Scope
Reference
C30051
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.
Contract 2. Incident Management Forecasting System (IMFS) software support
Supplier
Contract value
- £14,925,560 excluding VAT
- £17,910,672 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
19 October 2025
Contract dates
- 20 October 2025 to 19 October 2030
- Possible extension to 19 October 2035
- 10 years
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.
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
Key performance indicators
| Name | Description | Reporting frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Help desk availability | The help desk must be available on business days from 8am to 5pm. |
3 months |
| Severity 1 incident resolution time | The incident must be resolved in 8 hours. |
3 months |
| Severity 1 incident response time | A response must be received within 15 minutes |
3 months |
Other information
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.
Supplier
Stichting Deltares
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGLR-6934-PYCX
Boussinesqweg 1
Delft
2629 HV
Netherlands
Email: info@deltares.nl
Website: https://www.deltares.nl/
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2. Incident Management Forecasting System (IMFS) software support
Contracting authority
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNWW-1475-NYLN
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Neil Widdop
Email: neil.widdop@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government