CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

River Usk Catchment: A feasibility study into effective nutrient credit trading system pilot

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority invites proposals from consultants to carry out a feasibility study to help identify and prioritise opportunities to deploy nature-based solutions that contribute to unlocking planning development in the Usk catchment while improving the water quality of the river and its tributaries. A consequential piece of work which will inform and direct a basic nutrient credit trading pilot scheme on the River Usk.

The study should focus primarily on developing a basic compliance market model, with a subsequent assessment of the viability of more complex mechanisms such as catchment permitting or potential voluntary or integrated markets that could be introduced at a later stage.

The study should include, but not be limited to, the following objectives:

1) Identify and prioritise potential supply of nutrient credits

2) Assess and quantify current and future demand for credits

3) Explore place-based influences

4) Understand stakeholder perspectives

5) Recommended alternatives if nutrient market considered unviable

6) Future recommendations and roadmap of next steps

A range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be required to address the key objectives. This should include the use of GIS analysis to identify and geolocate best mitigation options, priority reaches, pollution sources and pathways, receptors using available datasets. Stakeholder and landowner engagement should be undertaken to inform feasibility and foster future implementation guidance. Targeted walkovers should ground-truth and refine the assessment, identifying opportunities and constraints not evident from desk-based information.

The supply side assessment should distinguish between strategic priorities and actionable opportunities and consider the valuation of future nutrient mitigation credits. Demand side assessment should evaluate viability of an effective market in near and longer terms and could consider innovative solutions to an asymmetric market where there is potentially limited demand for credits

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=172948.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

The budget is up to £32,000, exclusive of VAT, funded by Esteé Lauder Companies UK & Ireland via the UK National Parks Partnership.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

Detailed scoring guidance

A. Team, Experience & Capability (25%)

• Relevance of experience

• Quality and relevance of example projects

• Skills and experience of key staff (including Welsh language capability in regard to arranging and conducting fieldwork in particular)

• Appropriateness of resourcing

• Confirmation that named staff will perform the work

B. Understanding of the Brief & Risk; Methodology, Approach & Delivery (45%)

• Understanding of water quality issues and nature-based solution

• Understanding of the Usk waterbody

• Understanding of Welsh Government position of water quality governance

• Understanding of nutrient markets and alternative forms of governance

• Identification of risks, constraints and sensitivities

• Understanding of statutory and procedural context

• Clear, logical and proportionate approach to each required output

• Project plan, milestones and deliverables

• Approach to evidence, data, mapping and uncertainty

• Quality assurance and review arrangements

• Realism and deliverability of timetable

C. Project Management & Governance (10%)

• Clarity of management and governance arrangements

• Communication and reporting approach

• Risk management

• Responsiveness and flexibility

• Arrangements for liaison with BBNPA

• Evidence that the bidder complies with UK employment law, ensures staff assigned to the contract are competent, supported, and supervised, and demonstrates inclusive practices with reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010

D. Cost & Added Value (20%)

• Value for money (not just lowest price)

• Transparency and clarity of cost breakdown

• Realism of staff inputs and rates

• Clarity of expenses and assumptions

• Any genuine added value

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:172948)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice