Award

CEFAS25-63 Request for Quotation for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis of samples from the Nab Tower dredged material disposal site, 2025.

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2025 at 14:03

Tender

26 Jun 2025 at 08:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), a sub-central government public authority based in Lowestoft, UK, recently concluded a tendering process for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis services. This procurement process, identified as CEFAS25-63, involved services for processing 41 macrofaunal samples, requiring detailed identification and quality assurance per the NMBAQC guidelines. The contract was awarded to APEM Limited, a large enterprise specialising in analysis services, through an open competition procurement method. The contract period spans from September 2025 to January 2026, with key analysis and quality assurance deliverables expected by the end of December 2025.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses in the environmental analysis and consultancy sectors, particularly those adept in marine biological studies and quality assurance processes. It highlights potential growth for companies capable of providing comprehensive auditing and quality control, as outlined by NMBAQC requirements. SMEs specialising in similar services can benefit from participating in future sub-central government tenders like this, as seen from the successful engagement of a large company in this instance. The focus on delivering high-quality, audited data underscores the importance of reliability and expertise, which is paramount for businesses aiming to expand their service offerings in environmental science and marine research sectors.

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Notice Title

CEFAS25-63 Request for Quotation for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis of samples from the Nab Tower dredged material disposal site, 2025.

Notice Description

To view this opportunity please go to https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/login You will need to log in or create a new supplier account. The opportunity can then be found searching 'CEFAS25-63 Macrofaunal Analysis'. This request for quotation is for the processing of the 41 macrofaunal samples: to extract and identify all biota retained following sieving on a 1.0 mm capture mesh, as per the NMBAQC guidelines detailing extraction and identification protocols. In addition to this there is a requirement to ensure these data are audited as per the NMBAQC Own Samples protocol prior to submission to Cefas (Hall, 2019). http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1764/os686970_summary-report.pdf. Enumeration, identification and biomassing to the lowest possible taxonomic level should be carried out following the NMBAQC Processing Requirement Protocol and Taxonomic Discrimination Protocol. Biomass (wet weight in grams to at least 4 d.p.) is required for all enumerable taxa. Balances must be serviced annually and a valid service certificate must be supplied with this tender. A single reference collection of all species/taxa identified should be returned to the Cefas laboratories in Lowestoft in an appropriate preservation liquid (i.e. 100% IDA or 70% IMS, 20% water and 10% glycerol). The reference collection should contain as a minimum the species name, name of identifier/ supervisor, station code, cruise code, date of collection and name of species identification verifier. A list of all taxa in the reference collection is also requested; in electronic form, with these details included. Notable taxa should be highlighted here such as non-native species and new or unusual records. Non-native species should be added to the Non-native Species Information Portal (NNSIP) (hosted on the Non-native Species Secretariat website, http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=81). The abundance and biomass data matrices should be in completed with, at minimum, the detail in the exemplar provided and, then sent via email to the above contacts following completion. All species names must be run through the WoRMS 'Match Taxa' tool so that all naming is current (http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=match). Quality assurance: Three samples from this contract are to be subject to an independent QA process following the requirements of the NMBAQC 'own sample' scheme assessment criteria with the scheme coordinator (or their assigned AQC lab). As this is also a project level audit the full data set will be quality assured; in addition to the samples selected to assess processing, additional taxa will be identified for review from the full data matrix. Any remedial action required following the AQC process must be completed within an agreed timeframe at no extra cost to the project, including any subsequent AQC needed. The AQC contract will be arranged by Cefas. The processing and audit laboratories will include Cefas in all communications relating to this contract and will work to ensure timely delivery. Deliverables: * Externally audited, quality-controlled abundance and biomass matrices with current nomenclature (Primary processing and Audit lab) * Reference collection (Primary processing lab) * Internal Quality Control logs (Primary processing lab) * Audited Quality Control report (Audit lab) * Weekly project summary updates and correspondence between primary processing and audit lab (Primary processing and Audit lab) Data delivery: 1. Primary analysis to be completed by end November 2025 2. Fully AQC'd data by end of December 2025. 3. Reference collection to Cefas January 2026. Quantity: 41 mini Hamon grab samples (details of the samples can be found in table 1 below). Location: Samples are available for collection, by the successful contractor, as soon as possible following contract allocation from the storage facility in Lowestoft. Please include a cost to acknowledge this requirement. Details of the sample collection are to be confirmed following contract allocation and samples must be transported safely and securely.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0553e0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055080-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£35,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£35,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£29,577 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Sep 20257 months ago
Contract Period
2 Sep 2025 - 31 Jan 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

APEM

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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