Official UK procurement notice
Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 2,3,4,5 & 7
Authority: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (Public body)·On behalf of: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
What is being bought9 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionLot 2 - Confined Spaces Training
Lot 3 - General Health & Safety Training
Lot 4 - Heavy Plant and Machinery Training
Lot 5 - Lifting and Winching training
Lot 7 - Site Management and Incident Response Training
The Environment Agency (EA) uses a range of plant and equipment to manage many sites and maintain thousands of assets across the country, to help save lives and protect the environment. As a Category One responder, reacting to thousands of environmental and flooding incidents and potential incidents each year, the training provided through this contract will not only prepare its staff for the work they carry out in their day jobs, but also their incident roles.
The EA must have a competent and confident workforce who carry out work to protect people and the environment by operating and maintaining its flood and coastal assets and responding to incidents.
The purpose of this procurement is to coordinate and deliver the required training, to the required standard.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Feb 2030, 23:59 GMT.
- How the procedure runs: This Competitive Flexible Procedure will not use a down-select stage but will use a supplementary process of a Preferred Supplier Stage with the winning tenderer(s). This will be used to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender(s), address any weaknesses in the submission and discuss economies of scale if a tenderer has been successful in more than one Lot. Please note that any modifications will not result in anything that would have the effect of altering the award outcome. This stage will consist of a meeting on Teams of about an hour between the Tenderer's and the Authority's representatives. The Authority reserves the right not to conduct this stage for each Lot if it feels that the discussions detailed above are not required.
CPV: E-learning services · Health and first-aid training services · Specialist training services · Staff training services · Technical training services
Lots and requirements (9)Procurement structure
9 lots · all with a published value (£9,906,250 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Chainsaw and Arboriculture trainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,523,197
Full suite of professional standards in chainsaw operations and tree management structured across Level 2 and Level 3 awards to enable operations field teams to carry out routine maintenance and incident response activities on standing and fallen timber in all conditions. It covers foundational skills such as chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting, and the use of powered pole pruners, as well as tree felling and processing for small to large trees. In addition, specialised modules address unique operational contexts, including in-channel obstruction removal and chainsaw use on floating platforms, ensuring adaptability to diverse environmental and operational challenges.
Lot #2Confined Spaces TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£121,212
Delivery of the suite of 6160 City and Guilds Accredited confined space entry and rescue courses (Water Based). This Lot also includes the delivery of 'Confined Space Awareness for Managers and Supervisors - R87' (similar to an Appointed Persons Course). The main audience for these courses are operational field-based staff who are required to enter confined spaces routinely. The types of confined spaces entered varies from culverts, penstocks, flow control structures, and pumping station wet wells. The R87 training is to help supervisors and managers ensure that suitable controls are in place, and for ensuring general legal compliance. The successful Tenderer(s) must have the ability to deliver on-site training via the use of a City and Guilds approved mobile entry simulator.
Lot #3General Health and Safety TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,216,210
A general Lot that focuses on equipping individuals with the technical skills and safety knowledge required for a range of operational tasks. Key areas include safe digging practices under EUSR standards, with novice and refresher courses to locate and manage utility services effectively. Other safety-oriented courses cover the use and inspection of fall arrest harnesses, ladders, scaffold towers, and working-at-height equipment. Training on hand tools, circular and band saws, and abrasive wheels ensures competence in handling both manual and power-driven equipment.
Lot #4Heavy Plant and Machinery TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,521,409
Delivery of a wide range of training covering the use of heavy plant and machinery including for use in construction and agricultural operations as well as to support the organisations operational and response work. The primary audience for this Lot is Environment Agency Field Operations staff with the purpose to enable them to operate heavy plant and machinery to a safe, effective and efficient standard to deliver their assigned work.
Lot #5Lifting and Winching TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,304,824
Delivery of training covering lifting and winching including during agricultural and forestry operations as well as to support the organisations operational and response work. The primary audience for this Lot is Environment Agency Field Operations staff with the purpose to enable them to safely and efficiently deliver lifting and winching operations to undertake their assigned work.
