework is not a guarantee of any workload and may be terminated at any time as may be deemed necessary by the Contracting Authority. This framework includes the right for the Contracting Authority to suspend and/or terminate a supplier’s participation in the framework. The anticipated works under this framework will consist of: the demolition of existing educational and campus buildings, construction of three new buildings (Student Accommodation Building, Teaching Building and Central Hub Building) with all associated site works and an extensive period of planned and reactive maintenance (Government Soft Landings (GSL)) following construction completion of each phase. The successful supplier for each phase will be responsible for the completion of the design and construction of all of the works and management of facilities in accordance with GSL requirements. The contracts awarded under this framework require the successful supplier to maintain continuity of existing campus functions, ensuring that the design respects the character and configuration of the overall Greenmount campus and ensuring that the construction is delivered with minimal disruption to campus activities. Contract Performance Conditions Supplier’s performance on this framework will be regularly monitored, with the requirement of reporting against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). As part of its contract management procedures, the Contracting Authority will use the Protocol for Managing Poor Supplier. Performance contained in Annex K of the Construction Procurement Toolkit. Construction Toolkit 30-04-24 If a supplier has received more than one current Notice of Written Warning or a Notice of Unsatisfactory Performance, the Contracting Authority, at its discretion, can consider a supplier’s exclusion from future procurements, being undertaken on behalf of bodies covered by the Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy Statement, for a minimum period of 12 months or 3 years …