Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Natural Resources Wales
28 Heol Y Coed
Cardiff
CF14 6HT
procurement.enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0110
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Metal (Non-Coal) Mines Programme: Delivery of programme benefits related to the E(W)A 2016 and the WFG Act 2015 until 2026
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79416000 - Public relations services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Natural Resources Wales has a Metal Mine Strategy that focuses attention on the impacts on our failing waterbodies where over 700km of river reaches are failing chemically and/or ecologically in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. This contract is to procure the services of Strata Florida Trust to engage and inform people in relation to the history of the locality of the Central Wales Orefield, and aspects of the Metal Mine Strategy for Wales, and programme of works, through the provision of facilities and delivery of events, activities and visits.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £110,887
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79416000 - Public relations services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
Main site or place of performance
Carmarthenshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NRW has a Metal Mine Strategy that focuses attention on the impacts on our failing waterbodies where over 700km of river reaches are failing chemically and/or ecologically in accordance with the Water Framework Directive.
The programme objectives are to:
- reduce the pollution entering our rivers and streams from metal mines
- mitigate the hazards and risks from metal mines
- protect and improve the condition and resilience of ecosystems
- promote and enhance health and well-being
- celebrate and promote the heritage and amenity of our metal mines
- support local communities and stakeholders
These objectives reflect the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 which, together, create modern legislation for managing Wales’ natural resources and improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
The Environment (Wales) 2016 defines Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, the principles of which include:
- Promoting and engaging in collaboration and cooperation, and
- Making appropriate arrangements for public participation in decision-making.
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is focussed on improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales. In accordance with the Act, NRW must work in a sustainable way, accounting for the impacts our work can have for people living in Wales, now and in the future. NRW must work to involve people, reflecting the diversity of communities in Wales, to help achieve the Well-being Goals which include:
- A Wales of cohesive communities, and
- Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language
NRW’s existing resources in-house are insufficient to exploit the full benefits potential in developing and delivering a programme of this scale and broad scope.
Therefore NRW now seeks to procure, for three years until 2026:
Delivery of programme benefits by Strata Florida Trust including:
- Dissemination of programme details and local project plans
- Identification of potential project enhancements empathetic to the local environment and communities
- Engagement and education through facilitation of school events, walks, visits – drawing on their local stakeholder networks and the Trust’s visitor centre and associated resources.
- Development of printed and / or online guides showing walking routes in the area (including long distance and local circular routes connected to Ceredigion mines), to encourage people to explore the area, which would be available at the Trust’s visitor centre and via the Trust’s website etc.
- Work with local Trust volunteers to collect oral histories connected to Strata Florida and the history of Abbey Consols, Esgair Mwyn, Cwmystwyth and potentially other mines as appropriate to create an archive, and use it in engagement and interpretation
- Develop information boards and interpretation at mine sites.
- Update the local community with progress at mine sites and gathering community feedback.
- The use of the Trust’s Visitor Centre, Community Use Space and exhibition facilities at Strata Florida Abbey
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
This arrangement is in accordance with Regulation 32(b)(ii) & (iii) of the Public Contract Regulations (2015) which allows for the negotiated procedure without prior publication to be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts where (b) the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator due to (ii) competition being absent for technical reasons or (iii) the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights.
This applies to the scope described in this Notice because Strata Florida Trust owns the historic buildings at Arddangosfa Mynachlog Fawr and operates a unique operation there to explore, share and celebrate the heritage aspects of the local area. The histories of Strata Florida Abbey and metal mining are inextricably linked. For example, the lead and silver mines at Cwmystwyth were owned by Strata Florida Abbey, and it is understood that the lead for the church roof at the Abbey was mined from Cwmystwyth metal mine.
The Trust has existing partnerships with:
- The Prince’s Foundation, through which Strata Florida Trust is helping transform Strata Florida into a vibrant visitor destination, a hub for learning, engagement and appreciation of Welsh heritage, identity, craft and culture and a centre for heritage and archaeological skills training.
- Cadw, an arm of the Welsh Government that runs the Guardianship Monument which includes the Abbey Church and part of its cloisters.
- Ceredigion County Council which is looking to help and advise the partnership in the development of the Centre, with a view to promoting economic regeneration in an essentially upland rural landscape.
Addressing the caveat regarding no reasonable alternatives or substitutes need to exist in order for regulations (ii) & (iii) to be used:
No other organisation exists that can provide the scope, and deliver the benefits described and demanded by the Metal Mine Programme in the timescale required.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 March 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Strata Florida Trust Ltd
Mynachlog Fawr, Abbey Road
Pontrhydfendigaid
SY256ES
Telephone
+44 1974831760
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £110,877
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=129619.
(WA Ref:129619)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom