Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Defra Network eTendering Portal
17 Nobel House
London
SW1P 3JR
Pippa.Hicks@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 2072385921
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned 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
https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
National Permitting Service (NPS) for Environment Agency
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 90700000 - Environmental services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Environment Agency are looking to conduct a full open tender for Permitting services for their organisation on a 2 + 1 + 1 basis. This procurement will be split into two lots; Lot 1 will encompass a minimum of 3 contracts (to allocate sufficient resources) for 1-2 Hydrologists & 15-20 Permitting staff, across the contracts and the work will be allocated fairly where possible. Lot 2 (which is not a guaranteed lot at this stage) will be for one contract for financial expertise to support the work we do providing financial provision around landfills.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £2,500,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
National Permitting & Hydrogeologists
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90700000 - Environmental services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
Hybrid - see the description
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
1) Background
National Permitting Service is a busy department with 500+ staff located across the country delivering a permitting service for the Environment Agency. We are seeking support in the determination of permit and licence applications made under the Environmental Permitting Regulations and the Water Resources Act.
We are looking for up to 15 experienced professionals who are familiar with the activities we regulate to deliver permitting directly for waste, installations, water quality or water resources.
This request is being made in response to increasing workloads across the National Permitting Service and a desire to initiate a step change in our work load and enhancement to our customer service.
2) Scope of Permitting Work
We are looking for professionals with a proven track record. The role involves the technical determination of permit applications and production of appropriate decision documents that demonstrate the decision making process. Full training on systems and ways of working will be given but a high level of current knowledge of the permitting process for these types of activities is expected.
Successful candidates can work from home or one of our offices within our existing teams based at offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham or Warrington. Infrequent attendance at one of these offices for training or support may be required. Staff will be managed as part of the existing teams and performance expectations will be set and monitored against in line with our current procedures.
3) Experience/skills required
Consultants are expected to be graduates (or have significant experience) in a relevant field.
Previous regulatory experience would be very welcome. In addition we’re looking for candidates who are:-
• Conversant with environmental permitting legislation or equivalent
• Good organisational and decision making skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage a varied workload
• Thorough understanding of risks and mitigation measures needed
• Good written and oral skills to be able to influence and negotiate with a wide range of applicants
We would be particularly keen to hear from specialists in the following areas
Decarbonisation
Net Zero
Dewatering
Heat Pumps
Groundwater
Estuarine/Coastal environments
Ammonia impact assessment
Nutrient Neutrality
Hydrogeologists:
The team
The Geoscience Technical Team provides specialist technical support to the National Permitting Service, as well as leading other national technical projects such as leading on the regulation of closed landfills.
Experience/skills required
We’re looking for 1 or 2 hydrogeologists or geotechnical engineers with extensive risk assessment experience. You’ll be qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, a chartered member of a relevant organisation and possess proven ability and/or knowledge of:
• Analysis of groundwater data– quality assurance and interpretation of geological and hydrogeological data;
• Groundwater risk assessment – interpretation and modeling of groundwater risk
• Negotiation with landfill operators and their representatives
• Data management – record keeping, basic database and spreadsheet management
• Other key requirements for this job include an understanding of landfill gas management and control, EPR permitting, excellent communication skills, along with a passion for problem solving and delivering outcomes.
• Working knowledge of LandSim and GasSim
• Dependent on technical background, a working knowledge of other modelling packages, for example: slope stability modelling.
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Financial provision team for National Permitting Service supporting
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 90700000 - Environmental services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
Hybrid - see description
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The team
The financial provision team are a specialist team within the National Permitting Service supporting our landfill permitting. They ensure that financial provision is put in place prior to the commencement of disposal operations and should be available for as long as the landfill poses a hazard and in particular to maintain and monitor the site during the aftercare phase until the permit is surrendered.
The majority of FP arrangements are made by the following mechanisms:
• renewable bonds
• cash deposited in an Escrow account
• cash deposited with the Environment Agency
• Local authority deeds
• Trust based investment portfolios
• Parent company guarantees
Experience/skills required
We are looking for ad hoc financial support to be able to assess company accounts and consider the viability of new FP mechanisms proposed by operators of landfill sites. This could include but is not limited to;
• Forensic analysis of parent company/group accounts and the financial relationship between companies within the group structure
• Determining the net tangible worth of a parent company
• Determining an unacceptable net tangible worth of a parent company to act as a ‘trigger’ to require an alternative method of FP being put in place
• Assessing the suitability of new FP mechanisms – this could include investment products
Location
The team is dispersed but occasional attendance at an office may be required at one of our offices located in either Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield or Warrington.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
29 August 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Framework creation will all be conducted via bravo e-sourcing tool.