River water quality: our responses to your questions
This policy note covers options that may be considered in relation to procurements under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and also in principle the options that may be considered for Natural Resources Wales’ wider commercial activities.
Covered by the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015.
Welsh Government have adopted a series of Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Notes (PPN) which contracting authorities can consider in response to Covid-19:
This helps us provide support to our suppliers and ensure service continuity during and after the current coronavirus outbreak.
We will consider options on a case by case basis but will seek to adopt the most risk-free option in the first instance.
To apply for this support please contact procurement.enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.
We will be able to offer support using the following methods:
This is for people who have benefited from the supplier relief provisions contained in PPN 02/20 ‘Supplier relief due to COVID-19’.
The advice note is based on the UK government’s Procurement Policy Note 04/20 to ensure service continuity during and after the COVID-19 outbreak, but has been tailored for Wales as appropriate.
Read the recovery and transition from COVID-19 procurement advice note.
This provides us with options to vary an existing agreement by way of contract modifications and is contained.
Variations must be compliant with the PCR2015 and specifically included within Modifications to Contracts (Regulation 72, PCR 2015). We will consider options to either extend, vary, suspend or terminate a contract on a case by case basis.
Read the latest procurement policy notes from the Cabinet Office
In some circumstances we may be able to offer further support using the following methods:
Where goods and services are either reduced or paused temporarily, we may continue to pay ‘at risk’ suppliers to ensure cash flow and supplier survival. This could include, for example situations where:
To qualify, suppliers should agree to act on an open book basis and make cost data available to the contracting authority during this period. They should continue to pay employees and flow down funding to their subcontractors.
The supplier must prepare and deliver to us in writing, an interim payment proposal which sets out details of the supplier’s proposals to vary the payment profile and/or other terms of the Contract to support its cash flow position during the Covid Relief Period, including details of any proposed interim payment structure to be put in place, which may include (but not be limited to):
We encourage all our leaseholders to consider the potential impacts of COVID-19, including their ability to make rent and other payments.
Check the most recent advice on the package of measures being introduced by Welsh Government for businesses which includes information on all COVID-19 related business support available from both the UK and Welsh governments.
Rent relief for our leaseholders will be dealt with on a case by case basis to ensure that leaseholders are fairly treated and where possible are appropriately supported during such extenuating circumstances. If an application for assistance is received and where business hardship is evident then we would assess each case on its merits, including:
Email us at enquiries@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk to discuss any emerging risks affecting payment terms us.