Sustainability Framework · UK public procurement notice

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) understands that sustainable development is the only way to keep on track to a better and more sustainable future. We have an ambitious Enterprise Sustainability Strategy ‘Our Guiding Compass’. The TRU Sustainability Services Framework is designed to support the existing TRU Sustainability Team. Its purpose is to ensure that the TRU Sustainability Team has timely access to qualified and experienced sustainability professions, thereby enhancing their ability to adapt to evolving business demands.

The TRU Sustainability team requires resources to support with fulfilling specific responsibilities linked to discharging the sustainability requirements, managing the TRU Enterprise Level Sustainable Development Strategy, collecting and managing data for periodic reporting against the sustainability objectives and targets and undertaking assurance activities against the delivery partners. Additionally, sustainability support is required within TRU Central 'hub team'.

The Framework will serve as the default mechanism across TRU for engaging Sustainability Service Providers over the next five years, with the option to extend it for up to three additional years on an annual basis.

The Framework Agreement covers multiple sustainability disciplines, outlined below:

• Biodiversity and Ecology
• BREEAM (Sustainability Certification)
• Carbon
• Environmental Management
• Social Value
• Plus other disciplines which may be required in the future (Acoustics, Air Quality, Heritage, Landscape and Visual Impact)

TRU requires Sustainability Service Providers to support at two different scales:

• Programme Scale
• Project Scale (TRU Central - W2BC)Description of the goods, services or works to be procured

Key aspects of the TRU Sustainability roles will include :

1. Lead and Develop Plans: Oversee and continuously improve the Biodiversity, Carbon, BREEAM, Environment and Social Value plans to achieve targets, including 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and carbon reduction across the TRU program.
2. Monitor and Update Strategies: Ensure the ongoing relevance and compliance of biodiversity and carbon management processes, and update them according to the latest DEFRA standards and other relevant guidelines.
3. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with various stakeholders (TRU Delivery Pertners, local authorities, special interest groups) to identify biodiversity offset and social value opportunities and promote sustainability initiatives.
4. Support and Collaborate: Work with Network Rail and TRU Delivery Partners to align sustainability practices with the broader TRU Sustainability Strategy, focusing on environmental and social value outcomes.
5. Conduct Training and Reporting: Develop and deliver training programs on sustainability and coordinate regular reporting on sustainability performance, including Power BI and other tools.
6. Chair and Lead Forums: Organize and lead forums (e.g., Biodiversity Forum, Carbon Reduction Forum, Social Value Forum, BREEAM Forum) to drive performance and share best practices in sustainability.
7. Manage Data and Compliance: Ensure accurate data management and reporting using appropriate tools and respond to reporting requests from Network Rail and DfT.
8. Support Strategic Initiatives: Contribute to the development of the TRU Sustainability Strategy, including appraisals and business case inputs, ensuring alignment with NR/L2/ENV/015 and other key requirements.
9. Identify Best Practices: Recognise and celebrate sustainability successes within the TRU program, promoting best practices and continuous improvement.
10. Ensure Certification and Assurance: Manage sustainability certifications (e.g., BREEAM Infrastructure), coordinate reviews, and assure deliverables related to sustainability certifications and standards.
11. Undertake environment and social assurance activities to monitor legal compliance and strategy and standard compliance

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