Scope
Description
Chainsaw and Arboriculture Training and Vocational Drivers Training.
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.
The EA must have a competent and confident workforce who carry out work to protect people and the environment by operating and maintaining its flood and coastal assets and responding to incidents.
The purpose of this procurement is to coordinate and deliver the required training, to the required standard.
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. Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 and 9
Lots
Lot 1. Chainsaw and Arboriculture training
Lot 9. Vocational Drivers' Training
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,329,523 excluding VAT
- £2,795,427.60 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
25 November 2025
Contract dates
- 5 December 2025 to 27 November 2028
- Possible extension to 27 November 2030
- 4 years, 11 months, 23 days
Description of possible extension:
Two possible 12-month extensions
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80510000 - Specialist training services
Key performance indicators
| Name | Reporting frequency |
|---|---|
| Provision of Management Information | 3 months |
| Reporting of Incidents and Non-Attendance | 3 months |
| Innovation | 6 months |
| Responsiveness | 3 months |
| Locality of Courses | 3 months |
| Delivery to specification | 6 months |
| Instructor CPD | 6 months |
| Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower | 6 months |
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
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. Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 and 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: Undertaking project on behalf of EA
- 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