Award

The Employer Pays Principle Feasibility Study, within the Horticulture Value Cha

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

21 Nov 2024 at 14:29

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has awarded a contract for the feasibility study of the Employer Pays Principle within the horticulture value chain to Alma Economics. This project falls under the Research and Development consultancy services category (CPV code 73200000) and is focused on addressing the exploitation risks faced by migrants using the Seasonal Worker visa route within the UK horticulture sector. The open tender process concluded with the contract being awarded on 21 November 2024. The project will span from 21 November 2024 to 30 April 2025, highlighting a comprehensive study aiming to mitigate the risks of debt bondage and associated exploitation. This work will encompass the entire UK, including the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in economic modelling, labour rights, and agricultural consultancy services. With a budget of £134,900, the project aims to provide detailed cost analyses and potential implementation models for the Employer Pays Principle, enhancing economic and welfare outcomes for seasonal workers. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that possess expertise in the horticulture sector, human rights, and fair recruitment practices are well-suited to benefit from engaging with this initiative and furthering their involvement in public procurement contracts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The Employer Pays Principle Feasibility Study, within the Horticulture Value Cha

Notice Description

Migrants using the Seasonal Worker visa route are at risk of exploitation as reported in the ICIBI report (e.g. para 3.45) and DLME's UK Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2022-23 which notes agriculture is a 'high risk sector' for seasonal workers. These risks include debt bondage from costs incurred whilst travelling to and working in the UK and costs incurred in migrants' home countries. Adoption of the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) has been cited by various organisations such as the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and many retailers as potentially important to mitigating these risks. IHRB defines the EPP as "No worker should pay for a job - the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer." The definition of recruitment fees and related costs in this project will match those of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) definition, i.e. "any fees or costs incurred in the recruitment process in order for workers to secure employment or placement, regardless of the manner, timing or location of their imposition or collection". Further itemised definitions of recruitment fees and related costs are included in the ILO General principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment and Definition of recruitment fees and related costs. Requirement The objective is to produce a cost analysis and potential models of implementing the EPP for horticulture seasonal workers and to identify the potential economic and welfare implications. The project, as specified below, will be processed via an open competition and the intention is to commence in November 2024 for around six months. The primary goal of this work is to reduce risk for workers whilst reasonably taking into account considerations such as food security, sustainability of the UK horticulture sector, consumers, etc. Scope a) Only the horticulture sector. b) Only seasonal workers will be considered. c) UK-wide (given workers can transfer between farms in different regions of the UK). d) All recruitment fees and related costs as defined in the ILO Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs, including those that are legal for workers to pay such as travel costs, should be considered within the economic modelling of the cost of EPP. e) Additional illegitimate, unreasonable and undisclosed costs, also defined in the ILO Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs, should not be factored into the economic modelling except in assessments of potential positive or negative consequences. This is a limitation of the study that needs to be managed through effective due diligence in the implementation phase.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f07bd9b-edbb-4b9b-a062-f45be784ed99
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£134,900 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Nov 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
25 Oct 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Nov 20241 years ago
Contract Period
21 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 2025 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Defra
Contact Email
dgcenquiries@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
03459335577

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3JR
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ALMA ECONOMICS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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