UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

A494 River Dee Bridge Replacement scheme provides a vital connection for cross border traffic between north Wales, the north-west of England and beyond, connecting people, communities and businesses. The bridge is in poor structural condition and needs replacing.The Welsh Government will use the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. This will consist of a selection stage to shortlist bidders (likely 5 in number), followed by a tender stage to appoint a winning contractor. - A two-stage ECI delivery model will be used – adopting an NEC4 PSC and separate NEC4 ECC form. X22 of the NEC4 ECC will not be used. The Employer’s Design route will not be progressed - The payment options to be used are NEC4 PSC Option E for the first stage of the ECI, and NEC4 ECC Option C for the second, design and build stage - The market provided a number of suggestions for removing barriers to bidding, including reasonable levels of security, number of bidders to be shortlisted, key commercial terms, and appropriate weightings between price and quality, all of which have been given due consideration by the WG - Option X29 Climate Change is likely to be included to support initiatives around decarbonisation with targets to be agreed during the first stage of the ECI contract, not at tender - A form of incentivisation will be included within the contract focusing on the period between submission of an Initial Target Cost at tender and the presenting of a final Target Cost at the end of the Welsh Government’s Key Stage 4 - The weightings of price and quality are being finalised. The Welsh Government however can confirm that it will make use of both relative and average scoring mechanisms when it comes to price - Social value will attract a minimum of a 10% weighting of the quality element - It is currently anticipated that the selection stage will have a duration of 30 days, i.e. bidders will have 30days to compile their selection stage submissions - It is currently anticipated that the tender stage will have a duration of 3months, i.e. bidders will have 3months to compile their tender submissions

The Welsh Government is issuing this prior information notice to communicate its intention to re-procure the Hwb web platform which provides access to bilingual education content, resources and digital tools and services.

This Notice relates to a scoping exercise for the third generation of the all-Wales IT Products and Services Framework Agreement. The Agreement will include various lots for; IT Hardware, Software, ICT Services, Audio Visual products and services and a Circular Economy and Recycled Items Lot. Welsh Government Commercial Delivery does not guarantee that a call for competition will take place as a result of this Prior Information Notice.

The Welsh Government is issuing this prior information notice to communicate its intention to re-procure the Hwb web platform which provides access to bilingual education content, resources and digital tools and services.

Works required for the replacement of the A494 River Dee Bridge Replacement

Supply of products to aid recycling collection, including Food Caddies, Reusable Polypropylene (woven) Sacks, and Kerbside Recycling Boxes and Containers

The Welsh Government will shortly be commencing a procurement exercise for the sourcing of products, registration, assembly, storage and delivery of Baby Bundles in Wales. The Contract Notice will be advertised separately to this Prior Information Notice (PIN) in late June 2023. Baby Bundles is a Welsh Government initiative to provide a ‘welcome to the world’ gift, comprising of a range of products for the child’s first months. The bundle will be provided free of charge to all new and expectant parents resident in Wales. The purpose of this further PIN is to alert potential bidders to a pre-market engagement event that we will use to: Further inform our final tender specification. Explore options to deliver on our social procurement duty. Set out our requirement in relation to Carbon Reduction Plans. A virtual pre-market engagement event is due to take place on Microsoft Teams at 2pm on 24th May 2023. To register your interest and receive an invite for this event, please email: commercialprocurement.peoplecorporate@gov.wales If you have already registered your interest for the previous PIN, we will automatically contact you with an invite. The contract will have the potential for a requirement of between 25,000 to 35,000 bundles per year. It is important to note the projected number of baby bundles is subject to change. The contract is intended to initially be for two years, with an option to extend for one further year. We require the successful contractor to be ready to distribute baby bundles from February 2024.

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 placed a duty on Welsh Ministers to take steps to promote awareness in Wales of the risks to human health and the natural environment caused by air pollution, and ways of reducing or limiting air pollution. To discharge this duty, the Welsh Government is planning to publish a promoting awareness of air pollution delivery plan, which will set out actions to promote awareness of air pollution under a range of headings. A robust evidence base will be needed to enable effective monitoring and evaluation of these actions. This will be developed by commissioning a survey of current public awareness, attitudes and behaviours. The survey would need to run in autumn-winter 2024-25 in order to provide a baseline of evidence for the promoting awareness of air pollution delivery plan when published in spring 2025. The survey should focus on the following areas: 1. Awareness and understanding of core air-quality issues including causes, subtypes, risks and ameliorative actions relating to air pollution 2. Attitudes towards air quality (levels of concern, motivation to act, perceptions of responsibility, receptiveness to policy interventions, understanding of financial burden from air quality and acceptability of public spending to address the issue) 3. Air-quality-related behaviours and their social and psychological causes 4. Health and wellbeing (especially as related to conditions linked to air pollution) The survey should, in addition, design and implement a shorter easy read/young people version. It should include opportunities for engagement with both stakeholders and the public, including workshops (in person), together with a representative sample of 800 – 1,000 adults and children from across Wales (all 22 Local Authorities) in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, urban/rural location and socioeconomic status. It should include be available to all participants in both English and Welsh. The data collected through the survey should be used to describe current awareness, attitudes, behaviours, and self-reported health and wellbeing in the Welsh population. This will be used to inform areas of need for future interventions, and to act as a baseline comparison to assess the effectiveness of any future interventions (e.g. awareness campaigns). The overall output of the survey should be a comprehensive summary of public air quality understanding and behaviour in Wales, together with data on the prevalence and severity of self-reported health and wellbeing outcomes related to air quality. The successful bidder will be awarded a six-month contract which has an estimated value of GBP180,000 to 190,000. Please only register your interest if you are able to deliver all aspects of the contract requirement detailed in this notice. NOTE: Please register your interest in this notice by 5pm on Tuesday 29th October 2024 and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site.

