Thames Freeport: Thames Freeport Food and Drink Sustainable Packaging Centre Programme

UK-London: Design and execution of research and development.
Section I: Contracting Authority
      I.1) Name and addresses
             Thames Freeport Limited
             70 Mark Lane, London, EC37NQ, United Kingdom
             Tel. +44 3330154705, Email: l.devereaux@fnc.co.uk
             Contact: Luke Devereaux
             Main Address: https://thamesfreeport.com/
             NUTS Code: UKI52
      I.2) Joint procurement
      The contract involves joint procurement: No.
      In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law: Not provided       
      The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: No.
      I.3) Communication
      The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Design-and-execution-of-research-and-development./88MBZ9J2U5
      Additional information can be obtained from: the abovementioned address
      Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address       
      Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at: Not provided
      I.4) Type of the contracting authority
            Other type:: Grant funding through local authority
      I.5) Main activity
            Other activity:

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
      II.1.1) Title: Thames Freeport Food and Drink Sustainable Packaging Centre Programme       
      Reference Number: TFP-EOI-05-Food and Drink Sustainable Packaging Hub
      II.1.2) Main CPV Code:
      73300000 - Design and execution of research and development.

      II.1.3) Type of contract: SERVICES
      II.1.4) Short description: Thames Freeport seeks a supplier or consortia to design and develop the Food & Drink Sustainable Packaging Innovation Hub, forming part of a broader network linked to a planned AI Campus driving regional transformation.
The selected partner will:
Develop a comprehensive plan for the Innovation Hub.
Deliver a Challenge Definition Phase to map the ecosystem and engage stakeholders.
Identify key challenges, opportunities, and themes.
Produce a full investment case for the Hub.
As a private sector-led economic zone, Thames Freeport spans Barking & Dagenham, Havering, and Thurrock, driving sustainable growth through three industry ecosystems:
Sustainable Construction
Technology Manufacturing
Food & Drink
The Freeport also envisions a “21st Century City”, integrating industrial clusters, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive communities to connect residents with education and employment.
With 40% of UK food and drink imports passing through its ports, Thames Freeport invites expressions of interest (EOIs) for a Food & Drink Supply Chain, Processing, Packaging & Logistics Innovation Centre. This initiative will drive economic growth, sustainability, and innovation by enhancing supply chain efficiency, packaging, and logistics practices.
Procurement follows a Competitive Dialogue under Regulation 30 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, with EOI as the first stage. Shortlisted suppliers will proceed to tender for FY25-26 delivery.       
      II.1.5) Estimated total value:
      Value excluding VAT: 300,000       
      Currency: GBP
      II.1.6) Information about lots:
      This contract is divided into lots: No       
   
II.2) Description
      
      II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
      Not Provided       
      II.2.3) Place of performance:
      UKI52 Barking & Dagenham and Havering
      
      II.2.4) Description of procurement: Thames Freeport seeks a supplier or consortia to design and develop the Food & Drink Sustainable Packaging Innovation Hub, forming part of a broader network linked to a planned AI Campus driving regional transformation.
The selected partner will:
Develop a comprehensive plan for the Innovation Hub.
Deliver a Challenge Definition Phase to map the ecosystem and engage stakeholders.
Identify key challenges, opportunities, and themes.
Produce a full investment case for the Hub.
As a private sector-led economic zone, Thames Freeport spans Barking & Dagenham, Havering, and Thurrock, driving sustainable growth through three industry ecosystems:
Sustainable Construction
Technology Manufacturing
Food & Drink
The Freeport also envisions a “21st Century City”, integrating industrial clusters, sustainable infrastructure, and inclusive communities to connect residents with education and employment.
With 40% of UK food and drink imports passing through its ports, Thames Freeport invites expressions of interest (EOIs) for a Food & Drink Supply Chain, Processing, Packaging & Logistics Innovation Centre. This initiative will drive economic growth, sustainability, and innovation by enhancing supply chain efficiency, packaging, and logistics practices.
Procurement follows a Competitive Dialogue under Regulation 30 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, with EOI as the first stage. Shortlisted suppliers will proceed to tender for FY25-26 delivery.
      II.2.5) Award criteria:
            Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents            
      II.2.6) Estimated value:
      Value excluding VAT: Not provided       
      Currency: Not provided       
      II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system:
      Duration in months: 6       
      This contract is subject to renewal: Yes       
      Description of renewals: Ends September 2025 with the potential to be extended dependent on the necessary approvals and agreements from the Freeport Board and Accountable Body
      II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited:
       Not provided
      Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: Not provided
      II.2.10) Information about variants:
      Variants will be accepted: No
      II.2.11) Information about options:
      Options:       No             
      Description of options: Not provided
      II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
      Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: No
      II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
      The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No       
      Identification of the project: Not provided             
      II.2.14) Additional information: Not provided       


Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial And Technical Information
   III.1) Conditions for participation
      III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
      List and brief description of conditions:          
      Not Provided       
      III.1.2) Economic and financial standing       
      List and brief description of selection criteria:       
      Not Provided    
      Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :       
      Not Provided    
      III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
      List and brief description of selection criteria:       
      Not Provided      
      Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :          
      Not Provided   
      III.1.5) Information about reserved contracts (if applicable)   
      The contract is reserved to sheltered workshops and economic operators aiming at the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons: No       
      The execution of the contract is restricted to the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No    
      
   III.2) Conditions related to the contract
      III.2.1) Information about a particular profession    
      Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:          
      Not Provided    
      III.2.2) Contract performance conditions          
      Not Provided          
      III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
      Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract: No

Section IV: Procedure
   IV.1) Description COMPETITIVE_DIALOGUE
      IV.1.1) Type of procedure:Competitive dialogue    
   
   IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system    
         The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement - NO    
         In the case of framework agreements justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: Not Provided    
   IV.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue: No.
   
   IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction:
      An electronic auction will be used: No
      Additional information about electronic auction: Not provided
   IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
      The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No       
   IV.2) Administrative information
      IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure:
         Notice number in the OJ S: Not provided       
      IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
       Date: 24/03/2025
      IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates: Not Provided       
      IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English,       
      IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: Not Provided      
      

Section VI: Complementary Information
   VI.1) Information about recurrence
   This is a recurrent procurement: No    
   Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Not provided
   VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
   Electronic ordering will be used No       
   Electronic invoicing will be accepted No       
   Electronic payment will be used No       
   VI.3) Additional Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Design-and-execution-of-research-and-development./88MBZ9J2U5

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/88MBZ9J2U5
   VI.4) Procedures for review
   VI.4.1) Review body:
             Thames Freeport Limited
       London, United Kingdom
   VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures:
Not provided
   VI.4.3) Review procedure
   Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:    
    Not Provided    
   VI.4.4) Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained:
Not provided
   VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 21/02/2025

Annex A