Tender

The Swale - Shellfish Quality Monitoring

SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Dec 2025 at 12:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swale Borough Council is initiating a public procurement process, inviting businesses to express interest in a shellfish quality monitoring contract for The Swale, based in Sittingbourne, United Kingdom. This tender, categorised under services for shellfish and environmental quality control, falls within an open competition under the threshold method. The procurement stage is currently active with a closing date for interest and tender submissions set for 5 January 2026. The contract will commence on 1 April 2026 and conclude on 31 March 2029, with opportunities for clarifications until 17 December 2025. Interested parties must submit their documents via the Council's e-tendering portal.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in environmental services, quality control, and shellfish industries to expand their portfolios. The contract entails the collection, storage, and laboratory analysis of shellfish samples, aligning with Food Standards Agency and CEFAS protocols. Businesses skilled in marine biotoxin and chemical contaminant assessments, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, are well-positioned to benefit. With quality carrying a substantial weight in the award criteria, business growth is attainable by showcasing excellence in service delivery within shellfish and environmental monitoring sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Swale - Shellfish Quality Monitoring

Notice Description

Swale Borough Council is inviting Expressions of Interest to quote for shellfish quality monitoring of The Swale. 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. The bidder/s who submit/s the Most Advantageous Tender will be awarded the contract. Expressions of Interest and the Request for Quotation (RFQ) document must be submitted / uploaded on the Council's e-tendering portal. The closing date for submission of Expressions of Interest and the closing date for the ITT is 5 January 2026 at 12:00:00hrs. All communication / clarifications must be submitted via the e-tendering portal. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Sittingbourne:-Shellfish./7NBD48MC8P To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/7NBD48MC8P

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ecca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078853-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
5 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
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
SWALE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@swale.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SITTINGBOURNE
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

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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