Soft Market Testing for the Provision of Hired Plant

The purpose of this prior information notice is to provide information about a Soft Market Testing exercise for the provision of Hired Plant with and without an operator. The existing delivery model includes a framework arrangement model for the supply of various small, large and large plant with operator.

As part of a review of re-procurement options, a comprehensive soft market testing exercise is to be undertaken to help inform an options appraisal for the future procurement of plant hire requirements. It is the council's aim that any future appointed frameworks will deliver the outcomes and priorities for the council and will offer the best mix of: Competitiveness Demonstrable VFM Customer satisfaction Ability to supply The council intends to procure new arrangements to replace the existing arrangements ideally by April 2016.

The council would like to understand what the market capacity is to deliver the requirements as set out in the proposed lotting strategy. The deadline for responses to the councils request for information is 12noon 10 December 2015. The council reserves the right to terminate the soft market testing process at any stage.