Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Defra Network eTendering Portal
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Contact
Wayne Lamport
Telephone
+44 2084152266
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
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) Support Contract
Reference number
P-36449
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 90731100 - Air quality management
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This contract is for the co-ordination and provision of technical support to all UK local authorities (LAs) so that they can carry out their statutory LAQM responsibilities, underpinned by the Environment Act 1995) accurately and consistently .
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Defra requires a supplier to provide LAQM Support for a period of 5 years between the 10 June 2025 to 9 June 2030 with a potential option for a 2 year extension.
The supplier will provide support to LAs via a telephone and email helpdesk function and LAQM web services (LAQM Support Website, Air Quality Hub and LAQM Portal). The supplier will also maintain a quality-controlled database of LAQM information and assess LA statutory reports and action plans for England, London, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (the authorities).
two.2.14) Additional information
The supplier will be required to:
• Provide expert advice and support to LAs and the Authorities on all matters relating to LAQM and Smoke Control Areas (SCAs);
• Maintain calculation tools, templates and guidance for LAQM review and assessment and action planning, and deliver training webinars;
• Manage the LAQM reminder warning process for overdue review and assessment reports and action plans within England excl. London, enabling automation and maintaining list of local government contact details;
• Host, manage and maintain all LAQM webservices, as the main ways for LAs to submit LAQM information, record fulfilment of statutory obligations, share knowledge and access the authorities’ guidance;
• Host, maintain and present LAQM and SCA database, including local authority managed diffusion tube and continuous monitoring data, Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and SCA information;
• Appraise LA Review and Assessment and Action Planning reports for England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London over the period of the Contract.
• Make significant updates to the Emissions Factor Toolkit (EFT) annually to maintain consistency with Defra’s national AQ modelling
• In addition, the supplier may be required to complete ad hoc tasks during the life of the contract including a significant update of the LAQM Technical Guidance, develop calculation tools and provide further assessment support to LAs .
The skills required are as follows:
• Extensive expertise in air quality science, using monitoring equipment, interpreting data and air quality modelling to be able to advise local authorities effectively.
• Extensive knowledge of local authorities and their requirements under LAQM Statutory Technical and Policy Guidance 2022, the Environment Act 1995 as amended by the Environment Act 2021, and the Clean Air Act.
• Proficiency in IT and database management is required for maintaining the LAQM digital and data services as well for automating processes.
• Advanced project management skills are needed to oversee various tasks, from maintain databases and websites to updating toolkits and managing reminder processes.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
4 November 2024
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
In order to understand the markets appetite and ability to resource and bid for this work, we are requesting you respond to this PIN to confirm if you are interested in bidding for this work and that you can meet the requirements outlined above. Your response should be submitted by email to dgc-laww-buyer@defra.gov.uk by the closing date of 05/12/2024 by (15:00). The Authority may contact you to confirm your interest and to discuss your capability to fulfil this requirement.
The response to this PIN will determine if/ when we are able to commence a procurement process. This PIN does not commit the Authority to progressing this opportunity beyond this point.
It should also be noted that this PIN invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this exercise only. It is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process, and is NOT a call for competition.