CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Delivery of a Communication Strategy and Support Services for Rail Modernisation in North Wales

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Welsh Government, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, Mersey Dee Alliance and Cheshire Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership are working together to develop a Strategic Outline Business Case for the electrification and modernisation of the North Wales coast main railway line between Holyhead and Warrington / Crewe.

The work programme associated with the project includes a requirement to communicate progress to stakeholders across all sectors, obtain stakeholders’ input on an as and when basis, and build support for securing investment in Control Period 6 (2019-24) to allow electrification and other improvements to the rail network and services to proceed.

There is a requirement to provide a communication strategy and activity to support the aspirations of the partners to deliver an improved rail network between Holyhead and Warrington / Crewe. Ministers will be taking decisions on the delivery plans for Control Period 6 during 2016 and the partners wish to ensure that opportunities to modernise and electrify the rail routes are included in the planning process. The 2016 Autumn Statement will be a key milestone and a strategy that results in a strong case being in place will be essential.

Transport for Wales (TfW) is a wholly owned company of the Welsh Government, established to focus on the delivery of transport developments across Wales. TfW will be the Employer for this commission on behalf of the Welsh Government.

FURTHER DETAIL CAN BE FOUND IN THE INSTRUCTIONS AND RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS, AND SCOPE OF SERVICE DOCUMENTS AS UPLOADED TO THIS NOTICE AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD BY POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=46175.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

To provide a communication strategy and activity to support the aspirations of the partners to deliver an improved rail network between Holyhead and Warrington / Crewe.

Task A – Communication Strategy

o Production of an acceptable Communication Strategy, including a stakeholder engagement strategy within the Communication Strategy, and all activities associated with production of the strategy, by no later than 31st July 2016.

Task B – Support Activities, as instructed by the Employer, during and post-delivery of the Communication Strategy.

o Advising Welsh Government and North Wales Economic Ambition Board on their communication.

o Assist with delivering stakeholder engagement strategy.

o Advising on investment opportunities, support the campaign to press the case for funding, and influencing funding announcements.

o Input into the work of the National Infrastructure Commission and Network Rail’s Investment Plans.

o Working with cross border partners to bring a joined up approach to the project and to capitalise on the Trans European aspect of the corridor.

o Raising the profile and securing media interest in the case for electrification.

o Organising and facilitating briefing sessions and developing messages/ material for use in briefing sessions and campaigns.

o Influencing policy developments.

The Consultant may be required to undertake additional work if a need is identified.

FURTHER DETAIL CAN BE FOUND IN THE INSTRUCTIONS AND RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS, SCOPE OF SERVICE AND PRPOSED Ts&Cs DOCUMENTS AS UPLOADED TO THIS NOTICE AND AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD BY POTENTIAL SUPPLIERS.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

1) Acceptance of the proposed Contract Terms

2) Meeting the criteria stipulated in the Invitation to Tender.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

Potential Suppliers must confirm their acceptance of the proposed terms and conditions as uploaded to this notice, and provide a response to both the Quality and Price response requirements to be considered for the contract.

(WA Ref:46175)

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice