Planning

A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie

  • Transport Scotland

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-017878

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0509e3

Published 30 April 2025, 10:56am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Transport Scotland

5th Floor, 177 Bothwell Street

Glasgow

G2 7EQ

Email

pdc@transport.gov.scot

Telephone

+44 1412727100

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM82 - Glasgow City

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.transport.gov.scot

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00099

one.2) Information about joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Transport


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie

Reference number

TS/MP/WKS/2025/01

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 45233100 - Construction work for highways, roads

two.1.3) Type of contract

Works

two.1.4) Short description

The Scope involves the design, construction, completion and landscape maintenance of the proposed A9 Dualling: Pitlochry to Killiecrankie project.

The project will be the fifth section of the A9 Dualling Programme to be constructed, which aims to improve the operational performance of the A9, improve safety for motorised and non-motorised users, facilitate active travel within the corridor, and improve integration with Public Transport Facilities. The objectives are to be met whilst avoiding and/or reducing environmental impacts, enhancing the environment and improving sustainability where possible.

The Project involves the dualling of approximately four miles (6.4km) of existing single carriageway. This consists of approximately 4km of online widening and approximately 2km of offline construction. The project commences approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge and ends at the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie. This section of the A9 is located in a rural area within close proximity to a number of designated environmental sites, such as the River Tay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) including the River Tummel and Loch Faskally, which are crossed by the existing A9.

In particular, the project involves, but is not limited to:

- Widening of existing A9 single carriageway to Dual 2 lane All-purpose roads Sub-category c (D2APc) standard, in accordance with ‘CD 109 Highway Link Design’ within the UK Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

- Upgrades to the existing Pitlochry South Junction and Pitlochry North at-grade Junction to fully grade separated junctions.

- Construction of two left-in left-out junctions at C452 Foss Road and C452 Clunie-Foss Road.

- Upgrade to side roads including resurfacing or realignment and other improvements.

- Construction of access roads to rural properties and businesses, including a further two left-in/left-out junctions onto the A9 with one at Pitlochry Estate and one at Kennel Cottage.

- A Type-A Lay-by, which will provide physical segregation between the main carriageway and the lay-by, located on the northbound side of the A9, near the Tummel underbridge.

- Demolition and replacement of three existing underbridges; Clunie-Foss Bridge, Foss Road Bridge and Craighulan Bridge.

- A new underbridge at the River Tummel (Tummel underbridge) to accommodate the proposed A9 northbound carriageway.

- A new underbridge at Loch Faskally (Clunie underbridge) to accommodate the proposed A9 southbound carriageway.

- An extension of one existing rail underbridge and one new rail underbridge.

- Provision of five other new underbridges/underpasses, six new retaining walls and 15 culverts.

- Bearing replacement and concrete repairs to piers at the existing Tummel underbridge.

- Earthworks, including excavation of rock.

- Replacement and/or upgrade to a number of existing structures including culverts and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) developed in consultation with Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

- Provision of traffic management, road restraint systems, accommodation works, service diversions, fencing, signage, landscaping and environmental mitigation.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £205,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 45111000 - Demolition, site preparation and clearance work
  • 45221220 - Culverts
  • 45221111 - Road bridge construction work
  • 45221112 - Railway bridge construction work
  • 45233120 - Road construction works
  • 45233124 - Trunk road construction work
  • 45233125 - Road junction construction work
  • 45233161 - Footpath construction work
  • 45233162 - Cycle path construction work
  • 45233224 - Dual carriageway construction work
  • 45233226 - Access road construction work
  • 45233290 - Installation of road signs
  • 45262640 - Environmental improvement works
  • 45233222 - Paving and asphalting works
  • 45112000 - Excavating and earthmoving work
  • 45112730 - Landscaping work for roads and motorways
  • 45233128 - Roundabout construction work
  • 45233280 - Erection of road-barriers
  • 45246200 - Riverbank protection works
  • 45316210 - Installation of traffic monitoring equipment
  • 45454100 - Restoration work
  • 45316110 - Installation of road lighting equipment

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM77 - Perth & Kinross and Stirling
Main site or place of performance

A9 trunk road from a point approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge, to the southern end of the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie.

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Government and contracts in the name of and on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland has identified the requirement to appoint a suitably experienced Contractor to design and build a new dual carriageway from a point approximately 1km south of the existing Tummel underbridge, to the southern end of the existing dual carriageway at the Pass of Killiecrankie.

Transport Scotland will conduct the proposed procurement process on behalf of the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the Public Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2015. In the event of a contract award, the contract will be entered into between the Scottish Ministers and the successful tenderer. The contract will include a 260 week period of defects and maintenance after completion of the main works and a 260 week period of landscape establishment following completion of landscape planting. The successful tenderer will not be required to carry out cyclic maintenance, which shall be carried out by a third party appointed by the Scottish Ministers. In the event of a contract award, the appointed contractor and the applicable subcontractors shall be required to enter into a Project Bank Account Trust Agreement. The Project Bank Account will be used by Transport Scotland to make payments. Further guidance can be obtained via the following link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Government/Procurement/policy/ReviewProcConst/projectbankaccounts

In line with the National Transport Strategy in Scotland, the project aims to build a lasting legacy and encourage economic growth by offering a significant opportunity to improve the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of the area in which it operates, with a particular focus on reducing inequality. The appointed Contractor will be required to deliver Community Benefits in support of the authority’s economic, social and environmental objectives. The project aims to facilitate the involvement of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), third sector bodies and supported businesses, as well as offering employment and training opportunities, and promoting innovation in line with our sustainable procurement duty under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. The project will encourage good quality and fair work and a Contractors approach to fair work practices will be assessed as part of this procurement and monitored under the contract.

two.2.14) Additional information

The Contractor will be procured through a competitive dialogue procedure, in accordance with the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

14 July 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

Transport Scotland will contact interested contractors to participate in pre-procurement market consultation questionnaire at the beginning of May, ahead of the procurement exercise commencing.

Transport Scotland expects to hold a ‘virtual industry event’ in June 2025 which will provide interested parties with an opportunity to better understand the scope of the contract and the procurement ahead of the process commencing. Further details including the format and date of the virtual industry event will be provided when available on http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ .

Transport Scotland and the Scottish Ministers shall have no liability for any costs however incurred by those attending the virtual industry event, attendance at subsequent meetings, or involvement in the procurement competition.

Direct or indirect canvassing of any Transport Scotland official concerning this procurement, or any attempt to procure information from any Transport Scotland official concerning this Prior Information Notice (PIN) outside of the formal process described in this document may result in the disqualification of the supplier from this procurement, and consideration in any future procurement activity. No information contained in this document or in any communication made between Transport Scotland and any supplier in connection with this document shall be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement or representation that any contract shall be offered in accordance with this document.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=797491.

(SC Ref:797491)