Tender

Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence (ES RDE) Framework

  • DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-015314

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04ef64 (view related notices)

Published 15 April 2025, 3:30pm

Last edited 17 April 2025, 10:15am

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Scope

Description

An open framework for Scientific Research and Development (R&D) and monitoring. It will cover the following thematic areas: Food Science, Farming, Air Quality and Sound, Vegetation and Soil, Flood and Water, Marine and Fisheries, Resource and Waste, Animal Welfare and Plant Health, Biodiversity and Chemicals. Contracts under the Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence Framework (ES RDE) will comprise creative work undertaken on a systematic basis to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. Basic research, applied research and experimental development research will all be in scope. Evidence covers a range of sciences including economics, social research, operational research, statistics, natural science, evaluation, engineering and geography.

Commercial tool

Establishes an open framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £192,000,057 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

  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Lot constraints

Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:

Contained in the Bidder Pack


Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK (was 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 a2XTu000000XlZeMAK (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 a2XTu000000XlZfMAK (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). 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 a2XTu000000XlZgMAK (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). 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 a2XTu000000XlZhMAK (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). 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 a2XTu000000XlZiMAK (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). 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 a2XTu000000XlbFMAS (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Air Quality and Sound

Description

3.1 Air quality analysis and expert services 3.2 Air quality monitoring management and data for UK Networks 3.3 Air quality Monitoring and Data Projects 3.4 Modelling tools for air quality studies 3.5 Air quality economics and social research 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
  • £25,317,865.20 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 a2XTu000000XleTMAS (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Flood & Water

Description

5.1 Evidence reviews for water quality, water resources, flood and coastal erosion risk management and drinking water quality 5.2 R&D for water quality, water resources, flood and coastal erosion risk management and drinking water quality

Lot value (estimated)

  • £30,647,332 excluding VAT
  • £36,776,798.40 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 a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research

Description

8.1 Plant Health Natural Sciences Research and Evidence 8.2 Animal Health Research and Evidence 8.3 Animal Welfare Research and Evidence 8.4 Trees and Forestry Research and Evidence

Lot value (estimated)

  • £5,819,652 excluding VAT
  • £6,983,582.40 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 a2XTu000000XlhhMAC (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals

Description

10.1 Risk Assessment 10.2 Risk Management 10.3 Socio-economic Assessment 10.4 Social Research 10.5 Data Analysis and Statistics for Chemicals and Pesticides 10.6 Understanding the Risks from Chemical Pollution

Lot value (estimated)

  • £11,549,119 excluding VAT
  • £13,858,942.80 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)

31 January 2034

Maximum number of suppliers

312

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

It is anticipated that the Framework will last eight years in total commencing 1st February 2026 until 31st January 2034. It is intended that it will be re-opened in its third year, and again in either the fifth or sixth years as the Authority deems necessary. At these points incumbent framework suppliers will have the opportunity to revise their Tender or they may leave their offer as per their last framework tender submission.

Award method when using the framework

With competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Defra group (including but not limited to Core Defra, EA, NE, MMO, APHA, CEFAS). It will also be procured on behalf of the following government organisations outside of the Defra group: • Drinking Water Inspectorate • Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) • Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)


Participation

Technical ability conditions of participation

Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK (was 1). Food​ Science

Lot a2XTu000000XlZeMAK (was a2XTu000000WlDWMA0). Farming

Lot a2XTu000000XlZfMAK (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). Soil and Vegetation

Lot a2XTu000000XlZgMAK (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). Marine & Fisheries​

Lot a2XTu000000XlZhMAK (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). Resource & Waste​

Lot a2XTu000000XlZiMAK (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). Biodiversity; International and Domestic

Lot a2XTu000000XlbFMAS (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Air Quality and Sound

Lot a2XTu000000XleTMAS (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Flood & Water

Lot a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research

Lot a2XTu000000XlhhMAC (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals

Bidders must meet the Conditions of Participation laid out in the Tender Documents.

Particular suitability

Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK (was 1). Food​ Science

Lot a2XTu000000XlZeMAK (was a2XTu000000WlDWMA0). Farming

Lot a2XTu000000XlZfMAK (was a2XTu000000WlLZMA0). Soil and Vegetation

Lot a2XTu000000XlZgMAK (was a2XTu000000WlNBMA0). Marine & Fisheries​

Lot a2XTu000000XlZhMAK (was a2XTu000000WlQPMA0). Resource & Waste​

Lot a2XTu000000XlZiMAK (was a2XTu000000WlS1MAK). Biodiversity; International and Domestic

Lot a2XTu000000XlbFMAS (was a2XTu000000WlTdMAK). Air Quality and Sound

Lot a2XTu000000XleTMAS (was a2XTu000000WlVFMA0). Flood & Water

Lot a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC (was a2XTu000000WlWrMAK). Animal, Plant and Forestry Research

Lot a2XTu000000XlhhMAC (was a2XTu000000WlYTMA0). Chemicals

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

2 June 2025, 12:00pm

Submission type

Requests to participate

Tender submission deadline

16 June 2025, 12:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome Submissions must be made via the Authority's eSourcing platform.

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

16 October 2025


Award criteria

This table contains award criteria for this lot
Name Type Weighting
Technical Quality 45.00%
Price Price 40.00%
Social Value Quality 15.00%

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Competitive flexible procedure description

This procurement is being conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Completion and submission of all documents will be conducted via the Authority's eSourcing system. There will be three stages as follows: Stage One - Conditions of Participation At this stage of the procurement Tenderers will be asked to submit their Procurement Specific Questionnaire and the response to the Conditions of Participation. 1.1 Conditions of Participation and Procurement Specific Questionnaire Tenderers must complete a series of questions to allow the Authority to confirm their eligibility to participate in the competition, together with core supplier information, additional exclusions and debarment information. Tenderers will not progress to the Technical Response stage if they do not pass this stage. Stage Two - Tender Stage 1.2 Technical Response Tenderers must respond to a series of technical questions as outlined on the Authority's eSourcing system. Responses will be evaluated as described in this document and the Authority's eSourcing system. If Tenderers fail to meet any minimum scoring requirements, they will be eliminated from the competition and not progress to having their Commercial Response assessed. Suppliers must upload their Form of Tender otherwise their submission will not be considered. 1.3 Commercial Response Tenderers must complete the commercial envelope as detailed on the Authority's eSourcing system. Responses will be evaluated as described in this document and the Authority's eSourcing system. Scores from the technical and commercial sections will be added together to arrive at a total weighted score. The most advantageous tenders for each lot will be the Tenderers with the highest final scores. Tenderers will be notified about whether they have been successful in securing a place on the Framework. Stage Three - Preferred Bidder Stage An intended award list made up of preferred bidders will be finalised, and final negotiations will be conducted with those suppliers who have been selected. Please note that this tender will be tendered, evaluated and awarded on a sub-lot basis.


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