Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment Services and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Services for the first revision of the National Planning Framework.

Tender description

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) invites tenders to this request for tenders from economic operators for provisions of services as descripted in Appendix I to this RFT (the "Services"). In summary, the Services comprise: a. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the first revision of the National Planning Framework, which complies with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/42/EC and the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 to 2011; and b. a screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) of the first revision of the National Planning Framework, which complies with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and S.I. No. 477/2011 (European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011), as amended; c. subject to the results of the AA screening process, an AA of the first revision of the National Planning Framework including preparation of a Natura Impact Statement (NIS), which complies with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations (2011) (S.I. No. 477 of 2022), as amended (2021). d. A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) of the first revision of the National Planning Framework, which complies with the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) and the European Communities (Assessment and Management of Flood Risks) Regulations (2010) (S.I. No. 122 of 2010). Tenderers should note that there is no guarantee that the Assessment referred to at 1.2(c) will be required. On receipt of the Screening Report referred to at 1.2(b), the Ecological Applications Unit (EAU) of the Contracting Authority will make a decision on whether the successful tenderer will be requested to proceed with the assessment referred to at 1.2(c). Tenderers should note that the EAU has completed an AA Screening Determination dated 5 July 2023 of the Road Map for the First Revision of the National Planning Framework and determined, in accordance with Regulation 42A(8) of S.I. No. 477/2011 (European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011), that an AA of the Draft Framework is required because it cannot be concluded, on the basis of objective scientific information following a Screening for AA, that the Draft Framework individually or in combination with other plans or projects will not have a significant effect on a European site or sites. The Contracting Authority is seeking one supplier for the requirements of this RFT. It is currently envisaged that the successful Tenderer will commence work in September 2023, subject to issue of a letter of appointment and signing of the contract.