Scope
Description
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) require a specialist courier supplier to manage the secure, time-critical collection and international delivery of approximately 2,000 consignments per year. While these volumes are indicative and cannot be guaranteed, the consignments include high-risk materials classified as Category A (UN2814 & UN2900) and Category B (UN3373), which must be transported both within the UK (including Northern Ireland) and globally, covering Europe, Non-EU countries, and other international destinations. Due to the specialist nature of the consignments, the suppliers must hold appropriate licenses for the transportation of infectious substances, manage chilled and dry ice shipments, provide import services, and navigate complex customs clearance procedures.
Total value (estimated)
- £955,000 excluding VAT
- £1,146,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 2 months
Description of possible extension:
Extensions will be subject to service demand and satisfactory contract performance.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 64120000 - Courier services
- 64121000 - Multi-modal courier services
- 64100000 - Post and courier services
- 60411000 - Scheduled airmail transport services
- 60400000 - Air transport services
- 64113000 - Postal services related to parcels
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
- 60161000 - Parcel transport services
- 64121200 - Parcel delivery services
- 64110000 - Postal services
- 64121100 - Mail delivery services
- 60421000 - Non-scheduled airmail transport services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
5 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
14 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via this portal.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 January 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 September 2029
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Evaluation | Quality | 50.00% |
| Commercial Evaluation | Cost | 50.00% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Following the evaluation of both Stage 1 of Technical and Commercial, the authority reserves the right to reissue the technical evaluation questions, pricing schedule, or any part thereof to the two highest scoring bidders, or any other bidder that has scored within 3% (total score) of the highest scoring bidder, for a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). This is an optional stage for the Authority to ensure that the Most Advantageous Tender is selected, that the requirement has been fully understood, and that bidders are provided a fair chance to compete where the Authority does not feel ready to award after Stage 1 evaluation. Bidders should submit their best possible tender and price in the first instance, as it is not guaranteed that this stage will be used.
Contracting authority
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHC-6261-BLLQ
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Summary of their role in this procurement: Defra is working on the procurement on behalf of the APHA.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster