Award

UK Hydrocarbons Monitoring Network 2025-2027

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Apr 2025 at 11:08

Award

05 Feb 2025 at 13:45

Planning

26 Mar 2024 at 14:42

Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency invites tenders for the "UK Hydrocarbons Monitoring Network 2025-2027" contract, focusing on air quality management services across the UK. This procurement process is currently in the award stage, with Ricardo-AEA Ltd selected as the supplier. The contract aims to manage networks of air pollution monitoring sites for measuring and assessing Benzene and volatile organic compounds. Significant dates include the signing date on 25th March 2025, and the networks consist of both automatic and non-automatic elements. This initiative was carried out under a limited procurement method, which involved awarding the contract without prior publication of a call for competition due to the specific technical requirements and the absence of alternative suppliers.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in environmental monitoring and air quality management services. Companies with expertise in operating and maintaining pollution monitoring equipment, conducting data collection, and analysis are ideally suited to compete. Industries that leverage advanced technological solutions for air quality assessment can benefit from associating with long-term government contracts, promoting stability and growth. The continued evolution of monitoring technology and the commitment to aligning with the UK's changing pollution climate indicates ongoing opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

UK Hydrocarbons Monitoring Network 2025-2027

Notice Description

The networks consist of interdependent elements, split between an automatic and a non-automatic network.<br/>The Hydrocarbon Network Operator is responsible for the management of the network of air pollution monitoring sites throughout the UK for the measurement and assessment of Benzene and volatile organic compounds at automatic sites. The operator will be responsible for upkeep, collection, analysis QA/QC and transfer of data to contractors who have responsibility for wider dissemination of the data.<br/>The objective is to continue delivery and encompass new monitoring using automatic analysers that can measure additional hydrocarbons to align with changes to the pollution climate of the UK.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Monitoring contracts team within Survey, National Monitoring has been managing the UK Hydrocarbons Network contract on behalf of DEFRA since April 2016. This procurement is to replace the current contract which has been running for 6 years (1st September 2018 until 31st August 2023) with an additional 1-year extension until August 24, followed by an STA for 6 months ending 31/03/2025.
The networks consist of interdependent elements, split between an automatic and a non-automatic network.
The Hydrocarbon Network Operator is responsible for the management of the network of air pollution monitoring sites throughout the UK for the measurement and assessment of Benzene and volatile organic compounds at automatic sites. The operator will be responsible for upkeep, collection, analysis QA/QC and transfer of data to contractors who have responsibility for wider dissemination of the data.

The retender cost is for 4-year period which is a two-year contract with the option of extending for a further two years.

The objective is to continue delivery and encompass new monitoring using automatic analysers that can measure additional hydrocarbons to align with changes to the pollution climate of the UK.

Procurement Information

This is a genuine STA under Regulation 32 of PCR 2015 and complies with clause 9. <br/>Additional ground relevant to new works or services which repeat similar ones<br/>(9) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for new works and services consisting of the repetition of similar works or services entrusted to the economic operator to which the same contracting authority awarded an original contract, provided that such works or services are in conformity with a basic project for which the original contract was awarded following a procedure in accordance with regulation 26(1) and (2), 32(1) and (2).<br/>26.--(1) When awarding public contracts, contracting authorities shall apply procedures that conform to this Part.<br/>(2) Such contracts may be awarded only if a call for competition has been published in accordance with this Part F1..., except where regulation 32 permits contracting authorities to apply a negotiated procedure without prior publication.<br/>32.--(2) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts in any of the following cases:--<br/>(a)where no tenders, no suitable tenders, no requests to participate or no suitable requests to participate have been submitted in response to an open procedure or a restricted procedure, provided that the initial conditions of the contract are not substantially altered [F1and that--<br/>(b)where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator for any of the following reasons:-- (ii)competition is absent for technical reasons, but only, in the case of paragraphs (ii) and (iii), where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement;

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-044d01
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015510-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

90731100 - Air quality management

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,060,026 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Apr 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
23 May 2024Expired
Award Date
5 Feb 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Additional Buyers

DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL

Contact Name
Defra Group Commercial
Contact Email
procurement@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 3459335577

