Scope
Description
The Environment Agency (EA) uses a range of plant and equipment to manage many sites and maintain thousands of assets across the country, to help save lives and protect the environment. As a Category One responder, reacting to thousands of environmental and flooding incidents and potential incidents each year, the training provided through this contract will not only prepare its staff for the work they carry out in their day jobs, but also their incident roles. Lots 1 & 9
Lot 1. Chainsaw and Arboriculture training
Description
Full suite of professional standards in chainsaw operations and tree management structured across Level 2 and Level 3 awards to enable operations field teams to carry out routine maintenance and incident response activities on standing and fallen timber in all conditions. It covers foundational skills such as chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting, and the use of powered pole pruners, as well as tree felling and processing for small to large trees. In addition, specialised modules address unique operational contexts, including in-channel obstruction removal and chainsaw use on floating platforms, ensuring adaptability to diverse environmental and operational challenges.
Lot 9. Vocational Drivers' Training
Description
To deliver National (international not required) Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) training in blocks of seven hours either remotely or in a classroom environment at one of our premises. One of these blocks can be e-learning. Demountable body for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) novice and refresher courses. (multi-lift - Hook loader vehicle) - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Mounted Hydraulic Operated Crane (Novice & Refresher) (Attachments). This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Plant Loader securer (Novice/Refresher) - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Plant Mover - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Online Toolbox talks - Delivery (monthly) through an online platform with assessments. To maintain HGV drivers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) outside of DCPC and in line with the requirements of the Traffic Commissioner. This forms part of operator licence compliance and assists us with the accreditation of our Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Earned Recognition award. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) - For staff who do not hold a C, C1, C1E or C+E driving licence category and are required to drive our 4.25t Electric Vans (EV) must complete the required 5 hours of training designed to equip category B licence holders with the knowledge and skills required to operate zero emission vehicles weighing up to 4.25t. The primary audience for this Lot is Environment Agency Field Operations teams.
Contract 3. Environment Agency Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 & 9
Lots
Lot 1. Chainsaw and Arboriculture training
Lot 9. Vocational Drivers' Training
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,485,885.52 excluding VAT
- £1,783,062.62 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
29 September 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
6 October 2025
Standstill period
- End: 20 October 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
22 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 23 October 2025 to 22 October 2028
- Possible extension to 22 October 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
two 12 month extensions available
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Chainsaw and Arboriculture training
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 9. Vocational Drivers' Training
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Supplier
KIELDER NEWPORT WEST LIMITED
- Companies House: 03338152
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWYT-5679-QGBM
Archway House
Bedale
DL8 1AF
United Kingdom
Email: Tenders@knw.co.uk
Website: http://www.knw.co.uk
Region: UKE22 - North Yorkshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 3. Environment Agency Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 & 9
Contracting authority
Environment Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNWW-1475-NYLN
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
Summary of their role in this procurement: Managing the project on behalf of the Environment Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster