Award

Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) - 25-26

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Jan 2026 at 10:14

Award

16 Dec 2025 at 09:58

Award

04 Dec 2025 at 15:52

Summary of the contracting process

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), located in London, is the buying organisation for the "Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) - 25-26". This contract concerns environmental monitoring efforts aimed at investigating incidences of bycatch affecting protected, endangered, and threatened species within commercial fisheries—an industry category essential for the conservation of marine biodiversity. The procurement is in the Award and Contract stage, with the awarding date being 9th January 2026, and the contract term running from 10th January to 31st July 2026. The procurement method used was a direct award, justified by the necessity of continuity due to previous unforeseen delays in completing certain tasks under the existing contractual arrangements. These activities take place primarily in the United Kingdom.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses involved in environmental monitoring services, particularly those with expertise in marine biology and ecology. The focus on sustainable fisheries and species conservation suggests that organisations with experience in working with public authorities and central government would be well-positioned to compete. Additionally, the direct award indicates a stable working relationship with the University of St Andrews, highlighting the importance of building long-term partnerships with governmental agencies to ensure continued business development and potential involvement in future related tenders.

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Notice Title

Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) - 25-26

Notice Description

The principal purpose of this contract is to investigate incidences of bycatch. This is sensitive species of bycatch, otherwise known as PETS which stands for protected, endangered and threatened species. Incidental capture (bycatch) of PETS in commercial fisheries is a major threat to the conservation of marine megafauna. Injury or death to the PETS bycatch can have population level impacts, socio-economic consequences and can also affect the fishers wellbeing involved. Monitoring our seas and taking mitigating action to protect PETS is a statutory duty for Defra under the Fisheries Act 2020. Through the Fisheries Act 2020, the UK Government has committed to minimise and, where possible, eliminate bycatch of sensitive marine species to ensure sustainable fisheries.

Procurement Information

Several aspects of work under the current contractual arrangement have been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances outside of our control. This STA direct award will provide sufficient time to ensure that those delayed tasks are completed as well as on going objectives delivered whilst we retender for a new replacement contract. Under the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 provides a key justification for awarding a public contract directly to the original supplier when continuity is essential.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eefd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003755-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£435,869 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£435,869 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
10 Jan 2026 - 31 Jul 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
network.procurement@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

UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS (USTAN

UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS

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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