Next Flood Warning System (NFWS)

Concepts

• information technology
• geographic information systems
• information systems
• flood risk mapping systems
• forecasting systems
• telemetry systems
• gis systems
• address systems
• satellite systems
• the next flood warning system

Location

London

Description

The EA has used a flood warning system (FWS) to deliver a flood warning service to the public, partners and the media for over twenty years. The current system has remained largely unchanged for many years. FWS is supported by satellite systems maintained by the EA and third-party suppliers in order to provide accurate and up-to-date information to users. This is a complex technology estate, and includes telemetry systems, forecasting systems and services all feeding into messages being issued from the FWS.The purpose of this notice is to announce the award of the contract (which shall commence on 4th March 2024) for the next flood warning system (NFWS). Please refer to II.2.4.1 for further information.

Total Quantity or Scope

The capabilities required for NFWS are summarised below:a. to implement and cutover to the Supplier Solution in its entirety (the "Beta") within eighteen (18) months of the Effective Date;b. to provide the core NFWS functionality for Users within England:• define (geographic) Operational Boundaries and Target Areas;• provide a Common Operational Picture by region;• create Warnings and manage Warnings in force;• allow Users and Organisations to Register to receive Warnings;• issue location-based Warnings and other Messages through multiple Contact Channels;• obtain contact details for Unregistered Users for a region;• ingest data or publish data to GIS systems, address systems, flood risk mapping systems, telemetry systems, forecasting systems, and data sharing systems.c. provide product delivery, user-centered services, IT Service Management and hosting;d. provide the capability to introduce future services, such as additional geospatial services, new Contact Channels (e.g. social media, smart devices, mobile app), new flood and/or geospatial related digital services, and new Message types (e.g. environment related incidents, such as drought); ande. provide the option for other Defra Group bodies, Risk Management Authorities, and other UK government departments to utilise the Services.NFWS must have a product roadmap which includes functionality readily available in the proposed product suite beyond the functionality currently stated in the draft Contract that the EA may wish to implement via the Change Control Procedure. In addition, the Supplier must propose new ideas, innovations, and service improvements via a bi-annual Continuous Improvement Plan.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The initial contract duration will be 6 years (commencing 4th March 2024) with the Environment Agency having the option to extend the Contract by an aggregate duration of up to an additional four years in increments of 2 years (6+2+2).

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 72222300 - Information technology services
• 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
• 64216000 - Electronic message and information services
• 48333000 - Contact management software package
• 38221000 - Geographic information systems (GIS or equivalent)
• 64212100 - Short Message Service (SMS) services
• 48000000 - Software package and information systems
• 48512000 - Interactive voice response software package

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

The contract value is expected to be up to £23,853,272.15 (net of VAT) during the overall maximum 10-year term (6+2+2), which includes the cost of implementation, ongoing operational service charges, contract extensions, contract changes and an allowance for indexing of prices. The contract value is an estimate only and will be dependent upon whether an extension (in part or in whole) is enacted, whether any optional services (in part or in whole) are enacted, the extent of any contract changes, and the indices used to index prices.The Environment Agency (EA), an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), has entered into the contract as the contracting authority on behalf of itself, with the option for the following bodies to utilise the services procured under this contract:(a) Other Defra group bodies (as defined at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#department-for-environment-food-rura... (b) Risk management authorities (as defined in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 as an “English risk management authority” at https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/29/section/6); and(c) Other UK government departments (as defined at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations).