The Contract is separated into 9 lots as follows (Lots):
— Lot 1: Groomsport,
— Lot 2: Newcastle,
— Lot 3: Coalisland,
— Lot 4: Holywood,
— Lot 5: Comber,
— Lot 6: Saintfield,
— Lot 7: Camlough,
— Lot 8: Rostrevor,
— Lot 9: Warrenpoint.
A map showing the geographical location of the Lots is included at Annex 2 to the Memorandum of Information.
Economic Operators should be aware that all Lots are independent of each other and will be evaluated separately. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to award some or no Lots and to enter into more than 1 Contract in respect of each Lot. The Contracting Authority also reserves the right to award Lots on a phased basis.
The Contracting Authority requires Economic Operators to put forward schemes which offer a high quality development and which broadly accord with the housing mix specified in Annex 2.
A key requirement of the PQQ stage is the suitability of the Economic Operators’ sites for the development of social housing. Economic Operators must be able to demonstrate that they either:
(i) own the site and can provide clear non-encumbered title to the Contracting Authority; or
(ii) have an exclusive contract to unconditionally purchase clear, non-encumbered title and transfer to the Contracting Authority.
Following PQQP Submissions, the Contracting Authority will liaise with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to determine whether it would, in principle, be willing to support the particular projects put forward by the Economic Operators. The Contracting Authority will only consider those PQQP Submissions relating to projects which the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has agreed, in principle, to support.
Following the Tender Stage, the Contracting Authority intends to enter into 1 or more conditional land sale agreement(s) with the most economically advantageous Economic Operator per Lot. These agreements will become unconditional upon design approval, planning approval and confirmation of the Contracting Authority securing support from the Department for Social Development. The Contracting Authority and the successful Economic Operator(s) will be required to act collaboratively to ensure these conditions can be satisfied.
It is difficult for the Contracting Authority to estimate the value of this potential opportunity. Therefore the value provided at Section II.1.5) is an estimate only. Similarly, the value provided for each Lot is an estimate only and the value of the Contract or Contracts awarded may vary significantly from this estimate.
It is also difficult for the Contracting Authority to estimate the duration of the Contract or Contracts to be awarded. Therefore, the duration provided for each Lot is an estimate only and the duration of the Contract or Contracts awarded may vary significantly from this estimate. The contract duration may also vary between the different Lots.
Economic Operators should be aware that up to the point that the Contract becomes unconditional, all costs are the Economic Operator's and the Contracting Authority will not reimburse any costs incurred prior to this stage.
The Contracting Authority shall not be responsible for any costs, charges or expenses, irrespective of the outcome of the competition, or if the competition is cancelled or postponed.
All dates and time periods specified in this notice are provisional only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change these.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to cancel this procurement at any stage.
All discussion and correspondence shall be deemed strictly subject to contract until the Contract or Contracts are entered into.
Please note that variant bids may be accepted by the Contracting Authority provided that their form and nature are approved by the Contracting Authority in advance.
