Scope
Reference
C32695
Description
This opportunity is an Open Procedure advertised by Defra group Commercial on behalf of Defra.
The Wye catchment covers two nations, and five counties, and contains a complex mix of land use, including agriculture, urban areas, and a wealth of protected sites. With this varied geography comes a complex stakeholder landscape, combining a range of values and interests. This also brings a range of pressures on the water environment of the catchment.
Defra and the Welsh Government are seeking to deliver a research project to investigate sources of pollution and pressures affecting the Wye and develop and test ways to improve land management for water quality using a ‘living-labs’ approach to test solutions with local stakeholders. Additionally, the project will identify best practice approaches to undertaking research involving complex stakeholder groups.
The aims of the research programme are to build on existing evidence and work alongside stakeholders to:
• Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river, in particular focussing on agricultural pollution
• Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management in the catchment
• Develop and test new ways to improve land management to improve water quality, which are suitable for the Wye catchment and will also be transferable to other catchments, using a ‘living-labs’ approach to test solutions
• Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow – the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species
• Understand best practice for undertaking research involving a complex stakeholder group.
This strategy aligns with other foundational initiatives such as the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Land Use Framework. For further information please visit Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 16 March 2026 to 17 April 2029
- Possible extension to 18 October 2029
- 3 years, 7 months, 3 days
Description of possible extension:
There is an option of a 6-month extension to the project due to unforeseen circumstances.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
1. Bidder Pack- Part One Core Requirements above threshold PA 2023
2. Bidder Pack - Part 2_Procurement Specific Requirements above threshold PA 23
3. Tender Specification
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 February 2026, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
18 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
12 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | E01 Approach and methodology 35% E02 Project management (including project plan) 30% E03 Proposed staff and contractor/sub-contractor expertise 25% E04 Risk 10% |
Quality | 60.00% |
| Price | Weighting to be evaluated will be 30% of 100% |
Cost | 30.00% |
| Social Value | SV01 Sustainability Weighting to be awarded will be 10% of 100% |
Quality | 10.00% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Concession
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
To ensure that the project’s objectives would be met, and to confirm the market appetite, a UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice was published on 10 December 2025, @4:02pm whilst a supplier event was conducted on 17th December 2025. The turnaround was amazing with 22 suppliers in attendance. There's a glitch with the system.
This project is Research and Development under Paragraph 22 of the Procurement Act.
Contracting authority
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government