SCAH Capital Programme Survey

Science Capability in Animal Health (SCAH) Capital Programme

The Purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN)

The PIN initiates pre-procurement market engagement with the supply chain to develop an understanding of market capacity, capability and appetite, and its aims are:

Interested suppliers/economic operators are advised to ensure that they review all the information provided, including the important points in section VI.3 additional information of the PIN, and to consider registering for further updates.

Principle public sector organisations involved

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA):

APHA is the primary occupant of the Weybridge science estate and works to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. APHA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs,

You can find out more about APHA here: Animal and Plant Health Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra):

Defra are responsible for improving and protecting the environment, aiming to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities. Defra also support our world-leading food, farming and fishing industries. Defra is a ministerial department, supported by 33 agencies and public bodies.

You can find out more about Defra here: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Defra is the Contracting Authority, for the purposes of this PIN, and the Contracting Authority will be confirmed in formal contract notices.

Together, Defra and APHA are developing the client capabilities required to deliver the SCAH Programme, through an Intelligent Client Function (ICF).

Background to the existing Weybridge science estate/facility

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) science estate in Weybridge, Surrey 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 current Weybridge science facility is a unique site with specialist research and laboratory facilities and capabilities for animal health science and disease control. The work undertaken at Weybridge:

 

SCAH Capital Programme

In March 2020 the Government committed to transform the animal science facility at Weybridge. The programme is aimed at safeguarding and enhancing the Weybridge science estate, providing additional world class, state of the art laboratory space and high level ACDP biocontainment facilities.

The SCAH Programme comprises the Transformation Programme and the Capital Programme. The SCAH Transformation Programme covers the development of new scientific, digital and facilities management operating models to allow APHA and Defra to fully deliver their long-term strategic objectives. It is planned to be delivered through the Defra/APHA client function alongside the SCAH Capital Programme.

The PIN relates specifically to the SCAH Capital Programme, which will be responsible for delivering the infrastructure and build environment requirements of the Transformation Programme.

Preparation and phasing of the Capital Programme

Commensurate with an undertaking of this scale and importance, preparatory activities are under way. SCAH early demolition works commenced on site in October 2021. The SCAH Programme is now in the preparation and planning tranche of activities, including the following elements:

Works and services will be managed and delivered via various Capital Programme projects, collated into groups as Capital Sub Programmes, as set out below. Whilst the sub programmes are at an early stage of development, the high level phasing and range based estimates, are outlined below.  An overarching logistics integrator role is being developed, to improve efficiency of delivery on an operational campus.

Capital Sub Programmes:
1. Capital Enabling Works and Services (net construction estimated costs range £50m - £75m)
- 2022 to 2027: Consolidation of existing operations and vacation of redundant facilities to create the footprint for the future Science Hub capital works, ensuring ongoing continuity of operationally critical science facilities through the duration of the SCAH Programme. Note the parallel Engineering Delivery Framework (in procurement) will deliver a proportion of these works and services.
2. Site Wide Infrastructure works and services (net construction estimated costs range £125m - £175m):
- 2022 to 2037: preparatory services to develop and deliver the requirements; and
- 2028 to 2037: works will overlap / interface with the main Science Hub works.
3. Science Hub capital works and services (net construction estimated costs range £650m - £850m)
 - 2022 – c. 2037: services to provide the design and develop the works, until completion and commissioning of the Science Hub; and
 - 2025 to 2035: logistics, construction and associated delivery of the Science Hub new builds.
4. Site Rationalisation (net construction estimated costs range £50m - £75m)
- 2032 to 2037: activities to support the commissioning and operation of the Science Hub, and rationalisation of the wider estate.
5. Campus Masterplan development to inform Town & Country Planning submissions.

Opportunities across the Capital Programme

The SCAH Capital Programme will present a wide range of opportunities in the short, medium and longer term, including but not limited to:

Professional services

Works

Key aspirations for the Capital Programme

In addition to the SCAH Programme transforming UK Science, there is the opportunity to contribute to the transformation of the UK Construction Industry. The SCAH Capital Programme will align to key Government strategies including Construction and Sourcing Playbooks (The Construction Playbook - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), National Infrastructure Strategy (National Infrastructure Strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) and the 25-year Environmental Plan (25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). These strategic principles will flow through operating and delivery models designed using good practice tools including the Project Routemap modules.

Defra is committed to embedding a safety-first culture, and focusing on well-being in everything we do, and wants to contract only with suppliers and partners that share and live the same culture.

Defra is seeking to engage with suppliers to deliver the experience, capabilities, capacity, best practice and innovative expertise across the Capital Programme. This includes the application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), to drive intrinsic and demonstrable value into the Capital Programme to reduce delivery risk on an operational campus, improve productivity and to secure cost and schedule certainty.

The focus on productivity and delivery certainty will also ensure the right quality is delivered and to minimise waste. Defra is committed to working in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way, working towards the Government’s aims to build back greener. (Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

Defra will embed the requirements for digital technologies through the application of BIM and is seeking to contract with suppliers that plan and deliver best practice, secure and innovative ICT systems, in support of delivery of the Capital Programme.

The SCAH Programme also presents an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy beyond the fifteen-year programme, and to realise significant social value benefits by:

The SCAH Programme is committed to providing opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) both locally and across the United Kingdom, either through contracting directly with Defra or indirectly with a Tier 1 services or works supplier to the SCAH Programme. Early opportunities exist now, and can be seen appearing in the Defra commercial pipeline referred to below.

​Engaging the market and sourcing activities

Defra intends to develop the SCAH Programme with the market in a fair, open, transparent and collaborative manner, that will be critical to the success of the programme. Defra will work in partnership with the supply chain to explore innovative models that can truly align objectives, and result in shared outcomes and shared success.

Opportunities will be identified in forward looking pipelines, referred to below, and where appropriate and to secure low risk and compliant outcomes, Defra will engage in early market testing, soundings and engagement.

Defra is the Contracting Authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (as amended) (“PCR 2015”) and will conduct its procurement activities in compliance with the prevailing regulations.

In developing its commercial and sourcing strategies, Defra will carefully consider the most appropriate routes to market for each procurement process, and this will cover a wide range of options. These include existing contracts and frameworks, third party frameworks that are available to Defra (e.g. Crown Commercial Services, NHS and so on) and new ‘go to market’ procurement processes.

Sourcing activities will be delivered in line with Defra’s internal processes (including One Way of Working), assurance and governance to ensure that each proposition complies with key underpinning principles including managing public money carefully, delivers best value for money and minimising whole life cost and risk.

Defra shall take effective measures to ensure that it protects the security and probity of its sourcing processes, including the prevention, identification, and remedy of conflicts of interest. Defra will set out further guidance during market engagement, and include specific controls and obligations on suppliers during the conduct of any procurement processes.

Suppliers/economic operators are advised to note that each opportunity will contain defined security criteria such as Cyber Essentials+ and National Security Vetting, depending on the nature of the opportunity and in line with prevailing government and specific programme security requirements.

How to register and next steps

Defra is inviting all tiers of suppliers/economic operators to complete this short questionnaire regarding their organisation and communication preferences. Registration will ensure interested suppliers/economic operators receive further updates on future SCAH Capital Programme procurements and market engagement activities. The programme intends to communicate with suppliers via email but reserves the right to use other platforms / methods of communication.
Any organisation wishing to express an interest in the SCAH Capital Programme can do so at any time prior to the procurement phase by contacting SCAHsuppliers@defra.gov.uk.

Please Note: