Transport Scotland is seeking multi-disciplinary consultants to support the construction of a new length of trunk road at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.
Services sought include scheme development and assessment, promotion of statutory consents through the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 consenting framework, including Environmental Impact Assessment, procurement of construction suppliers and site supervision.
The estimated total value of the six-year contract excluding VAT is £25m.
The contract notice observes that as a consequence of increased slope failures at the site, Transport Scotland, ‘has identified the requirement to appoint multi-disciplinary consultants to develop a scheme to provide a long term, resilient improvement to the trunk road network at this location’.
The Scottish Government has identified the Glen Croe corridor as its preferred route
With some corridor sifting and baseline route options work having already been completed the consultant will provide Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) scheme assessment work, assist in the promotion of the statutory consents and the procurement of contracting services, as well as site supervision services.
Transport Scotland said it wishes to address current accessibility issues in the corridor as quickly as possible and that the consultant will be required to advise on methods to shorten the development and promotion process.
‘In addition, an interim proportionate route is also required to be delivered to provide additional resilience whilst the long term scheme is being developed. Again some options development and scoping is underway and the consultant may be required to develop this work into a deliverable scheme to a short timeframe.’
The procurement will be a two-stage restricted procedure, comprising a prequalification stage and a tender stage.
To be considered, potential bids must complete and submit a Single Procurement Document. Transport Scotland said it anticipates that five bidders will be invited to tender stage.
Requests to participate should be submitted by midday on 12 May.
