WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement

Award of framework. Roads and Transportation delivers an extensive programme of works, including carriageway surfacing and structural maintenance. As part of this maintenance programme, following guidance from the Scottish Road Research Board (January 2018), the council is required to test for coal tar in its roads prior to the commencement of any related works. There is also a need to carry out testing on other materials to pre-inform design work, and to check the specification of materials being supplied during works. Material testing prior to and during the works will identify issues during the design stage and ensure the quality of the finished product. The current Framework Agreement provides this range of services across four lots, as detailed below. - Coring on the existing carriageway network within West Lothian and the identification of the presence of coal tar within these cores. - Sampling and testing of aggregates. - Sampling and testing of soil materials and ground conditions including minor site investigation work and detection of voids. - Testing of bituminous materials used during various carriageway resurfacing schemes throughout West Lothian (including surface dressing). - Measurement and testing of thermoplastic road marking materials. - Road pavement testing to determine residual characteristics. - Sampling, testing and analysis of structural concrete and cementitious materials (includes both fresh and hardened materials). - Sampling and testing of paint and coating materials used on structures. - Provide reports and all test certificates. Whilst the current framework does have extensions, there are changes in requirements which means the service prefer to retender the framework to increase the specification and allow new market entrants to be considered. If bidders intend to use a supply chain to deliver the requirements detailed in the Contract Notice, they should confirm they have (or have access to) the relevant supply chain management and tracking systems to ensure a resilient and sustainable supply chain. This will include confirmation that they have the systems in place to pay subcontractors through the supply chain promptly and effectively, and provide evidence when requested of: a) their standard payment terms b) ≥95% of all supply chain invoices being paid on time (in accordance with the terms of contract) in the last financial year. If the bidder is unable to confirm (b) they must provide an improvement plan, signed by their Director, which improves the payment performance. TUPE - The incoming Contractor is responsible for obtaining legal and professional advice about relevant TUPE implications. CONFIDENTIALITY - All information supplied by the Authority must be treated in confidence and not disclosed to third parties except insofar as this is necessary to obtain sureties or quotations for the purpose of submitting the tender. All information supplied by you to the Authority will similarly be treated in confidence except: (i) for any information required to be disclosed or otherwise provided by the Authority to any person in order to comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and any codes of practice applicable from time to time relating to access to public authorities’ information. The Tenderer shall co-operate, facilitate, support and assist the Authority in the provision of this information. In the event the Authority is required to provide information to any person as a result of a request made to it under such Act and/or codes, the Authority shall adhere to the requirements of such Act and/or codes in disclosing information relating to this Agreement, the Project documents and the Contractor. (ii) that references may be sought from banks, existing or past clients, or other referees submitted by the tenderers; (iii) for the disclosure of such information with regard to the outcome of the procurement process as may be required to be published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with EU directives or elsewhere in accordance with the requirements of UK government policy on the disclosure of information relating to government contracts. (SC Ref:821734)