Mae Arwain Mewn Gwlad Ddwyieithog (AMGDd) yn rhaglen ddatblygu i uwch arweinwyr greu diwylliant sefydliadol y mae modd i’r Gymraeg ffynnu ynddo. Rydym ni (Llywodraeth Cymru) am ddatblygu'r rhaglen ymhellach fydd yn edrych ar: - Ragfarn anymwybodol - deall sut gall rhagfarn sy’n gynhenid mewn pobl a sefydliadau atal y Gymraeg rhag symud ymlaen. Sut y gall deall deinameg grŵp a safbwyntiau amrywiol ynghylch y pwnc fynd i'r afael â hyn. - Empathi - sut mae arweinwyr yn archwilio ac yn diogelu'r cyfle i wrando ar farn a phrofiadau pobl o'r Gymraeg er mwyn datblygu cyd-ddealltwriaeth. - Defnyddio cyfathrebu effeithiol sy'n seiliedig ar seicoleg gadarnhaol a chymdeithasol - h.y. wedi’i seilio’n fwy ar gryfderau, balchder, ysbrydoli a chynwysoldeb. - Rôl arweinyddiaeth - i greu'r amodau cywir ar gyfer dechrau gwneud newidiadau cadarnhaol trwy gamau bach a dathlu enillion. Leading in a Bilingual Country is a development programme for senior leaders to create an organisational culture in which the Welsh language can flourish. We (Welsh Government) seek to further develop the programme that looks at: - Unconscious bias—understanding how inherent bias in people and organisations can inhibit moving Cymraeg forward and how an understanding of group dynamics and actively seeking diverse views around the topic can address this. - Empathy—how leaders explore and protect the opportunity to listen to others’ opinions and experiences of Cymraeg to develop mutual understanding. - Using effective communication that is based in positive and social psychology—i.e., more strengths-based, proud, inspiring, and inclusive. - Role of leadership—to create the right conditions to begin making positive changes through small steps and celebrating small wins.

The Welsh Government will shortly be commencing a procurement exercise for the sourcing of products, registration, assembly, storage and delivery of baby bundles in Wales. The Tender Notice will be issued late March/early April 2025. Baby bundles is a Welsh Government initiative to provide a ‘welcome to the world’ gift, comprising of a range of products for the child’s first months. The bundle will be provided free of charge to all new and expectant parents residing in core Flying Start areas within Wales.

The Fibrespeed network, is a fibre network owned by the Welsh Government and operated by Fibrespeed Ltd on its behalf. The existing contract to operate the network is due to expire on 31st March 2025. Welsh Government are using this prior information notice (PIN) to commence engagement with the market to explore the possible options for the future of the network beyond the existing contract term.

This prior information notice is to inform the market that the Welsh Government Commercial Delivery Division (WGCD) is developing a contract opportunity for the third iteration of the All-Wales IT Products and Services Framework Agreement. The Agreement will include various lots for; IT Hardware, Software, ICT Services, Audio Visual Products and Multi-functional devices.

