Local Resource Option Screening Study near Margate

The Environment Agency seeks a supplier to deliver a Local Resource Option (LRO) Screening Study for a group of ten farms located near Margate, covering 3,744 ha (with 2,414 ha currently irrigated). These farms specialise in high-value irrigated crops (e.g., potatoes, onions, cereals some livestock farming and stewardship, with water abstraction being critical for production. The farms lie within the River Stour catchment, near environmentally sensitive sites (SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar) and already hold abstraction licences, with voluntary restrictions applied during dry years to prevent regulatory action.

The study aims to identify, screen, rank, and evaluate local water resource options to improve resilience of supply and security for these farms. One pre-selected option is water sharing among participating farms. The methodology and tools for screening and ranking (provided in the appendices) must be applied.

Scope of Work

• Engage with farmers, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, regional water groups and other stakeholders.
• Collect and review baseline data on farming practices, abstraction licences, water availability and projected demand.
• Undertake a water balance assessment, identify potential local water resource options and screen/rank them using the provided methodology and spreadsheet tools.
• Select the top three preferred LROs, including the pre-selected water-sharing option, for detailed evaluation covering yield, cost, security of supply modelling, and environmental and social impacts.
• Identify barriers, risks, and next steps for scheme development.
• Deliver an executive summary, technical report, screening spreadsheet, presentation slides and summary findings for participating farmers.

Key Deliverables

1. Screening and ranking spreadsheet (Environment Agency template).
2. Draft and final technical report covering methodology, baseline conditions, stakeholder engagement outcomes, ranking results, detailed evaluation of top three LROs, barriers, and next steps.
3. Summary slides for farmer engagement.
4. Weekly progress updates and biweekly virtual meetings with the Environment Agency.
5. Final presentation to study participants.

Project Management & Timescale

• Duration: 3.5 months, including stakeholder workshops, screening and ranking, and two report review stages.
• Weekly progress reports (via email) and fortnightly review meetings required.
• Contract budget: £25,000 - £30,000 (excl. VAT).

Evaluation

Tenders will be assessed 60% on technical quality (understanding of project and local area, methodology, project management, Gantt chart, team experience) and 40% on cost. AI use must be declared but is not scored.