- Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK. Food Science
- Lot a2XTu000000XlZeMAK. Farming
- Lot a2XTu000000XlZfMAK. Soil and Vegetation
- Lot a2XTu000000XlZgMAK. Marine & Fisheries
- Lot a2XTu000000XlZhMAK. Resource & Waste
- Lot a2XTu000000XlZiMAK. Biodiversity; International and Domestic
- Lot a2XTu000000XlbFMAS. Air Quality and Sound
- Lot a2XTu000000XleTMAS. Flood & Water
- Lot a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC. Animal, Plant and Forestry Research
- Lot a2XTu000000XlhhMAC. Chemicals
Scope
Reference
C28693
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.
This notice informs the market of the award of suppliers who have been awarded a place on a framework only. There are no guarantees of work or contract value made as a result. All 'contract' values refer to total 8-year lot values.
A redacted copy of the agreement, which is the same for all suppliers, is available on request.
Due to system limitations in publishing the full volume of contracts and supplier information, all relevant details are provided in the following link:
Please ensure that you click the 'download' option to get the full text of the notice. The information contained in the link has been shared with tendering suppliers as detailed.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK. 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 a2XTu000000XlZeMAK. 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 a2XTu000000XlZfMAK. Soil and Vegetation
Description
4.1 - Soil and Vegetation
Lot a2XTu000000XlZgMAK. 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 a2XTu000000XlZhMAK. Resource & Waste
Description
7.1 - Waste & waste management 7.2 - Circular Economy, Material resource efficiency and Sustainable Consumption
Lot a2XTu000000XlZiMAK. 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 a2XTu000000XlbFMAS. 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 a2XTu000000XleTMAS. 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 a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC. 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 a2XTu000000XlhhMAC. 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
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
31 January 2034
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
This is a multi-supplier agreement.
Prices will be based on the agreed rate card showing rates for described roles.
Call of contracts under the Framework may be placed by either Direct Award or Further Competition depending on value.
There will be no limit to how long a call off contract issued under the Framework can last. No single call off contract will be more than £4,999,999.99 in value.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without 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)
Contract 1. Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence Framework (All Lots)
Lots
Lot a2XTu000000XlZdMAK. Food Science
Lot a2XTu000000XlZeMAK. Farming
Lot a2XTu000000XlZfMAK. Soil and Vegetation
Lot a2XTu000000XlZgMAK. Marine & Fisheries
Lot a2XTu000000XlZhMAK. Resource & Waste
Lot a2XTu000000XlZiMAK. Biodiversity; International and Domestic
Lot a2XTu000000XlbFMAS. Air Quality and Sound
Lot a2XTu000000XleTMAS. Flood & Water
Lot a2XTu000000Xlg5MAC. Animal, Plant and Forestry Research
Lot a2XTu000000XlhhMAC. Chemicals
Supplier
Contract value
- £192,000,000 excluding VAT
- £230,400,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
19 December 2025
Contract dates
- 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2029
- Possible extension to 31 January 2034
- 8 years
Description of possible extension:
This Open Framework will last eight years in total commencing 1st February 2026 until 31st January 2034. It will be re-opened in its third year, and again in either the fifth or sixth years as the Authority deems necessary.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Submission
Submission type
Tenders
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Supplier
Withheld Section94 Supplier
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBXY-3232-WNHZ
Withheld address line 1
Withheld Town
SW1A 2AS
United Kingdom
Email: witheldemail@noreply.com
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Environmental Science Research, Development and Evidence Framework (All Lots)
Contracting authority
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government