Chemicals
The Chemicals Consultancy Programme
The objective of the Consultancy Programme is to the development of policy to minimise the risks to the environment (and any consequent risks to human health) from exposure to chemicals. Defra often calls upon consultants who are experts in their field to provide advise in such policy development. The proposed Consultancy Programme for 2002/03 can be found below.
- Risk reduction strategy for decabromodiphenyl ether: This substance has been highlighted as one of high concern across Europe. The Government now needs to evaluate the various options for controlling this chemical.
- Regulatory impact assessment for copper chrome arsenic (CCA) and new substances: The EU Marketing and Use Directive imposes controls on this chemical that impact highly on UK industry. IN order to negotiate, the Government urgently needs a regulatory impact assessment to be drawn up.
- Risk reduction strategy for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS): The highly persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic nature of this chemical entails that a strategy for risk reduction be drawn up urgently.
- EU white paper: The European Commission is expected to publish its proposals for a new European chemicals strategy in December 2002. The current regulatory impact assessment will need to be updated in light of these proposals.
Other possible projects under consideration by Defra are:
- Drawing up a risk reduction strategy for chromates
- Drawing up a risk reduction strategy for medium chain-length chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs)
- The evaluation of strategies that have been produced by other member states within the EU.
Guidance to potential contractors:
Defra is committed to competitive tendering and much of the Environmental Protection Directorate-General's research is commissioned in this way. Invitations to tender are issued to a selected number of potential contractors to bid for a contract on the basis of a specification setting out the particular requirement for the work.
Expressions of interest
Contractors wishing to be considered for inclusion on the tender lists for any of the new projects outlined above are invited to complete the Expression of Interest Form and return it to the appropriate contact point. However, it must be stressed that funds are not yet guaranteed to ensure that the above projects will take place.
The expressions of interest submitted on the attached form will be considered in the process of drawing up a shortlist, usually three to six names, depending on the nature of the project and the extent of expertise amongst potential contractors.
As the number of expressions of interest may exceed the number of potential contractors who will be invited to tender, an expression of interest should not be taken as a guarantee of inclusion in the list. Those who submit expressions of interest but are not invited to tender for a specific project will not be informed.
Invitation to tender
An invitation to tender will be accompanied by a specification of the proposed research and the terms and conditions governing the proposed contract. The specification will usually set out the background to the requirement, the aims, what contractors are expected to provide in the tender and a date for the receipt of tenders.
Assessment of tenders
Tenders will be assessed in terms of value for money taking account of the quality and costs of the contractor's proposals and other issues relevant to the particular project. This may include the following issues:
- The contractor's understanding of the issues being addressed;
- Familiarity with previous relevant research;
- The experience of the research team;
- Arrangements for managing the research;
- The proposed costs and distribution of resources.
Awarding of contracts
The assessment of tenders normally results in the selection of a preferred tender, although the Department is not bound to accept any tender. On occasion, some contractors are invited to make a presentation on their proposals to assist in the assessment process. All tenderers are informed of the outcome in writing.
Page last modified 10 May 2006
Page published 4 December 2002