Wind Farm Research Contract
Study of free-hanging cables in dynamic environments.
UK-London: research and development services and related consultancy services
2012/S 213-352480
Contract notice
Services
Directive 2004/18/EC
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
The Carbon Trust
4th Floor, Dorset House, 27-45 Stamford Street
Contact point(s): +44 2078324511
For the attention of: Please include “Technical Delivery Consultant (Offshore Dynamic Cables)” in the subject field of all emails
SE1 9NT London
UNITED KINGDOM
E-mail: Emilie.Reeve@Carbontrust.com
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: www.carbontrust.com
Further information can be obtained from: The Carbon Trust
4th Floor Dorset House 27-45 Stamford Street
SE1 9NT London
UNITED KINGDOM
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The Carbon Trust
4th Floor Dorset House 27-45 Stamford Street
SE1 9NT London
UNITED KINGDOM
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.3)Main activity
Environment
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II: Object of the contract
II.1)Description
II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
The study of free-hanging cables in dynamic environments.
II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 12: Architectural services; engineering services and integrated engineering services; urban planning and landscape engineering services; related scientific and technical consulting services; technical testing and analysis services
NUTS code UK
Service category No 12: Architectural services; engineering services and integrated engineering services; urban planning and landscape engineering services; related scientific and technical consulting services; technical testing and analysis services
NUTS code UK
II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)
The notice involves a public contract
II.1.4)Information on framework agreement
II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
The Carbon Trust is currently working on a major new Technology Accelerator initiative focussed on reducing the cost of energy (£/MWh) from offshore wind by more than 10 %. The Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) is funding large-scale research, development and demonstration (RD&D) projects to unlock technological barriers to advance the industry, and thereby accelerate its development so that significant carbon emissions reductions are achieved. Projects have been selected based on their potential impact on the cost of offshore wind farms and on their ability to deliver operational improvements in the short to medium term. This initiative has been structured as a funding collaboration between the Carbon Trust and a number of international energy companies active in offshore wind farm development.
A significant number of UK offshore wind farms have experienced difficulties associated with the installation and burial of intra-array cables. In 2011, the OWA commissioned a study to develop recommendations for optimised cable installation methodologies that could be applied to large wind farms such as the UK Round 3 developments.
As a novel alternative to J-tubes, it was recommended that the feasibility and benefits of a cabling design involving free-hanging cables attached to the turbine platform be explored. The cables (dynamic or static cables) would therefore have to be designed for dynamic conditions.
This novel alternative is a potential solution to reduce installation cost and has been used in Oil and Gas applications. The cable would be connected to the platform and would be left free-hanging to the seabed, requiring use of dynamic cable designs. Cable suppliers have already confirmed the feasibility of such a cable design and the OWA Cables Technical Working Group would like to better understand the benefits.
The objectives of this study are to.
— Examine the limits, benefits and risks of using free-hanging cables to connect offshore wind turbines,
— Consider the feasibility of static cables in dynamic environments (typical of subsea conditions) and design changes that may be required to make this possible,
— Evaluate the technological, engineering and supply chain risks,
— Identify potential mitigation strategies,
— Provide a detailed assessment of the construction, installation, HSE and operation and maintenance,
— Understand fatigue and mechanical strain; and,
— Determine the capital and operating cost implications and any potential impact on schedule.
A significant number of UK offshore wind farms have experienced difficulties associated with the installation and burial of intra-array cables. In 2011, the OWA commissioned a study to develop recommendations for optimised cable installation methodologies that could be applied to large wind farms such as the UK Round 3 developments.
As a novel alternative to J-tubes, it was recommended that the feasibility and benefits of a cabling design involving free-hanging cables attached to the turbine platform be explored. The cables (dynamic or static cables) would therefore have to be designed for dynamic conditions.
This novel alternative is a potential solution to reduce installation cost and has been used in Oil and Gas applications. The cable would be connected to the platform and would be left free-hanging to the seabed, requiring use of dynamic cable designs. Cable suppliers have already confirmed the feasibility of such a cable design and the OWA Cables Technical Working Group would like to better understand the benefits.
The objectives of this study are to.
— Examine the limits, benefits and risks of using free-hanging cables to connect offshore wind turbines,
— Consider the feasibility of static cables in dynamic environments (typical of subsea conditions) and design changes that may be required to make this possible,
— Evaluate the technological, engineering and supply chain risks,
— Identify potential mitigation strategies,
— Provide a detailed assessment of the construction, installation, HSE and operation and maintenance,
— Understand fatigue and mechanical strain; and,
— Determine the capital and operating cost implications and any potential impact on schedule.
II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73000000, 44210000, 44110000, 76000000
II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
II.1.8)Lots
This contract is divided into lots: no
II.1.9)Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: yes
II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract
II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
II.2.2)Information about options
II.2.3)Information about renewals
II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
May be offered and/or required.
III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
Further details are set out in the contract documents.
III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
If the service provider is a consortium, the members of the consortium must select from amongst themselves a lead contractor acceptable to the Carbon Trust.
III.1.4)Other particular conditions
The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: no
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Bidders are required to submit responses to the questions set out in sections III.2.2 and III.2.3 of this contract notice in their proposal. Partial completion of the details pertaining to this section may disqualify the bidder’s proposal from consideration in this procurement.
III.2.2)Economic and financial ability
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: 1. Has your organisation met the terms of its banking facilities and loan agreements (if any) during the past year? If no, what were the reasons, and what has
Been done to put things right?
2. Has your organisation met all its obligations to pay its creditors and staff during the past year? If no, explain why not?
3. Does any of the following apply to your organisation, or to (any of) the director(s)/partners/proprietor(s).
(a) Is in a state of bankruptcy, insolvency, compulsory winding up, receivership, composition with creditors, or subject to relevant proceedings?
(b) Has been convicted of a criminal offence related to business or professional conduct?
(c) Has committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of business?
(d) Has not fulfilled obligations related to payment of taxes?
(e) Is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying information?
(f) Is not in possession of relevant licenses or membership of an appropriate organisation where required by law?
4. Supply details of company standing (annual turnovers for the last 3 years in the area of business most relevant to the work under consideration, number of staff, length of time trading).
5. Provide copies of any public liability, employer’s liability and insurance certificates.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: Evidence that the service provider is in a satisfactory financial position to deliver the required services.
Been done to put things right?
2. Has your organisation met all its obligations to pay its creditors and staff during the past year? If no, explain why not?
3. Does any of the following apply to your organisation, or to (any of) the director(s)/partners/proprietor(s).
(a) Is in a state of bankruptcy, insolvency, compulsory winding up, receivership, composition with creditors, or subject to relevant proceedings?
(b) Has been convicted of a criminal offence related to business or professional conduct?
(c) Has committed an act of grave misconduct in the course of business?
(d) Has not fulfilled obligations related to payment of taxes?
(e) Is guilty of serious misrepresentation in supplying information?
(f) Is not in possession of relevant licenses or membership of an appropriate organisation where required by law?
4. Supply details of company standing (annual turnovers for the last 3 years in the area of business most relevant to the work under consideration, number of staff, length of time trading).
5. Provide copies of any public liability, employer’s liability and insurance certificates.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: Evidence that the service provider is in a satisfactory financial position to deliver the required services.
III.2.3)Technical capacity
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
1. Have you had any contracts terminated for poor performance in the last 3 years, or any contracts where damages have been claimed by the contracting authority? If yes, please provide details.
2. Details and/or certificate(s) attesting the company or companies’ conformity with quality assurance standards and any other standards relevant to the services.
3. Indication of whether any proportion of the contract would be sub-contracted to another organisation and if so the proportion of the contract that would be sub-contracted.
4.Detail staff turnover rates.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
Demonstrate the capacity to perform the services required.
The bidder should demonstrate sufficient aptitude to deliver the services.
1. Have you had any contracts terminated for poor performance in the last 3 years, or any contracts where damages have been claimed by the contracting authority? If yes, please provide details.
2. Details and/or certificate(s) attesting the company or companies’ conformity with quality assurance standards and any other standards relevant to the services.
3. Indication of whether any proportion of the contract would be sub-contracted to another organisation and if so the proportion of the contract that would be sub-contracted.
4.Detail staff turnover rates.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
Demonstrate the capacity to perform the services required.
The bidder should demonstrate sufficient aptitude to deliver the services.
III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts
III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts
III.3.1)Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: no
III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service
Legal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: yes
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
Open
IV.1.2)Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
IV.1.3)Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
IV.2)Award criteria
IV.2.1)Award criteria
The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document
IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used: no
IV.3)Administrative information
IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority:
IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document
IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
12.12.2012 – 09:00
IV.3.5)Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English.
IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
in days: 40 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.3.8)Conditions for opening tenders
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: no
VI.2)Information about European Union funds
VI.3)Additional information
The Carbon Trust reserves the right not to award a contract or to award part of a contract only.
Any values given for expenditure are indicative only.
The terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and the like where used in this contract notice shall be construed as if they were followed by the words “but is not limited to”.
The costs of participating in the procurement process are the responsibility of bidders.
You are further advised that the entire Carbon Trust and all of its Group companies and subsidiaries may benefit.
From any contract(s) that arise from this procurement. This currently includes, but may not be limited to in future group restructuring:
Carbon Trust.
Carbon Trust Enterprises Limited;
Carbon Trust Footprinting Certification Company Limited;
Carbon Trust Footprinting Company Limited;
Carbon Trust Standard Company Limited;
Low Carbon Workplace Limited; and,
Additional companies within the Carbon Trust Group, as may be notified by the Carbon Trust from time to time.
Further, you are advised that you may be required to contract directly with the relevant Group company as notified to you. All contract duties, liabilities and obligations will consequently be between you and the Carbon Trust or the relevant Group company”.
For further details about the Carbon Trust please see our website: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk.
Any values given for expenditure are indicative only.
The terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and the like where used in this contract notice shall be construed as if they were followed by the words “but is not limited to”.
The costs of participating in the procurement process are the responsibility of bidders.
You are further advised that the entire Carbon Trust and all of its Group companies and subsidiaries may benefit.
From any contract(s) that arise from this procurement. This currently includes, but may not be limited to in future group restructuring:
Carbon Trust.
Carbon Trust Enterprises Limited;
Carbon Trust Footprinting Certification Company Limited;
Carbon Trust Footprinting Company Limited;
Carbon Trust Standard Company Limited;
Low Carbon Workplace Limited; and,
Additional companies within the Carbon Trust Group, as may be notified by the Carbon Trust from time to time.
Further, you are advised that you may be required to contract directly with the relevant Group company as notified to you. All contract duties, liabilities and obligations will consequently be between you and the Carbon Trust or the relevant Group company”.
For further details about the Carbon Trust please see our website: http://www.carbontrust.co.uk.
VI.4)Procedures for appeal
VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures
The High Court
Royal Courts of Justice The Strand
WC2A 2LL London
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 2079476000
Internet address: http://www.hmcourts-service.co.uk
VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals
Precise information on deadline(s) for lodging appeals: The Carbon Trust will incorporate a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract(s) is communicated to tenderers. That notification will provide full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which will be for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provides time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract is entered into.
The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No 5) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
The Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No 5) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:2.11.2012