Scope
Description
The Authority would like to commission services for E.L.M Payment Rate Developments/Payment Rate Verification. The purpose of commissioning external delivery partners for the calculation and verification of payment rates is to ensure payment rates provide an accurate reflection of how farming or land systems are affected. This involves the Authority having access to specialist skills in different agricultural and ecological areas. Because payment calculations are concerned with the technicalities of farming systems, the programme wishes to commission bespoke ad hoc research projects to improve understanding of agricultural processes and how different farming systems may be affected by different payment designs. It is essential that the Supplier has good knowledge of the landscape of farming and land systems in England, the costs and revenues involved, and the assumptions behind them. A working knowledge of ecological practices of AES activities, costs, access to expertise in organics, marginal farming systems, and farming in protected landscapes. is required.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 November 2025 to 2 November 2027
- Possible extension to 2 November 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend - 2x 12 month extensions
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73110000 - Research services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
2 Lots - Lot 1: Payment rate development Lot 2: Payment rate verification
Lot 1. Lot 1: Payment rate development
Description
Lot 1: Payment rate development • Completion of annual payment rate review rates (expected to be 1/3 of SFI Payment rates) every year for publication deadlines, subject to the authority's need. • Completion of payment rate price base reviews every three years or more often in the case of an exceptional price review. • The deliverables in this case will be updated payment recipes and data for points 1 and 2 respectively added to the payments rate calculator spreadsheet. • 10 working days to complete payment recipes. Deadlines set in agreement at time of issue of work package. • Payment recipes updated on the Live Spreadsheet for verification, upon completion of work package.
Lot value (estimated)
- £666,666.67 excluding VAT
- £800,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2: Payment rate verification
Description
Lot 2: Payment rate verification • Completion of annual payment rate review rates (expected to be 1/3 of SFI Payment rates) every year for publication deadlines, subject to the authority's need. • The deliverables in this case will be a report on the accuracy of the payment rates developed including the accuracy of assumptions and data. • 10 working days to complete verification. Deadlines set in agreement at time of issue of work package. • Initial verification comments provided to the authority upon completion of work package. • Report compiling verification comments provided to the Authority following completion of large work packages. To be agreed at time of issue of work package.
Lot value (estimated)
- £333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £400,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1: Payment rate development
Lot 2. Lot 2: Payment rate verification
No
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1: Payment rate development
Lot 2. Lot 2: Payment rate verification
No
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1: Payment rate development
Lot 2. Lot 2: Payment rate verification
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 September 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 September 2025, 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)
14 October 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Weighting 80% |
Quality | 80.00% |
| Commercial | Weighting 20% |
Price | 20.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
Payment within 30 fays upon receipt of valid undisputed invoices following completion of work packages
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
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
Contact name: Lindy Macnamee
Email: lindy.macnamee@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government