Ultra-fast Broadband - Evidence base, representation at Examination in Public, creation of Supplemen...

Contract No. FTTP/181
Scope:
Ashford Borough Council are looking to appoint a consultant to represent their position at Examination in Public (EIP) by the Planning Inspectorate and provide an evidence base to justify a new policy in the Local Plan compelling developers to deliver Fibre to the Premise (FTTP). This is a two stage project with a time critical element with the first stage to be complete by April 2018, ready to be presented as evidence. This evidence base will provide the foundation to the second stage of the project, developing Supplementary Planning Documents should the policy be deemed sound at examination. The successful consultant will be expected to support the position of the council and present compelling evidence at EIP supporting the aims and objectives of the Council.
Term:
The term of the commission will be for 9 months.

Estimated Value
£50,000.00

Quotation Evaluation
Your quotation will be evaluated 20% Price (working within the estimated budget) and 80% Quality.

The Quality aspect will be evaluated on your response to the questions posed in the Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) attached.

The companies who attain the three highest scores will be invited in for interview.

Contract Award:
The company who submits the most economically advantageous quotation based on an assessment of price/quality will be awarded the work.

Form of Contract:
Ashford Borough Council standard form of agreement (attached)

Documents attached:
- Evidence Base for EMP6 Brief Jan 2018
- Form of Tender
- Suitability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ)
- Consultancy Agreement (draft)

Quotation Return
In order to be considered please register your interest on the Kent Business Portal and return your bid electronically through the portal no later than Thursday 15th February 2018 at 14:30hrs

Timetable

Invitations to Quote/Adverts Placed: Friday 26th January 2018

Final date/time for clarification: 12 Noon Thursday 8th February 2018

Deadline for submission of Quotations: 14:30hrs Thursday 15th February 2018

Interview Date: w/c Monday 26th February 2018

Appointment made: Friday 2nd March 2018

Commencement of Contract: Monday 5th March 2018

Completion of contract: Stage 1 April 2018, Stage 2: December 2018


Notes:
1) Please register your interest through the Kent Business Portal - we will use these registration details to inform you of any amendments, or items of clarification during the quotation period. However, no further clarification, etc. will be issued later than the 12 Noon Thursday 8th February 2018
2) If you have any items of clarification during the quotation period, these should be uploaded to the Kent Business Portal and a response will be provided.
3) Please be aware that you need to download the documents attached to this advert and submit your bid electronically by the due date. Your registration of interest will NOT be used to issue you with quotation documentation.
4) When submitting your bid, please keep additional marketing material to a minimum.
5) Please adhere to any page limit specified, and restrict the size of any uploaded document to less than 20Mb
6) The "Last date for Expressing Interest" detailed at the beginning of this notice, is the last date for submitting your bid.
7) The start/end dates specified in this notice are indicative, however, the intention is that the contract will comment in February 2018 and complete in December 2018.


Further Information
If you have any queries please contact Andrew Osborne on (01233) 330612 or by e:mail andrew.osborne@ashford.gov.uk