Award

Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Feb 2026 at 11:18

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate", classified under environmental services (CPV: 90700000). As part of its commitment to nature recovery and biodiversity enhancement, the agency sought to improve its understanding of its estate's biodiversity value. This procurement exercise was conducted through a selective method using a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract commenced on 16 February 2026 and is set to conclude on 31 March 2026. The procurement was suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and aimed to scrutinise various parcels of land across the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Europe, and beyond.

For businesses specialising in environmental services, this tender provided an excellent opportunity to align with government priorities in nature recovery efforts and contribute valuable expertise. The contract, awarded to Ove Arup & Partners Limited Primary, allowed for innovative approaches to conservation management, supporting the Environment Agency's strategic goals. Companies with capabilities in habitat evaluation, biodiversity auditing, and conservation planning likely found this procurement opportunity appealing. SMEs with specialised services could significantly expand their portfolio and foster growth by engaging in such strategic environmental initiatives.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate

Notice Description

Nature recovery is a key part of the Environment Agency's (EA) business and a government priority. We have committed to deliver healthy land, air and water that support nature's recovery by 2050, in our corporate strategy EA2030. One of the key mechanisms the Environment Agency has for contributing to nature recovery targets is our own estate, as this is where we have the most direct influence over securing biodiversity outcomes. Our estate comprises 17,309 ha (16,718 ha freehold, 591 ha leasehold) and is made up of a variety of habitat types. Most are small parcels of land that are geographically dispersed across the country and held for primary functional purposes linked to the EA's roles and duties. Around 8,900 ha (51%) of this land is covered by at least one conservation designation. Our current understanding of the biodiversity value of our estate is limited to data gleaned from land cover mapping data, interspersed with some local knowledge. We have broad scale habitat data for our estate but hold no data on the quality and condition of those habitats. Without this we are unable to: * accurately measure the contribution of the estate to the EA's nature and biodiversity footprint or our land-based CO2e emissions * accurately measure the natural capital value of the estate in our Natural Capital Register and Account Tool (NCRAT) * prioritise sites within the estate to contribute to nature recovery initiatives including the Defra Group Nature Recovery Plan, the Government Estate for Nature and the National Estate for Nature * develop conservation management plans that effectively balance biodiversity needs with asset performance * understand the ability of our landholdings to support BNG or carbon market units either for internal use or external sale * gauge the potential for individual parcels of land to deliver additional co-benefits by functioning as effective nature-based solutions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04ceff44-715e-41a4-a1f5-ec0f3d7ab2a0
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£56,339 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£56,339 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 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
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
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
Post Town
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

OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LIMITED PRIMARY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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