Canon Street Changing Places refurbishment

Taunton Town Council Canon Street Changing Places Toilet Project – Pre-Market Engagement Background Taunton Town Council (TTC) has taken over from Somerset Council a number of the public toilets within Taunton and is undertaking a phased programme to refurbish some of these facilities. TTC has existing Changing Places units at Paul Street and Tower Street in Taunton and is looking to install a third unit at our Canon Street toilets facility. The main refurbishment of the Canon Street toilets was completed in 2025 with space being left for the installation of a Changing Places toilet. Over the past year TTC has undertaken a detailed review and consultation exercise in relation to Changing Places toilets and their supporting arrangements. This review actively sought and obtained input from Disabled people as the users of these facilities. The review concluded that in addition to providing the specific Changing Places equipment we also need to provide: Access controls by way of CAME KMS key fob backed up by an online registration process in order to provide secure access and to protect the facilities from vandalism and anti-social behaviour A monitored emergency alarm and response service provided in conjunction with the Somerset Council Lifeline team Fire alarms linked to the key fob Mag Lock to provide for automatic door release Accessible and clear signage to cover all aspects of the facility Up to date, clear and accessible information on our and other relevant websites Engagement with Disabled people when designing these facilities to ensure that we get it right Proposed timeline Ideally, the Council is looking to have the procurement exercise completed and a contract agreed by the end of February 2027 for the works to be completed and the facility open by May 2027. Purpose of the pre-market engagement The review we have undertaken has, as detailed above, indicated that there is far more to providing a Changing Places facility than just installing standard Changing Places toilet equipment. In practice we need to think holistically about the entire user experience and engage with users when designing and implementing these facilities. So, for the Canon Street project we want to procure a complete solution which also delivers in addition to the standard Changing Places equipment the supporting technology i.e. the access controls, monitored emergency alarm equipment, fire alarm / Mag Lock auto unlocking, signage, Building Control approvals etc. Ideally, the Council wants to engage a single main contractor to oversee and manage all aspects of the installation including any enabling minor structural, electrical or plumbing works required to the unit to facilitate the installation of the Changing Places equipment. However, before progressing to a formal procurement we are interested in understanding whether this approach (i.e. the single contractor) is realistic and will generate competitive bids. More detail is provided below in relation to the specific requirements. Overall objectives of the project The overall objective of this project is to provide a quality Changing Places toilet facility with the additional supporting technology and approach outlined above. Summary of the specific requirements More specifically we are looking for the: Completion of any and all minor enabling works required to enable the installation to comply with the Changing Places requirements and to enable the installation of the CAME KMS key fob, emergency and fire alarms. (This includes changes to enable the existing door to work with a CAME KMS key fob and to provide a paddle handle locking mechanism or the provision and installation of a new door, if required) Provision and installation of quality Changing Places equipment to Changing Places Consortium standards including a wash/dry toilet Provision, installation and commissioning of a CAME KMS key fob access control system which is integrated with our existing Simplekey Web software Installation in conjunction with the Somerset Council Lifeline team of their emergency alarm monitoring equipment and wireless alarm cords. (NB. We would expect the contractor to liaise directly with the Somerset Lifeline team regarding any enabling electrical work required to enable them to install their alarm equipment) Provision, installation and commissioning of an open protocol fire alarm in the Changing Places unit and utility area, which is to be linked to the key fob Mag Lock to provide for auto release in the event of an alarm The provision and installation of quality (i.e. acrylic or aluminium) instruction signs in respect of each element of the Changing Places equipment. (NB. TTC will provide all other signage) Questions for potential suppliers Would you be happy and able to provide a competitive bid for the full scope of the work outlined above? If not, please indicate which areas would cause particular difficulty. Are there any key elements that you believe we are missing? If so, please specify what they are. Is our proposed timetable realistic? Would you be interested in bidding for this?