VBA Joint Venture, EA Finalise Contracts (UK)

VolkerStevin, alongside joint venture partners Boskalis Westminster and Atkins (VBA Joint Venture Limited), have finalised contracts with the Environment Agency for its Water and Environment Management (WEM) Framework in Lot 4 Asset Delivery.

The £1bn framework, which will be in place between 2013 and 2017, focuses on reducing the risk of river and coastal flooding, as well as securing social and environmental improvements.

The VBA Joint Venture is one of six asset delivery partners for the agency; works will include early contractor involvement, design, project management and construction delivery.

The WEM framework replaces the current National Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Agreement (NEECA) and National Contractors Framework (NCF) as the EA’s main asset delivery vehicle. The new framework has a greater focus on introducing efficiencies through the packaging of work as design and build projects, as well as an aim to lead the way in sustainability.

Mark Gardner, director of VolkerStevin, said: “The companies within the VBA Joint Venture have already demonstrated first class delivery to the client through work in the NCF and NEECA frameworks and we are all delighted to be continuing that work with the Environment Agency going forward.

“VBA provides a sound engineering base to share best practice and innovation, which will help deal with the new extremes of weather creating problems in our existing infrastructure.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm the successful suppliers for the Water and Environment Framework. We very much appreciate the time and effort that bidders have put into this tender exercise.

“The award was based equally on price and quality and meets our objective of delivering the best value to the taxpayer. We are committed to transparent procurement and detailed feedback has been provided to all the bidders.

“Over the next four years, we will be investing £1 billion to reduce the risk from river and coastal flooding and we are looking forward to working with the new suppliers to help achieve that.”

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Press Release, October 3, 2013