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EcoSF4: Lake Phytoplankton Analysis 2026/27

DEFRA

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2026 at 18:07

Award Notice
Award

14 Aug 2026 at 18:07

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

DEFRA procured specialist lake phytoplankton analysis services under the EcoSF4 programme. The work covers samples collected from lakes in England and requires analysis using the Utermöhl technique to identify phytoplankton to the species level from a provided list, together with identification, enumeration and biovolume assessment. This is a scientific research service, classified under research services, rather than a supply, construction or general laboratory support requirement. DEFRA is the buying organisation, with its commercial function based in London. The requirement is focused on freshwater ecological analysis and the production of species-level data from lake samples, making it relevant to environmental laboratories, freshwater ecologists and specialist aquatic research providers with the necessary analytical capability.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a selective call-off from a framework agreement. APEM Ltd was awarded the contract on 14 July 2026. The awarded value is £153,003.33, with a contract period from 14 July 2026 to 31 July 2028. The published procurement value and the award value are the same. The requirement was treated as a single service package, with no separate lots recorded. The procurement was classified as a service and was not identified as suitable for SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises. The award is active, so this outcome records a selected supplier and an operating contract rather than an opportunity to submit a bid.

For a future requirement of this kind, a credible competitor would need demonstrable expertise in freshwater phytoplankton analysis and the ability to apply the Utermöhl technique consistently to lake samples. The work demands species-level identification against a specified list, reliable enumeration and biovolume assessment, so suppliers would need suitably trained taxonomic analysts, appropriate microscopy and sample-handling facilities, and robust quality-control processes. They would also need the capacity to process samples collected across England and provide defensible ecological data to a government buyer. The award indicates demand for a specialist environmental research provider able to deliver repeatable analytical outputs at a substantial, multi-year service scale. The buyer’s use of a framework call-off also makes framework access and experience of structured public-sector delivery commercially relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

EcoSF4: Lake Phytoplankton Analysis 2026/27

Notice Description

Lake phytoplankton analysis using the Utermohl technique to the species level of provided list. Provide identification, enumeration and biovolume assessment of lake phytoplankton samples collected from lakes in England.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/16f53a67-c0a4-40f7-b3a7-bc3e6f691cac
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£153,003 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£153,003 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
14 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 2-3 years
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
DEFRA
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 3HX
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

APEM Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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