Exe viaduct monitoring

Concepts

• bristol
• architecture and construction
• national highways limited
• acoustic monitoring system
• exe viaduct
• 24hr monitoring of the external post
• monitoring
• voluntary ex ante transparency
• mistras geroup limited
• nhl

Location

Exe viaduct

Description

This is a Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice informing the market that National Highways Limited (NHL) intend to award a contract without prior publication of a call for competition. NHL is entering a contract with Mistras Geroup Limited (Mistras) for monitoring and analysis services for previously installed Mistras proprietary sensor equipment. Under the contract, Mistras will monitor an acoustic monitoring system inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures.

Total Quantity or Scope

Monitoring an acoustic monitoring system inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

Indicators

Legal Justification

In 2016 Mistras installed an acoustic monitoring system (AMS) costing approximately £0.5 million inside Exe Viaduct to provide 24hr monitoring of the external post tensioning cables following the finding of post tensioning cable failures. The original installation works were competitively tendered and Mistras were the only tenderers who quoted. The contract protects their rights for system and data analysis. Safe guarding works have been undertaken to protect the bridge structure but underlying corrosion issues in the remaining post tensioning remain and will not be rectified until a major scheme is undertaken under the National Highways Road Investment Strategy 3 from 2026. The AMS is an integral part of the safe guarding system for monitoring the bridge until the major scheme is undertaken. There are 72 sensors in each box, totalling 144 sensors across the bridge. This system provides a real time picture of the structural health of the bridge and safeguards us from potential catastrophic collapse. This Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice directly awarding a contract without prior publication is to allow National Highways Limited (NHL) to continue to use the AMS to obtain real time data of the structural health of the bridge. The current system has been assessed to meet the needs of the business and NHL does not wish to seek to procure an alternative solution. The system does have to be maintained and repaired by the provider, Mistras Group Limited (Mistras) and this contract will ensure NHL continue with the latest version of the system and the necessary technical support required should issues arise. NHL considers the award to Mistras is permitted by regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The AMS has been designed by Mistras and they hold the intellectual property rights for it. Consequently no other Contractor can carry out maintenance, repairs or analysis of the system. They also maintain a live up to date webpage and analysis of the readings.