Net Zero Systems Data Landscape Review

Tender description

Summary of the work The work involves conducting a review of data availability and gaps across the Land-Use and Heat & Buildings Sectors, specifically relating to net zero. This will feed into the Net Zero Systems Tools developed by BEIS as part of a Shared Outcomes Fund project. Expected Contract Length 1-2 months Latest start date Tuesday 1 February 2022 Why the Work is Being Done The work is one of several ‘shared outcomes fund’ projects and will support the Net Zero Systems Tools which aim to help the Land-Use and Buildings policy areas in the aim to reduce UK greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. It will do this by generating systems maps that combine the analysis from across Whitehall into a representation of the two systems, demonstrating different decarbonisation pathways, and will directly inform policy making. The work will give a complete view of the data landscape of the systems, relating to net zero, and highlight the data available. It is necessary to assess what data and model outputs there are to quantify the different relationships within the systems maps developed by BEIS. This will require engaging with analysts across government. The data will be categorised, and a short report prepared summarising the findings. Money is available to procure data. The work is to be delivered for the end of February 2022. The Land-Use system relates to the uses for land across the UK including agriculture, forestry, and the various sources and sinks of carbon emissions. The Heat & Buildings system relates to the factors relevant to carbon emissions in heating buildings. Problem to Be Solved The problem to be solved is an incomplete understanding of the data availability, and the existence of data gaps, across the Land-Use and Heat & Buildings sectors relating to net zero. This is to provide data to support the system maps of these sectors produced by BEIS. The data will also include modelling and the outputs of models. An understanding of this is needed to support the development of the Net Zero Systems Tools by BEIS. Who Are the Users The users are the team developing the Net Zero Systems Tools. As a developer of the Net Zero Systems Tools, I need to be able to understand the data availability across the Land-Use and Heat & Buildings sectors and whether they cover the variables and relationships described in the systems maps of these areas, developed by BEIS. Understanding the data availability will enable be to complete an assessment of the parts of the system which can be quantified in the tool and what can’t be. This will help me understand the current data gaps and potential priorities for future research. Work Already Done A less in depth, review of internal data sources is being completed prior to this work starting. Existing Team The supplier will work with the Net Zero Systems team and collaborating with colleagues across BEIS and other departments. Current Phase Not applicable Skills & Experience • Have experience evaluating data from a range of sources and formats. • Be able to clearly articulate and report technical information. Nice to Haves Have experience/ understanding of the Land-Use or Heat & Buildings sectors or experience working on projects relating to net zero. Work Location The supplier will work remotely Working Arrangments The individuals or team will be entirely based remotely during the project. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Approach and methodology • How the approach or solution meets your organisation’s policy or goal • Estimated time frames for the work Cultural Fit Criteria • Work as a team with our organisation and other suppliers • Be comfortable collaborating with a range of stakeholders across government Payment Approach Fixed price Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 70% Cultural fit 10% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers 1. Who is the incumbent supplier for the program ? The work this builds on is currently being done in-house by BEIS staff. 2. This work will involve “view of the data landscape of the systems, relating to net zero” and also “require engaging with analysts across government”. Will government analysts provide access to commercial sector organisations who own/operate relevant parts of the data landscape? There is budget available for data procurement from organisations outside of government where necessary. 3. What is the expected budget for this project? There is an expected budget of up to £93,000 available. 4. Do you anticipate that a shared spreadsheet (e.g. MS Excel) would provide sufficient database functionality or do you anticipate more complex functionality using database entry forms, different access rights per user and/or workflow functions will be required? A shared spreadsheet could provide all the necessary functionality though other approaches will also be considered. 5. Would BEIS allow a supplier to share the outputs publicly and subsequently build on the outputs developed under this contract (for example if a supplier had already planned to develop something similar as an open source resource to plan to meet net zero policies)? This could be possible but would depend on whether the data in the database was in any way sensitive.