Proposed Construction of a Regional Wood Reprocessing Facility at Silent Valley, Blaenau Gwent.

1. The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to an opportunity in relation to the Local Authorities’ requirements for the civil engineering and construction works for a regional wood reprocessing facility at our Silent Valley waste management site near Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent. 2. The wider site is currently used for waste treatment and recycling activities, and has a weighbridge, excellent transport and drainage infrastructure and is already in possession of various waste management consents, which will assist the development and delivery of the planned c.30,000 tpa wood reprocessing facility. 3. A partnership has been proposed that will comprise a group of local authorities in Wales who will provide waste wood “feedstock” to the facility from their respective civic amenity sites. The host Authority Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council have developed the concept design for the facility and will now procure and obtain the necessary planning and environmental permits. 4. The partnership and its advisors plan to procure the civil engineering and building works (incorporating an 80m x 20m steel framed processing hall, compliant with all fire and operating permit regulations for waste wood reprocessing plants). The facility will also include (external) storage bays, power supply and sustainable drainage solution. The plant and equipment (powered by electricity) will be subject to a separate solution under one turnkey supplier and will be installed pursuant to the Facility’s Readiness Test(s) for the construction works. 5. A concept design for the facility has been produced by the lead Authority’s engineering team, which will inform the procurement of the facility. 6. The project scope will comprise construction works and services, including design and other services that are required to develop the concept design and construct the facility. The specific works and services that may be procured under the contract have not been fully defined at this stage. 7. The overall objectives of the project are to create a modern and environmentally sustainable wood reprocessing facility that will contribute towards the net zero carbon agenda. The facility will be equipped with specialist process plant designed to produce specification woodchip products. 8. The lead Authority will apply the principles of the Construction Playbook and supports early engagement of the supply chain and through this notice is keen to understand the views of the construction and civil engineering market prior to the commencement of the procurement.