Integrated Catchment Science and Management Support and Services Framework

Tender description

The EPA Catchments Unit is establishing a multi-operator framework agreement for the procurement of provision of support and services for integrated catchment science and management to support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. This will be a four-year multi-party framework tender covering 2019-2023 and the EPA envisage that a minimum of two operators will be assigned. The framework will cover support and services related to, but not limited to, the following between 2019 and 2023: • Supporting technical implementation of the 2nd Cycle River Basin Management Plan • 3rd Cycle Initial Characterisation, i.e. the assessment of the impacts of human activities on waters of all types, including high status waters, groundwaters, rivers, lakes, estuaries & coastal waters • Assessment of Protected Areas including assessments of whether their protected area objectives have been met • Update and review of the significant pressure types as outlined in the 2nd Cycle River Basin Management Plan, including management and assessment of GIS & other datasets • Hydromorphology assessments including the review of hydromorphological quality standards and key hydromorphological indicators, the implementation of the national hydromorphological condition assessment tool, & the identification of hydromorphological pressures & measures • Assessment of urban and rural diffuse & point source pollution & impacts on water quality • Analysis of the linkages between water & land-use planning • Assessment of the role of natural water retention measures in implementing the WFD, including linkages with the Floods Directive • Investigation of factors contributing to the significant number of declines & improvements in water body status • Determination of draft environmental objectives & exemptions • Assessment of appropriation mitigation measures & actions • Assessment of multiple benefits/disbenefits of measures for water quality, climate, air quality & biodiversity