Design and Build of the Central Science Laboratories (CSL)

The Central Science Laboratories (CSL) project consists of a major new build adjoining the existing Lennard Jones Building. This will provide an enhanced teaching facility consisting of specialist multi-functional teaching laboratories, IT provision and increased learning space to support student growth within the sciences. The works will be procured under a single stage design and build contract. The design team will be novated to the successful main contractor on appointment. The Form of Contract to be utilised will be the NEC3 Engineering and Construction contract as will be amended by the University as specified in the procurement documents. Tenderers are invited to submit variant bids. Any Tenderer submitting a variant bid is also required to submit a compliant bid. The minimum requirements to be met by the variants and any specific requirements for the presentation of an offer which contains variants are stated in the procurement documents.

Additional information: The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofkeele/aspx/Home

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofkeele/aspx/Home

Tenderers will remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Tenderers in connection with taking part in this procurement, regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence direct or indirect of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the University at any time.

The University reserves the right at any time to: i) reject any or all responses and to cancel or withdraw this procurement at any stage; ii) award a contract without prior notice; iii) change the basis, the procedures and the timescales set out or referred to within the procurement documents; iv) require a bidder to clarify any submissions in writing and/or provide additional information (failure to respond adequately may result in disqualification); v) terminate the procurement process; and vi) amend the terms and conditions of the selection and evaluation process.

Tenderers will be subject to a financial assessment to evidence that they have an acceptable level of financial standing to deliver a contract of the Central Science Laboratories (CSL's) size and complexity. As part of this assessment, Tenderers will be required to evidence that their average annual turnover over the previous three financial years was at least 26 000 000 GBP (noting that, where a Tenderer is bidding as a consortium, this threshold shall apply in the aggregate to the consortium members as a whole, provided that the lead consortium member's average annual turnover over the last three years meets or exceeds 70 % of the requirement). In conjunction with the above, the University will undertake an N2 Check credit report in respect of the Tenderer. Tenderers may be excluded from the process where their credit score is 40 or below out of 100.

For the avoidance of doubt, the contract duration expressed in Section II.2.7 (of the Contract Notice) indicates the anticipated build programme of the Central Science Laboratories (CSL) only (ie 23 months). This includes sectional completions. Tenderers should note that following taking over the whole of the works, there will be a period of post-completion testing. There will also be defects obligations, followed by typical latent defects obligations on the Contractor (potentially lasting for up to 12 years following such 'taking over', in accordance with usual latent defects obligations under building contracts executed as deeds).

Delivery Notes

Tenders are invited from interested parties for the design and build of the Central Science Laboratories (CSL) under a single-stage design and build contract. The proposal is to create a new building at the heart of campus to house the majority of Science undergraduate and postgraduate laboratory-based teaching within the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the School of Pharmacy.

The project includes: i. Enabling works including the re-routing of external M&E infrastructure. ii. Demolition to a number of small external structures. iii. Minor works within the existing Lennard Jones building arising as a result of the new build. This consists of M&E modifications/additions and asbestos removal. iv. New Build Central Science Laboratory.

This project is a cornerstone of the strategic growth plans of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and will be transformative, developing the estate to meet the future long-term academic needs, both education and research of the University.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No