SCAH Interim Technical Services

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), science estate in Weybridge, which forms part of DEFRA, was created in 1917 and provides the UK's primary capability for managing the extensive and continuously evolving threats posed by the spread of high risk diseases carried by animals.

The purpose of the Science Capability in Animal Health (SCAH) programme is to secure the future of the Weybridge Science Campus. This internationally important site is the United Kingdom's (UK) main animal health science capability, which manages significant risks posed by animal diseases to human and animal health, it underpins UK economic activity and trade in Products of Animal Origin (POAO).

DEFRA is undertaking a substantial works and refurbishment programme to upgrade the facilities at the Weybridge site. This contract is one of several that DEFRA intends to enter into with a range of suppliers in relation to the programme

The contract has been awarded by way of a direct award under DEFRA's existing Engineering Delivery Framework (EDF) Agreement.

The Supplier shall be required to quickly and efficiently gather all current site information, undertake targeted client interviews with APHA and Defra stakeholders and workshops with other team members, in order to understand the current programme thinking, key issues and gaps in definition, with a focus on those areas which present the greatest risk to cost, schedule and the programme objectives.

It is essential that the supplier has the knowledge and expertise to work at pace to obtain an in depth knowledge and understanding of SCHA's site's infrastructure, constraints and opportunities, and has a full appreciation for the need to plan and manage client engagement, via clearly defined workshop and meeting objectives. It will also be critically important that the supplier manages the requirements, interfaces and change from the outset, at the same time as applying a 'one team' approach, working collaborative with APHA, Defra and the overall supply chain.

A robust stakeholder management process shall be put in place by the Supplier, utilising digital tools such as DOORS tool, in order to capture, trace, analyse, optimise and manage changes in user requirements in accordance with the IPA's Project Routemap guidance. This process will culminate in an updated RIBA 1 Feasibility study report, produced by the Supplier, which will form the foundation of the RIBA 2 Concept design.

Due to the nature of the site and its facilities, it is essential that the Supplier has extensive ACDP 4 experience.

The programme for delivery of the services is to be agreed in accordance with the applicable NEC4 PSC terms. The parties are targeting completion of all services within a 12 month period. However, if PBC Submission Support services are required and cannot be timetabled within an initial 12 months, services may be provided for a further period, estimated at 3 months.