The Ambassador Wales / Llysgennad Cymru Conference Programme is a strategic initiative led by the Welsh Government to position Wales as a premier destination for international business events. The programme leverages the expertise and networks of distinguished conference ambassadors from academia and industry in Wales aligned to the Welsh Government’s key sectors in industry, to attract high-value events that showcase Wales’ strengths in research, innovation, and sector excellence. Launched in 2020, the Ambassador Wales Conference Programme has played a key role in identifying strategic business events that align with Wales. The programme supports the aims of The National Events Strategy for Wales 2022-2030, which was launched in 2022, with the aim on continuing working with a range of stakeholders to further develop a varied annual portfolio of cultural, sporting and business events. Working with local and international events owners, utilising top-class venues and natural landscapes with local authorities and communities across Wales to support events that deliver economic benefits, showcase our nation, raise our profile, and help deliver Welsh Government priorities. Conference Ambassadors are advocates for Wales by promoting its venues, cities, and universities excellence, while also encouraging collaboration across Welsh Government key sectors in alignment with the Research Excellence Framework (REF) disciplines. Through collaboration with selected ambassadors and an in Wales industry group, consisting of academic event leaders, destination representatives, and conference venue event managers, the programme helps identify strategically significant international conferences for Wales as lead generation. It further supports the bidding process, from initial enquiry to bid stage, provides a programme of education to support development of knowledge of bidding and hosting successful business events and strengthen Wales’s global reputation. The programme also supports delivery of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 aligning with national priorities for sustainable development, fair work, and inclusive economic growth. The Welsh Government seeks a contractor to manage and further develop the Wales Ambassador Conference Programme which includes lead generation, when the current contract ends in April 2026. The main aims and objectives are to refresh the programme, broaden sector and relevant and dynamic ambassador engagement, strengthen Wales's position in international event bidding, foster collaboration among ambassadors, universities, and industry partners, and establish effective lead generation and bidding mechanisms that follow best practice standards to drive economic growth and raise Wales’s global profile until April 2029. Wales has an established Ambassador Wales Conference Programme in place which includes: • An established industry Wales Ambassador Conference Programme working group. • A well-established Pan Wales Ambassador Conference Programme of enrolled volunteer ambassadors, aligned with the key sectors identified by the Welsh Government and REF. • A List of conference bids, including those secured and those being re-bid from 2026 onward • An identified list of prospective conferences with leads to bring conferences to Wales from 2026 onwards identified. • A suite of assets including representation of products and experiences to present as a destination showcase when bidding for Association events. • An education programme in place to support industry and ambassadors with successful business events processes. • A recruitment process to encourage more strategic ambassadors to consider inclusion in the programme. • Effective and timely Reporting Systems in place and identification of strategic associations to meet at exhibitions and events. Welsh Government wishes to continue with the development of the Ambassador Wales / Llysgennad Cymru Conference Programme with support of a bidder. Objectives aligned to the programme will need to include development of existing efforts including: • An Ambassador Wales Conference Programme strategy and revised target recruitment process. • A revised working group structure and engagement plan. • A revised documented bidding and lead generation best practice process. • Recommendations for a grant support scheme that distinctly aligns with the ambassador programme lead generation process and aligned to Welsh Government policies and strategies to further attract strategic international association events. • A process for engagement with industry peers to represent Meet In Wales such as ICCA (International Conference Congress Association), ABPCO Association of British Professional Conference Organisers) and VisitBritain. • A communication toolkit for ambassador engagement and relevant retention. The bid response in the technical response template should include the communication methods for identifying and liaising with new ambassadors, the established Ambassador Wales working group, prospective leads to bring events to Wales within GDPR compliance and measurable outputs for successful delivery throughout the project lifetime.

Welsh Government require the services of an appropriate supplier / organisation to conduct research to investigate Positive peer-cultures in Primary Schools to understand children’s views and experiences. The successful Bidder will be awarded a 12-month contract valued at approximately £60,000 exc. VAT and full details will be included in the tender documentation which will follow in Spring 2025. The proposed project will use creative and participatory methods to generate qualitative data on how diverse groups of primary school-aged children understand how gender and sexual power relations shape their everyday peer cultures in school, in their community and online. The project needs to address the lack of knowledge about children’s experiences of gender-based and sexual bullying and harassment in the context of their everyday lives and enable the children’s own views and experiences to inform and shape future research, policies and practice. The core aim of the research contract is to explore address the lack of knowledge primary age children’s experiences of gender-based and sexual bullying and harassment in the context of their everyday lives. These findings will inform practitioners and policy makers to fully support children’s own understanding and experiences of why they feel the way they do, what it means for the way they act, and how things can change. The project will fulfil the Welsh Government’s commitment in the ‘Peer-on-peer sexual harassment in education settings’ - https://www.gov.wales/peer-peer-sexual-harassment-education-settings-action-plan Action plan - We will consider what research is needed to understand instances of peer-on-peer sexual harassment among primary school-aged children, drawing on the expertise and guidance of academics, children’s charities and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales as appropriate. The successful bidder will collect the views of primary-aged children across north, south, and mid-Wales. The sample will ensure the inclusion of children from a diverse mix of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, covering urban, suburban, and semi-rural areas, and economically prosperous and disadvantaged communities. It is anticipated that the project will involve at least six primary schools, with a minimum of one Welsh-medium school. Approximately 100 children, aged 9–11, will take part in the study. Full details of the contract requirement and outputs will be provided in the tender documentation, but we anticipate the successful Bidder will deliver various research methods including conducting sensitive interviews and groups, as well as using creative and participatory methods. The outputs will include a research report and an executive summary. We would also like to encourage bidders to provide outputs including research infographics, a short film communicating key findings, case studies and activities for schools. At this stage we are only seeking interest from suppliers with the appropriate skills, expertise, capability and security checks to deliver the contract so please only register interest if you can explore the ethical challenges of undertaking research in an education setting with children and young people on sensitive issues. If you meet the criteria outlined, then please register your interest via this sell2wales notice by the 27th March 2025.

