Support in carrying out Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) within the framework of the Site Selection Act (StandAG)

The tender comprises the award of services in the context of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) within the framework of the site selection procedure (StandAV), which is regulated by the Site Selection Act (StandAG). The client is the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE), which, among other things, performs supervisory, licensing, and regulatory functions in the area of nuclear waste management and final disposal in Germany. The Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE) acts as the project developer for the StandAV. - In Germany, approx. 27,000 m³ of high-level radioactive waste must be permanently and safely disposed of. The StandAG stipulates that with the StandAV, the site with the best possible safety for a final disposal facility in the Federal Republic of Germany is to be identified for this waste. This is done based on legally defined criteria and minimum requirements, with the involvement of the public and other stakeholders. Although the StandAG aims to determine the site by 2031, the work is taking longer than expected. - The StandAV is divided into three phases, with the services tendered here relating to Phase I of the StandAV. In the current Step 2 of Phase I, the BGE is collecting and evaluating geological data in order to identify site regions for surface exploration from the sub-areas. The BGE will likely submit the proposal for the site regions to be explored on the surface, along with the site-specific exploration programs for surface exploration, to BASE at the end of 2027. - In the course of defining the site regions for surface exploration, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (so-called Plan-SEA) must be carried out in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVPG). The Plan-SEA will identify, describe, and evaluate all direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with the definition of the site regions for surface exploration. This includes, in addition to the expected significant environmental impacts of surface exploration, also those of underground exploration and final disposal facilities. Furthermore, for each exploration program (EP), it must be determined whether it is subject to SEA using a Fauna-Flora-Habitat preliminary assessment and, if necessary, a case-by-case preliminary assessment (screening). If this is affirmed, an SEA must also be carried out for the respective EP (so-called EP-SEA). - The framework agreement being tendered covers the continuous consulting and operational support of BASE in carrying out the work related to the environmental assessments in Phase I. This includes, for example, the development of a method, taking into account potential layering, by which the environmental impacts of carrying out the plan and reasonable alternatives on the UVPG protected goods can be identified, described, and evaluated, taking into account cumulative effects. The method should enable a transparent, comprehensible, and reproducible comparison of reasonable alternatives. Furthermore, it includes, for example, the preparation of the investigation frameworks and environmental reports for the Plan-SEA and the EP-SEAs, as well as support in carrying out public participation procedures according to UVPG, in evaluating statements, and in documenting the results of the tendered services. - The provision of services is expected to last until 2032. This depends, among other things, on the progress of the StandAV and relevant legal decisions. - A more detailed project description, which explains the procurement project in detail, is included in the tender document "Leistungsbeschreibung" (Description of Services).