Research and development services and related consultancy services

Tender description

The Authority is seeking to put in place a Framework Arrangement contract with a single contractor. The contractor will provide, on an ad hoc basis, timely, high quality, specialist technical input to the Authority’s Noise and Nuisance Policy and Evidence Teams. Under the contract, there are no guarantees of any minimum level of work over the contract duration. Tasks under the contract will be called off on an ad hoc basis through work orders. This work may involve technical or legislative information, analysis, research, policy-attuned appraisal and advice, modelling, information about practical implementation of policies and procedures, economic appraisal or any other related support on noise and vibration, all statutory nuisances, artificial light pollution and policy areas with significant synergies, for example air quality. The contractor will be required to provide, on an ad hoc basis, timely, high quality, specialist technical support. Under the contract, the Authority offers no guarantees of any minimum level of work over the contract duration. Given the nature of central government work, and particularly the need to work with OGDs, whose policies frequently impact on noise and nuisance issues, the team often has to intervene or comment on policies with very little notice. Work could consist of reviewing policy proposals or contributing to briefing materials for ministerial submissions, westminster hall debates or ministerial correspondence. Consequently, the appointed contractor will be required, on occasion, to respond very rapidly to urgent requests. Tasks are expected to include (but are not limited to): Provision of technical review comments, policy-attuned appraisal, advice and opinion or sense-checking on documents or reports. Assistance with Ministerial and Departmental correspondence or Parliamentary Question responses by providing technical and legislative information and/or knowledge gained from practical experience. Technical, policy-attuned advice in terms of identifying and reporting new developments and initiatives in acoustic/statutory nuisance research and the impact these may have on domestic legislation, government policy and associated standards and guidance. Monitoring relevant developments and initiatives of international bodies, DAs, OGDs, other government agencies and local authorities and proactively alerting the Authority and, if required, providing policy-attuned appraisal and information. Carrying out preliminary research projects, analysis, evidence gathering and/or scoping work to inform early stage policy development, public consultations, impact assessments, potential research plans or policy implementation plans. Provision of modelling or other related analytical services. Assistance with the delivery of research projects, including drafting evidence project specifications, participating in project oversight panels, reviewing and commenting on draft reports or peer reviewing draft or published reports or research papers. Carry out appraisal, assessments and/or reviews of health impact research and economic appraisal of health impacts and policy options. Attending conferences and similar events and preparing briefings on presentations and/or papers presented and/or question and answer sessions. Accompanying officials to the relevant meetings to provide immediate technical advice and information or expert opinion.