Scope
Reference
NE060825BS
Description
Quantification of the exposure and effects of high impact pesticides in native bat species is required to allow conservation of protected species and represents essential novel national research of international standing.
Presence of pesticides in bat species, including from within the UK and England have been identified. However, the impacts of their toxicity have not been assessed. These facts are compounded by the fact that native bats are K-strategist species, are relatively long lived, have a high metabolic rate and therefore high nutritional intake requirements and undergo hibernation, all contributing to high risk from exposure to pesticides. Insectivorous bats consume agricultural pests in large numbers and so have a high exposure rate to pesticides whilst fulfilling a value ecological service and benefit to agriculture.
All these factors make bat species suitable as indicators of pesticide exposure and effects. Pesticides will likely have an additive, synergistic or possibly antagonistic toxic effect upon exposed wildlife. It is essential to consider the toxic load of all relevant active substances together to determine risk to protected bat species.
Direct effects from exposure to pesticides in bats can be accessed via analysis of residues in bat carcasses and subsequent risk assessment.
It is proposed that up to 50 bats are analysed annually for high-risk pesticides. To elucidate effects of detected pesticides residues research will be required to allow determination of suitable toxicological thresholds for use to interrogate the exposure data. Only limited data exists in this area, comparison and adjustments will be required after considering all suitable international data available, including those from toxicological studies in other species such as mice.
The pesticide residue results from bat specimens will be reported with associated developed novel effect assessment methodology analysis to present a likely risk to these protected species.
As this work will be of both national and international importance there is also the opportunity to present the data and outcomes via a paper published in international science literature.
This work is designed to feed directly into the effects of chemicals on D4/D5 indicator species conducted by DEFRA Pressures.
Total value (estimated)
- £20,000 excluding VAT
- £25,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 September 2025 to 13 March 2026
- 5 months, 18 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
12 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached.
Your response must be sent to graeme.shaw@naturalengland.org.uk by 12 midday on 12/09/2025.
If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to graeme.shaw@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
No
Award criteria
Full details available in the RFQ.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
20250804_RFQ_BatSurveillance (1).doc
RFQ
20250804_Order Form NE Standard Goods & Services Terms and Conditions_BatSurveillance (1) (1).docx
Order Form
LIT 63284 - Guided Buying_Commercial Response Basic (1) (1).docx
Commercial Response
Contracting authority
Natural England
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJDG-6588-XDMM
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Graeme Shaw
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government