PFAS Risk Screening Project (Phase 4)

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. In order to ensure effective mitigation actions are appropriately targeted, we need to better understand the sources of PFAS, and the pathways by which these chemicals can impact key receptors. Previous phases of the project have led to the development of a high-level risk screening model. This layered GIS model helps to identify potential problem zones across England using a multi-criteria analytical approach to evaluate risk. The model allocates scores based on respective weightings applied to key criteria – all designed around the source-pathway-receptor type strategy. Based on the outputs of the model, and our growing understanding of the nature and extent of the PFAS problem, under Phase 4 we intend to focus in on specific facilities and zones of concern to both validate the model and target resource.
Phase 4 will be divided into five Lots and suppliers are invited to bid for one, several or all of the Lots. A single contract will be awarded for each Lot and each Lot will be evaluated independently from each other. The Environment Agency has secured funding to deliver this work over the next three financial years. It is anticipated that some of the Lots will have a clear start and end date, whilst others will be dependent on findings, which may lead to additional tasks being required. We will therefore be requesting a fixed cost to deliver the Year 1 work defined in the Specification for each Lot and fixed rates which will be used to deliver subsequent work should it be required. It is anticipated that work under Phase 4 Contracts will begin at the end of August 2022. Each Lot has an estimated timeline for completion as indicated below. Lot 1 – 12 months Lot 2 – 12 months with option to extend into Years 2 and 3 depending on outputs and recommendations Lot 3 – 12 months with option to extend into Year 2 Lot 4 – 12 months with option to extend into Years 2 and 3 depending on outputs and recommendations Lot 5 – 12 months with option to extend into Year 2