RESEARCH INVESTIGATING WHETHER MARINE MICROPLASTICS CAUSE HARM IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Publication Date
28.07.2010
Nature of Contract
Service contract
Deadline
20.08.2010
Date of Document
Place of Delivery
Region
UK: LONDON
I.D.:
6082985
Type of Document
Tender (all procedures)
Description
Call for Expressions of Interest into Research Investigating Whether Marine Microplastics Cause Harm in the Marine Environment. Purpose of Document The purpose of this document is to invite potential R&D providers to express their interest in conducting research into furthering our understanding whether marine microparticles, in particular microplastic can cause `harm? when present in the marine environment, using an ?Expression of Interest? (EOI) form (SID2). This document outlines the expected requirements at the time of publication and provides guidance on the procedures for submitting Expressions of Interest. It should be read in conjunction with the Guidance on Submitting a Tender for Research to the Awarding Authority included in this EOI pack. It is our intention to post any additional open competitions on the Authority's Science webpages as is our usual practice at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/funding/competitions.htm. Details of all Defra?s research programmes can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/publications/index.htm Competitive Tendering & the EOI Process Defra considers open competition to be an important means of procuring research with the goals of ensuring high quality, fitness for purpose, effective delivery and value for money. To support this, Defra is committed to competitive tendering and much of the research for developing the Marine evidence base will be procured in this way. All research contract resulting from this EOI will be placed using Defra?s standard terms and conditions. Before submitting a full proposal for a Defra research competition, applicants should ensure that they can comply with these standard terms and conditions. Expressions of interest will be assessed using the following criteria: relevance of experience and expertise (50%), adequacy of plans for communication and disseminating of information (20%), and likelihood of meeting Defra?s aims (30%) For some projects more EoIs are received than can be included in the shortlist and whilst we will consider all EoIs, we may need to select those organisations with the most appropriate skills and experience and submission of an EoI should not be taken as a guarantee of inclusion in the list. All EoIs will be acknowledged upon receipt but because of the anticipated volume of responses, contractors who are not subsequently invited to tender for a particular project may not be specifically informed. Once a project starts, details will be published on the Defra web pages at http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/science/funding/sciencepro jects/index.htm Further details of ongoing research are also available at these web pages. It should not be assumed that all of the research topics listed within the EOI will be funded. Defra reserves the right to re-advertise research requirements or drop projects in certain circumstances e.g. should initial response appear inadequate to run a meaningful competition or should the scope of a research requirement change significantly. Rationale for Funding The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), adopted June 2008, sets out to more effectively protect the marine environment across Europe. It aims to achieve good environmental status of the EU?s marine waters by 2020, and to protect the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. Annex I of the Directive sets out 11 qualitative descriptors for determining good environmental status. Descriptor 10 pertains to marine litter and states that the; `properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment?. The European Commission Decision paper on criteria and methodological standards on good environmental status of marine waters states under descriptor 10 that there is a `need for further development of several indicators [listed under the marine litter criteria] notably those relating to biological impacts and to micro-particles, as well as for the enhanced assessment of their potential toxicity?. The persistence of plastics in the marine environment and degradation into smaller particles is well documented in scientific literature. There is evidence to suggest a rising trend of plastic fragments in the marine environment, and that some marine organisms are able to ingest these microplastics; including filter feeders, detritivores, deposit feeders etc. It is poorly understood how these plastic particles are bioaccummulated throughout the food web and whether, and at what levels, they may cause `harm? to marine biota. Project Requirements This study will contribute, through academic expertise and advice, scientific literature and the findings from this proj
CPV
73110000, 73112000, 73200000
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