Scope
Reference
NE231025WHATEG
Description
At the GB scale, eider numbers have declined by c60% over the last 25 years. At an England scale, numbers have declined by c75% over 30+ years. Action to understand the causes of these declines and, if possible, to implement measures to halt or reverse the declines is urgent. Adult eiders preferentially feed on mussel, a resource which since 2012 has declined critically in Northumberland. This suggests that environmental changes leading to loss of mussel resources on this coast may have played some part in the eiders' decline. The present study is being commissioned to provide an assessment of food availability for eiders over the winter period. Eiders preferentially feed on mussels, a resource which since 2012 has declined critically in Northumberland. However, mussel beds persist in the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA, where wintering eiders occur. The study will determine the availability of mussels and alternate food sources at five sites in the region used by eiders. Intertidal rocky reef transect surveys will be conducted during the period of lowest possible tides in November or December (contingency) 2025. The period is chosen to assess the food availability to the overwintering eiders in the region. If interested, suppliers should provide: details of the methodology and approaches proposed to deliver the requirements of this project; qualifications and experience the proposed project team; a proposed timetable for the project, risk log, mitigation actions and a Gantt; and proposed project teams' experience and qualifications for operating safely in the environment and conditions required for the project.
Total value (estimated)
- £20,833 excluding VAT
- £25,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 7 November 2025 to 27 February 2026
- 3 months, 21 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71354500 - Marine survey services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
Participation
This procurement is reserved for
UK suppliers
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
28 October 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
4 November 2025, 5:00pm
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 daniel.donald@naturalengland.org.uk (cc catherine.scott@naturalengland.co.uk and jayden.endean@naturalengland.org.uk) by 17:00 on 04/11/2025.
If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to daniel.donald@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 are available in the RFQ.
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
Eider Food Availability - RfQ 2025.doc
Request for quotation.
Eider Food Availability - Order Form NE Standard Goods & Services Terms and Conditions 2025.docx
Order form
Eider Food Availability - Specification of Requirements 2025.docx
Specification.
NE_Commercial Response basic 2.pdf
Commercial response form.
Contracting authority
Natural England
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJDG-6588-XDMM
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Dan Donald
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government