SC22192 - Electric Bus Charging Solutions

<p style="text-align: justify">This is a call for competition for electric bus charging solutions including: (1) civil engineering and electrical works to design, supply, build, construct, install, and energise “Electric Vehicle Charging Systems” (<span>including on-street Opportunity Chargers, associated power cabinets, substation equipment, ducting, &amp; cabling</span>) required to power future fleets of electric buses serving the Fastrack Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) networks in Kent; (2) associated civil engineering works, including (but not limited to) surfacing the Acacia Hall Bus Hub; and (3) long-term asset management, repair and maintenance, and support services for the Electric Vehicle Charging Systems.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">KCC requires three “Electric Vehicle Charging Systems” (<span>including on-street Opportunity Chargers, cabinets, substation equipment, ducting, and cabling</span>) installed and energised (including system design, purchase, installation, and testing) to power the future electric Fastrack services due to start during 2024 at the following three Site locations:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">(1) Electric Vehicle Charging System with 3 Opportunity Chargers at Acacia Hall Bus Hub (Acacia Hall Car Park Dartford, Kent.<span>&nbsp; </span>DA1 1JB);</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">(2) Electric Vehicle Charging System with 2 Opportunity Chargers at Gravesend Bus Hub (Garrick Street, Gravesend, Kent. DA11 0DW); and</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">(3) Electric Vehicle Charging System with 1 Opportunity Charger at Dover Priory Station (Priory Station Approach Road, Dover, Kent.<span>&nbsp; </span>CT17 9SB).</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">KCC has started the process of acquiring landowner permissions (with Network Rail &amp; Dartford BC), Planning Permissions (subject to final designs), and has already obtained ‘Point of Connection’ Offer letters for the 3 locations from UKPN, the Distribution Network Operator in the South East.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Further details regarding the scope of this opportunity is attached to this advert.<span>&nbsp; </span></strong>KCC would like to take the opportunity to invite manufacturers/providers of EV charging solutions, and civil engineering works contractors (specifically ‘Pantograph Down’ on-street Opportunity Chargers) to express an interest in providing <u>SOME OR ALL</u> of the scope of these requirements and complete the attached <strong>‘Market Engagement Questionnaire’</strong>, to be followed by the completion of a Selection Questionnaire.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Organisations who express an interest in this opportunity will be invited to an<strong> online Market Engagement webinar event (hosted via MS Teams) which will take place at 15:00 – 16:30 on Thursday 2 February 2023.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Responses to Market Engagement Questionnaire will be used to refine KCC’s requirements for the <a name="_Hlk125467170"></a>electric bus charging solutions, the final version of which will be shared with Candidates shortlisted to tender as part of the ‘Invitation to Tender’ documentation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Please complete the Market Engagement Questionnaire and return via email to <a>SCCommercialTeam@kent.gov.uk</a> by <strong>Thursday 9 February 2023</strong>.<span>&nbsp; </span>It is KCC’s intention to publish the<span>&nbsp; </span>Selection Questionnaire.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify">Please note it is KCC’s intention to publish the Selection Questionnaire in due course, after the deadline for Market Engagement Questionnaires has passed.<span>&nbsp; </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify">For avoidance of doubt, all organisations who express an interest in this opportunity will be provided with automatic online access to submit a response to the Selection Questionnaire regardless of whether they have responded to the Market Engagement Questionnaire.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>A full specification of requirements will be provided to tenderers as part of the Invitation to Tender stage of this procurement procedure.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify"><strong>Please register an interest in this opportunity online (via this advert) to gain automatic access to the 'Call for Competition' documentation, including the Selection Questionnaire.</strong></p>