Planning

Precipitation Network and Rural Nitrogen Dioxide Network UKEAP- NO2 Net and Precip-Net

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

19 Feb 2026 at 15:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Feb 2026 at 16:29

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Feb 2026 at 15:40

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency, located in London, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process focusing on the management of air quality through the Precipitation Network and Rural Nitrogen Dioxide Network UKEAP. The initiative is part of a tender process that seeks to establish efficient practices for monitoring various chemical species in rainfall and nitrogen dioxide levels across different UK sites. The procurement is valued at up to £2.4 million and is classified under the services category. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to respond to upcoming presentations and engagements before the deadline of 31 March 2026, which will influence the subsequent procurement strategy. The contract period is set to begin on 1 November 2026 and may extend until 31 October 2030, with important notifications scheduled for release in May 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in environmental management and air quality measurement services. Companies that specialise in chemical analysis of environmental samples or those providing solutions for long-term atmospheric data assessment are ideal candidates. There is a particular focus on businesses that can offer innovative methods of collecting and analysing precipitation samples and NO2 levels. SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are invited to participate, potentially benefiting from a robust procurement opportunity that could enhance their business profile and contribute to national environmental objectives. Interested parties are encouraged to engage with the Environment Agency to better understand the procurement requirements and tailor their capabilities accordingly.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Precipitation Network and Rural Nitrogen Dioxide Network UKEAP- NO2 Net and Precip-Net

Notice Description

Precip Net: Precip-Net sites collect rainwater using standard bulk rainwater collectors on a fortnightly basis to measure the bulk deposition of both acidifying and eutrophying chemical species at 48 sites. This includes calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphate, nitrate, ammonium, sulphate, non-marine sulphate, acidity, conductivity, pH and total rainfall levels. At the two UK EMEP Supersites, daily wet only collectors are operated and samples analysed for the same ions as the bulk samplers with the addition of fluoride. With the long term time series from this network, it is possible to do trend analysis and modelling of chemical deposition via rainfall to UK ecosystems. Precip-Net is measured via bottle collectors mounted on a pole. The samples are collected fortnightly by the Local Site Operators (LSOs), returned, processed and sent for analysis. The bottle collector has a funnel with a polypropylene mesh filter at the base to prevent coarse material entering the collection chamber. Bird deterrents are also located on the top of the funnels to try to minimise contamination from bird droppings. At Auchencorth Moss and Chilbolton (The two EMEP sites) daily wet only collections are also made. This is via a wet only sampler and is used towards meeting the UK's EMEP commitments. Ion analysis of the daily samples is undertaken, including: Na, NH4-N, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, NO3-N, SO4-S, PO4-P. In the daily samples fluoride (F-) is measured additionally. NO2 Net NO2-Net sites are a subset of the Precip-Net sites and are used to provide a rural background for the UK modelling of NO2 via the Defra Modelling Ambient Air Quality contract for annual compliance mapping at 26 sites. This supplements information delivered on a separate EA network, the Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN). Samples are taken using diffusion tubes. Three diffusion tubes with stainless steel grids mounted in low density polyethylene caps are used to collect the samples. The stainless steel grids are impregnated with an absorbent chemical (triethanolamine and acetone) which captures the NO2 as the gas diffuses through the tube. The tubes are left in situ for 4 weeks then analysed. Following a two-year intercomparison study during 2022 and 2023 comparing the performance of tubes with and without wind protection caps, the use of the tubes without the wind protection caps were discontinued and only those tubes with wind protection caps are now employed in the network. These tubes, provided by Gradko, are like those used in the UK Urban NO2 Network (UUNN Network). The wind protection caps help maintain the diffusion path length and hence reduces the positive sampling bias.

Planning Information

Further information (in the form of a presentation) is available by clicking the attached link. Responses to the presentation will help inform the Procurement Strategy and subsequent Bidder Pack. Please copy the following link into your browser and download the presentation. https://atamis-9529.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/8d000003VQwd/a/Tu000007M9On/HIieiEVBcuI6iyn_.1xxw0mSeAJQE29N4Wo6cDWWwOQ Please contact wayne.lamport@defra.gov.uk if you have any issues connected with the presentation. Defra reserves the right to follow up with suppliers on a 1:1 basis to further understand their capabilities with regard to this requirement (with publication of any new information that arises).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065660
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015335-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90731100 - Air quality management

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 May 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
wayne.lamport@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
02084152266

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

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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