Lot #6MEICA Electrical trainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£168,643
The MEICA electrical Lot comprises of the following training courses: 1) Electrical Safety (General) - 2-day face to face course 2) Electrical Safety for the Management of Electrical Work - 2-day face to face course 3) Electrical Safety for Environmental Monitoring Teams - 1-day virtual course 4) Electrical Safety for Environmental Monitoring Teams, Wiring, Installation and Testing. 2-day practical face to face 5) Extra low voltage generation and battery storage - 1-2-day face to face
Lot #7Site Management and Incident Response TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,248,821
This Lot covers a broad spectrum of safety, operational, and maintenance skills including several levels of training for the New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) in Signing, Lighting, and Guarding for both operatives and supervisors. Additionally, there are specialised courses such as Pollution Response Training, Vehicle Marshalling, and practical training in deployment of Temporary Barriers and Small Pumps. These programs aim to equip individuals with hands-on experience and the necessary knowledge to handle site-specific challenges effectively. It also includes provision of safety-focused certifications like the Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) for novices, and Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) as well as a bespoke course for hazard awareness and risk assessment. This course is designed to improve the participants' ability to identify risks and manage safety in complex work environments, ensuring a safer and more efficient approach to operations and maintenance.
Lot #8Vegetation Control TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,995,608
A Lot covering a wide range of equipment used for vegetation management. Courses include the operation and maintenance of various plant utilised for vegetation management, including low gravity mowers, pedestrian and ride-on mowers, and Robomowers. The lot also covers heavier duty plant such as tractor-mounted flail cutters, front-end loaders, and weed-cutting boats. As a multi discipline Lot, we are also looking to cover hand tools such as brushcutters & hedge trimmers as well as more niche activities like stump grinders, woodchippers and chemical control including pesticide plugs, stem injection, and pesticide spraying certification. Novice and Refresher courses are required for each topic, to develop foundation knowledge in new staff, as well as testing that knowledge and competency on a 3 or 5-year refresher cycle.
Lot #9Vocational Drivers' TrainingAwardedRenewalPublished value£806,326
To deliver National (international not required) Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) training in blocks of seven hours either remotely or in a classroom environment at one of our premises. One of these blocks can be e-learning. Demountable body for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) novice and refresher courses. (multi-lift - Hook loader vehicle) - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Mounted Hydraulic Operated Crane (Novice & Refresher) (Attachments). This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Plant Loader securer (Novice/Refresher) - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Plant Mover - This training should be approved to count as DCPC hours through the successful Tenderer(s). Online Toolbox talks - Delivery (monthly) through an online platform with assessments. To maintain HGV drivers Continuing Professional Development (CPD) outside of DCPC and in line with the requirements of the Traffic Commissioner. This forms part of operator licence compliance and assists us with the accreditation of our Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Earned Recognition award. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) - For staff who do not hold a C, C1, C1E or C+E driving licence category and are required to drive our 4.25t Electric Vans (EV) must complete the required 5 hours of training designed to equip category B licence holders with the knowledge and skills required to operate zero emission vehicles weighing up to 4.25t. The primary audience for this Lot is Environment Agency Field Operations teams.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (3)
- Technical Evaluation: 50%
- Commercial Evaluation: 40%
- Social Value Evaluation: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Technical Evaluation
- Social Value Evaluation
- Commercial Evaluation
- Price carries 40 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 4 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Feb 2030
- First published
- 9 Oct 2025, 13:12 BST
- Last source update
- 15 Jan 2026, 09:26 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 23 Jul 2025
- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-011788- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fa18Find a Tender
- How it runs
This Competitive Flexible Procedure will not use a down-select stage but will use a supplementary process of a Preferred Supplier Stage with the winning tenderer(s). This will be used to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender(s), address any weaknesses in the submission and discuss economies of scale if a tenderer has been successful in more than one Lot. Please note that any modifications will not result in anything that would have the effect of altering the award outcome. This stage will consist of a meeting on Teams of about an hour between the Tenderer's and the Authority's representatives. The Authority reserves the right not to conduct this stage for each Lot if it feels that the discussions detailed above are not required.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 6 May 2025, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 14 Apr 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗ Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via this portal.
Timeline
28 Mar 2025 → 15 Jan 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published28 Mar 2025, 14:05 GMT
- Clarification questions by14 Apr 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline6 May 2025, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by23 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts11 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent376 days ago6 Oct 2025, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends361 days ago20 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published275 days ago15 Jan 2026, 09:26 GMT
Notice history
9 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 28 Mar 2025- Tender notice published28 Mar 2025, 14:05 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published31 Mar 2025, 08:44 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published9 Oct 2025, 13:12 BSTUK6
- Contract award notice published9 Oct 2025, 13:32 BSTUK6
- Contract signature expected21 Oct 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract signature expected22 Oct 2025, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published10 Nov 2025, 15:19 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published28 Nov 2025, 14:17 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published15 Jan 2026, 09:26 GMTUK7
Published amendments (1)
Updated Lot numbers
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-10: 2 releases · 9 Oct 2025, 9 Oct 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 6 · MEICA Electrical training1 award | |||
| supplier not published | — | 29 Sept 2025 | Awarded |
| Lot 8 · Vegetation Control Training1 award | |||
| T KIRK FORESTRYSMEEA Essential Site, Plant & Equipment Training Lot 823 Oct 2025 – 22 Oct 2028 · up to 22 Oct 2030Extensions: Two possible 12-month extensions | £1,995,608 | 29 Sept 2025 | Awarded |
| Across several lots2 awards | |||
| INTERTRAIN UK LTDSMEEA Essential Site, Plant & Equipment Training Lots 2,3,4,5 & 723 Oct 2025 – 22 Oct 2028 · up to 22 Oct 2030Extensions: Two possible 12-month extensions | £5,412,476 | 29 Sept 2025 | Awarded |
| Kielder Newport West LtdSMEEnvironment Agency Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 & 923 Oct 2025 – 22 Oct 2028 · up to 22 Oct 2030Extensions: two 12 month extensions available | £1,485,886 | 29 Sept 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
Essential Site, Plant & Equipment Training - lots 2,3,,4,5 & 7 · INTERTRAIN UK LTDSME
- Signed
- 12 Jan 2026
- Value
- £5,412,476
- Period
- 12 Jan 2026 – 27 Nov 2028 · up to 27 Nov 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Two possible 12-month extensions
8 agreed KPIs: Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower · Responsiveness · Delivery to Specification …
- Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower
- Responsiveness
- Delivery to Specification
- Provision of Management Information
- Reporting of Incidents and Non-attendance
- Locality of Courses
- Innovation
- Instructor CPD
Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lots 1 and 9 · Kielder Newport West LtdSME
- Signed
- 25 Nov 2025
- Value
- £2,329,523
- Period
- 5 Dec 2025 – 27 Nov 2028 · up to 27 Nov 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Two possible 12-month extensions
5 agreed KPIs: Provision of Management Information · Reporting of Incidents and Non-Attendance · Innovation …
- Provision of Management Information
- Reporting of Incidents and Non-Attendance
- Innovation
- Responsiveness
- Locality of Courses
Environment Agency Essential Site, Plant and Equipment Training - Lot 8 · T KIRK FORESTRYSME
- Signed
- 7 Nov 2025
- Value
- £1,995,608
- Period
- 28 Nov 2025 – 27 Nov 2028 · up to 27 Nov 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Two possible 12-month extensions.
7 agreed KPIs: Instructor CPD · Supplier Responsiveness · Delivery to Specification …
- Instructor CPD
- Supplier Responsiveness
- Delivery to Specification
- Provision of Management Information
- Locality of Courses
- Innovation
- Social Value: Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Chainsaw and Arboriculture training | 2final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Confined Spaces Training | 6final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
| 3 · General Health and Safety Training | 4final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Heavy Plant and Machinery Training | 6final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Lifting and Winching Training | 3final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 6 · MEICA Electrical training | 0final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 7 · Site Management and Incident Response Training | 5final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
| 8 · Vegetation Control Training | 0final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 9 · Vocational Drivers' Training | 2final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonINTERTRAIN UK LTD.SME · Yorkshire and the Humber · 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
- did not winCONSTRUCTION AND PLANT TRAINING SERVICES LTDSME · East of England · 2, 4, 7
- did not winGTEC TRAINING LIMITEDSME · South East England · 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
- did not winINFRATEC-UK LIMITEDSME · North East England · 2
- wonKIELDER NEWPORT WEST LIMITEDSME · Yorkshire and the Humber · 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
- did not winSUNBELT RENTALS LIMITED · Greater London · 2
- did not winP. FLANNERY PLANT HIRE (OVAL) LIMITED · Greater London · 3, 4, 7
- did not winPERTEMPS RECRUITMENT PARTNERSHIP LIMITED · West Midlands · 4
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSBeneficiary authority
- Department for Environment Food & Rural AffairsProcess contact pointProcuring entityundertaking the project on behalf of the EA
Bidders & participating suppliers
9 commercial parties on the notice · 3 awarded- CONSTRUCTION AND PLANT TRAINING SERVICES LTDBidder / tenderer
- GTEC TRAINING LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- INFRATEC-UK LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- INTERTRAIN UK LTD.Awarded supplier
- KIELDER NEWPORT WEST LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- P. FLANNERY PLANT HIRE (OVAL) LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- PERTEMPS RECRUITMENT PARTNERSHIP LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- SUNBELT RENTALS LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- T KIRK FORESTRYAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (10)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender