Scope
Reference
RCT07-25
Description
The Cynon Gateway is a long-standing aspiration for RCTCBC, initially conceived as a key strategic link to the Welsh Govt A465 dualling scheme and included as part of the wider scheme but to be delivered by RCTCBC. The aspiration was and remains to construct a link road to connect the A4059 Aberdare Bypass, east of Penywaun to a new roundabout at Croesbychan (constructed as part of the A465 heads of valleys scheme).
The proposed scheme seeks to reduce traffic through the communities of Llwydcoed and Penywaun, as well as create an important new gateway to the Cynon Valley and complement the dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road.
The proposed scheme is located approximately 2.6 km north west of Aberdare and lies between the communities of Llwydcoed to the east and Penywaun to the west.
This notice sets out the process the Council intends on following under the Competitive Flexible Procedure.
Total value (estimated)
- £50,000,000 excluding VAT
- £60,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 December 2026 to 31 December 2031
- 5 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Works
CPV classifications
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 45000000 - Construction work
Contract locations
- UKL15 - Central Valleys
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
23 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/home.html search itt_122111
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 November 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring Criteria | Information within ITT documents |
Cost |
| Scoring Criteria | Information within ITT documents |
Quality |
Weighting description
Phase 1 - Pass/failed/CAS and Scored technical questions
The award criteria for Phase 2 will consider technical, commercial and social value elements apportioned as follows. Detailed evaluation and specific scoring will be set out in the Invitation to Tender documentation:
Quality - between 40% and 80% of total scoring marks
Price - between 60% and 20% of total scoring marks
Social Value - between 5% and 15% of total scoring marks
Phase 3 - The Candidate offering the most advantageous bid,...
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
We will be proceeding to market with a 3-stage process for the Cynon Gateway North Link Road scheme.
Tender Phase 1: Invitation to Participate (ITP) - Open Market Invitation
• Purpose: To invite expressions of interest from the open market
• Requirement: This stage consists of Tenderers providing their response to the Conditions of Participation questions along with supplementary experience-based questions.
o Questions will be either pass / fail or scored
o Subject to the requirements of the ITP, the five highest scoring compliant responses will be shortlisted to Tender Phase 2: Invitation to Tender
Tender Phase 2: Invitation To Tender
• Purpose: To reduce the number of tenders to take forward into Tender Phase 3 - Stage 0 Viability Tender
• Requirement: The shortlisted Tenderers from the Tender Phase 1 will be invited to submit their ITT for Tender Phase 2.
o This will consist of a scored response to a number of scheme specific Technical, Commercial and Social Value questions - to identify the Most Advantageous Tenders (MAT)
o Subject to the requirements of the ITT, the 2 most advantageous tenders will be taken forward into the Tender Phase 3.
Tender Phase 3: Stage 0 - Viability Tender
• Purpose: Tenderers to produce a viability assessment report in accordance with provided scope and conditions as set in the ITT
• Indicative Scope for Stage 0:
o Deliverable: Viability assessment report that covers but may not be limited to the following:
Viability assessment of the specimen design with reference to but not limited to, planning constraints (allowing for non-material amendments), client budget, and programme
Identify risks, opportunities, and alternative approaches (including those outside current planning permission)
Stated confidence levels with sound rationale for all assessments
• Client Contribution: Upon submission of stage 0 deliverables and compliance with the agreed stage 0 scope and conditions, the participants will receive a tender contribution sum of £150,000 (inclusive VAT) from the client
• Stage 0 Evaluation: Combined scoring of technical, social value and commercial submissions
• Outcome: Client decision to either:
o Take forward the highest scoring contractor into Stage 1 of the main contract: 2 stage NEC ECC Option C with X22
o Halt the scheme and consider options
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Subsequent tender documents for phase 2 and 3 will be issued at an appropriate time via etenderwales - https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/home.html
Contracting authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDXZ-9391-VHZQ
2 Llys Cadwyn
Pontypridd
CF37 4TH
United Kingdom
Email: Purchasing@rctcbc.gov.uk
Website: http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/
Region: UKL15 - Central Valleys
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales