The Council is looking for a supplier who can provide an agreed range of General Building Materials as part of a framework agreement that will last for a minimum of 24 months with the option to extend for up to 2 x 12 month periods.

Important please note: The new National Procurement Service for Wales (NPS) will be advertising a series of opportunities within the sub-category of ‘Construction Materials’ in the coming months. Please note that, provided the Council's business requirements are met (both in terms of service delivery and value for money) in these new arrangements, it is the Council's intention to be a part of, and to utilise, these new NPS arrangements. As such bidders should note that the Council's option to extend its arrangement (2 x 12 month periods) may not be exercised.

The successful supplier must be able to offer ALL of the materials listed within the Pricing Schedule (the ‘Scheduled Items’) as well as undertaking the following collection/ delivery options:

(a) Holding a stock of the Scheduled Items that will be available for collection as and when required;

(b) Delivery of the Scheduled Items direct to Council stores/offices; and;

(c) Delivery of the Scheduled Items direct to Council operatives at their actual workplace within Cardiff's boundaries, i.e. kerbside and/or specific site delivery.

The successful provider shall adhere to the following delivery/ collection time-scales:

(a) Scheduled Items — shall be delivered and/or be ready for collection within 24 hours,

(b) Emergency items (those relevant to a scenario where there is a danger to life or limb) — shall be delivered and/or available for collection within 2 hours; and;

(c) New/specialist items (i.e. those which do not form part of the Scheduled Items) within 48 hours.

The Council will require the deliveries direct to kerbside or specific site to be undertaken via dedicated delivery vehicles, suitable for the products ordered.

The successful supplier will have an ongoing obligation throughout the term of the arrangement to identify new or potential improvements to the services (and to the arrangements in general). Examples of the type of improvements the Council will wish to explore during the term of the arrangement include, but are not limited to, improvements to quality, responsiveness, procedures, benchmarking methods, likely performance mechanisms and customer support services in relation to the services, as well as promoting value for money alternative products following MI analysis. The successful supplier will also be expected to work with and contribute to the Council's current mobile working agenda. Cardiff Council aims to be recognised as a high-performing provider of value for money services for its citizens and customers and intends to achieve this by transforming ways of working to make better use of skills, knowledge and assets.

The successful supplier will need to make all manufacturers aware of this project and the Council's projected usage requirements in an attempt to try and guard against situations of non availability of stock.

Formalised monthly meetings will be required (on dates to be agreed) to address day to day issues that may arise between the successful supplier and the Council. The Council will expect all meetings to be attended by a person of appropriate seniority from the successful supplier.

For the life of the framework (and on a monthly basis) the Council will require management information to be provided regarding performance, usage, accidents, complaints, ordering volumes and invoicing.

The successful supplier must conduct business electronically, and as such will maintain contract specific, electronic catalogues incorporating UNSPSC Level 4 commodity coding (note paragraph 1.15 of the ITT), and allow usage by the Council of procurement cards; for example the Welsh Purchasing Card (a VISA or MasterCard product).

The supplier will also work with the Council to help utilise other electronic tools and web based services during the term of the arrangement.

The Council has also taken the Silver Pledge with regards WWF/CPET and so all Timber products purchased via the contract must be FSC or PEFC certified and this will be monitored and substantiated throughout the whole of the contract by means of the completion of a monthly spreadsheet, see Appendix B — Timber — Wood Product Monitoring Sheet as well as the submission of relevant invoices/delivery notes and compliant certification for the timber products.

The products within this arrangement will include:

— Bricks, Blocks and Lintels;

— Cements and Aggregates;

— Plaster and Plasterboards;

— Paint and Decorating Materials;

— Fasteners and Fixings;

— Ironmongery;

— Doors and Windows;

— Timber and Timber Products;

— Floor, Wall and Roof Tile and Felts;

— Kitchens and UPVC Cladding, Pipes;

— Small Plant — Tools and Equipment;

— PPE and Cleaning;

— Hand Tools and Miscellaneous items.