Contract 71 - Metalworks and Fabrication

Following this tender exercise, it is envisaged that up to 5 Contractors will be appointed to each lot on the Framework.

The Contractor providing best value, ranked number 1, from the initial tender results, will be ranked 1 for the first twenty four months. All work valued at £25,000 or less will be awarded to rank 1 as a direct award. On occasion, if the value of the work is not clear or the Authority considers it necessary, it may decide to carry out a mini competition to ensure value for money.

For all work estimated to be values at £25,000 or more, the Authority will run a mini competition and invite all contractors on the framework to tender for the work.

Rankings will remain fixed for the first twenty four months (two years) of the framework. Thereafter, for years three and four - if the extension option is utilised - a Mini Competition (Annual Refresh) will be carried out for the commencement of year three. The ranking order on the framework may change after the Mini Competition (Annual Refresh) and it is anticipated that the prices and rankings will remain fixed for the second twenty four months (two years) of the framework.

At twelve monthly intervals during the initial term of the Framework, however, the Authority reserves the right to Benchmark any Works Prices received from the rank 1 Contractor. Where necessary, the Authority may request Prices from the rank 2 and rank 3 Contractors to benchmark and confirm the Authority is getting continued value for money. After Benchmarking, and if the Authority considers it necessary, the Authority will carry out a biannual Price refresh and the ranking order may change as detailed in the paragraph 'Mini Competition (Annual Refresh)'. Within years three and four, if the extension option is utilised, the Authority reserves the right to carry out benchmarking exercises every six months if appropriate.

A Contractor declining the offered work will then trigger the works to be offered to the Contractor next in rank order as a Direct Award.