The Association of North East Councils Limited Trading As the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) seeks to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Highway Infrastructure Surveys; the resulting solution will provide public sector organisations access to a range of highway infrastructure services. The DPS will be open to new entrants throughout its lifespan (5 years with an optional 2 year extension) to allow coverage for changing requirements, including but not limited to new regulations and central government requirements. The opportunity can be accessed via the Open eTendering system. Suppliers wishing to be considered for this DPS Agreement must register their expression of interest and submit a Request To Participate (RTP) through the Open eTendering System. If not already registered, candidates should register on the Open eTendering system at https://www.open-uk.org RTP must be submitted using the link above; RTP received via post or email methods will not be accepted. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via email at open.support@nepo.org. PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30. For guidance on how to submit your response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training to access the available Training Guides. NEPO does not give any guarantee and/or warrant the actual value of orders (if any) which will be placed with the successfully appointed Suppliers by any Contracting Authority using the DPS pursuant to this process and accepts no liability thereof.

SCANNER Surveys

Category 1, SCANNER Surveys will provide public sector organisations access to a consistent method of measuring the surface condition of roads using automated survey machines. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Deflectograph & Dynamic Plate Testing (DPT)

Category 2, Deflectograph and Dynamic Plate Testing will provide public sector organisations access to various Dynamic Plate Testing devices including but not limited to, handheld machines, trailer mounted, towed or in-built to a vehicle. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

SCRIM Surveys & GripTester

Category 3, SCRIM Surveys & GripTester will provide public sector organisations access to skid resistance surveys measuring the contribution of the road surface to the frictional forces between vehicles and the surface when accelerating, braking, cornering etc. This may be undertaken using a SCRIM vehicle which is appropriately approved and operated by trained personnel. Alternatively, a GripTester trailer or similar if approved. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Category 4, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) will provide public sector organisations access to non-destructive methods of gathering information about the construction of a highway and its internal features. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Inventory Surveys

Category 5, Inventory Surveys covers public sector organisation requirements to obtain accurate highway asset inventory data and may involve undertaking surveys of highways infrastructure both on and off carriageway. The results may be used for future proofing, valuations, maintenance or lifecycle planning. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Visual Condition Surveys

Category 6, Visual Condition Surveys will provide public sector organisations access to various visual condition surveys which may be carried out from a slow-moving vehicle or on foot with one or more persons undertaking the inspection. The person(s) undertaking the survey must be qualified and accredited to the appropriate standard. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Data Processing

Category 7, Data Processing will provide public sector organisations access to any data processing and analysis requirements. Contracting Authorities will confirm details at the point of further competition, but it is likely that data processing will be undertaken using an accredited UKPMS compliant system. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Delivering the DfT Data Standard (other methods of delivering BSI PAS2161)

Category 8, Delivering the DfT Data Standard (other methods of delivering BSI PAS2161) will provide public sector organisations access to services to deliver the Department for Transport's (DfT) new data standard, currently under development. In order to future-proof this DPS, Category 8 has been included to allow Suppliers to provide Contracting Authorities with means to deliver the new standard once it is in place, if Categories 1 - 7 as already described do not align with the new standard. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.

Materials Testing

Category 9, Materials Testing (including Pavement Coring) covers public sector requirements for materials testing needed as part of their highway infrastructure survey process. This may be required to determine construction and condition, investigate defects or for the verification of GPR among other reasons. The DPS will be operated as a completely electronic process and shall remain open throughout its lifecycle to any organisation that satisfies the selection criteria as detailed within the procurement documents.