Research and Development Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)

To provide specialist analytical services of solids, liquids and gases collected during the course of the Coal Authority's investigations, studies, trials and test work. This is taken to include, but not be limited to, materials/solid characterisation (such as XRF, XRD, sorption profiles, etc.), NORM analysis, radon analysis, rare element analysis, microscopy, microbiology, biochemical analysis, rock thermal property analysis, rock core analysis (including imaging, geophysics fracture mapping), specialist analysis of environment water tracers, as well as other novel analysis techniques as required. It is expected that laboratories on the framework will specialise in only some of these services individually but will have demonstrable prior experience in delivering such services. This will include responsibility for making arrangements to transport samples from their collection location to the laboratory under any required storage conditions.

To provide a range of field monitoring services to support scientific investigations by the Coal Authority and partners across Great Britain (including Central Scotland, the North of England, the Midlands, The South West of England and Wales (North, Central and South)) on Coal Authority and third party sites. The services will include but not be limited to drone surveys, other surveys (such as topographical, ecological, geophysical etc.); monitoring and collection of measurements from boreholes, shafts, adits including water levels, water flow, water temps and collection of water samples and microbiological samples; odour, dust and air quality monitoring; Water, solids, air, plant surveys, specialist surveys, detailed soil chemistry, mineralogy; assessment of capping and revetments; ochre and sediment sampling; Installation of loggers and monitoring devices for: water level, temperature, chemical, water flow and other environmental sensors.

To support the above, suppliers will be expected to produce suitable risk assessments and method statements for all work, review and agree monitoring or other plans with the client prior to commencement and liaise with the client's appointed laboratory to ensure timely collection of all samples for analysis. It is expected that suppliers will only specialise in some of these services individually but will have demonstrable prior experience in these areas of specialism. Although full geographical coverage is preferred, suppliers who can only service certain areas will be considered. It is expected that suppliers will provide demonstrably suitably trained and competent staff to carry out these works.

To design & deliver fundamental research projects and programmes in areas of interest to the Coal Authority in response to challenge calls issued by the Coal Authority through this framework. Areas of research will be related to the Coal Authority's ongoing activities that include, but are not limited to coal and metal mine water treatment, mine water heat, spoil tip management, public safety & subsidence, mining information and waste & by-product recovery and reuse.

To support the above suppliers will be expected to undertake the following activities:

• Design & delivery of suitable research programmes, trials and experiments
• Provide detailed budgets and financial reports
• Project management
• Production of agreed deliverables, such as progress reports, technical reports, papers and presentations
• Provision of suitably trained and competent staff to undertake the agreed research activities including field work on Coal Authority and/or third party sites

It is expected that individual suppliers will only have expertise to address certain areas or challenge calls within this scope and will have demonstrable prior experience of successful delivery of fundamental research projects in areas relevant to the Coal Authority's activities.

To develop and demonstrate innovative techniques, services, equipment & processes to support the Coal Authority's activities in response to challenge calls issued within this framework. This will include, but not be limited to, application of fundamental research in real environments, proof of concept and piloting, translation of technologies from other industries, process optimisation and improvement, techno-economic studies and cost estimation, definition of business metrics and market analysis.

To support the above suppliers will be expected to undertake the following activities:

• Design & delivery of suitable programmes, trials and studies
• Provide detailed budgets and financial reports
• Project management
• Production of agreed deliverables, such as progress reports, technical reports, papers and presentations
• Provision suitably trained and competent staff to undertake the agreed innovation activities including field work on Coal Authority and/or third party sites

It is expected that individual suppliers will only have expertise to address certain areas or challenge calls within this scope but will have demonstrable prior experience of successful delivery of innovation projects in areas directly related to, or closely aligned to the Coal Authority's activities.

To provide expert advice and review to the Coal Authority's R&D and innovation programmes that includes, but is not limited to:

• Advice, guidance and challenge on programmes, strategies and processes
• Peer review of project design
• Peer review of technical deliverables
• Peer review of trial results and outcomes

It is expected that suppliers will be, or provide named individuals with recognised expertise relevant to the Coal Authority's areas of activity and with demonstrable prior experience of undertaking research in the areas they will be providing advice and peer review on.

To support and/or manage the operation and maintenance of our R&D trials and our developing technologies. This will include, but not be limited to, the commissioning and subsequent operation and maintenance of small to large scale mine water treatment trials, diffuse pollution trials, bench scale trials, tip management treatment trials (such as re-vegetation trials), and management and maintenance of check wear trials.

In order to support the above requirements, suppliers will be expected to undertake the following activities:

• Design & delivery of suitable programmes, methodologies and trials and studies
• To have the experience to identify change and to modify designs in response to changes during the lifetime of the trial(s) to allow for optimisation and refinement of O&M procedures
• Provide detailed budgets and financial reports (As required)
• Project management
• Production of agreed deliverables such as site diaries and optimisation reports
• Provision of demonstrably suitably trained, practical and competent staff to undertake the agreed operations and maintenance works on Coal Authority and/or third party sites

It is expected that individual suppliers will only have expertise to provide services for certain R&D areas within this scope, but will have demonstrable prior experience of the successful operation and maintenance of R&D trials in the areas directly related to, or closely aligned to the Coal Authority's key activities.

To develop, design and build virtual/lab/field scale trials for Coal Authority R&D trials and our developing technologies. This will include, but not be limited to; the application for all required permitting and planning permissions, provisions of all health and safety documentation, risk assessments, and method statements, detailed engineering drawings and supporting calculations

To support the above, suppliers will be expected to be conversant in the following activities:

• Writing of R&D proposals with 'Proof of Concept'
• Development of Feasibility business cases, and providing all relevant supporting documents and evidence for these business cases
• The ability and experience to act as Principal Contractor and carry out any duties associated with the Principal Contractor on site
• Experience in translating the design into a build schedule and programme, and flexibility to modify designs during the lifetime of the trial, if and as required
• Project management and providing detailed budgets and financial reports as required

Production of agreed deliverables, such as progress reports, technical reports, papers and presentations

• Provision of suitably trained, experienced competent staff to undertake the agreed works, including construction type works on Coal Authority and/or third party sites

It is expected that individual suppliers will only have expertise to address certain areas or challenge calls within this scope but will have demonstrable prior experience of successful delivery of Design and Build projects in R&D in areas directly related to, or closely aligned to the Coal Authority's activities.