Tender

Local Resource Option Screening Study near Margate

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

22 Aug 2025 at 14:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

22 Aug 2025 at 14:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency is seeking to procure a supplier for a "Local Resource Option Screening Study" near Margate. This project involves evaluating water resource options for ten farms specialising in high-value irrigated crops within the River Stour catchment area, a location notable for its environmentally sensitive sites. The procurement falls under the "Systems and technical consultancy services" category and is currently in the tender update stage. Interested parties should note the procurement method is an open competition, below threshold, with a submission deadline by 17:00 BST on 9th September 2025. The contract is expected to commence on 22nd September 2025 and conclude by 23rd January 2026, with an allocated budget between £25,000 and £30,000 excluding VAT.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses involved in systems and technical consultancy, particularly those with experience in farm management and water resource assessments. Given the emphasis on high-value irrigated crops, companies skilled in agricultural consultancy and environmental impact assessments would find this an ideal fit. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate due to the tender's suitability criteria. Winning this contract could enhance a business's portfolio, granting experience in working with a central government agency and the chance to influence water sustainability practices in a critical agricultural region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Local Resource Option Screening Study near Margate

Notice Description

The Environment Agency seeks a supplier to deliver a Local Resource Option (LRO) Screening Study for a group of ten farms located near Margate, covering 3,744 ha (with 2,414 ha currently irrigated). These farms specialise in high-value irrigated crops (e.g., potatoes, onions, cereals some livestock farming and stewardship, with water abstraction being critical for production. The farms lie within the River Stour catchment, near environmentally sensitive sites (SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar) and already hold abstraction licences, with voluntary restrictions applied during dry years to prevent regulatory action. The study aims to identify, screen, rank, and evaluate local water resource options to improve resilience of supply and security for these farms. One pre-selected option is water sharing among participating farms. The methodology and tools for screening and ranking (provided in the appendices) must be applied. Scope of Work * Engage with farmers, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, regional water groups and other stakeholders. * Collect and review baseline data on farming practices, abstraction licences, water availability and projected demand. * Undertake a water balance assessment, identify potential local water resource options and screen/rank them using the provided methodology and spreadsheet tools. * Select the top three preferred LROs, including the pre-selected water-sharing option, for detailed evaluation covering yield, cost, security of supply modelling, and environmental and social impacts. * Identify barriers, risks, and next steps for scheme development. * Deliver an executive summary, technical report, screening spreadsheet, presentation slides and summary findings for participating farmers. Key Deliverables 1. Screening and ranking spreadsheet (Environment Agency template). 2. Draft and final technical report covering methodology, baseline conditions, stakeholder engagement outcomes, ranking results, detailed evaluation of top three LROs, barriers, and next steps. 3. Summary slides for farmer engagement. 4. Weekly progress updates and biweekly virtual meetings with the Environment Agency. 5. Final presentation to study participants. Project Management & Timescale * Duration: 3.5 months, including stakeholder workshops, screening and ranking, and two report review stages. * Weekly progress reports (via email) and fortnightly review meetings required. * Contract budget: PS25,000 - PS30,000 (excl. VAT). Evaluation Tenders will be assessed 60% on technical quality (understanding of project and local area, methodology, project management, Gantt chart, team experience) and 40% on cost. AI use must be declared but is not scored.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058d02
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050967-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Sep 2025 - 23 Jan 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
wragriculture@environment-agency.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
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
TLH East (England)
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

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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