Thames Estuary 2100 Plan - Next Delivery Vehicle - Market Engagement Registration

Tender description

The Next Delivery Vehicle (NDV) project represents the next iteration of the implementation of the Thames Estuary (TE) 2100 Plan (the Plan); a strategic plan that seeks to protect property, infrastructure, natural habitats and conservation areas that surround the River Thames Estuary from the risk of tidal flooding to the end of the century and beyond. (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/322061/LIT7540_43858f.pdf). <br/><br/>The Plan sets out how the Environment Agency can continue to manage tidal flood risk in the Thames Estuary that currently benefits 1.4 million people and £321 billion worth of property and infrastructure. <br/><br/>In this regard, the Environment Agency wishes to engage with all supplier types over the coming pre tender period to help us create a delivery model that is best placed to follow the strategic direction of the TE2100 Plan.<br/><br/>(Please see Section VI.3 for how to register your engagement interest). Lot 1: The NDV project is anticipated to be a multi-year capital delivery programme that aims to achieve the objectives of the Plan. This will involve; <br/> <br/>- Taking an optimised asset management led approach to maintaining and improving current flood risk management assets including flood walls, embankments, major barriers, flood gates and pumping stations. <br/>- Working with communities to develop visions for their future riversides. <br/>- Identifying and protecting land needed for future improvements to flood defences. <br/>- Securing 3rd party investment to deliver multiple benefits through flood defence works. <br/>- Engaging other asset owners to ensure that the Plan is applied everywhere in the estuary, not just to Agency assets. <br/>- Monitor how the estuary is changing in response to climate change. <br/>- Achieving a sustainable, low carbon future delivery programme. <br/><br/>The NDV project is seeking to optimise the Environment Agency's approach to asset management, building on both the successes and the lessons learnt from previous arrangements with a view to improving tidal flood risk management. <br/><br/>Over the multi-year contract period, typical works may comprise of the following; <br/> <br/>- Leading a holistic asset management programme to mitigate the risk of flooding to the River Thames Estuary. <br/>- The maintenance of fixed flood defence assets (e.g. walls and embankments) <br/>- The maintenance of active assets (e.g. barriers, gates and pumping stations) <br/>- The modification / upgrading of existing fixed and active flood defence assets, including the planning and implementation of raising defences in line with the Plan. <br/>- The creation of new fixed and active flood defence assets. <br/>- Design and technical services. <br/>- Supporting the Environment Agency in asset management planning and continuous improvement against its ISO55000 accredited asset management system. <br/>- Supporting the Environment Agency in fundraising activities. <br/>- Supporting the Environment Agency with engagement of third party flood defence asset owners, neighbouring developers and wider local authorities for the purposes of ensuring all risks of flood are mitigated. <br/>- Supporting the Environment agency in promoting and enforcing relevant legislation. <br/>- Actively promoting and demonstrating contributions to net zero goals. <br/><br/>This Prior Information Notice seeks to identify suppliers who wish to engage with the Environment Agency by providing their views on a number of specialist topics and help the Agency develop a suitable asset management delivery platform. <br/> <br/>It is expected that market engagement activities will be undertaken in phases, with each phase having a different focus. The first phase of engagement is expected to begin during the fourth quarter 2022 with subsequent phases running throughout 2023 until a full tender process is launched. Additional information: The term 'supplier', 'interested party' and 'organisation' used in the context of this Prior Information Notice shall be considered to mean any entity responding to the engagement activities prescribed within this Notice.