- Lot 1. Food Science
- Lot 2 (was a2XTu000000WlDWMA0). Farming
- Lot 3 (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). Air Quality & Noise
- Lot 4 (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). Soil and Vegetation
- Lot 5 (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). Flood & Water
- Lot 6 (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). Marine & Fisheries
- Lot 7 (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Resource & Waste
- Lot 8 (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research
- Lot 9 (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Biodiversity; International and Domestic
- Lot 10 (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals
Scope
Description
Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence (ES RDE) Framework This is the second iteration of the RDE Framework. This notice follows on from: Research, Development & Evidence (RDE) framework, following the release of the Prior Information Notice (PIN) - (Research, Development and Evidence (RDE) Framework Renewal - Find a Tender) under the prior regulations (PCR32). Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-001205
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £192,000,000 excluding VAT
- £230,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2034
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
We anticipate the following 10 Lots / 34 Sublots; 1.1 - Supporting a resilient and secure food system 1.2 - Innovation, Equitable Growth, and Productivity in the Food System 1.3 - Safety and Confidence in food 1.4 - Supporting a sustainable and healthy agri-food chain 1.5 - Services supporting Agri-Food Chain Analysis 2.1 - Crop performance and protection services 2.2 - Livestock performance services 2.3 - Agronomy, nutrient management and sustainable system services 2.4 - Modelling toolkits, informatics and comparative life cycle assessment services 3.1 - Air quality analysis and expert services 3.2 - Air quality monitoring management, equipment and data for UK Networks 3.3 - Air quality Monitoring and Data - Project 3.4 - Modelling tools for air quality studies 3.5 - Air quality economics and socio-economic 3.6 - Acquisition and analysis of information for acoustics 3.7 - Understanding and interpretation of information for acoustics 4.1 - Soil and Vegetation 5.1 - Evidence reviews for water quality, water resources & flood and coastal erosion risk management, drinking water quality 5.2 - R&D for water quality, water resources and coastal erosion risk management and drinking water quality 6.1 - Clean & Safe Seas 6.2 - Healthy & biologically diverse seas 6.3 - Productive seas & freshwater systems 6.4 - Ocean climate science & international engagement 6.5 - Society & the sea 7.1 - Waste & waste management 7.2 - Circular Economy, Material resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption 8.1 - Plant Health Natural Sciences Research & Evidence 8.2 - Animal Health Research and Evidence 8.3 - Animal Welfare Research and Evidence 8.4 - Forestry Research and Evidence 9.1 - Nature and climate analysis 9.2 - People, finance and health 9.3 - Food systems and global trade 10.1 - Chemical Research
Lot 1. Food Science
Description
1.1 - Supporting a resilient and secure food system 1.2 - Innovation, Equitable Growth, and Productivity in the Food System 1.3 - Safety and Confidence in food 1.4 - Supporting a sustainable and healthy agri-food chain 1.5 - Services supporting Agri-Food Chain Analysis
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,070,952 excluding VAT
- £3,685,143 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2 (was a2XTu000000WlDWMA0). Farming
Description
2.1 - Crop performance and protection services 2.2 - Livestock performance services 2.3 - Agronomy, nutrient management and sustainable system services 2.4 - Modelling toolkits, informatics and comparative life cycle assessment services
Lot value (estimated)
- £40,196,438 excluding VAT
- £48,235,725 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3 (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). Air Quality & Noise
Description
3.1 - Air quality analysis and expert services 3.2 - Air quality monitoring management, equipment and data for UK Networks 3.3 - Air quality Monitoring and Data - Project 3.4 - Modelling tools for air quality studies 3.5 - Air quality economics and socio-economic 3.6 - Acquisition and analysis of information for acoustics 3.7 - Understanding and interpretation of information for acoustics
Lot value (estimated)
- £21,098,221 excluding VAT
- £25,317,865 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4 (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). Soil and Vegetation
Description
4.1 - Soil and Vegetation
Lot value (estimated)
- £30,647,331 excluding VAT
- £36,776,797 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5 (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). Flood & Water
Description
5.1 - Evidence reviews for water quality, water resources & flood and coastal erosion risk management, drinking water quality 5.2 - R&D for water quality, water resources and coastal erosion risk management and drinking water quality
Lot value (estimated)
- £30,647,332 excluding VAT
- £36,776,798 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 6 (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). Marine & Fisheries
Description
6.1 - Clean & Safe Seas 6.2 - Healthy & biologically diverse seas 6.3 - Productive seas & freshwater systems 6.4 - Ocean climate science & international engagement 6.5 - Society & the sea
Lot value (estimated)
- £21,098,224 excluding VAT
- £25,317,869 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 7 (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Resource & Waste
Description
7.1 - Waste & waste management 7.2 - Circular Economy, Material resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption
Lot value (estimated)
- £16,323,670 excluding VAT
- £19,588,404 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 8 (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research
Description
8.1 - Plant Health Natural Sciences Research & Evidence 8.2 - Animal Health Research and Evidence 8.3 - Animal Welfare Research and Evidence 8.4 - Forestry Research and Evidence
Lot value (estimated)
- £5,819,652 excluding VAT
- £6,983,582 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 9 (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Biodiversity; International and Domestic
Description
9.1 - Nature and climate analysis 9.2 - People, finance and health 9.3 - Food systems and global trade
Lot value (estimated)
- £11,549,118 excluding VAT
- £13,858,941 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 10 (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals
Description
10.1 Chemical Research
Lot value (estimated)
- £11,549,119 excluding VAT
- £13,858,943 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
1 February 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
272
Framework operation description
This framework is for procuring environmental science research services.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs • Environment Agency • Animal and Plant Health Agency • Natural England • Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science • Marine Management Organisation It is also anticipated this framework may be open to the following organisations; • Drinking Water Inspectorate • Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) • Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) • DESNZ / BEIS
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Food Science
Lot 2 (was a2XTu000000WlDWMA0). Farming
Lot 3 (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). Air Quality & Noise
Lot 4 (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). Soil and Vegetation
Lot 5 (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). Flood & Water
Lot 6 (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). Marine & Fisheries
Lot 7 (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Resource & Waste
Lot 8 (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research
Lot 9 (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Biodiversity; International and Domestic
Lot 10 (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
14 April 2025
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
9 June 2025, 11:59pm
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
26 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Technical / Quality response |
Quality | 45.00% |
| Commercial | Commercial |
Price | 40.00% |
| Sustainability (Including Social Value) | Sustainability (Including Social Value) |
Quality | 15.00% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
It is anticipated that this procurement will include the following stages. Conditions of Participation Evaluation Please note we reserve the right to request a Best and Final Offer (BAFO).
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