Published date: 21 October 2020

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 9 November 2020, 10am

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom, Isle of Man, Channel Islands

Value of contract

£40,000 to £50,000

Procurement reference

EA WMME_PM_1.0

Published date

21 October 2020

Closing date

9 November 2020

Closing time

10am

Contract start date

1 December 2020

Contract end date

31 March 2021

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Competitive quotation (below threshold)

The buyer selects a group of potential suppliers to invite to tender.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

To help us understand why certain water management mechanisms are effective while others are not, and demonstrate a robust evidence-based approach before committing resource, we need to evaluate the effectiveness of the mechanisms employed using Magenta book compatible methods. We also need to better understand what motivates people such as land managers and water users to change their behaviours, so we can deploy different mechanisms more effectively.
This project will evaluate the effectiveness of key water management mechanisms used to improve physical modification pressures in the water environment. At present, four in ten of our rivers, lakes, estuaries and coasts are not achieving their ecological and environmental objectives due to the effects of physical modifications.
By mechanism we mean a programme or tool or intervention or other device that enables implementation through activity on the ground. In other words, policy instruments, which are the means by which public policy is put into practical effect. This project will determine in detail the efficacy, pros and cons of existing mechanisms/policy instruments/interventions. It will not consider the pros and cons of the policies themselves.
The evaluation should be undertaken in accordance with new magenta book principles including consideration of complexity. The main audience will be the Environment Agency and Defra.

Outline Objectives

Overarching objectives for the project are to:
1. Evaluate the main water management mechanisms that have been implemented over the last 20-30 years to mitigate physical modification pressures or issues, and determine the effectiveness of approaches to deliver outcomes for the water environment, people and the economy now.
A broad range of outcomes should be included, quantified where possible, for example mitigating flood risk and drought, benefits to water, land, biodiversity and people contributing to health and wellbeing, levelling social inequality and supporting the economy.
2. Assess how much factors such as the type and quality of evidence used to drive mechanisms or the design of the mechanisms contribute to its success or failure.
3. Determine what failures there are in less effective mechanisms
4. Review the application of metrics - what are the most appropriate success metrics in this work area, covering environmental, social and economic aspects (in particular we wish to fully capture the potential societal benefits of this work and consider the use of ecosystem service / natural capital metrics).
5. Review the influence of contextual factors on outcomes for water, for example:
• what works where, why and for whom?
• is climate change or population growth increasing the challenge as we seek to address it, for example in flood risk and new developments?
6. Review possible or proposed changes to the mechanisms under consideration and their likely effectiveness.
7. Report the findings and conclusions.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

All relevant information to enable supplier to submit a quotation/bid is given in the document: Request for quotation_Water Management Mechanisms Evaluation_Physical modification_19.10.20.
Full details of the project and guidance towards the required submission is given in the document: Water Management Mechanisms Evaluation Spec_Physical Modification_19.10.20.
The deadline is 10am 9 November 2020.

About the buyer

Contact name

Dr Susan Casper

Address

Environment Agency
Horizon House, Deanery Street
Bristol
BS49 4DQ
England

Telephone

+447796941599

Email

susan.casper@environment-agency.gov.uk