Scope
Reference
C28975
Description
The Incident Management Forecasting System (IMFS) is the Environment Agency's primary flood forecasting system and uses Deltares owned Delft-FEWS software as a platform to run models for flood forecasting, groundwater modelling, bathing water quality forecasting, and other services. The National Groundwater Modelling Service (NGMS) also uses Delft-FEWS software. The purpose of this Transparency Notice is to announce the Environment Agency's intention to enter into a contract for software support and maintenance (and the provision of new software enhancements and improvements) with Stichting Deltares for 5 years with the option to extend by a further 3 years and a further 2 years (i.e. 5+3+2) at a total maximum cost of £14.9m (net of VAT).
Contract 1. Incident Management Forecasting System (IMFS) software support and maintenance
Suppliers
Supplier not yet selected
Contract value
- £14,925,560 excluding VAT
- £17,910,672 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 June 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2030
- Possible extension to 31 May 2035
- 9 years, 11 months
Description of possible extension:
An initial term of 5 years with the option to extend by a further 3 years and a further 2 years.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Develop new software code to support new functionality requirements specified by the Environment Agency for its Deltares' software and Delft-FEWS installations.
CPV classifications
- 71351600 - Weather-forecasting services
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
The Environment Agency currently envisages that the following risks could jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the contract: a) Emerging cyber security threats and the impact this may have on the Environment Agency's need to make updates to software to address these threats; b) Changes in political direction and policy changes outside the Environment Agency's control that may drive diversified requirements for forecasting services; c) Climate change in the UK and the longer-term impact this may have on the provision of the services; and d) Technology obsolescence and new technologies, and the impact these may have on the provision of the services.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights
Stichting Deltares are the sole owners and licensor of Delft-FEWS and there are no alternatives available to the Environment Agency without rewriting all forecasting models. It is the view of the Environment Agency that this contract is justifiable under Paragraph 5 in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 to award the contract for the supply and support of the Delft-FEWS software because, as Stichting Deltares own the intellectual property for the software, and develop and support the specialist Delft-FEWS software, therefore no reasonable alternative exists, nor can another organisation supply and support the product. Additionally, it is the view of the Environment Agency that this contract is also justifiable under Paragraph 6 in Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 to award the contract for the supply and support of the Delft-FEWS software because, at this time, no alternative solution is available because any decision to deviate from Delft-FEWS would require a redevelopment of all Environment Agency models, therefore competition is absent for technical reasons.
Contracting authority
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNWW-1475-NYLN
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government