PFAS Risk Screening Project, Phase 4, Work Package 2 -4

A Tender Notice
by DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL

Source
Find a Tender
Type
Contract (Services)
Duration
29.5 month
Value
£2M
Sector
INDUSTRIAL
Published
14 Jul 2022
Delivery
To 08 Feb 2025 (est.)
Deadline
23 Aug 2022 14:00

Concepts

Location

United Kingdom:

Geochart for 1 buyers and 0 suppliers

1 buyer

Description

The overarching PFAS Risk Screening Project, now in its fourth phase, aims to assess and tackle the risks arising from a group of “forever chemicals” which are contaminating soil, groundwater and surface waters and pose a risk to human health. Polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad group of synthetic fluorinated organic chemicals which are extremely persistent in the environment. Some are bio-accumulative and toxic, and/or highly mobile. PFAS are a group of more than 4,700 man-made chemicals (OECD, 2018), the two most well-known of which are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Increasing awareness of the widespread presence of PFAS in environmental media has heightened regulatory concerns about their potential risks to human health and the environment. A recent evidence review by the EA has identified large data gaps in relation to the uses, sources, and mass emissions of PFAS in the UK. This report recommends further research and investigative work to evaluate the sources, both current and legacy, that are contributing to the widespread nature of this family of contaminants. To ensure effective allocation of resources and appropriate targeting of mitigation actions, we need to better understand the sources of PFAS, the pathways by which these chemicals can impact key receptors and the relative significance of these substances in environmental media. This programme of work (Phase 4) is a programme of work comprising six sub projects, which again aim to build on preceding stages, furthering our knowledge of these chemicals and the risks they pose, with increased focus on highlighted sites of concern. This notice outlines our intention and approach to procure the following three work packages through an open competition, with a sub lot for each package of work. WP2 - Lot 1. Development of Best Practice Guidance WP3 - Lot 2. Detailed Assessment of Potential PFAS Problem Sites: o In-depth desk studies of x10 highlighted problem sites o Site investigation of x1 prioritised site (Grosvenor Chemicals) WP4 - Lot 3. Economic Appraisal

Lot Division

1 Development of Best Practice Guidance
  • Duration: 10 month
  • Value: £100K

The primary objective is to develop a reference guide aimed at those involved in the regulation of sites of concern due to the impact, or potential impact, from PFAS and associated chemicals. Staff can refer to the guide when faced with sites highlighted under voluntary schemes, regulatory regimes, or pollution incidents. The guide will provide background to the problem, the nature and characteristics of these chemicals, and the tailored approach necessary to best assess the risk, apply regulatory controls and ultimately implement mitigation measures (if necessary). The step-by-step guide will adopt the classic land contamination evaluation approach, indicating how at each stage of site assessment the site evaluation strategy should be conducted when considering contaminants of this nature.
2 Detailed Assessment of Potential PFAS Problem Sites
  • Duration: 29.5 month
  • Value: £1M

This work package includes two separate but linked activities which are to be combined under a single Lot. The first component relates to delivering a series of desk studies for sites of concern. The second involves progressing one of these desk studies, where historic evidence has already led to formal site determination and designation under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, into an intrusive site investigation.
3 Economic Appraisal
  • Duration: 1.5 year
  • Value: £100K

The objective is to build on the outputs of Phase 3 which, using the results generated by the GIS model, aimed to categorise and quantify the number of potential problem PFAS sites across England. To assess the recommendations from this Phase 3 task, and develop an approach and ultimately deliver a report, detailing the nature of the PFAS problem across the Country together will a mechanism for deriving costs to highlight the financial scale and burden of the problem.

CPV Codes

  • 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
  • 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

Indicators

  • This is a one-off contract (no recurrence)
  • Renewals are not available.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** The Environment Agency expressly reserves the right: (i) Not to award or enter into any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by the publication of this notice; (ii) To make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition; (iii) To award 1 or more public contract(s) in relation to part only of the requirements covered by this notice; and/or (iv) To award a contract(s) in stages. In no circumstances will the Environment Agency be liable for any costs incurred by the Applicants/Tenderers and their associated parties. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgment of potential Applicants and the Environment Agency will not be responsible for any such expenditure.

Reference

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