Science Engineering Delivery Framework - Soft Market Testing

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) wishes to engage Suppliers in a Soft Market Testing (SMT) exercise in anticipation of the procurement of contractors for delivery of works and services under a new Science Engineering Delivery Framework which will support the redevelopment of the Animal Plant and Health Agency facility at Woodham Road Addlestone, known more commonly as APHA Weybridge. The purpose of this SMT exercise is to optimise the procurement process for all parties. Some of the key objectives from DEFRA’s perspective being to: • Assess and understand the structure, capability and capacity of the market, particularly concerning the specialist areas and services; • align the procurement process with the skills, capabilities and capacity so that confidence within the market is maximised; • understand what steps may encourage and increase market appetite; • understand our suppliers’ supply chain requirements and any conflicting demands that may exist in the market; • improve team integration via aligned and clearly understood requirements so that effective collaboration follows; • understand the market’s risk tolerance for the proposed works; • understand the market’s perception of the Client; • assess approaches that may encourage collaboration; e.g. by softening contractual interfaces; • explore and understand the market view of incentivisation and reward for effective collaboration and maximum productivity, and; • provide the market with an opportunity to ask questions and raise queries at an early stage. In summary, it is recognised that the effectiveness of the procurement process will be governed by the appetite of the firms engaging with the procurement process. Understanding the market’s view of the risks, their chances of success and their ability to meet the demands will enable us to optimise the procurement process accordingly.