As part of the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy, we are committed to “Involve sanctuary seekers as experts by experience at the heart of policy development and to improve the integration of new arrivals.” This contract will help us to meet this commitment.

Water is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing; therefore it is important to protect it and the people using it. Wales has seen a substantial growth in outdoor activity, especially within water over recent years. Data shows that in 2022, there were 26 confirmed fatalities in water in Wales, half did not intend to enter the water. We know there are 2000 annual water-related incidents in Wales requiring emergency response, approximately 5 per day. The Welsh Government, with Water Safety Wales, aim to award a contract to implement the Petitions Committee report's recommendations, which supports Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy. The successful bidder will be awarded an 18-month contract with a one-year extension option valued at approximately GBP200,000 exc. VAT for the initial contract term, and GBP 100,000 exc. VAT if the extension is enacted. We believe that through cross-departmental collaboration within Welsh Government and between our delivery partners, adopting a Team Wales approach can reduce the number of water-related accidents and fatalities across the country. We aim to deliver the tender via eTenderWales over Autumn 2023 so please register your interest to bid for tender C019/2023/2024 via this PIN Notice. Please only register if you are interested in bidding.

Welsh Government seek a delivery partner with a proven track record, harnessing an extensive network across various UK water safety organisations. This partner will play a pivotal role in assimilating knowledge and insights from diverse sources, bolstering Welsh Government and Water Safety Wales efforts towards achieving strategic objectives. The delivery partner will possess the experience to support organisations in executing water safety and drowning prevention strategies effectively. Welsh Government requires a delivery partner capable of leveraging their established connections to raise awareness among practitioners, policymakers, and the public while providing adaptable and comprehensive support. The successful partner should not only fulfil a secretariat role, but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the WDPS and its recommendations, employing their expertise in development, management, and adaptability to address emerging water safety issues. Maintaining consistent communication with Welsh Government officials, the partner will ensure alignment of future Water Safety Wales programmes with evolving concerns in water safety education, training, and outreach. Crucially, their capacity to facilitate the exchange of pertinent information and best practices among UK water safety entities will be instrumental in reducing accidental drownings. Water is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing; therefore it is important to protect it and the people using it. Wales has seen a substantial growth in outdoor activity, especially within water over recent years. Data shows that in 2022, there were 26 confirmed fatalities in water in Wales, half did not intend to enter the water. We know there are 2000 annual water-related incidents in Wales requiring emergency response, approximately 5 per day. We believe that through cross-departmental collaboration within Welsh Government and between our delivery partners, adopting a Team Wales approach can reduce the number of water-related accidents and fatalities across the country. The successful Bidder will be a delivery partner who will work alongside Welsh Government to implement the Petitions Committee report's recommendations 2, 3, 4, and 6 which supports Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy. The report can be downloaded here - https://senedd.wales/media/cn4fcehy/cr-ld15291-e.pdf. Water Safety Wales has also taken the water safety agenda forward since 2017, publishing the WDPS in 2020. The WDPS links to our ambitions for a healthier Wales in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The WDPS includes action on the report’s identified themes: Alcohol, Supervision, Safe Access, Learning to Swim, Risks and Plans, Safer Holidays, Data Issues, and Support. The WDPS can be downloaded here - https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/media/1236/water-safety-strategy-2020-2026.pdf. In August 2023 a PIN was published outlining the Welsh Government, with Water Safety Wales’ plan to award a contract to implement the Petitions Committee report's recommendations, which supports Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy. This second PIN outlines further detail of the services required to deliver 4 workstreams. The successful bidder will be awarded a 14-month contract with a 12 month extension option to deliver the workstreams. The contract is valued at approximately GBP 150,000 exc. VAT for the initial contract term, and GBP 50,000 exc. VAT if the extension is enacted. Prior to publishing the tender in January 2024 we are asking bidders to register their interest to deliver the services outlined via this PIN. We will only be awarding one contract for a broad range of services therefore we are only seeking bids from suppliers capable of delivering the whole requirement. The contract will not be split into separate parts therefore we urge suppliers to please read the main description carefully before recording your interest.

The Welsh Government Commercial Delivery (WGCD) Team are looking to establish a new Framework Agreement for the provision of Media Buying & Integrated Marketing Campaign Services available for use by the Welsh Government and the wider Welsh Public Sector.

Pipeline notice for the Welsh Government planned requirements for refuse bags, recycling bags and compostable liners.