Directive 2004/18/EC

Section I: Contracting authority

• I.1) Name, addresses and contact point(s)

  For the attention of: Stephen Curtis
  Contact: County Procurement Services
  Derbyshire County Council
  County Hall
  Matlock
  DE4 3FW
  UNITED KINGDOM
  Email: stephen.curtis@derbyshire.gov.uk
  Tel: +44 1629536872
  Fax: +44 1629536866

  Internet address(es):

  General address of the contracting authority: www.derbyshire.gov.uk

  Address of the buyer profile: www.sourcederbyshire.co.uk

  Further information can be obtained from:

  The above mentioned contact point(s)

• I.2) Type of the contracting authority

  Regional or local authority

• I.3) Main activity

  General public services

• I.4) Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities

  The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no

Section II.B: Object of the contract (Supplies or services)

• II.1) Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:

  Consideration of a joint venture partnership for the delivery of highways laboratory services.

• II.2) Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance

  Service category No 12: Architectural services; engineering services and integrated engineering services; urban planning and landscape engineering services; related scientific and technical consulting services; technical testing and analysis services

  Matlock.

  NUTS code UKF1

• II.3) Information on framework agreement

  Not provided

• II.4) Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:

  Derbyshire County Council currently operates an in-house highways laboratory, accredited to independent standards, which provides a number of testing activities which are also utilised at a low level by other Councils. It is believed that there is an opportunity to increase the external business that the laboratory undertakes however there is currently no internal commercial expertise to enable the development of future business in this area.

  Budgetary constraints on the Council and the subsequent reduction of capital works and revenue have led the strategic director of environmental services to explore alternative ways of delivering the service. Consideration is now being given to the option of a partnership arrangement/joint venture, which would enable the development of commercial business whilst allowing the Council to maintain an influence over the standards and direction of testing going into the future.

  The proposed changes would be the subject of a formal procurement process and before embarking on such a procurement the Council is seeking the views of the market on how such a proposal would be received, and on what basis the market would respond.

  The main outputs for discussion would cover, but not be restricted to:

  — Development of new areas of work and increasing capacity and expertise,

  — Provision of a research and development capability to reduce the cost of highways maintenance,

  — Reducing the overall cost of operating a site and laboratory testing service,

  — Establish an independent service for research, testing and consultancy,

  — Establish an independent service for asset management and sustainability,

  — Establish an independent service that will deliver an effective contribution to improving the transport infrastructure,

  — Establish an independent service that will provide progressive services and innovation through developing cost effective specifications and service standards,

  — Increase external income to the council and generate a sustainable business solution based on growth.

  The Council is seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) which should be received by no later than close of business on Friday 12.10.2012. It is anticipated that the initial meeting with participating organisations will be held at the County Hall complex in Matlock during November 2012.

  The EOI should be sent by e-mail to stephen.curtis@derbyshire.gov.uk.

  
  

  Lots

  This contract is divided into lots: no

• II.5) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

  71900000, 71630000

• II.6) Scheduled date for start of award procedures

  Not provided

• II.7) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

  The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): no

• II.8) Additional information:

  Not provided

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

• III.1) Conditions relating to the contract

  • III.1.1) Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:

    Not provided

• III.2) Conditions for participation

  • III.2.1) Information about reserved contracts

    Not provided

Section VI: Complementary information

• VI.1) Information about European Union funds

  The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no

• VI.2) Additional information:

  Not provided

• VI.3) Information on general regulatory framework

  Not provided

• VI.4) Date of dispatch of this notice:

  12.9.2012