15MW Drive Train Test Facility Upgrade - ORE/22/100

*PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE* This tender is being issued by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (‘ORE Catapult’) as a competitive procurement exercise in accordance with the ‘Competitive Procedure with Negotiation’ for tendering under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended from time to time). After a number of years of world-leading testing, ORE Catapult now have a requirement to upgrade the existing Drive Train to ensure the facility is ready to serve turbines of around 25MW. ORE Catapult therefore intend to appoint a single contractor (or consortium) to design, procure, construct and commission an upgrade to the existing 15MW capable Drive Train Test Facility at its site in Blyth, Northumberland. Due to funding arrangement this will be an aggressive build programme. Therefore, ORE Catapult reserve the right to vary the Contract term following discussion with suppliers during the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation process. ORE Catapult reserve the right to add additional requirements to the minimum Scope of the Works during the Contract life, as it is deemed appropriate within the Scope of the Works. ORE Catapult has determined that the requirement is not suitable for dividing into lots as it is not appropriate to have the various elements of the Works delivered by separate suppliers due to the complexity of the requirements. Accordingly, ORE Catapult intends to award a single contract for the requirement. ORE Catapult reserve the right to award a Contract on the basis of the initial tender without entering into negotiation where it is in their best interest to do so. ORE Catapult also reserve the right to carry out the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation in successive stages in order to reduce the number of tenders to be negotiated. ORE Catapult will inform remaining tenderers of the common deadline to submit new or revised tenders. This procurement process is a seven (7) stage competitive procurement process: Stage 1 Selection Questionnaire Consider / evaluate information submitted to ascertain eligibility to be invited to tender. A short list, resulting from this SQ, of three (3) tenderers (where there are at least three (3) suitably qualified, experienced tenderers) will be created. Where there are less than three (3) suitably qualified tenderers, all suitably qualified tenderers will be invited to proceed to Stage 2 Invitation to Participate (“ITP”). All SQ responses shall be considered / evaluated following the published deadline date / time for submission All tenderers shall be advised of their status and only those short listed shall be invited to participate in Stage 2. ORE Catapult may, at its sole discretion, decide not to proceed to Stage 2 if it is deemed not to be in our best interest to do so. Stage 2 Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) Preferred Tenderers will enter into an NDA within two (2) weeks to facilitate full disclosure of all other relevant sensitive and proprietary documentation as stated in the draft NDA at Appendix 5. Tenderers unable to agree an NDA within this time period may be eliminated from further competition. Stage 3 Issue Invitation to Participate This stage will include the preliminary design / FEED. ORE Catapult has set aside funding for this stage to allow tenderers to submit preliminary designs, together with cost estimates as part of their Initial ITP Response. Expected outputs from Preliminary Design phase shall be as follows: • Project charter including participants, roles and responsibilities • Methodology and programme for detailed design phase • Outline programme showing key dates and project completion • Outline target cost plan • List of assumptions • Clarifications required and outstanding information needed • Preliminary Risk Register Tenderers shall be required to submit an initial Tender which shall be the basis for any subsequent negotiations. Stage 4 Draft ITP Submission Tenderers shall be required to submit tenders, including preliminary design, in accordance with the details / instructions set out in the ITP. Stage 5 Negotiations ORE Catapult reserve the right to award a Contract on the basis of the initial tender without entering into negotiation where it is in their best interest to do so. ORE Catapult reserve the right to carry out the Competitive procedures with Negotiation in successive stages in order to reduce the number of tenders to be negotiated. ORE Catapult will inform remaining tenderers of the common deadline to submit new or revised tenders. Stage 6 Final Tender submission (Best and Final Offer “BAFO”) ORE Catapult verify best and final tenders to ensure they conform to minimum requirements and evaluate on the basis of the published award criteria in ITP. Stage 7 Contract Award Successful tenderers notified in writing. Unsuccessful tenderers notified in writing and feedback offered if required. Ten (10) day mandatory standstill period shall be applied.