Decision(s):
(1) the tender process to procure Terrestrial Ecological Mapping Services for 2025 for the north west coast via the national network of coastal monitoring programme’s framework be approved.
(2) The Assistant Director - Operational In-House Services be delegated responsibility to award the contract to the preferred bidder.
Reason(s) for the Decision(s):
In compliance with Sefton Council’s Contract Procedure Rule 1.10.1, a Pre-Procurement Report is required to be submitted in order to secure approval to commence a procurement exercise.
Sefton Council has been the lead authority for the North West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme (NWRCMP) since 2007, collecting and analysing data to inform decisions relating to coastal erosion and flood risk management issues and support the delivery of the Shoreline Management Plan.
The programme is 100% grant funded by the Environment Agency and aligns with their funding programme.
In 2011 the national network of coastal monitoring programmes was established with all the regional programmes around England agreeing to work together. This national network has coordinated bids for the programme.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
Habitat mapping could be procured individually and independently by each Coast Protection Authority through separated procurement processes. This would require additional officer time and resources for each procurement exercise and could lead to a lack of consistency between surveys and reports.