Rutland County Council is seeking bidders for a highways term maintenance contract worth up to £74m over 20 years.
According to a contract notice, the unitary authority requires highways maintenance services including capital schemes and related services as specified throughout the County of Rutland ‘e.g. re-surfacing, repairs and related works and services, including maintaining public rights of way’.
The anticipated maximum term of the contract including extensions is 20 years, comprising an initial 9 years and 10 months from 1 June 2024 until 31 March 2034, plus two possible extensions of five years, subject to performance.
The contract will allow scope for other named councils, including parish and town councils within Rutland, and neighbouring district and county councils, to make use of the services of the appointed contractor.
Its estimated maximum value is approximately £3.7m a year, comprising approximately £3.5m for Rutland County Council and £200,000 for other named councils.
Stamford Road, Oakham in the snow
The existing contract with Tarmac began on 1 December 2013 for five years but was extended five times for a year at a time and was due to end at the end of November this year.
However, the council subsequently decided to extend the contract by a further six months, citing Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, based on the need to avoid the contract terminating part way through the winter season.
The procurement will follow the restricted procedure, with a shortlist of five bidders to invite to tender. The deadline for receipt of requests to participate in the new procurement is midday on 3 February.
According to the contract notice, the council is aiming to shortlist by mid-March and to invite tenders by early April. The deadline for bids is anticipated to be early July, with the contract awarded by the end of November and mobilisation from December.
