Tender

Where Have All the Eiders Gone? - Food Resource Availability Assessment

NATURAL ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

30 Oct 2025 at 10:07

Tender

23 Oct 2025 at 15:13

Summary of the contracting process

Natural England, a central government public authority based in London, is inviting tenders for the project titled "Where Have All the Eiders Gone? - Food Resource Availability Assessment." This procurement falls under the services category, specifically marine survey services, and is focused in the UKC region of the United Kingdom. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with submissions due by 17:00 on 4th November 2025. The project's budget is set at £25,000 GBP, with a net amount of £20,833 GBP, under an open, below-threshold competition method. The contract period is expected to commence on 7th November 2025 and conclude on 27th February 2026, aiming to assess food resource availability for eiders over the winter period.

This tender presents a growth opportunity for businesses in the marine survey and environmental assessment sectors, particularly for SMEs due to the suitability criteria. Businesses with expertise in conducting ecological surveys, specifically in marine environments, will find this project well-aligned with their capabilities. The project requires detailed methodological approaches, experienced project teams adept at operating in challenging environments, and a comprehensive understanding of food resource dynamics, potentially involving innovations in environmental data collection and analysis. By participating, businesses can build a portfolio of work with a reputable public body and gain valuable insights into regional environmental dynamics, enhancing their competitive edge for future projects.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Where Have All the Eiders Gone? - Food Resource Availability Assessment

Notice Description

At the GB scale, eider numbers have declined by c60% over the last 25 years. At an England scale, numbers have declined by c75% over 30+ years. Action to understand the causes of these declines and, if possible, to implement measures to halt or reverse the declines is urgent. Adult eiders preferentially feed on mussel, a resource which since 2012 has declined critically in Northumberland. This suggests that environmental changes leading to loss of mussel resources on this coast may have played some part in the eiders' decline. The present study is being commissioned to provide an assessment of food availability for eiders over the winter period. Eiders preferentially feed on mussels, a resource which since 2012 has declined critically in Northumberland. However, mussel beds persist in the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SPA, where wintering eiders occur. The study will determine the availability of mussels and alternate food sources at five sites in the region used by eiders. Intertidal rocky reef transect surveys will be conducted during the period of lowest possible tides in November or December (contingency) 2025. The period is chosen to assess the food availability to the overwintering eiders in the region. If interested, suppliers should provide: details of the methodology and approaches proposed to deliver the requirements of this project; qualifications and experience the proposed project team; a proposed timetable for the project, risk log, mitigation actions and a Gantt; and proposed project teams' experience and qualifications for operating safely in the environment and conditions required for the project.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d2c4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069627-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71354500 - Marine survey services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,833 Under £100K
Lots Value
£20,833 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Oct 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Nov 2025 - 27 Feb 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL ENGLAND
Contact Name
Dan Donald
Contact Email
daniel.donald@naturalengland.org.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
TLC North East (England)

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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