--- title: "National Permitting Service (NPS) for Environment Agency" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL" published: "2022-07-28" --- # National Permitting Service (NPS) for Environment Agency Buyer: DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc.json) ## Summary The Environment Agency is initiating a planned open tender for the National Permitting Service (NPS), focusing on environmental services across multiple locations in the UK, such as Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham, and Warrington. This procurement, valued at £2,500,000, is structured into two lots: Lot 1 targets hiring experienced hydrologists and permitting staff to manage permit applications under environmental regulations, while Lot 2 seeks financial expertise for landfill operations. Key dates include a future notice anticipated on 29th August 2022, signalling crucial timelines for interested parties. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental consultancy and permitting services. Companies with expertise in decarbonisation, risk assessment, and compliance with environmental legislation would be particularly well-suited to compete, as the Environment Agency is seeking skilled professionals able to deliver high-quality permitting solutions. Additionally, financial firms capable of analysing and supporting financial arrangements for landfill operations may find a viable pathway to growth through Lot 2 of this procurement. ## Notice The Environment Agency are looking to conduct a full open tender for Permitting services for their organisation on a 2 + 1 + 1 basis. This procurement will be split into two lots; Lot 1 will encompass a minimum of 3 contracts (to allocate sufficient resources) for 1-2 Hydrologists & 15-20 Permitting staff, across the contracts and the work will be allocated fairly where possible. Lot 2 (which is not a guaranteed lot at this stage) will be for one contract for financial expertise to support the work we do providing financial provision around landfills. ### Lot Information National Permitting & Hydrogeologists 1) Background National Permitting Service is a busy department with 500+ staff located across the country delivering a permitting service for the Environment Agency. We are seeking support in the determination of permit and licence applications made under the Environmental Permitting Regulations and the Water Resources Act. We are looking for up to 15 experienced professionals who are familiar with the activities we regulate to deliver permitting directly for waste, installations, water quality or water resources. This request is being made in response to increasing workloads across the National Permitting Service and a desire to initiate a step change in our work load and enhancement to our customer service. 2) Scope of Permitting Work We are looking for professionals with a proven track record. The role involves the technical determination of permit applications and production of appropriate decision documents that demonstrate the decision making process. Full training on systems and ways of working will be given but a high level of current knowledge of the permitting process for these types of activities is expected. Successful candidates can work from home or one of our offices within our existing teams based at offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham or Warrington. Infrequent attendance at one of these offices for training or support may be required. Staff will be managed as part of the existing teams and performance expectations will be set and monitored against in line with our current procedures. 3) Experience/skills required Consultants are expected to be graduates (or have significant experience) in a relevant field. Previous regulatory experience would be very welcome. In addition we're looking for candidates who are:- * Conversant with environmental permitting legislation or equivalent * Good organisational and decision making skills with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively * Ability to meet deadlines and manage a varied workload * Thorough understanding of risks and mitigation measures needed * Good written and oral skills to be able to influence and negotiate with a wide range of applicants We would be particularly keen to hear from specialists in the following areas Decarbonisation Net Zero Dewatering Heat Pumps Groundwater Estuarine/Coastal environments Ammonia impact assessment Nutrient Neutrality Hydrogeologists: The team The Geoscience Technical Team provides specialist technical support to the National Permitting Service, as well as leading other national technical projects such as leading on the regulation of closed landfills. Experience/skills required We're looking for 1 or 2 hydrogeologists or geotechnical engineers with extensive risk assessment experience. You'll be qualified to at least degree standard (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, a chartered member of a relevant organisation and possess proven ability and/or knowledge of: * Analysis of groundwater data- quality assurance and interpretation of geological and hydrogeological data; * Groundwater risk assessment - interpretation and modeling of groundwater risk * Negotiation with landfill operators and their representatives * Data management - record keeping, basic database and spreadsheet management * Other key requirements for this job include an understanding of landfill gas management and control, EPR permitting, excellent communication skills, along with a passion for problem solving and delivering outcomes. * Working knowledge of LandSim and GasSim * Dependent on technical background, a working knowledge of other modelling packages, for example: slope stability modelling. Financial provision team for National Permitting Service supporting The team The financial provision team are a specialist team within the National Permitting Service supporting our landfill permitting. They ensure that financial provision is put in place prior to the commencement of disposal operations and should be available for as long as the landfill poses a hazard and in particular to maintain and monitor the site during the aftercare phase until the permit is surrendered. The majority of FP arrangements are made by the following mechanisms: * renewable bonds * cash deposited in an Escrow account * cash deposited with the Environment Agency * Local authority deeds * Trust based investment portfolios * Parent company guarantees Experience/skills required We are looking for ad hoc financial support to be able to assess company accounts and consider the viability of new FP mechanisms proposed by operators of landfill sites. This could include but is not limited to; * Forensic analysis of parent company/group accounts and the financial relationship between companies within the group structure * Determining the net tangible worth of a parent company * Determining an unacceptable net tangible worth of a parent company to act as a 'trigger' to require an alternative method of FP being put in place * Assessing the suitability of new FP mechanisms - this could include investment products Location The team is dispersed but occasional attendance at an office may be required at one of our offices located in either Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield or Warrington. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020644-2022 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 28 Jul 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 28 Aug 2022 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £2,500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3JR | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services ### Codes - 90700000 - Environmental services ## Release History - 28 Jul 2022 at 13:47 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020644-2022 ## Notice URLs - https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0356fc.json.