Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Contact
David Pembry
Telephone
+44 3001234500
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
Buyer's address
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Stakeholder Engagement, Advice and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) Framework
Reference number
C27128
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Provision of external Stakeholder Engagement and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) for the Environment Agency and other Defra departments and Arms Length Bodies (ALBs).
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,900,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Defra on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA) are looking to set up a follow on Stakeholder
Engagement and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) Framework starting 1 Oct 2025. Effective
stakeholder engagement is critical for our organisations to deliver its goals. This Framework will
secure between 3-5 suppliers who can provide SEAFS deliverables that: enhances our ability to
work with others builds trust with the communities we serve and enhances our reputation facilitates
learning and enables our staff to engage better by developing their own skills The current contract
expires on 30 September 2025. The intention is to award the new contract before the end of July
2025, with a start date for services commencing on the 1 Oct 2025.. This framework agreement is
being let by the Environment Agency's National Engagement and Insight Team. Although they will
use the contract and review and audit work completed under it, they will not be the primary users.
The primary users of this contract will be Environment Agency staff involved in stakeholder
engagement at a local and national level. These 'Project Clients' will be from different parts of the
organisation and will use this contract to work with stakeholders on a range of issues. Our staff
have varied levels of expertise and experience in stakeholder engagement. The successful
suppliers will have demonstrated through this tender process that they are national Suppliers who
are experts in engagement, facilitation, evaluation and skills development and who can: provide
proactive support for a planned project / programme of work provide reactive support for issues of
high concern or conflict build the organisation's engagement skills and capacity And through their
work, can help us: collaborate and strengthen relationships so we can deliver against our priorities
identify and mitigate potential risks through helping us to engage inclusively enhance our reputation
by delivering participative and well-thought-out engagement The appointed Suppliers for this
Stakeholder Engagement Advice and Facilitation Services (SEAFS) Framework will support our
engagement work with external stakeholders over the next 2 to 4 years. These framework
Suppliers will help Environment Agency staff plan, facilitate and evaluate effective stakeholder
engagement processes to support the delivery of our corporate strategy, and lay the foundations
for creating an 'engagement capable' workforce
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Social Values / Weighting: 10
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 40
Cost criterion - Name: Cost / Weighting: 50
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,900,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 October 2025
End date
30 September 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
As specified in the ITT documentation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 5
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
7 March 2025
Local time
5:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Tender must be valid until: 30 September 2025
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
16 January 2025
Local time
5:00pm
Place
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome and search for SEAFs under opportunities.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
SSC submissions due 17:00hrs 23 Jan 2025
ITT Bid Submissions due 17:00hrs 7 Mar 2025
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs