Groundwater Modelling National Framework 2026 - 2034

Tender description

Groundwater Modelling National Framework 2026 - 2034 The aim of the national framework contract is to ensure that all relevant suppliers are available to deliver the Environment Agency's groundwater modelling programme. This includes SMEs who are not on any existing framework contracts. The contract also aims to ensure an efficient and consistent procurement service for groundwater modelling across all Environment Agency Areas, with standard specifications, KPIs and performance monitoring of suppliers. The framework should address the imbalances in the supplier market which is currently over-reliant on one consultancy whilst under-using the capacity of others. The framework will allow suppliers and the Environment Agency to resource modelling work which requires scarce skills. The framework will underpin the vision of a national once groundwater modelling service which supports all Environment Agency Areas to an agreed level of service, aligning timescales of model updates to business drivers and stakeholder requirements, such as updating of RAM ledgers internally, and WINEP investment cycles by Water Companies using the models. The framework will support additional services including the groundwater flood forecasting modelling service required by the Flood Forecasting Centre. The framework will also enable procurement of external technical reviewers for groundwater modelling, who are critical to sign-off of the models as capital assets. The framework will support the medium term ambition of the Environment Agency Water Resources team to expand the water resources capital programme.