Biodiversity Units Supply Framework for Capital Investment Projects

Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water are establishing a framework to purchase Biodiversity Units (BUs) to offset the environmental impacts of their capital investment programme. This tender seeks suppliers to provide approximately 700 BUs across two operating areas: Northumbrian Water (70% of requirement) and Essex & Suffolk Water (30% of requirement). The BUs required cover: • Area habitat units • Hedgerow units • Water course units • Coverage across multiple Local Planning Authorities and National Character Areas The companies welcome submissions from specialists delivering in specific areas or habitat types, as well as broad-solution providers and consortia. Suppliers should indicate a lead organisation if submitting as a group. Added value opportunities are encouraged, such as: • Biodiversity Gain Sites providing water quality improvements • Sites allowing public access • Sites creating local employment The framework will operate on two lots (North and South) with up to 6 vendors per lot. In addition to standard BU purchases, the companies are open to considering habitat gain sites built to order and option agreements to provide flexibility and best value. Suppliers are expected to help mitigate impacts on lower-value habitats primarily, though some higher-value habitat impact mitigation may be required due to existing asset connections. Local mitigation solutions are preferred where feasible.