Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
National Highways Limited
Brunel House
Bristol
BS32 4SR
Contact
David Stone
David.Stone@highwaysengland.co.uk
Telephone
+44 3004700868
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK - South West (England)
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Highways Authority
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Development, operation and maintenance of Strategic Road Network
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Exe viaduct monitoring
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This is a Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice informing the market that National Highways Limited (NHL) intend to award a contract without prior publication of a call for competition. NHL is entering a contract with Mistras Geroup Limited (Mistras) for monitoring and analysis services for previously installed Mistras proprietary sensor equipment. Under the contract, Mistras will monitor an acoustic monitoring system inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures.
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: £320,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK - South West (England)
Main site or place of performance
Exe viaduct
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Monitoring an acoustic monitoring system inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures.
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
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
In 2016 Mistras installed an acoustic monitoring system (AMS) costing approximately £0.5 million inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures. The original installation works were competitively tendered and Mistras were the only tenderers who quoted. The contract protects their rights for system and data analysis.
Safe guarding works have been undertaken to protect the bridge structure but underlying corrosion issues in the remaining post tensioning remain and will not be rectified until a major scheme is undertaken under the National Highways Road Investment Strategy 3 from 2026. The AMS is an integral part of the safe guarding system for monitoring the bridge until the major scheme is undertaken. There are 72 sensors in each box, totalling 144 sensors across the bridge. This system provides a real time picture of the structural health of the bridge and safeguards us from potential catastrophic collapse.
This Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice directly awarding a contract without prior publication is to allow National Highways Limited (NHL) to continue to use the AMS to obtain real time data of the structural health of the bridge. The current system has been assessed to meet the needs of the business and NHL does not wish to seek to procure an alternative solution. The system does have to be maintained and repaired by the provider, Mistras Group Limited (Mistras) and this contract will ensure NHL continue with the latest version of the system and the necessary technical support required should issues arise.
NHL considers the award to Mistras is permitted by regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The AMS has been designed by Mistras and they hold the intellectual property rights for it. Consequently no other Contractor can carry out maintenance, repairs or analysis of the system. They also maintain a live up to date webpage and analysis of the readings.
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
12 November 2021
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
Mistras Group Limited
Unit 15 Norman Way Industrial Estate, Over,
Cambridge
CB24 5QE
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
01761967
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £320,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
National Highways Limited
Bristol
david.stone@highwaysengland.co.uk
Country
United Kingdom