Environmental engineering consultancy services

Tender description

Transport Scotland has identified a continuing need for the provision of an environmental consultancy service to Support Transport Scotland in the provision of environmental advisory and auditing services. Scottish Ministers objectives for transport are to promote sustainable economic growth through a safe, integrated and efficient transport network. The employer has identified a continuing need for the provision of environmental consultancy services to assist the Scottish Ministers acting through Transport Scotland in the provision of environmental advisory and auditing services. It is anticipated that the framework agreement will be used predominantly by the various directorates of Transport Scotland, to assist in the delivery of various transport infrastructure projects. The principle areas of activity which shall be required, include: Provision of support to project design, procurement and construction teams, advising on environmental assessment, legislation, policy and good practice; Provision of support to the employer on environmental issues, including, liaison with stakeholders and the development of policies and procedures; Provision of support and training to ensure implementation of robust environmental assessment procedures; Provision of assistance on managing trunk road noise complaints and claims for statutory noise insulation; Tracking environmental legislation and policy, preparing consultation responses, and advising staff on procedural implications of new regulation; Facilitating sustainable approaches to project design and construction, procurement and network maintenance in Transport Scotland and its supply chain; Liaison with Transport Scotland colleagues on agency wide initiatives including climate change strategy and transport appraisal; Contribution to the research and application of sustainability to Transport Scotland's activities; Liaison with Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA, Historic Scotland, Marine Scotland, national parks, planning authorities and other environmental stakeholders on environmental initiatives and policies; Engagement with other external stakeholders including suppliers, consultants, institutions, and academia to promote Transport Scotland’s environmental and sustainability activities, contribute to and learn from industry best practices; and Contribution to the preparation of chief executive, ministerial and parliamentary briefing and correspondence. It is envisaged that the framework agreement will comprise four main areas, namely: environmental assessment and management; sustainability and climate change; regulatory compliance and technical support; and environmental emissions. However, the Scottish Ministers may require additional environmental advisory and auditing services to be undertaken form time to time during the term of the framework agreement. Typical services which may be required under the four main areas, are as follows: 1) Environmental assessment and management. This includes the provision of audit and environmental assessment advice in relation to programme delivery, covering assessment procedures and where needed specific environmental disciplines (for example: ecology, archaeology, noise, water and sustainable drainage, air quality, landscape); 2) Sustainability and climate change. This encompasses emerging services to support strategy and policy development and procedural activity in the areas of climate change and sustainability; 3) Regulatory compliance and technical support legislation affecting the environment and management of non-renewable resources changes quickly often placing new requirements on Scottish Government and its agencies. Support may be required in interpretation of legislation and assurance of compliance. This may include but is not limited to the following: 4) The following services may also be required to be performed as part of the performance of the framework agreement to assist with on-going environmental compliance and improvement activities, associated with the containment and mitigation of emissions, resulting from construction, operation and maintenance of the transport infrastructure.