UK SBS PR19110 Sampling and Analysis of Groundwater at selected locations on the island of Ireland

***THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE ONLY*** The final date and time for the submission of bids is Thursday 20th August 2020 at 11:00 DO NOT apply directly to the buyer. All tender information MUST be submitted through the Delta eSourcing Portal. *Please note: MAXIMUM BUDGET IS 160,000 EUROS* This is for the sampling and analysis of groundwater at selected locations on the island of Ireland.

This work is part of the Catchment Care project. The CatchmentCARE project is being funded through the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programme's Body.

Match-funding has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in Ireland making a total of €13.8 million. The aim of CatchmentCARE is to establish 3 water quality improvement projects in the Finn, Blackwater and Arney Catchments and install 50 boreholes across the region.

This will be achieved through 3 policy actions, 6 catchment actions and 3 community actions which were selected based on three critical criteria; measurable impact on water quality; transferable beyond the 3 catchments; and contribute to a project legacy. The actions selected will address water quality issues related to hydromorphology, point and diffuse sources of pollution, farm nutrient management practices, characterisation and monitoring of groundwater quality, lag times in response to the implementation of measures and an economic analysis of the cost of achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive in the 3 catchments.

The Catchment Care project will install 50 borehole groundwater monitoring points. Installation will take place over the summer/autumn of 2020 and into 2021.

It is anticipated that 18 boreholes will be completed in 2020 and the remainder in 2021. The successful tenderer is required to undertake sample collection and onsite analysis at the 50 boreholes installed and 12 springs.

Drilling is not expected to commence until August 2020 then it is anticipated that 1 sampling round will take place at possibly 18 boreholes/12 springs starting in November 2020, 3 sampling rounds at 50 boreholes/12 springs in 2021 and 2 sampling rounds at 50 boreholes/12 springs in 2022, this may vary. If the BGS requires sampling at additional sites, the successful tenderer will be offered the opportunity to undertake this work at the rates provided in the initial tender.

It is anticipated that no more than 5 additional sites will be added to the programme, although some sites may be replaced. During each of the sampling rounds, duplicate samples will need to be taken.

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This contract will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria set out in the ITQ document Additional information: **THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE ONLY*** How to Apply UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) will be using the Delta eSourcing Portal for this procurement. To register on the Delta eSourcing portal please use the link https://uksbs.delta-esourcing.com and follow the instructions to register.

If you are already registered on the Delta eSourcing Portal and wish to participate in this procurement, please use the link: https://uksbs.delta-esourcing.com and the follow the instructions to 'Login' Once you are logged into the system you will be able to link yourself into this procurement using the Access Code TT4UK4E4F2 Please disregard any content in this notice that requests your organisation "to apply directly to the buyer" as this unfortunately a system generated error, that is outside of the Contracting Authorities control. DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO BUYER All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, for procurement values that exceed Regulation 5 (Threshold amounts) Responses must be received by the date in the tender documentation; responses received outside of the deadline or not sent via the Delta eSourcing portal will not be accepted or considered further for this opportunity.

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The contracting authority expressly reserves the right: i. not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;and ii. to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement; and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by any supplier. If the contracting authority decides to enter into a contract with the successful supplier, this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded.

Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of bidders. About UK Shared Business Services UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) brings a commercial attitude to the public sector; helping our contracting authorities to improve efficiency, generate savings and modernise.

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