Award

The Swale - Shellfish Quality Monitoring

SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 May 2026 at 11:29

Tender

02 Dec 2025 at 12:05

Summary of the contracting process

Swale Borough Council, located in Sittingbourne, Kent, has initiated a procurement process titled "The Swale - Shellfish Quality Monitoring". This project, classified under the industry categories of Shellfish and Environmental Quality Control Services, involves collecting and analysing shellfish and water samples in accordance with relevant standards. The procurement stage is currently at the 'Award' phase, with Marine Farm Services Limited being the awarded contractor. The contract is set to commence on 1 April 2026 and conclude on 31 March 2029, having been conducted under an open competition procurement method, which fell below the threshold. The open tender process attracted proposals before the deadline on 5 January 2026, with Swale Borough Council emphasizing quality and price in the evaluation criteria, 60% and 40% respectively.

This procurement presents considerable opportunities for businesses involved in environmental monitoring, marine biology, or related services, particularly those specialising in shellfish quality analysis. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), alongside larger firms, can find this contract beneficial for growth, as long as they demonstrate competitiveness in both quality and pricing strategies. The nature of the task demands technical expertise in sampling and analysis in accordance with FSA and CEFAS standards, and companies with capabilities in environmental quality services would find themselves well-positioned to succeed in this procurement space.

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Notice Title

The Swale - Shellfish Quality Monitoring

Notice Description

The contract will involve the service provider collecting samples of shellfish and water in accordance with the current Food Standards Agency (FSA) and The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) relevant documents, including the Protocol for the Collection of Shellfish under the Microbiological Classification Monitoring Program and the Protocol for the Collection and Transport of Shellfish Samples for the Purposes of Official Control Monitoring of Classified Shellfish Production Areas in England and Wales: Marine Biotoxins and Chemical Contaminants. In practical terms the service will involve taking the required amount of water and flesh samples of shellfish from classified beds in The Swale, storing and transporting shellfish to the Public Health England FWEM laboratory for analysis and all associated administration. The contract shall commence on 1 April 2026 and terminate on 31 March 2029.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ecca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041864-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

03312200 - Shellfish

90714500 - Environmental quality control services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£64,727 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SITTINGBOURNE, KENT
Postcode
ME10 3HT
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Swale
Electoral Ward
Roman
Westminster Constituency
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MARINE FARM SERVICES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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