Award

Riverfly Monitoring Initiative Citizen Science Project 26/29

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Feb 2026 at 10:13

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency, in collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has finalised the procurement process for the "Riverfly Monitoring Initiative Citizen Science Project 26/29". This project falls under the environmental protection industry category and is set in the United Kingdom. The initiative is a collaborative agreement between the Environment Agency and The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), aimed at continuing the work of the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative, which collects crucial invertebrate data across English rivers. The procurement method used was a direct award, justified by technical reasons and the protection of exclusive intellectual property rights. The contract for this three-year project, with a gross value of £206,200, is scheduled to run from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029. The award notice was published on 10th February 2026.

This project presents significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) in the environmental services sector. The engagement of The Freshwater Biological Association as the supplier highlights the need for expertise in environmental monitoring and data collection, particularly for organisations capable of supporting a citizen science network. Businesses with strengths in environmental protection and experience in collaborative schemes will find this project an excellent platform for growth and establishing themselves within public contracting opportunities in the environmental sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Riverfly Monitoring Initiative Citizen Science Project 26/29

Notice Description

Collaborative Agreement between EA and the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA). This is a 3-year project which aims to continue the work of the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI), citizen science network under the Riverfly Partnership, which collects invertebrate data and evidence of environmental impacts from rivers and catchments across England to complement EA's own monitoring and assessment work.

Procurement Information

Competition is absent for technical reasons and protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights. No reasonable alternative or substitute exists.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064bf6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011673-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90720000 - Environmental protection

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£206,200 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Feb 20261 weeks 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
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Additional Buyers

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

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

THE FRESHWATER BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

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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