Scope
Description
The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for taking a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal erosion. The EA has regulatory and operational delivery functions, addressed via Asset Management and Incident Management functions respectively. The EA reduces the risk of flooding by constructing, operating and maintaining assets, by working with and influencing others, by providing expert technical advice, and by using its enforcement powers to ensure others meet their responsibilities. Its vision is to develop Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) within the EA to be at the forefront of asset management internationally. The EA wishes to be recognised as an Industry leading asset management organisation. Project & Programme Delivery (PPD) provides project and programme management services to various customers, including those relating to civil engineering/construction projects. PPD is situated in the Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Directorate. Previously known as Programme and Contract Management (PCM), PPD utilises a mix of internal project managers, other support professionals plus contractors/services from its National Framework suppliers (since 2019 'Next Generation Supplier Arrangements' (NGSA)). The EA has identified a need for a selection of NEC4 training solutions to be made available from January 2026 onwards, primarily for permanent EA Project Managers. These training solutions will need to accommodate those who need to refresh their knowledge or who are new to the EA. The aim of the training is primarily to improve understanding/application of the NEC4 PSC and ECC main and short contracts, as well as the NEC4 TSC main and short contracts. However, the EA is also considering the wider NEC knowledge base and how development in this area could further enhance its employees' expertise. To be consistent with its training provisions across the whole of its asset management portfolio, there is an identified need for staff within its Local Operations and Environment and Business directorates, especially Future Framework, Area and Defra Group Commercial teams who have exposure to and involvement with NEC4 contracts to also be able to access the same NEC4 training as PPD Project Managers. The EA wishes to have available both e-learning provision and in-house classroom development solutions moving forward, both used as separate items and / or blended learning. It has previously utilised externally-hosted e-learning provisions and off-the-shelf training that has been delivered via in-house classroom workshops with minor adaptations. For traditional face-to-face classroom / group learning solutions, please note that 'virtual' classroom solutions via a suitable online platform may be required moving forwards. To supplement the above, the EA is also seeking a programme of accessible bite-size learning on key topics and themes, delivered via pre-recorded webinars or a similar mechanism that would provide a flexible training resource for staff to access as required on an ongoing basis to complement and re-enforce more formal e-learning and face-to-face training.
Total value (estimated)
- £800,000 excluding VAT
- £960,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 November 2025 to 25 November 2028
- Possible extension to 25 November 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Extensions will be approved provided that the training cannot be fulfilled via the Cabinet Office's Government Skills and Curriculum Unit and will be subject to demand for courses, and performance and ongoing value for money of the contract.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Two 12-month extensions are possible.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
- 80420000 - E-learning services
- 80511000 - Staff training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
25 August 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
17 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via this portal.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
10 November 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 13 August 2030
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Evaluation | Quality | 50.00% | |
| Commercial Evaluation | Price | 40.00% | |
| Social Value Evaluation | Demonstrate action to identify and tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce. |
Quality | 10.00% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This Competitive Flexible Procedure will not use a down-select stage but will use a supplementary process of a Preferred Supplier Stage with the winning tenderer. This will be used to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender and address any weaknesses in the submission. Please note that any modifications will not result in anything that would have the effect of altering the award outcome. This stage will consist of a meeting on Teams of about an hour between the Tenderer's and the Authority's representatives. The Authority reserves the right not to conduct this stage if it feels that the discussions detailed above are not required.
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
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Summary of their role in this procurement: Defra group Commercial will be managing the procurement on behalf of the Environment Agency.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster