Single Member Framework Agreement for Water Establishment

Tender description

The Commission for Energy Regulation (the ‘CER’) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the liberalisation of Ireland's energy sector. The Government of Ireland has embarked on a programme to reform the public water and waste water sector. The Government department responsible for delivery of this programme of reform is the Department for Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG). Under Section 23 of the recently published Water Services Bill 2013 (the Bill), it is envisaged that the remit of the CER will be expanded to include a function to prepare to become the independent economic regulator for the public water sector. This section of the Bill also requires the CER to advise the Minister for the Environment on matters related to the economic regulation of the public water sector in Ireland. It is anticipated that this Bill will be passed by the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament) in the near future. However the CER cannot guarantee that this Bill will be enacted in this or in any timeframe. The CER will not complete the awarding of this Framework Agreement until the relevant legislation has been enacted. This request for tender details the expert support that the CER will require to assist in the establishment of a regulatory framework for the public water sector. The expertise and skills required include economic (including accounting), technical and understand of customer protection measures in the water sector. The CER will establish a Single Member Framework Agreement with the successful tenderer for the provision of this support. The successful tenderer will help in the drafting CER advice papers, provide content and expert advice, assist with draft business plan questionnaires, reviewing papers drafted by CER staff, meeting and responding to stakeholders, development of licence conditions, reviewing submissions from the utility in particular revenue submissions, review connection charging methodologies, customer