Award

Aquatic Water Quality Award Scheme

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Feb 2026 at 15:41

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "Aquatic Water Quality Award Scheme" was conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, a central government public authority based in London, United Kingdom. This contract was awarded on 5th February 2026 and commenced on 6th February 2026. The project focuses on certification services within the environmental sector across England, Wales, and Scotland. The tender was completed using a direct procurement method, specifically below the threshold and without competition. The contract is set to continue until 31st March 2027, with the option for renewal, aiming to maintain and expand the Aquatic Quality Award accreditation scheme to address biosecurity accreditation in freshwater, riparian, and coastal environments.

This procurement offers growth opportunities for businesses specialising in ecological services, particularly those involved with environmental conservation, biosecurity, and certification. Enterprises with expertise in managing invasive species and capable of expanding schemes like the AQUA project will find this tender relevant. Although this contract has been awarded to the Bristol Zoological Society, companies looking to collaborate or support such initiatives could benefit. Businesses with a focus on enhancing environmental sustainability and biosecurity are well-suited to engage in similar future projects, fostering growth opportunities in the environmental services sector.

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Notice Title

Aquatic Water Quality Award Scheme

Notice Description

This Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been developed to define how the APHA and Bristol Zoological Society shall work together for the continuation and expansion of the Aquatic Quality Award (AQUA) biosecurity accreditation and certification scheme across England and into Wales. The AQUA scheme - as a biosecurity accreditation/certification scheme to reduce the impact and spread of Invasive Alien Species in freshwater aquatic, riparian and coastal environments - was originally a regional pilot in the South-West of England, run by the Partner, in conjunction with the Authority, Southwest Water, and the Southwest Lakes Trust. This was through the RAPID (Reducing and Preventing Invasive Alien Species Dispersal) LIFE Project. The continuation and expansion of the AQUA Scheme across England and into Wales and Scotland shall maintain and develop the benefits from the regional pilot and support the legacy of the RAPID LIFE Project. This MoA shall commence on 01 April 2025 and (subject to earlier termination on the terms of this MoA) shall continue until 31 March 2027 which period may be extended by the written agreement of the Parties. The MoA was signed on 05 February 2026.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06493c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010606-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79132000 - Certification services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£20,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
6 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
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
1
Supplier Name

BRISTOL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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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