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Tees SPA Intertidal Mudflats and Sandflats Biotope Mapping

Natural England

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Sep 2026 at 13:20

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural England commissioned environmental survey services to map intertidal mudflat and sandflat habitats in the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area in north-east England. The work covers a Phase 1 and Phase 2 biotope survey, with sediment sampling that includes infauna and contaminants, followed by reporting. It is intended to improve understanding of the condition and ecological value of habitats including Seal Sands, Greatham Creek, North Tees Mudflat, North Gare Sands and Bran Sands. These coastal and estuarine areas support protected bird species and wider waterbird assemblages. The requirement is classified as environmental services and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement has been awarded following a selective call-off from a framework agreement. AECOM Ltd was awarded the contract on 17 July 2026 for £165,859.93 including the stated GBP currency. The contract period runs from 1 June 2026 to 21 December 2026. The award covers the full described requirement and was made by Natural England. The procurement record identifies the process as complete and the award as active. The tender submission deadline was 8 May 2026 at 12:00. The published outcome therefore records both the selected supplier and the agreed contract value and delivery period, rather than an opportunity for further submissions on this procurement.

This award demonstrates a defined requirement for specialist coastal and estuarine ecological survey capability from Natural England. A credible future competitor would need to plan and deliver intertidal biotope mapping across mudflat and sandy habitats, using both Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey methods. Relevant capability includes robust sediment sampling, assessment of infaunal communities, contaminant analysis and clear technical reporting. Suppliers should understand how habitat condition affects protected waders, terns and other waterbirds, and be able to work across a complex estuarine environment that includes tidal flats, beaches, channels and associated wetland habitats. The buyer has identified the requirement as suitable for SMEs, indicating that a suitably capable specialist consultancy could compete through the relevant framework route.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Tees SPA Intertidal Mudflats and Sandflats Biotope Mapping

Notice Description

The Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA), located in north-east England, encompasses a diverse mosaic of coastal and estuarine habitats. Despite historic land loss due to industrial reclamation during the 19th and early 20th centuries, substantial areas of intertidal sand and mudflat, saltmarsh, freshwater grazing marsh, saline lagoon, sand dune, shingle, rocky shore, and shallow coastal waters remain. These habitats support a range of nationally and internationally important bird species. Originally classified in 1995 for its European importance in supporting breeding little tern, passage Sandwich tern, wintering red knot, and passage common redshank as well as an assemblage of over 20,000 waterbirds. The SPA was updated in 2000 and extended again in January 2020. The most recent extension added breeding avocet, breeding common tern, and non-breeding ruff as protected features, along with additional areas of coastal and wetland habitat, the River Tees channel, and the shallow waters of Tees Bay. The estuary's intertidal mudflats are critical feeding grounds for SPA bird species, particularly waders. Seal Sands is the largest area of intertidal mudflat on the east coast of England between Lindisfarne and the Humber Estuary to the south (Figure 1). It supports high densities of invertebrate prey, especially for overwintering redshank and shelduck. However, ecological condition has declined in recent years due to the growth of opportunistic macroalgae [Opp Mac], which may be reducing food availability for key wader species. Smaller areas of intertidal mudflat occur elsewhere within the estuary, notably at Greatham Creek and Seal Sands (Figure 2), North Tees Mudflat (Figure 3). Sandy beaches such as North Gare Sands (Figure 4) and Bran Sands (Figure 5). These areas provide valuable foraging and roosting grounds for species such as red knot and sanderling and are integral to the SPA's ecological function and bird assemblage. To better understand the condition and ecological value of these habitats, we are seeking a contractor to carry out the following: A Phase 1 and Phase 2 biotope survey, including sampling of sediment, including infauna and contaminants Reporting

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-34feacae-1f63-4c13-bd72-7b8f6dd4c984
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/08dcadce-567b-4783-8841-247ce44b6c3e
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£165,859 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£165,859 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jun 2026 - 21 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Natural England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AECOM

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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