Award

Smart Farming Trials

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

29 Oct 2025 at 09:02

Award

10 Oct 2025 at 12:32

Award

07 Oct 2025 at 08:58

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process concerning smart farming trials was conducted by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), located in London, United Kingdom. The initiative focuses on employing technologies and data-driven systems to enhance efficiency and sustainability in agricultural production. This process, currently in the award stage, employed a direct procurement method due to technical reasons that necessitated a particular supplier, Water Resources East, uniquely fitting due to their expertise in the Cambridgeshire catchment area. The contract commenced on 24th October 2025 and is set to conclude by 31st March 2026, with potential extensions permissible. The project fits within the environmental services category, with its procurement details underscoring a significant commitment to public sector collaboration for innovative agricultural practices.

This contract presents an excellent opportunity for businesses in the agricultural equipment and environmental services sectors, particularly those with innovative approaches to smart farming technologies. Companies capable of providing hydrometric equipment, water management systems, and data integration services would find this tender conducive to their growth objectives. While the procurement method was a direct award, highlighting the importance of specialised skills and existing relationships, there exists a broader potential for companies in the SME sector to engage in related projects and expand their influence within the agricultural and environmental management industries. Businesses with advanced technological capabilities tailored towards improving water resource management in agriculture could see significant opportunities in future collaborations and policy developments linked to this innovative initiative.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Smart Farming Trials

Notice Description

Smart farming is defined by the Environment Agency, as 'the use of technologies and data-driven systems to improve efficiency and sustainability in agricultural production'. Employing smart farming technologies and the latest developments in data and systems for water resources in agriculture, would allow the sector to both maximise water availability and efficiency of application. This funding would be used to fund trials of smart farming technologies, giving vital information for farming businesses, and a greater understanding of those setting policy, wider water users and the environment.

Procurement Information

This supplier is uniquely positioned to co-ordinate activity between abstractors in the agriculture sector, gain access to water company data and systems, work with providers of hydrometric equipment and to link up with regulators on policy development in the Cambridgeshire catchment.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a93a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069217-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£299,967 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£299,967 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Oct 20251 months ago
Contract Period
23 Oct 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Additional Buyers

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dgcenquiries@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
2
Supplier Names

WATER RESOURCES EAST

WATER RESOURCES EAST (WRE

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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