News -2007 -Call for Expressions of interest

Call for Expressions of interest

13 March 2007

Funding and delivery arrangements for the Marine ALSF for FY2007/08 have been confirmed.  The MEPF has been allocated £2.5M and English Heritage have allocated £700k for marine projects from their total fund.

EOIs are now sought for the following projects:

MEPF 07/01 - Broad scale Regional Environmental Characterisation study for the Thames region

MEPF 07/02 - Broad scale Regional Environmental Characterisation study for the South Coast region

These projects are expected to complement the industry-led REA process by providing a broader regional environmental context against which sub-regional significance can be robustly considered, and will involve the collection and interpretation of data to describe the seabed features, habitats, and species and features, including items of heritage interest, that exist at a regional scale centred on current marine aggregate licensed interests.

Priority setting is not concluded, but that the expectation is that each project would cost at least £600k, with an upper range of £800k.  Data collection must be completed in the period May to October.  Surveys may include observer client representatives.

EOIs must specify all project partners and attach CVs of the individuals involved.  Criteria for the shortlisting of the EOIs will focus on:

  • Demonstrable track record of managing and delivery of large projects
  • Leaders for the major survey components to be defined
  • Practical work must be scheduled from end May and concluded by end Oct
  • Deliverables required under the project specification to be reported by end February 2008

EOIs must be submitted to Kate Francis, MEPF Secretariat, Cefas Lowestoft, NR33 0HT by 1700h Monday 26 March 2007.  Please refer to the Bidding page for further instructions.

Shortlisting will take place on 28 March, and shortlisted bidders will be required to submit fully costed proposals by 18 April 2007 and attend an evaluation interview in London on Monday 23 April, with a view to projects starting 1 May 2007.

A further call for EOIs for smaller projects which address the remaining research priorities identified in the Marine ALSF Science & Information Strategy will be publicised via this website.