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

RICARDO-AEA

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-044d01-2025-04-16T12:08:34+01:00",
    "date": "2025-04-16T12:08:34+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-044d01",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "C28478",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "UK Hydrocarbons Monitoring Network 2025-2027",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "90731100",
            "description": "Air quality management"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The networks consist of interdependent elements, split between an automatic and a non-automatic network.<br/>The Hydrocarbon Network Operator is responsible for the management of the network of air pollution monitoring sites throughout the UK for the measurement and assessment of Benzene and volatile organic compounds at automatic sites. The operator will be responsible for upkeep, collection, analysis QA/QC and transfer of data to contractors who have responsibility for wider dissemination of the data.<br/>The objective is to continue delivery and encompass new monitoring using automatic analysers that can measure additional hydrocarbons to align with changes to the pollution climate of the UK.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Monitoring contracts team within Survey, National Monitoring has been managing the UK Hydrocarbons Network contract on behalf of DEFRA since April 2016. This procurement is to replace the current contract which has been running for 6 years (1st September 2018 until 31st August 2023) with an additional 1-year extension until August 24, followed by an STA for 6 months ending 31/03/2025.<br/>The networks consist of interdependent elements, split between an automatic and a non-automatic network.<br/>The Hydrocarbon Network Operator is responsible for the management of the network of air pollution monitoring sites throughout the UK for the measurement and assessment of Benzene and volatile organic compounds at automatic sites. The operator will be responsible for upkeep, collection, analysis QA/QC and transfer of data to contractors who have responsibility for wider dissemination of the data.<br/><br/>The retender cost is for 4-year period which is a two-year contract with the option of extending for a further two years.<br/><br/>The objective is to continue delivery and encompass new monitoring using automatic analysers that can measure additional hydrocarbons to align with changes to the pollution climate of the UK.",
                "status": "cancelled",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "price"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "90731100",
                        "description": "Air quality management"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2024-05-24T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "id": "D_PROC_OPEN",
                "description": "No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to open procedure"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "id": "D_TECHNICAL",
                "description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "id": "D_REPETITION_EXISTING",
                "description": "New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services and ordered in accordance with the strict conditions stated in the directive"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationale": "This is a genuine STA under Regulation 32 of PCR 2015 and complies with clause 9. <br/>Additional ground relevant to new works or services which repeat similar ones<br/>(9) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for new works and services consisting of the repetition of similar works or services entrusted to the economic operator to which the same contracting authority awarded an original contract, provided that such works or services are in conformity with a basic project for which the original contract was awarded following a procedure in accordance with regulation 26(1) and (2), 32(1) and (2).<br/>26.--(1) When awarding public contracts, contracting authorities shall apply procedures that conform to this Part.<br/>(2) Such contracts may be awarded only if a call for competition has been published in accordance with this Part F1..., except where regulation 32 permits contracting authorities to apply a negotiated procedure without prior publication.<br/>32.--(2) The negotiated procedure without prior publication may be used for public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts in any of the following cases:--<br/>(a)where no tenders, no suitable tenders, no requests to participate or no suitable requests to participate have been submitted in response to an open procedure or a restricted procedure, provided that the initial conditions of the contract are not substantially altered [F1and that--<br/>(b)where the works, supplies or services can be supplied only by a particular economic operator for any of the following reasons:-- (ii)competition is absent for technical reasons, but only, in the case of paragraphs (ii) and (iii), where no reasonable alternative or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement;"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-99321",
            "name": "Defra Network eTendering Portal",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Defra Network eTendering Portal"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DF",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Defra Group Commercial",
                "email": "procurement@defra.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 3459335577"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs",
                "buyerProfile": "https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "MINISTRY",
                        "description": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "id": "05",
                        "description": "Environmental protection"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-83855",
            "name": "Ricardo-AEA Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Ricardo-AEA Ltd",
                "id": "08229264"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "The Gemini Building, Harwell, Oxfordshire",
                "locality": "Harwell",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "OX11 0QR",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-118855",
            "name": "DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DF",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-69584",
            "name": "Public Procurement Review Body",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Public Procurement Review Body"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "N/A",
                "locality": "N/A",
                "postalCode": "N/A",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody",
                "mediationBody",
                "reviewContactPoint"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-139654",
            "name": "ENVIRONMENT AGENCY",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "ENVIRONMENT AGENCY"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DF",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Defra Group Commercial",
                "telephone": "+44 3459335577",
                "email": "procurement@defra.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs",
                "buyerProfile": "https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "MINISTRY",
                        "description": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "id": "05",
                        "description": "Environmental protection"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-139654",
        "name": "ENVIRONMENT AGENCY"
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "003818-2025-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-83855",
                    "name": "Ricardo-AEA Ltd"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "015510-2025-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-83855",
                    "name": "Ricardo-AEA Ltd"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "003818-2025-1",
            "awardID": "003818-2025-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 2509513.65,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-02-05T00:00:00Z"
        },
        {
            "id": "015510-2025-1",
            "awardID": "015510-2025-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 2550513.65,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-03-25T00:00:00Z"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 1
            }
        ]
    }
}