West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust has a requirement for a works contract to facilitate a new building to accommodate it operations, hazardous area response team (HART), Training and Distribution functions.

The requirement is for a turnkey package from suitably qualified developers to deliver a new building on a site envisaged as being between 4.5 and 8 acres in total area, to accommodate between 62 000 and 73 000 square feet (approx.) of accommodation.

The required location of the facility is constrained by WMAS' baseline operational activity requirements for Ambulance 999 services, and must, as regards its location, meet the national guidelines for HART responses serving Birmingham City Centre and Birmingham International Airport. More precise details of these constraints, including the national guidelines for HART responses, are included within the procurement pack accessible from WMAS via the link in section 1.3).

WMAS has a requirement for a works contract to facilitate a new building to accommodate its operations, hazardous area response team (HART), training and distribution functions.

The requirement is for a turnkey package from suitably qualified developers to deliver a new building on a site envisaged as being between 4.5 - 8 acres in total area, to accommodate between 62 000 and 73 000 (approx.) square feet of accommodation.

The required location of the proposed site is constrained by WMAS' baseline operational activity requirements for ambulance 999 services and must meet the national guidelines for HART responses serving Birmingham City Centre and Birmingham International Airport. Further details of these constraints are included within the procurement pack accessible via the link in section I.3) of this notice.

Existing WMAS Ambulance Hub facilities are situated in the North East and South of the Greater Birmingham conurbation and are shown on the map included within the procurement pack. The baseline operational requirements within which WMAS has to operate therefore require the facility to be located on a site in the West of the conurbation, e.g. in the Sandwell/Oldbury area. The preferred location is to the west of the Birmingham City Centre and in close proximity to the M5 motorway. The location should be within a 2 mile radius of the point shown within the circled area on the map included in the procurement pack.

Whilst the preferred area has been identified within the target radius, WMAS is willing to consider sites immediately outside this area subject to there being good access to main arterial road networks and no restrictions via conflicting estate road layouts. However, it is anticipated sites beyond this 2 mile radius that do not have these characteristics will not be acceptable to deliver the appropriate operational response.

In the opinion of WMAS, such operational constraints therefore provide objective justification for the above level of specificity as to the location of the new facility being required.

WMAS will enter a lease for a period of 25 years upon completion of the building. WMAS will expect the cost of the site (if applicable), and the costs of the design and construction of the works to be fully rentalised over the term and be within the expected range of GBP 600 000-GBP 900 000 p.a.

Generic plans, specifications and room data sheets have been produced to reflect the concept and scope of the project which contain some project specifics summarised below:

• 24-hour access required;

• at least 2 vehicle entry points into the site (preferably on to different roads);

• a minimum of 350 car parking spaces;

• a minimum of 50 long-wheelbase ambulance parking bays;

• BREEAM excellent design and construction;

• a bespoke design solution to accommodate offices, training rooms, vehicle preparation and fleet maintenance areas and a distribution warehouse. These generic plans, specifications and room data sheets are included within the procurement pack.

The distribution warehouse element of the scheme is under review and its possible omission is represented by Option 2. The potential impact is a reduction in land area of up to 1 acre and a reduction in floor area of circa 11 000 sqft.

WMAS anticipates appointing a preferred developer during October 2020 with a view to the preferred developer submitting a planning application during November 2020. This is to enable the planning condition in the development agreement to be satisfied by March 2021.

Bidders are expected to develop the concept information into compliant designs which conform to the generic plans, specifications and room data sheets provided; which are appropriate for the site, and which comply with all applicable requirements.